Getting Started in Japan – Fall 2026
This page explains instructions for exchange students in JYPE, IPLA, DEEP, and COLABS for the period after their arrival in Japan and the first few weeks on campus.
(Last updated: September 2nd, 2026)
- Moving Into Dorm
- Orientation
- Ward Office
- Bank Account
- Insurance
- Tohokudai ID
- Map & Directions
- Useful Websites
Moving Into the Dormitory
You can move into the dormitory on the date and time that you have requested on the Arrival Information Form. Upon arrival at the dormitory, you must attend a 30-minute registration meeting first. After that, you will be allowed to enter your room. In the unlikely event that you cannot arrive at the dormitory at the scheduled time due to flight delays, etc., you should contact the Student Exchange Division from here. Please note that the available time to move in is between 9:00 and 16:00 on weekdays. If you wish to send your luggage from the airport to the dormitory, please specify that it should arrive on or after the day you move in. Make sure to include the following information on a delivery slip: full name, program name, dormitory address, and room number.
Note that available dates for moving into the dorms are as follows: September 25 and September 28 (the day of orientation).
Moving in Procedures and Access to Dormitories
Be sure to read the following information about your dormitory, including bedding rental service and internet application, before your arrival.
You can find an application form and more details at the following "Moving into" links.
In particular, those who will be moving into a dormitory in the Sanjo area and wish to rent bedding must apply at least seven weekdays before your move-in date.
Please contact the Student Exchange Section (studyab@grp.tohoku.ac.jp) by email if you have any questions regarding bedding rental applications.
Location map and access to dormitories are available here.
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- Moving into International House Sanjo1 2026.10
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UH Sanjo A: A hair dryer is available in the shared space.
UH Sanjo B: A hair dryer is provided in the bathroom of your room.
Other dorms: There is no hair dryer, so you must bring your own.
Reminders:
- Must read: Important Note
- No parking space is available for exchange students.
- Bringing electric home appliances or furniture into your room is restricted (except for PCs and hair dryers).
If you have any questions about dormitories, please contact the Life Support Section, Student Services Division, Tohoku University.
Contact email address: ihome@grp.tohoku.ac.jp
Revision of Fees for the University House and the International House
Applicable to residents moving in from April 2026
First Payment of Dormitory Fees
The first payment for the dormitory will be for October and November, plus the deposit. It depends on the dormitories, but you will be asked to pay approximately 70,000 to 100,000 yen in cash via bank transfer at a bank ATM shortly after moving in. Please be prepared for that. Students living in the UH Aobayama can pay by credit card alternatively. If you have any questions about dorm fees, please ask the management office of your dormitory.
Orientations
Before the semester begins, an orientation will be held for each program to explain the curriculum, course registration, etc. Make sure you know the date, time, and location of your program's orientation. Attendance at the orientation is mandatory. Therefore, we strongly recommend that you move into the dorm by September 25th.
A common orientation for all programs' participants (IPLA, COLABS, JYPE, and DEEP) will be held at 11:00 a.m on September 28. After that, orientation will be held separately for each program.
Please see below for directions from Kawauchi Subway Station to the orientation venue.
▶ Directions from Kawauchi Subway Station to the Orientation Venue
*Cloakroom Time: 10:30–14:00 Location: Law-Small Lecture Hall 1, 2nd Floor, Multidisciplinary Research Building (Map)
A cloakroom will be available for those moving into the dormitories on September 28, where you can leave your luggage, such as suitcases. Please ask a staff member if you would like to use this service.
Your Welcome Package, which includes your student ID, original residence permit, etc., will be handed to you on Orientation Day.
*Welcome Package
Your Welcome Package, which includes your student ID, original residence permit, etc., will be handed to you on Orientation Day.
*Orientation Video for International Students - Mandatory for all students -
The International Support Center provides orientation videos for incoming international students. It is available for watching anytime online. Please fill out the following form to get a password and a link to view videos. The viewing period ends on October 3rd.
Orientation Videos Access Form
| Program | Date&Time | Place | Material | Things to Bring | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| All programs（IPLA,COLABS,JYPE,and DEEP） |
Monday, September 28, 2026 11:00-11:40 |
Economics Lecture hall 1, 2nd Floor, Multidisciplinary Research Building, Kawauchi Campus(C19): Map | - | - | |
| All programs（IPLA,COLABS,JYPE,and DEEP） | Lunch & Campus Tour | ||||
| COLABS |
13:00-14:00 |
Economics Small Lecture hall 2, 2nd Floor, Multidisciplinary Research Building, Kawauchi Campus(C19): Map |
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- |
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| IPLA |
14:00-15:00 |
Economics Lecture hall 1, 2nd Floor, Multidisciplinary Research Building, Kawauchi Campus(C19): Map |
- |
【Activity Fee】 1) Fall Semester Students: 10,000yen in cash |
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| JYPE |
14:30-15:30 |
Economics Lecture hall 2, 2nd Floor, Multidisciplinary Research Building, Kawauchi Campus(C19): Map |
- |
-
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| DEEP |
16:00-16:30 |
Economics Small Lecture hall 3, 2nd Floor, Multidisciplinary Research Building, Kawauchi Campus(C19): Map |
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| JASSO Scholarship
Guidance (Mandatory for all recipients) |
※Must be watched by the date of your first scholarship receipt. Guidance Video(TBA) |
Not specified; watch the online video |
Google Classroom ※Accessible from April 1st, 2026. Please wait for the invitation email. |
Google Classroom |
none |
| Japanese Class Orientation for JYPE/COLABS Students |
There will be no face-to-face orientation. |
Not specified; watch the online video and read the guide carefully |
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- |
none |
Course Information for Fall 2026 Semester
Course information for Fall 2026 will be finalized and will be available in late September. For your reference, please refer to the course information for the past Fall semester offered in the previous year. Note that the courses offered for Fall 2026 may differ from the courses offered last year.
2026 Fall Welcome Week - Optional -
The Welcome Week offers new international students workshops that provide important information on daily life in Sendai, campus tours, and opportunities to make new friends. Please visit the link below for details.
Application deadline: September 20, 2026
Please note that participation in the Program Orientation on September 28 is a priority.
Note that IPLA,JYPE,COLABS, and DEEP students cannot apply for the Kawauchi campus tour, which will be conducted separately.
Applying for TU Support Services
The International Support Center provides various other support services such as getting a cell phone contract and buying a sim card. If you wish to apply for these additional services, please refer to the "Support Services" below and apply through the Support Services. Details of what kind of additional support services are offered are mentioned on the website below.
"Support Services" is an online application system where you can apply for additional support services. You will receive an email from the International Support Center inviting you to My Page of "Support Services" in September. Follow the instructions in the email and set up your password to log in to your My Page. Please note that you do not need to fill out the application form mentioned in Step 2 here; For exchange students, your step starts with "Step 3: Receive My Page Login Details." All exchange students will receive the email with My Page login details, and they should set up a password. You are asked to log in and check when you receive a message from the system. Make sure to read the instructions available on your My Page as well.
First Meeting with Academic Advisor - For JYPE, COLABS, and DEEP
JYPE, COLABS, and DEEP students will have a first meeting with their academic advisor to get to know each other and discuss their study plans. For details, please refer to Instructions.
===== The information under “Residence Procedures” is currently being updated. We will notify you once the updates are complete. =====
Residence Procedures - VERY IMPORTANT -
Once you arrive in Sendai, there are mainly three things to get done before the semester starts. They are 1) Resident Registration at the Ward Office, 2) Opening a Bank Account with Japan Post Bank, and 3) Paying the Student Insurance. These procedures are complicated, and they must be done in the exact order described below. The university will help you with these procedures. Please read carefully and follow the instructions.
STEP 1: Resident Registration at the Ward Office (Sendai City’s Special Counter, AER Building 5th Floor）
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Task |
You will do three things at the Ward Office Special Venue, on the 5th Floor of AER Building: 1) Resident registration, 2) Join Japan's National Health Insurance and receive your insurance card, and 3) Enroll in Japan's National Pension Plan and apply for the exemption. These processes will take about 2-3 hours in total to complete. The university staff will help you with the paperwork at the venue. |
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Date and Time |
The Sendai City Special Counter is available on the following dates: Dates: September XX, XX, October XX, XX, and XX. ※Fall semester will begin on October 1.
Time: 9:00 am - 5:00 pm (Last entry 4:00 pm) , September XX will close at 3:00 pm (Last entry 2:00 pm)
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How to Book |
To schedule a date and time for the procedure at Sendai City’s Special Counter, you have to log in to the dedicated website and apply for the service. Follow the instructions to make an advance reservation via the online form. |
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Meeting Place |
Sendai City’s Special Counter (Google map), on the 5th Floor, AER Building (September XX, XX, October XX, XX, and XX.） ※Since the Fall semester will begin on October 1, we recommend that you visit the Sendai City’s Special Counter by September 30. Address: 1-3-1 Chuo, Aoba Ward, Sendai City 980-0021 【How to get to the Sendai City’s Special Counter】 For those living in UH Aobayama, it's best to take the subway and get off at Sendai station. For those living in Sanjo dormitories, you can take the local bus bound for Sendai station or via Sendai station and get off at Sendai station. From Sendai station to the venue, it takes about 3 minutes on foot.
（before September XX and after October XX）Aoba Ward Office (Google map) Address: 1-5-1 Kamisugi, Aoba Ward, Sendai City 980-8701 【How to get there】 For those living in UH Aobayama, it's best to take the subway and get off at Aoba-Dori Ichibancho station. From there, it takes about 20 minutes on foot. For those living in Sanjo dormitories, it is not very convenient, but you can either take the local bus, walk the whole way for 35 minutes, or take a taxi and share a ride with your friends. |
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Things to Bring |
Reservation confirmation email (to show it displayed on your smartphone or tablet), residence card*, passport, dormitory residence permit in PDF or a hard copy, social security number (US citizens and US green card holders only) |
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Notes |
-Note that there is a limit to the number of people who can make reservations at the same time, we recommend that you reserve your desired time slot as soon as possible. Also, please come to the ward office special venue on time for your appointment. If you are late for your appointment, you may have to wait a long time, or may not be able to complete the procedure on the same day.
-When scheduling ward office procedures on the same day as your move-in to your dorm, please make a reservation at the ward office with enough time to make sure you can finish by the latest move-in time to the dorm (16:00).
-Special auditing students and Special Research Students (IPLA, JYPA, DEEP, and COLABS) are exempt from paying the pension. If asked about your student status, please respond that you are a "non-degree/non-regular student". Note that there is no document that you need to submit to the university regarding your pension. If you are given any such document, please inform the ward office staff that you are a non-degree/non-regular student and return it.
-Please wait at the venue while the procedure is in progress.
Related Materials - Support for Bureaucratic Matters |
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Q & A |
Any questions, check the FAQ first. If your question is not covered in the FAQ, please contact the address below. |
STEP 2: Receiving Your Welcome Package
Your Welcome Package, which includes your student ID, original residence permit, etc., will be handed to you on Orientation Day.
STEP 3: Paying Student Insurance
All exchange students* are required to enroll in the two insurances below:
*Even if you have insurance from your home country, all individuals must pay the Insurance premium.
1. Personal Accident Insurance for Students Pursuing Education & Research (Gakkensai Insurance) *Pamphlet
2. Comprehensive Insurance for Students Lives Coupled with "Gakkensai Insurance" for International Students (Inbound Futai Gakuso) *Pamphlet *Pamphlet for students enrolling in Graduate School of Science or Faculty of Science.
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School of Science |
Other Departments *Except for IPLA |
IPLA | |||
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Period of Study |
1 semester |
2 semesters |
1 semester |
2 semesters |
1 semester |
2 semesters |
| 2. Inbound Futai Gakuso | 10,280 |
14,690 |
10,480 | 14,970 | 9,740 | 14,220 |
For insurance item 1, the university will enroll on your behalf. For item 2, you need to pay the fees in cash with the payment slips at the ATM by September 30, so that the insurance will be effective after October 1. If you cannot pay by September 30, you should pay as soon as you can. Please follow the instructions below.
Instructions for Students
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Task |
Pay the Inbound Fuitai Gakuso insurance by cash at Kawauchi Post Office's ATM. Keep the receipts as you will need them later. Follow the ATM instructions below for payment. |
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Place |
Kawauchi Post Office (Google map) |
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ATM instructions |
Step by Step Guide |
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Date |
Payment must be made by September 30. Note that after receiving the “Welcome Package” in Step 2, you can pay for the insurance. |
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Things to Bring |
Payment slips (you receive them in your welcome package), cash for the amount of insurance, including 300 yen of handling fees. |
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If need help |
If you need any help applying for the insurance, visit the International Help desk, or the 6-C counter of the Student Exchange Division (map) anytime between 9:00 am - 12:00 pm or 1:30 - 4:30 pm. Also, to avoid mistakes in the amount, make sure to check the amount of your insurance payment before applying. |
Instructions for IPLA Students
If you need any help transferring money with an ATM, please visit the International Help Desk or ask your tutor to help you with the payment. To avoid mistakes in the amount, make sure to check the amount of your insurance payment before transferring money.
STEP 4: Opening a Bank Account
It is mandatory to have a bank account in Japan for those who will receive the JASSO Scholarship. All JASSO Scholarship recipients are asked to open an account as instructed below. Those who do not receive the scholarship do not necessarily need to open a bank account. But if you wish to have one, please follow the instructions below. Those who do not receive the JASSO Scholarship or do not wish to have a bank account in Japan can skip STEP 4.
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Task |
Open a Japan Post bank account using Japan Post Bank's app. University staff will help you apply in person using a tablet. |
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Date and Time |
Please come to the venue whenever it is convenient for you during the open hours below. The bank account application takes approximately 15 minutes. However, you may be asked to wait some time if the venue is busy. Note that JASSO Scholarship recipients are strongly recommended to open an account on October 1 or 2.
Open hours: October XX - XX from 9:00 am - 4:00 pm every day (excluding weekends) |
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Venue |
Lounge on the first floor of the International Exchange Building (A12) on Kawauchi Campus (map) |
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Things to Bring |
Residence card, passport, Tohoku University Student ID card, Dormitory Residence Permit, and Social Security Number (US citizens and US green card holders only) |
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Notes |
Related Materials - Support for opening a Bank Account
<Exception> Opening a bank account at a bank counter: |
STEP 5: Submitting a Copy of your Residence Card and a Receipt for Insurance (Inbound Futai Gakuso) Payment
After going to the Ward Office to get the residence registration done, you should have your dorm address printed on the back of your residence card. Please take pictures of your residence card etc., with your phone, and submit them via the form below. The university is responsible for keeping the international students' residence card numbers.
Submission deadline: October 20 at 11:59 pm, 2026
Residence Card Copy Submission Form for IPLA
Residence Card Copy Submission Form for JYPE and DEEP
Residence Card Copy Submission Form for COLABS
Note: If you are a Japanese national and entered Japan using your Japanese passport, please submit the above form except for the part for the residence card copies.
This is the end of all the steps of the necessary resident procedures.
Tohokudai ID and Password & Campus Wi-Fi
Tohokudai ID is used to access the Tohoku University Portal Site, register your courses, access campus Wi-Fi, etc. You will receive your ID and initial password in your welcome package. Starting October/April 1, you can set up a campus Wi-Fi connection with your Tohokudai ID. Note that you cannot use campus Wi-Fi before October/April 1. See below for instructions.
Map and Directions
Tohoku University strongly encourages exchange students to commute to campuses using public transportation or walking for safety. Commuting by bicycle carries huge risks and there have been many accidents that exchange students got involved in before.
Subway and Bus Commuting Guide
日本語はこちら
Other Information and Useful Websites
Discount Pass, "Gakuto Sendai Free Pass"
The Gakuto Sendai Free Pass, a discount pass for Sendai City public transportation, is available for students who use Sendai City Bus or Subway to commute to the campuses. The pass can be purchased at Sendai Station (Subway, not JR), Kōtōdai-Kōen Station, etc. It is required to present your student ID when purchasing the pass.
Note:
-This pass cannot be used for the following buses; Loople Sendai, Miyagi Shuttle Bus to Rakuten Seimei Park Miyagi, and Miyagi Kotsu Bus.
-A student discount for JR is NOT available for exchange students.
Gakuto Sendai Free Pass (Japanese only)
Other discount passes and tickets
International Student Help Desk
The Tohoku University International Student Help Desk (hereafter Help Desk) is staffed by Tohoku University students who will help answer all of your questions. The Help Desk is open throughout the semester. No appointment is needed. Visit their Facebook or Instagram for open hours and further details.
SIM Card
Buying a SIM card is quite complicated, so we strongly recommend you ask your tutor for help or get help through the Support Services. You can buy one at local electronics stores (such as Yodobashi Camera) or online, but note that you cannot sign a contract before you complete the residence registration at the ward office. You will need your residence card, passport, and credit card. In some cases, a credit card or a debit card issued in your country may not be accepted. It is also helpful to bring an official document such as the National Health Insurance card that has your name and address written in Japanese.
Certificate Request Form
Exchange students can request a certificate using the certificate request form. If you need a signature on a document for your home university or need any kind of certificate from Tohoku University, please always request it through this form. Requests can be accepted before, during, and after participation in the exchange program. Please allow sufficient time for your application, as we may not be able to respond immediately.*To prepare for the issuance of end-of-term academic transcripts, it will be closed from March 4-25/September 4-25.
ISC Call Center
Our call center provides consultation and remote interpreting services to support your daily life in Japan. For example, we can answer questions about administrative procedures, provide three-way interpreting support at city hall counters, and share information on medical facilities with English-speaking staff.
Useful Websites
1. TU Support
2. Arrival Guide
3. Sendai Tourism, Convention and International Association (SenTIA)
4. Dining and Shops on Campus
Next Step
This is the page you should refer to next:
Note: This page is not ready for the Fall 2026 semester. It will be updated by the end of September.
Go back to the top page:
Contact
Incoming Student Exchange Section, Student Exchange Division, Tohoku University
Office Hours: Monday-Friday 8:30-12:30, 13:30-17:15
Counter #6-C, 2nd floor, Education and Student Support Center (A01), Kawauchi Campus,
41 Kawauchi, Aoba-ku, Sendai, Miyagi, 980-8576 Japan
Contact Form / studyab ＠ grp.tohoku.ac.jp
Please include your program name or applicant ID in the email so we don't miss your email.