If you are a foreign resident and you intend on staying in Japan for more than 2 weeks then you must apply for a Certificate of Alien Registration or “Gaijin Card”. This card can be obtained at your local town, city or ward office also known as a “Kuyakusho”. Bring your passport and 2 passport photos (4cm x 3cm).
They’ll ask you to fill out a paper requesting your address, passport number, nationality…etc. I think they charge a few hundred Japanese Yen for processing and they’ll give you a paper that you must bring back 14days later in exchange for your Gaijin Card.
Why get a Gaijin Card? This card is proof of Japanese residency and is required when opening a bank account, buying a cell phone, renting a Karaoke box or, in the unlikely event that you are stopped by the Police or “Kesatsu”, you will have to produce it to avoid difficulties.
