Moving into your first apartment in Japan can create a strange sense of urgency. You have just arrived in a new country, your suitcase is exploding across the floor, and suddenly every aisle of Nitori, Don Quijote, or the local home center seems to contain something essential. Surely you need six storage boxes, a rice cooker, a shoe rack, three kinds of laundry detergent, and a tiny frying pan before sunset.

But then again, you probably don’t.

The best answer to what to buy your first week in Japan is not “everything.” It is a short list of practical items that will make your apartment comfortable, clean, and functional while you figure out what you actually need. Japanese apartments vary enormously, and buying too much before you understand your space can leave you with expensive objects that do not fit anywhere.

Here’s what I would recommend for that first week.

Bedding That Suits Your Apartment

Your first priority should be a decent place to sleep. Depending on your placement, your apartment may come with a bed frame, a futon, an old mattress, or absolutely nothing. And, hopefully, you’re told before you arrive.

Before buying bedding, measure the available space and check what has already been provided. Japanese bed sizes may differ from those in your home country, and fitted sheets brought from abroad may not fit properly. A futon can be a practical option for a small apartment, especially if you need to fold it away during the day, but it also requires regular airing to prevent moisture and mold.

At minimum, you will need a mattress or futon, a pillow, sheets, and a light blanket. Seasonal bedding can wait. Japan’s summers and winters vary dramatically by region, so your eventual bedding needs in Hokkaido will be very different from those in Okinawa.

A Basic Household Cleaning Kit

Even a perfectly acceptable apartment may need a quick clean before it feels like yours. Start with a small, flexible kit rather than buying a specialized product for every surface (because trust me, there’s a specialized product for everything).

Useful basics include multipurpose cleaner (I would recommend a multipurpose kitchen cleaner for this… it can be used for many areas), sponges, cleaning cloths, rubber gloves, trash bags (from your municipality, see the next paragraph), dish soap, and something for the floors. Many Japanese newer apartments have flooring that is easy to clean with disposable floor sheets or a compact mop. However, some have tatami and you may want to get some tatami wipes. You may also want bathroom cleaner and a mold-prevention product, particularly during the humid season.

Pay attention to your local garbage rules before buying enormous quantities of trash bags. Some municipalities require designated bags, and sorting systems vary significantly. Your supervisor, predecessor, landlord, or city office should be able to explain the local system before your kitchen becomes an accidental recycling museum.

A Reliable Power Strip

A good power strip is one of the least glamorous but most useful things on any moving to Japan shopping list. Apartments may have fewer outlets than you expect, and they are not always located where you need them.

Choose a power strip from a reputable Japanese retailer, preferably with a surge protector, an on-off switch, and enough space for larger plugs. Avoid immediately buying the cheapest option from an unfamiliar online seller. You will likely use it every day for your laptop, phone charger, router, lamps, and other electronics.

Remember that Japan may use a different voltage than what you have in your home country. Some electronics from abroad will work normally, while others may require a voltage converter rather than a simple plug adapter. Check the voltage information on each device before connecting it. A power strip changes the number of available outlets; it does not change the electrical voltage.

A Small Emergency and Medical Kit

You do not need to prepare for the collapse of civilization during your first shopping trip, but you should have a basic kit for minor illnesses, injuries, and emergencies.

Start with adhesive bandages, antiseptic, pain relief, a thermometer, any personal medication you regularly use, and a few days of water and shelf-stable food. A flashlight, portable phone battery, and copies of important contact information are also sensible additions.

Japan is prone to earthquakes, heavy rain, typhoons, and other regional emergencies. Your local government may provide evacuation maps or disaster-preparedness guidance, sometimes in English. You can build a larger emergency supply gradually, but having a few essentials from the beginning will make your first unexpected power outage or fever considerably less stressful.

Something That Makes the Apartment Feel Inhabited

Your fifth purchase does not need to be practical.

Buy a plant, a framed postcard, a soft lamp, a mug you genuinely like, or a cushion that makes the room feel less temporary. During your first few weeks, your apartment may feel more like staff housing than a home. One small object chosen because you enjoy it can make a surprising difference.

This is especially important for new new residents arriving after a long journey and an intense orientation period. You are not merely stocking a Japan first apartment. You are creating a space where you will recover after work, call friends and family, study Japanese, eat convenience-store dinners, and gradually build a life.

Things Not to Buy Until You See Your Apartment

Some purchases should wait until you have measured the space, checked what is included, and lived there for at least a few days.

Avoid rushing to buy storage furniture, large appliances, curtains, heaters, or elaborate kitchen equipment. Curtains in Japan come in different lengths, and many apartments require both regular curtains and lace privacy curtains. Large furniture may not fit through narrow doors or stairways. Your apartment may already include appliances, or your predecessor may offer to sell or give you theirs. Heating and cooling needs will also depend heavily on your region and the equipment already installed.

A first-week shopping trip should solve immediate problems, not every possible future inconvenience. Buy what helps you sleep, clean, charge your devices, handle small emergencies, and feel at home. The rest of your apartment can develop slowly, as you learn what your daily life in Japan actually looks like.