岩手大学IVS

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Life in Japan

日本での生活

HOMEMid to long-term stay (over 3 months)Life in Japan

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Rules for Living

How to Dispose of Garbage and Recyclables

In Japan, there are strict rules for throwing away garbage.

When you take out garbage…

・Separate by type
(e.g.) Burnable waste, non-burnable waste, plastic containers and packaging, recyclable garbage (glass bottles, cans, PET bottles, used paper, etc.), bulk waste, etc.

・Place waste in transparent or semi-transparent bags (Depending on your municipality, you may have to use a designated paid bag.)

・Take out your trash at the location, day, and time specified for your area.

For waste collection dates, please check the “Recycle and Wastes Calendar” distributed by the municipality office. Garbage put out on days other than the collection day or after the collection time will not be collected, even if it is sorted, and in many cases will cause problems with your neighbors.

The Iwate University International Exchange’s YouTube video (below) gives you easy-to-understand instructions on how to dispose of garbage.

Keeping Your Rooms Clean

Japan has high humidity. Condensation forms easily especially during the rainy season and winter, so if you don’t ventilate your room or wipe it off frequently, it could cause mold.

Please check the webpage below for other manners and customs related to daily life in Japan.

Medical Care / Hospitals

Iwate University Health Care Center

Iwate University Health Care Center doctors and nursing staff are available to students and staff for health-related consultations. They can provide referrals to medical institutions as needed.

Place: Student Center (Building A) 1st floor
Hours: Monday-Friday 9:00-17:00 (closed on Saturdays, Sundays, and national holidays)

Local Hospitals

In Progress

Learn Japanese (Japanese language education program for foreign researchers)

International researchers belonging to Iwate University are eligible to take part of the university’s Japanese language program for international students. However, please note that you may not be able to take the course if you start much later (than April or October) or if there are too many international students taking the course.

There are also local volunteer groups that offer Japanese language classes. If you wish to take such classes, please contact the respective group directly. For information on such volunteer groups, check  This Page or contact the Iwate University International Office.

Transportation / Public Transportation

Riding a Bicycle in Japan

Driving a Car in Japan

＜Driver’s License＞

If you want to drive a car in Japan, you must have one of the following licenses.

１．Japanese driver’s license

２．International driver’s permit issued based on the Geneva Convention

３．Driver’s license (*1) (*2)

(*1) Driver’s license issued in Switzerland, Germany, France, Belgium, Monaco or Taiwan
(*2) Limited to those that are accompanied by Japanese translations prepared by embassies that issued the licenses or an entity specified by law, such as Japan Automobile Federation (JAF).

＜Switching to a Japanese Driver’s License＞

Foreign driver’s license holders may switch to a Japanese driver’s license if certain conditions are met. The application location and required documents differ depending on the country that issued the license, so please check with the Morioka Driver’s License Center or the Driver’s License Examination Center in advance.

＜Car Insurance＞

There are two types of car insurance: liability insurance and voluntary insurance.

1. Mandatory insurance: Compulsory Automobile Liability Insurance (CALI)
All automobiles are required by law to have liability insurance. It is intended to help victims of traffic accidents and covers only “basic bodily injury” with a cap on the amount of compensation.

2. Voluntary insurance
This insurance covers the portion not covered by liability insurance, such as when a claim is made exceeding the limit of liability insurance, when the driver is injured, or when the car or property is damaged. Premiums and coverage vary by insurance company.

＜If an Accident Occurs＞

If you are involved in a traffic accident, call the police (110) regardless of the size of the accident.
If anyone is injured, also call emergency services (119). And contact the university as well.

Public Transportation

＜Bus＞

Morioka has a well-developed bus route. Iwateken Kotsu buses and Northern Iwate Transportation buses are convenient for access to Iwate University.

Long-distance buses also run from Morioka to other prefectures.

＜Railway＞

＜Taxi＞

＜Airway＞

Iwate Hanamaki Airport is approximately 45 minutes by airport shuttle bus from Morioka Station.

Leisure

Sightseeing in Morioka Area

Selected by the New York Times (electronic edition) as one of the “52 Places to Go in 2023,” Morioka is a city of history and culture that can be enjoyed on foot.

Food Diversity

The number of vegetarian and halal restaurants in Iwate is still not large but is gradually increasing.

Internet / Mobile phone

In Progress

Security / Disaster Prevention / Emergency

Emergency Contacts

Police station　　110　　traffic accident, crime (theft, violence, etc.) etc.

Fire Station　　　119　　Fire, traffic accident, when someone is seriously ill or injured

Place of Worship

In Progress

Tutors for Foreign Researchers

Iwate University offers a tutoring program to support foreign researchers in acclimatizing themselves to life in Japan and conducting their research smoothly. Tutors provide daily assistance in collaboration with the host faculty member, tailoring their support to the individual needs of each foreign researcher.Tutors are assigned upon the host faculty member’s request. If you’d like a tutor, please discuss this with your host faculty member.

Managing Your Residence Status in Japan

Extension of Period of Stay

To extend your residency in Japan, you must submit an application for Extension of Period of Stay to the regional immigration office. This process can be initiated three months before your current residence card expires.

Changing Residence Status

If you wish to change the purpose of your stay in Japan and continue to stay in Japan, you must apply for a change of residence status at a regional immigration office.

Permission to Engage in Activities Other Than Those Permitted Under the Residence Status Previously Granted

Individuals with visas restricting employment (e.g., dependent visas) or limiting work scope must obtain additional permission before engaging in activities outside their visa’s scope, especially if such activities involve receiving remuneration.

Leaving Temporarily and Re-Entry

If you are planning to leave Japan temporarily, be sure to consult your host faculty member before leaving.

＜Special Re-Entry Permit＞ ※if returning within one year

Residence card holders returning to Japan within one year (or the card’s expiration, if less than one year) don’t need a pre-arranged re-entry permit.
Upon departure, mark the appropriate section on the Re-Entry Departure Record (Re-Entry ED Card) and inform immigration you wish to use the special re-entry option.
This permit’s validity cannot be extended outside Japan.

＜Re-Entry Permit＞ ※if leaving Japan for longer than one year

If you plan to be out of Japan for more than one year, you can re-enter with your current residence status and period of stay by obtaining a re-entry permit from the regional immigration office (without needing to renew your current visa).
Leaving without this permit invalidates your residence status and period of stay, requiring a new visa application and landing approval for re-entry.

Bringing Your Family to Japan

＜If your family is coming to Japan for the purpose of visiting you and stays for up to 90 days＞

If they are nationals of a country/region requiring a visa, they will need to apply for a Short-Term Stay visa. Family members residing in a country that requires a visa should apply for the Short-Term Stay visa at the nearest Japanese embassy or consulate in their home country. Certain countries and regions have visa exemptions.

＜If your family is planning to stay in Japan for more than 90 days＞

Family members planning to stay in Japan for more than 90 days require a “Dependent” visa. This visa category is specifically for spouses and children of individuals with valid residency in Japan.

A．For researchers already in Japan

1．If you are a researcher already in Japan, you can submit an application for a Certificate of Eligibility (CoE) for your family on their behalf at your nearest immigration office. (It typically takes one month to receive a CoE.)

2．You will send the issued CoE to your family abroad.

3．The family member planning to come to Japan will bring the CoE to the Japanese embassy or consulate in their country and apply for a “Dependent” visa.

B．For researchers before arriving in Japan

If you are a researcher planning to come to Japan, you can apply for CoEs for your family simultaneously with your own CoE application. In this case, consider contacting your host faculty member for assistance. Iwate University can submit your family’s CoE application on your behalf.

When a Child is Born in Japan (Acquiring Residence Status)

Parents of a child born in Japan who wish to stay in the country beyond 60 days must apply for their child’s “Permission to Obtain Residence Status*” within 30 days of the child’s birth at the regional immigration office.
*To apply, you will need a document issued by the municipal government office. Please complete the “birth notification” procedure at your local municipal office.

Contact Information for the Immigration Bureau and Office

・Sendai Regional Immigration Bureau, Morioka Branch Office

Morioka Second Government Building 6F, 1-9-15 Morioka Eki Nishi Dori, Morioka City (TEL: 019-621-1206)
Hours: 9:00-12:00, 13:00-16:00 (closed on Saturdays, Sundays, and national holidays)

・Sendai Regional Immigration Bureau

Sendai Second Legal Affairs Joint Government Building, 1-3-20 Gorin, Miyagino-ku, Sendai City, Miyagi Prefecture (TEL: 022-256-6076)
Hours: 9:00-16:00 (closed on Saturdays, Sundays, and national holidays)
Languages: Japanese, English, Chinese (Vietnamese may also be available.)

・Foreign Residency General Information Center

They offer guidance on immigration and residence in multiple languages.
TEL: 0570-013904 (from IP phones, PHS and overseas: 03-5796-7112)
Hours: 8:30-17:15 (closed on Saturdays, Sundays, and national holidays)
Languages: Japanese, English, Chinese, Korean, Spanish, Portuguese, Vietnamese, Filipino, Nepali, Indonesian, Thai, Khmer (Cambodian), Myanmar, Mongolian, French, Sinhalese, Urdu

Family Support

Childcare

＜Iwate University-Bank of Iwate Child Care Center “Ganchan Sukusuku Child Care Center”＞

We have a childcare center on campus for students, faculty and staff, and the Bank of Iwate employees. The service is available for children from 0 to 2 years old.
If you wish to use the service, please consult with your host faculty member.

＜Childcare Space “Parun Hiroba”＞

This is a space for childcare on campus that is open to all students, faculty and staff studying and working at Iwate University, who have children from 1 year old to 6th grade elementary school. There are no childcare workers at Parun Hiroba, so please make your own arrangements for childcare. If you wish to use the service, please contact the Office for Equality and Diversity. 

＜Off-campus Childcare Centers＞

If you wish to use an off-campus day-care center, please consult with the Morioka City Child Welfare Division.

Morioka City Hall / Child Welfare Section　TEL: 019-651-4111

School

If you have children living with you in Japan, they may enter Japanese elementary or junior high schools. Children of elementary school age (6-12 years old) who do not speak Japanese may receive Japanese language instruction at Ueda Elementary School in Morioka, but please consult with the Morioka City Board of Education well in advance. 

Morioka City Board of Education　TEL: 019-651-4111
For national and private schools, please inquire at each school.

When a Child is Born in Japan

1．Birth Notification

Submit the birth notification form to your local municipal office within 14 days of your child’s birth. (Hospitals provide the form.)
At the same time, request the following documents:

For immigration procedures:
(1) Certificate of Residence (Certificate of Items Stated in Residence Record)
(2) Birth Certificate (Certificate of Acceptance of Birth Notification)

For embassy submission:
(3) Choose between “Certificate of Acceptance of Birth Notification” or “Certificate of Items Stated in Birth Notification”

*Based on your embassy’s requirements (Consult your embassy for confirmation).

2．Residence Status Application

See “When a Child is Born in Japan (Acquiring Residence Status)” section above.

3．Notifying Your Home Country

Inform your child’s home country about the birth and complete the required nationality acquisition procedures. Apply for your child’s passport as well. Contact your embassy or consulate in Japan for details.