Public utilities such as electricity, gas, and water supply, are basic necessities for everyday life. Here we explain easily the rate structure, payment methods, and a rough average cost per month by the number of household, to assist in gauging your budget for life in Japan.

Gas and electricity meters are checked once a month, and a "notice of consumption" showing how much has been used will be left in your mailbox. If you use TEPCO, please check the consumption on this site (Japanese only) as they stopped sending the notice of consumption. The notice indicates the amount to be billed and also serves as a receipt if your bill is paid via the automatic bank withdrawal. This is not a bill, so it cannot be used to pay for your consumption.

The monthly bill will be sent to you shortly after the inspection unless you have arranged for the automatic payment of your bills. It has a bar code on it, which makes it easily distinguishable. The water meter is checked once every two months, and for both water and sewage a notice of consumption will be left in your mailbox and a bill is sent every two months accordingly.

Utility bills can be arranged for the automatic payment of bills from a Japanese bank or post office account. You can also pay in cash at post offices, most Japanese banks, Citibank Japan, some other foreign banks, and most convenience stores, such as 7-Eleven. For further details on contracts and application for different payment methods, please contact each utility company or its local office.

Electricity and gas rates vary monthly according to current fuel costs and exchange rate fluctuations.

Electric Rates

Electric Rates from Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO)

Standard A Rate

Standard A Contract, based on an amperage breaker or current-limiting meter (10A to 60A)

Base fee (per 10A): 295.24 yen (in the case of 15A = 442.86 yen)

Electricity charge (per 1kWh) Up to 120kWh: 30.00 yen

121kWh to 300kWh: 36.60 yen

301kWh and above: 40.69 yen

＊ Minimum monthly fee (per contract) 321.42 yen

(Source: TEPCO as of June 2023)

Yearly Average of Monthly Disbursement of Electricity

The billed amount will be more than the average rates in case of using a central air conditioner unit or a contract of higher voltage. A central air conditioning unit uses a separate energy source therefore resulting in two electricity bills. About an individual contract or for further details and inquiries, please contact the following web site.

*swipe or scroll to see the complete table

(Source: Family Income and Expenditure Survey in 2022 by Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications)

Contact Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO)

Moving in or out, change of contract
0120-995-001 (toll free)

Inquiries related to power failures and electricity charges
0120-995-002 (toll free)

https://www.tepco.co.jp/

Gas Rates

(Source: Tokyo Gas as of January 2023)

Yearly Average of Monthly Disbursement of Gas

(Source: Family Income and Expenditure Survey in 2022 by Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications)

Contact Tokyo Gas

From a fixed-line phone
0570-002211

From a mobile Phone
03-3344-9100

https://www.tokyo-gas.co.jp/about/index.html?wovn=en

Water & Sewerage Rate

(Source: Bureau of Waterworks as of March 2023)

Monthly Sewage Service Charges

The volume of wastewater discharged in sewers is considered to be the same as the consumption of tap water.

(Source: Bureau of Waterworks as of March 2023)

Yearly Average of Monthly Disbursement of Water and Sewage

(Source: Family Income and Expenditure Survey in 2022 by Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications)

Contact Bureau of Waterworks (for Tokyo 23 wards)

Changing user’s name, address
03-5326-1100

Inquiry for bill, repair, and others
03-5326-1101

https://www.waterworks.metro.tokyo.lg.jp/

 

For further reference of the government figures used above such as Family Income and Expenditure Survey by the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, please check the following portal site:

Portal Site of Official Statistics of Japan

There are many utility suppliers in Tokyo. If you would like to find the best electricity supplier​ for you, you may consider consulting via this website.