Japanese Apartments: What to Know Before Renting
By Tour in Japan editors · Updated
Renting an apartment in Japan has unique costs and customs. Here's what you need to know before signing a lease.
Renting an apartment in Japan has unique costs and customs. Here's what you need to know before signing a lease.
Upfront Costs (Move-In)
The biggest surprise — you'll need 4–6 months of rent upfront.
| Cost | What It Is | Typical Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Deposit (敷金 — shikikin) | Refundable security | 1–2 months rent |
| Key money (礼金 — reikin) | Non-refundable gift to landlord | 1–2 months rent |
| Agent fee (仲介手数料) | Real estate agent commission | 1 month rent + tax |
| Guarantor fee (保証料) | Guarantee company fee | 0.5–1 month rent |
| Fire insurance | Mandatory | ¥15,000–20,000 |
| First month's rent | In advance | 1 month |
| Lock change fee | New locks | ¥15,000–20,000 |
Example (¥80,000/month apartment)
| Cost | Amount |
|---|---|
| Deposit | ¥80,000 |
| Key money | ¥80,000 |
| Agent fee | ¥88,000 (80,000 + 10% tax) |
| Guarantee company | ¥40,000 |
| Fire insurance | ¥20,000 |
| First month | ¥80,000 |
| Lock change | ¥17,600 |
| Total move-in | ¥405,600 ($2,700) |
Apartment Features
Standard Features
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Size | 1K–3LDK (studio to 3-bedroom) |
| Flooring | Tatami or wood |
| Kitchen | Small, 1–2 burner |
| Bathroom | Unit bath (prefab) |
| Air conditioning | Usually included |
| Washer connection | In-unit or shared |
| Internet | Separate installation |
Size Guide
| Type | Size | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| 1K | 20–25 m² | Single person |
| 1DK | 25–30 m² | Single person, couples |
| 1LDK | 30–40 m² | Couples |
| 2LDK | 40–60 m² | Small families |
| 3LDK | 60–80 m² | Families |
Renting Process
Step 1: Find an Apartment
| Source | Notes |
|---|---|
| Real estate agent | Most common, agent shows you places |
| Online | Suumo, Homes.co.jp, GaijiPot Apartments |
| Foreigner-friendly agents | GaijiPot, Real Estate Japan, ABLE |
Step 2: Application
- Fill out application form
- Provide documents (residence card, passport, income proof)
- Pay application fee (¥5,000–10,000)
Step 3: Screening
- Landlord reviews application
- Takes 1–2 weeks
- May require guarantor or guarantee company
Step 4: Contract
- Sign lease agreement
- Pay all upfront costs
- Receive keys
Tips
- Budget 4–6 months rent for move-in costs
- Key money is non-refundable — negotiate if possible
- Use a foreigner-friendly agent — they understand your situation
- Guarantor company — usually required instead of personal guarantor
- Check the apartment carefully — note existing damage before moving in
- Internet installation — takes 2–4 weeks, arrange early
- Garbage rules — strict sorting, learn them quickly
- Noise rules — walls are thin, be quiet at night
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