Kata in Japan

Renting an apartment in Japan

Renting an apartment in Japan

Can foreigners rent an apartment in Japan?

Yes, foreigners can rent apartments in Japan, but the process can sometimes be more complicated than in other countries.

Many landlords prefer Japanese tenants because of:

  • language barriers

  • paperwork

  • guarantor requirements

However, there are many real estate agencies that specialize in helping foreigners.

Common costs when renting in Japan

When renting an apartment in Japan, the initial cost can be high. It is common to pay 4–6 months of rent upfront.

Typical costs include:

Security Deposit (敷金)

Meaning: Deposit to cover possible damages.

  • Usually 1–2 months of rent

  • Part of it may be returned when you leave.

Reading: しききん

Agency Fee (仲介手数料)

Fee paid to the real estate agency that helps you find the apartment.

  • Usually 1 month of rent

Reading: ちゅうかいてすうりょう

 

Key Money (礼金)

This is a non-refundable gift to the landlord.

Yes… it’s strange for many foreigners.

  • Usually 1–2 months of rent

  • Sometimes 0 months in newer apartments

Reading: れいきん

Guarantor Company (保証会社)

Many apartments require a guarantor.

Since foreigners often don’t have one in Japan, a guarantor company is used instead.

Typical cost:

  • 30–100% of one month’s rent

Reading: ほしょう

Common apartment types

In Japan apartments are classified by room layout.

Examples:

  • 1R → One room (studio)

  • 1K → One room + separate kitchen

  • 1DK → One room + dining + kitchen

  • 1LDK → One room + living + dining + kitchen

Duration

Most rental contracts in Japan are for 2 years.

  • After 2 years, the contract can usually be renewed.
  • Renewal may involve paying a renewal fee (更新料, しんこうりょう), usually 1 month’s rent.
  • Shorter or longer contracts are sometimes available, but 2 years is standard.
  • Always check the contract for early termination fees if you plan to leave before the lease ends.

Documents usually required

To rent an apartment you usually need:

  • Residence Card (在留カード)

  • Passport

  • Proof of income

  • Emergency contact in Japan

  • Bank account in Japan (Sometimes is not a must)

  • Phone Number

Tips for foreigners renting in Japan

✔ Look for foreigner-friendly agencies (*I used Able エイブル)
✔ Ask if the apartment requires key money
✔ Check if furniture is included (most apartments are empty)
✔ Confirm if you can register your address there

Typical Initial Costs Example

Let’s imagine you want to rent a small 1K apartment in Osaka with a monthly rent of ¥70,000.

Monthly Rent　¥70,000
Security Deposit (敷金)　Usually 1 month of rent.　¥70,000
Key Money (礼金)　Non-refundable payment to the landlord.　¥70,000
Agency Fee (仲介手数料)　Fee paid to the real estate agency.　¥70,000
Guarantor Company (保証会社)　Usually 50% of one month’s rent.　¥35,000
First Month Rent　You usually pay the first month when signing the contract.　¥70,000

Total Initial Cost　¥315,000

That means you may need to pay about 4–5 months of rent upfront before moving in.

Tips to Reduce Initial Costs

Some apartments offer:

  • No key money (礼金なし)

  • No agency fee

  • No deposit

These are often called:

Zero-zero properties (ゼロゼロ物件)