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Renting Guides for Foreigners in Japan

Everything you wish someone had told you before renting in Japan — written in plain English by Kurabeel, a licensed Tokyo real estate agency.

Getting started

Guide Renting an Apartment in Tokyo as a Foreigner: Step-by-Step Guide Guide 1R, 1K, 1DK, 1LDK: How to Read Japanese Apartment Listings Timing The Best Time to Rent an Apartment in Tokyo: Month-by-Month Guide Guide Where to Live in Tokyo: Choosing a Neighborhood by Budget and Commute Guide Share House vs Apartment in Tokyo: What Each Really Costs Guide Apartment Viewings in Japan (Naiken): Checklist and Questions to Ask Guide Renting an Apartment in Japan Without Speaking Japanese Guide Can Foreigners Rent an Apartment in Japan? Why Refusals Happen Guide Renting an Apartment in Japan From Overseas Before You Arrive Guide Tokyo Rent by Ward: What a 1K and a 1LDK Actually Cost Guide Living in a Japanese Apartment: Trash, Noise and the Rules Nobody Explains

Money & contracts

Costs Move-in Costs in Japan: The Full Breakdown (and How to Save ¥100,000) Costs Key Money in Japan Explained: What Is Reikin and How to Avoid It Contracts Guarantors in Japan: How Guarantor Companies Work for Apartments Costs The Agency Fee in Japan (Chukai Tesuryo): Legal Cap and How to Pay ¥0 Costs How to Find No Key Money Apartments in Tokyo (Reikin Nashi) Contracts Understanding a Japanese Rental Contract: Renewal Fees, Notice and Break Clauses Costs Fire Insurance for Japanese Apartments (Kasai Hoken): What You Are Paying For Costs How Much Income Do You Need to Rent an Apartment in Tokyo?

Renting with a family

Family Renting a Family Apartment in Tokyo: Sizes, Rent and What to Expect Family Move-in Costs for a Family Apartment in Japan: The Real Numbers Family Where to Live in Tokyo With Kids: Wards, Schools and Commute Family Moving to Japan With Your Family: Housing, Schools and City Hall in Order Family Renting With Children in Japan: Screening, Noise and Building Rules Family Renting a House in Japan vs an Apartment: What Families Should Know Family Viewing a Family Apartment in Japan: What to Check With Kids in Mind Family Nurseries and Daycare in Japan When You Rent: How Placement Works Family Tokyo or the Suburbs for Families: What One More Station Actually Buys Family Pet-Friendly Rentals in Japan: Deposits, Rules and Bringing a Pet In Family Parking and Owning a Car as a Renter in Japan

Applying & moving

Contracts Documents You Need to Rent an Apartment in Japan Guide Why Rental Applications Get Rejected in Japan — and What to Do Next Guide Setting Up Electricity, Gas, Water and Internet in a Japanese Apartment Contracts Moving Out of a Japanese Apartment: Notice, Restoration and Your Deposit Costs The Cheapest Way to Rent in Tokyo: Every Lever, Ranked by Yen Saved Costs UR Rental Housing: No Key Money, No Agency Fee, No Guarantor Contracts How You Pay Rent in Japan — and What Happens If You Are Late Guide Address Registration in Japan After Moving: Ward Office Steps and Deadlines Costs Moving Companies in Japan (Hikkoshi): Costs, Booking and What to Expect Costs Furnishing a Japanese Apartment: What Is Not Included and What It Costs

Ready to put it into practice?

Send us any SUUMO or HOME'S listing URL on LINE — we'll quote it in English, with the agency fee as low as ¥0.
* Listings with no advertising fee (AD) from the landlord may not qualify.

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