Find a long-term apartment
Japanese rentals come with quirks — guarantors, key money, deposits. Know what to expect and the process becomes predictable.
- Expect 4–6× monthly rent upfront on a traditional lease (key money, deposit, agent fees, first month)
- Most rentals require a guarantor — a guarantee company (保証会社) can replace a personal one for a fee
- A Japanese bank account and My Number significantly improve your chances
- English-speaking, foreigner-friendly agencies handle the whole process — worth the small premium if your Japanese isn't fluent
Typical cost (Tokyo)
Monthly rent: 1K studio ¥70,000–¥120,000 · 1LDK ¥120,000–¥200,000 · Family 2LDK+ ¥180,000–¥300,000. Cheaper 30–60 minutes out from the central wards.
Move-in: budget 4–6× monthly rent. For a ¥120,000/mo apartment, expect ¥500,000–¥800,000 upfront — key money (1–2 mo), deposit (1–2 mo), agent fee (1 mo + tax), first month's rent, fire insurance (~¥20,000), and guarantee company fee (50–100% of a month).
Before you start
You'll need your residence card and ideally a Japanese bank account. If you're not there yet, stay short-term (Step 2) until you are.
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