Many language students and long-term travelers prefer to find accommodation during their stay in Japan and live in an apartment with their own bathroom. Besides listings on English-language websites, the fastest way is to search the Japanese housing market directly. This article will guide you on how to navigate the Japanese housing market and highlight key points to consider.

Despite the numerous vacant apartments in Tokyo, finding accommodation as a foreigner in Japan can be challenging. Besides meeting various requirements to secure your own apartment, communication with landlords or real estate agents can be difficult if you don’t speak Japanese.

Although you can occasionally find good apartment offers on English-language websites, these listings often come with disadvantages compared to those on the Japanese-language market. They tend to be more expensive, smaller, or older. While not all English listings are subpar, it’s wise to be cautious and always question why a particular apartment is priced as it is. Generally, searching for accommodation in Japanese often has its advantages.

If you decide to look for an apartment on the Japanese housing market, please review the following points and tips carefully. The good news is that if you find the process too time-consuming or complicated, you can rely on our help as a participant in our Japan programs. Our team will handle the search for a suitable apartment and all communication with real estate agencies, ensuring you receive the best possible support until your contract is signed.

Is It even Possible for Foreigners to Rent an Apartment in Japan?

The search for accommodation in Japan is usually carried out by a local real estate agent. As with Immobilienscout & Co., you will also find many apartment advertisements on the Japanese Internet, but these do not lead directly to the landlord, but to a real estate agent. You should therefore be prepared to never have direct contact with the landlord, but only with an intermediary.

In order to get a rental contract from a real estate agent, you will usually be asked to provide proof of a “Certificate of Eligibility”. This is a document that holders of long-term visas – such as the student visa – receive from the Japanese immigration authorities prior to their actual visa application. As a participant in our Japan programs, we take care of processing the corresponding application. However, if you are traveling to Japan on a tourist visa or working holiday visa, you may have to be prepared to go home empty-handed and not find your own apartment in Japan.

By the way, even a student visa does not give you a guaranteed free pass. The landlord always holds the final decision in a rental contract – and unfortunately many landlords in Japan only rent to Japanese citizens, so foreigners have a difficult time. If you ask a local real estate agent, he will most likely have a few apartments available that are explicitly allowed to be rented by foreigners. But be prepared for the fact that you won’t have as much of a choice as a Japanese person.

What you should Look out for when looking for an Apartment:

If you meet all the requirements for your own apartment and have decided to look for an apartment, you now have the choice of going to one of the countless real estate agencies throughout Japan or contacting one of the apartment listings on the Internet. You can find apartments on websites such as Suumo and Homes.

However, you should pay attention to the following points when realizing your plan.

1. Budget: Before you start looking for an apartment, you should determine your budget. Rental costs in Japan can vary greatly depending on location. Make sure you factor in the monthly rent as well as additional expenses such as deposit and estate agent fees.
2. Location: Choosing the right location is crucial. Consider your daily commute to school and check whether the environment suits your needs. Also check the availability of stores, public transport and other amenities nearby. In Tokyo, apartments in Hachiôji, for example, are very expensive. very cheap, but the journey to the city center is long and expensive, so you end up paying the money you save on transport.
3. Size of the apartment: Japanese apartments are often smaller than in other countries. You should think about how much space you need in advance and whether the apartment meets your requirements. Also note the number of rooms and whether the apartment is furnished or unfurnished. Most apartments are unfurnished, so you should plan to provide your own futon, table and chair.
4. Contract conditions: Read the tenancy agreement carefully and pay attention to the conditions, such as the minimum rental period, the notice period and the rules on keeping pets. Make sure you understand all the clauses before you sign the contract.
5. Service charges: Remember that you will have to take care of service charges such as electricity and water yourself. Electricity and internet are often not registered at all and you have to take care of this yourself, otherwise your apartment will remain dark.
6. Language challenges: If you don’t speak Japanese, communicating with landlords, estate agents and authorities can be a hurdle when looking for an apartment. It can be helpful to call in an interpreter or a trusted person with language skills for support.
7. Condition of the apartment: Visit the apartment in person, if possible, to check the condition of the property. Look for damage, moisture or other defects. It is also advisable to ask about previous renovations or repairs. Cheap apartments are often older and do not have the same standard as in Germany and Austria. This is not unusual in Japan and you can live with it, but you should be aware of it in advance.
8. Cultural differences: It is important to find out about the cultural customs regarding living in Japan. For example, noise guidelines, recycling rules or other behaviors may vary in Japanese residential areas. In Tokyo, there are different guidelines for waste separation depending on the district.

If, after all this information, you change your mind and decide for a shared flat or student accommodation, you could save yourself some effort. If you still want your own apartment, we will be happy to help you find accommodation and take care of the formalities for you so that you can prepare for your stay in Japan without any worries.