Guides

Many foreigners are turned down when they try to rent in Japan. Here is why it happens, what landlords worry about, and what you can do.

Deposit, key money, agency fee, and more: what each move-in cost means, what is normal, and how to pay less when you rent an apartment in Japan.

What a guarantor is, how guarantor companies work, what they check, and what to do if no one can be your guarantor when renting in Japan.

Choose where to live by the station you travel to. How commuter passes and direct trains work, what to check before you decide, and which areas suit Shinjuku, Shibuya, Tokyo Station, Osaka, and more.

A share house gives you a private room with a shared kitchen and living space. Learn how share houses work in Japan, what they cost, and who they are good for.

Compare share houses and studio apartments (1R/1K) in Japan on move-in cost, monthly cost, contracts, and daily life, and find out which fits you now.

Location, total monthly cost, room, house size, residents, social life, facilities, and contract terms: what to check before you choose a share house in Japan.

Just arrived in Japan? Once you find a place to live, register your address within 14 days, then get a phone number and a bank account. Here is the right order, so you do not get stuck.

From setting a budget to getting the keys: each step of renting an apartment in Japan, what to prepare, and what to check before you sign.

How to set up electricity, gas, water, and internet when you rent an apartment in Japan, how long each takes, and what to check before you sign an internet contract.

How to move out of an apartment in Japan: giving notice, bulky trash, the move-out inspection, getting your deposit back, and address changes.

How garbage sorting and collection days work in Japan, where to find your local rules, and the everyday rules about noise and shared spaces.

What to do when you leave Japan for good: your home, the moving-out notice, resident tax, your residence card, and the pension lump-sum withdrawal.