How to Rent an Apartment in Tokyo: A Guide for Foreign Residents

🌐 やさしい日本語 ｜ English ｜ 中文（简体）

Written by: Hasegawa (Supervisor)

Looking for an apartment in Tokyo? This guide explains how renting works in Japan, what documents you usually need, and how much you should budget for move-in costs.

Room Coco (Ikebukuro) welcomes international students and people who are still overseas and planning to move to Japan.

The rental process in Japan

1. Contact us by LINE, phone or our inquiry form.
2. Tell us your conditions — area, budget, layout and move-in date.
3. View the apartment (called naiken).
4. Submit an application for the apartment you like.
5. Screening by the landlord, management company and guarantor company. This usually takes a few days to about a week.
6. Sign the contract and pay the move-in costs.
7. Receive your keys and move in.

Documents you will usually need

Requirements differ by property and guarantor company, but the following are commonly requested:

• Residence card (zairyu card) if you are already in Japan
• Passport
• Student ID or certificate of enrollment (for students)
• Proof of income or employment, such as an employment contract or payslips (for workers)
• A Japanese phone number
• An emergency contact

The remaining period of stay on your visa is also checked during screening. In many cases, the emergency contact needs to be someone who lives in Japan and can speak Japanese — for example, someone from your school or workplace. It is a good idea to arrange this early.

Move-in costs

In Japan, you usually pay about 4.5 to 6 months’ rent when you sign a lease. For an apartment with ¥60,000 monthly rent, expect roughly ¥200,000–¥350,000 depending on the conditions.

Item	Typical amount	What it is
Security deposit (shikikin)	0–2 months’ rent	Returned when you move out, minus repair costs
Key money (reikin)	0–2 months’ rent	A non-refundable payment to the landlord
Agency fee	Up to 1 month’s rent + tax	Paid to the real estate agent
Advance rent	1 month’s rent	Next month’s rent paid in advance
Guarantor company fee	Often 50–100% of one month’s rent	Required for most apartments
Fire insurance	Around ¥15,000–¥20,000 for 2 years	Usually mandatory
Key exchange	Around ¥15,000–¥25,000	New lock for security

Apartments with no deposit and no key money (zero-zero properties) can greatly reduce your upfront costs. Ask us about options that fit your budget.

Key terms you will hear

• Hoshō gaisha (guarantor company): A company that guarantees your rent payments. Most apartments require one.
• Kanrihi / Kyōekihi: Monthly maintenance fee for shared areas, paid in addition to rent.
• Kōshinryō (renewal fee): Many leases last 2 years, and some require a renewal fee when you extend.
• Senkō mōshikomi: Applying for an apartment before you can view it, often because the current tenant has not moved out yet.

House rules in Japanese apartments

Following these rules helps you avoid trouble with neighbors and the management company.

• Garbage: Separate your garbage by type and put it out only on the designated days and at the designated place.
• Noise: Keep noise down, especially at night.
• Occupants: Only the people listed in the contract may live in the apartment. Subletting is not allowed.
• Moving out: You usually need to give notice about one month before you leave.

How Room Coco can help

• Apartment search for international students
• Consultation before you arrive in Japan, by LINE or email
• Apartments that match your budget, including options with lower move-in costs

Please note: our staff speak Japanese only. You are welcome to contact us using a translation app. LINE is the easiest way, because you can take your time reading and writing messages. For the contract, we recommend bringing someone who understands Japanese if possible.

FAQ

Q. I don’t speak much Japanese. Can I still contact you?

A. Yes. Please send us a message on LINE using a translation app. Our replies will be in Japanese.

Q. Can I find an apartment before I arrive in Japan?

A. In some cases, you can apply before arriving, depending on the property and your situation. Please contact us first and we will check what is possible, including whether photos or videos of the room are available.

Q. Are there apartments that foreign residents cannot rent?

A. Some landlords and guarantor companies have their own conditions, so not every apartment is available to everyone. We will check which apartments you can apply for and introduce them to you.