UR's properties are mainly quiet housing complexes in the suburbs and high-rise condominiums near train stations. Japan has one of the best public transportation systems in the world, so being close to a train station is an important consideration when renting. The size of rooms is usually denoted in tatami, so a six-jo room is a room with six tatami mats (one tatami mat is approximately 1.8m x 0.9m = 1.62m²). Tokyo apartments for rent are some of the most expensive in Asia due to the high demand and limited space inside the city center. At that time i was still on a work visa and the Bank of Yokohama would not put me down on the loan. So for a standard apartment for 80,000 yen a month, you can expect to pay around 400,000 yen in upfront costs before any moving services and the initial costs for setting up your utilities. Learn more about the GaijinPot Bilingual Brokerage Assistance service. In case you suddenly abandon ship and leave the country, the emergency contact deals with the hot mess you left behind so it’s sometimes difficult to find a Japanese person who is willing. It is easy to break an apartment contract as long as two month’s notice is given in advance. Depending on the landlord and where you choose to live, foreign nationals and Japanese citizens are not treated too differently when renting a place. Depending on the company, this may or may not be a good deal, but it is easy. Never. For Tokyo, an average one-room studio along the Yamanote Line is around 80,000 yen/month due to its convenient transportation route. In Japan, studio apartments are called one-room apartments and abbreviated as 1R. The average cost for a one bedroom apartment in Tokyo is around ¥80,000 a month. @ basspig, first and foremost ensure you have a spouse visa as the bare minimum. Apartment Japan aims to provide the easiest way for … Japanese agents usually work within a local radius; so many people first decide on the area they want to live in before going to a local agent. Find both unfurnished, and furnished apartments throughout Tokyo. If you find a place, in our case we were not told a certain amount as a minimum deposit, but obviously the more you can put down the better. MetroResidences offer both serviced (which come with cleaning, linen and concierge services) and regular apartments ideal for business or short-term travelers that can’t or don’t want to deal with all of the above. Nevertheless, some agents will let you nominate a non-Japanese resident as an emergency contact. In Japan, it is the responsibility of the tenant, not the landlord wanting to lease their property, to pay the real estate agent's fees. These fees and services include: Deposit (one to three month’s rent to cover future damage to the apartment), Key Money or Gift Money (typically one to three month’s rent which is non-refundable), Real Estate Agency Commission Fee (typically one month’s rent), Property Insurance (required to rent an apartment in Japan). Some Japanese people who need a guarantor will ask their parents, some companies might also cover their employees. Money ! Before you start your apartment search, be sure to have these 10 things ready to make your experience at least less painful than foot surgery. has a large list of agencies that offers a no-key money service for foreigners if you sign up through us. the average rent for a one bedroom apartment in Osaka will be around ¥50,000 or $500 a month. Also bear in mind that if you are going to buy a new place then truly try and buy direct from the House building company. Search thousands of apartments and other types of real estate for sale and to rent. Renting an Apartment in Japan. By Rebecca Quin Some spouses when they find out how rampant racism is in Japanese business dealings get angry and take it personal, maybe even start an argument with the agent. For long-term rentals, a 90-day tourist visa won’t be accepted. The agent will ask you what you want before bringing out a list of properties that fit your preferences. They can be really useful and convenient as they eliminate the need to find a guarantor as well as having no requiement for key money. Sure, relocation is never cheap, regardless of where you are, but the typical move-in cost in Japan (especially Tokyo) is quite exponential. You essentially have to pay to be leased to. Find foreigner friendly rentals in Tokyo, Osaka, Kobe and Yokohama Japan. They wanted to know how much I earned etc but not on an official level if you know what I mean. Those renting with UR security do not have to pay deposits and commission fees, and there is no need for a guarantor. We don’t just do our best to find you the right selection. Foreigner-friendly, they have a wide-ranging selection of stylish apartments that can be easily leased through different packages. This is true whether you are Japanese or not. What Is A Rental Guarantor And Why Do You Need One? Expats … They act as a kind of third party insurance company – you won’t have to deal with them directly but you will have to pay them a month’s rent or more for the service, plus an annual renewal fee of around 10,000 yen. They will tell you about available properties that meet your budget and needs, and serves as the contact point when entering into a rental contract. not looking for an apartment we’re looking to buy property and build a house preferably in a rural prefecture. However, those on short-term visas (both visitor and residence if you’re working) are lucky enough to have much less stressful options for sorting a place to live — see below! Though you don’t need to have a Japanese bank account when you start to look at apartments you’ll need one eventually to pay the rent via bank transfer. Search 39,000+ apartments in Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto and throughout Japan. It is still very difficult for foreigners to rent a property in Japan due to language barriers, cultural differences, and Japanese unique business customs. You’ll need to prove that you can pay the rent each month so agents will ask for a copy of the past few months’ pay slips (usually 3 months), your yearly income slip or a copy of your latest bank statement or bank book if you’re unemployed. Rent for a one bedroom apartment in central Tokyo averages around 130,428.57 ¥, a rate that will require a pretty decent salary to support. Smartphones in Japan: How To Buy, Unlock and Change Plans. Often your letter of employment will show your salary information but you should also prepare number 7 below…. 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