Finding a place to live is easily the biggest hurdle for anyone starting a new life in Japan. If your company isn’t handling the paperwork for you, trying to rent a traditional apartment on your own can feel nearly impossible.
The Harsh Reality of Japanese Landlords
Renting an apartment here involves unique, outdated customs like shikikin (security deposit), reikin (key money/gratitude money), and the dreaded guarantor system. To be completely honest, many traditional Japanese landlords are still very hesitant to rent to foreigners due to language barriers or cultural differences. If you are placed in a more rural area, this challenge becomes even harder.
The “Guarantor” Trap
Usually, Japanese people use a family member as a guarantor to co-sign their lease. For someone who just landed in Japan, this is obviously impossible. You’ll likely have to pay extra fees to use a Guarantor Company (hosho gaisha). The whole process requires endless Japanese paperwork, phone calls you might not understand, and weeks of waiting.
My Recommendation: Start with a Share House
Because of these walls, I highly recommend starting your life in Japan at a share house rather than diving into the traditional rental market right away. It lets you get your feet on the ground without the administrative nightmare.
If you want a fully furnished community life without the hassle of buying appliances and facing strict background checks,Oakhouseis the gold standard for expats. The screening process is much easier, and you’ll have housemates from all over the world who can give you firsthand advice on living in Japan.
If you’re moving to Japan within the next 1–3 months, don’t wait until you land to start looking. Oakhouse rooms fill up fast — especially furnished singles in Tokyo and Osaka. I secured mine before my flight, and it made the first week infinitely less stressful.
→ Browse available Oakhouse rooms here and check move-in dates while they’re still open.
Moving to Your Next Step: Leopalace vs Village House
Once you’re settled and ready for your own space, you have two fantastic options depending on your budget and style.
If you want to live alone but want to avoid the massive upfront cost of buying appliances, Leopalace is a game changer.
- The Furniture Advantage: They come pre-furnished with a fridge, washing machine, microwave, and bed. Buying these yourself would easily cost you ¥100,000 to ¥150,000.
- The Hidden Savings: People often forget about the cost and hassle of disposing of big appliances when they leave Japan. With Leopalace, you can move in and out with just a suitcase. No recycling fees, no heavy lifting.
- Maintenance Peace of Mind: If an appliance breaks (and it’s not your fault), the management company repairs or replaces it for free. This saves you from unexpected expenses.
Alternatively, if you want your own standard apartment but need to keep your initial moving costs as close to zero as possible, you should check [Village House]. They eliminate key money and deposits, making them highly accessible for foreign instructors.
(Down the road, when you’re ready to pick out your own style, you can always find affordable, quality furniture at places like Nitori, IKEA, or Cainz).
Don’t Hunt Alone: Use Specialist Services
If you eventually decide to search for a standard, traditional Japanese apartment, please don’t do it alone. Reach out to services like GTN (Global Trust Networks). They specialize in helping foreigners, offer multi-language support, and only list properties that actually welcome international residents. They will save you from days of rejection and frustration.
Already in Japan and still figuring out the basics? Download the free Japan First 30 Days Checklist — bank account, SIM, health insurance, pension. The exact order that saves you from missing deadlines. Drop your email below and it lands in your inbox in under a minute.
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