One of the biggest challenges expats face when moving to Japan is finding a place to live. Applying to rent a property often involves negotiating hurdles like language barriers, guarantors, key money and confusing contracts.
Fortunately, there are several rental housing providers out there designed with foreigners in mind. They aim to make the process as un-stressful as possible by providing support and making every fee transparent.
What are some of these providers? Below we’ll take a look at 10 of the best options to look into when finding somewhere in Japan to live.
- Cove Japan – Best option for Tokyo rentals
Most expats moving to Japan plan to move to Tokyo. Cove Japan makes moving to this wondrous city simple by offering perks like no guarantor and an English-speaking support team. Their rental properties are located across Tokyo in prime neighborhoods and come fully furnished with fast Wi-fi and housekeeping. All you need to do is bring your suitcase and you’re ready to settle in. It’s worth noting that they offer short minimum stays for those that don’t want to commit to a long lease.
- Apartment Japan – Best option for short-term apartment stays
As the name suggests, Apartment Japan specializes in apartments. You’ll find listings in locations across Japan – primarily short-term and mid-term stay options. In fact, they’re a popular option for students, interns and young professionals looking for a temporary pad. On top of being able to filter results by stay length, you can also shop for properties based on your budget and also choose between furnished and unfurnished rentals. They also offer English support for those that speak little or no Japanese.
- Ken Corporation – Best option for those seeking high-end expat housing
High-earning expats looking for a premier property to rent may want to consider checking out Key Corporation. Their focus is luxury penthouses and large western-style homes in upscale neighborhoods. On top of more square footage and modern facilities, you also get access to amenities like bilingual concierge staff and support with the contract process. Many executives who are relocating with a company package choose Key Corporation for their high level of professionalism and higher end selection of homes.
- Plaza Homes – Best option for those that want to do location research
Plaza Homes provides an extensive selection of listings that range from modern high-rises to traditional family homes. They have over 55 years of experience in the Japanese real estate market and offer homes to buy as well as rental properties. What makes them stand out is their rich local information for expats all detailed in English: neighborhood guides, school info, public transport tips for commuting, and general relocation advice. If you’re unsure whether to move to Azabu, Hiroo or Shibuya, Plaza Homes gives you the resources to compare each area so that you can make the right choice.
- Wagaya Japan – Best option for those on a tight budget
Boasting multilingual support and an array of filters, Wagaya Japan provides a foreigner-friendly platform that makes searching for a property straightforward. You can use their site to exclusively look for student properties, pets ok apartments, no key money rentals or accommodation next to stations. They have a particularly good selection of budget-friendly rentals including sharehouses and room shares.
- U Homes – Best option for students
Catered to university students, U Homes is your one-stop shop for student accommodation listings across the globe. They have a great selection of rental listings throughout Japan that range from halls of residence to dormitories. You can search for rental properties near to your chosen college and filter by price. All listings are verified so you don’t have any risk of being scammed. They also have some great information related to studying in Japan.
- Fukuoka Apartments – Best option for Fukuoka rentals
This provider lists a range of properties in Fukuoka including long-term rentals, short-term rentals and homes for sale. There are no guarantor and no key money options available, plus they have English-speaking customer support staff. If you have plans of moving to this city, make sure to check out this company to help assist you through the relocation process.
- Maeda Real Estate – Best option for Osaka, Kobe and Kyoto rentals
Maeda Real Estate has been providing Japanese expat housing since 1965. They have a particularly good selection of rentals in Osaka, Kobe and Kyoto. This includes furnished and serviced apartments in fantastic locations that are easily commutable to business districts. The site also provides living guides and other useful advice for those moving overseas to Japan.
- Borderless House – Best option for Sendai rentals
Planning on relocating to Sendai? You’ll find an array of rentals including share-houses and fully furnished homes listed at Borderless House. They provide multilingual application support and aim to list properties with minimal upfront fees, making them a popular choice for international tenants on a shoestring budget. Borderless House also lists properties in Tokyo and Kansai.
- Oakhouse – Best option for tenants seeking speciality homes
Oakhouse lists speciality rental homes throughout Japan that include apartments with music rooms, theater rooms and pet-friendly spaces. Share-houses and properties that foster community are also their USP. Options with low upfront fees are available including no key money rentals.
Advice for choosing a rental housing provider in Japan
When selecting a provider, make sure that they list properties in your chosen area of Japan. Next, consider the type of property you are looking for – are you looking for something basic like a dormitory or share-house or do you want a house or luxury apartment all to yourself? If you don’t speak fluent Japanese, it could also be important to find a company with English-speaking support staff (all of the above providers fit the bill) so that you can easily negotiate the moving-in process. Many foreigner-friendly rental services will also not ask for a Japanese guarantor or key money and will have a range of short stay options (useful if you are not sure how long you will be staying in Japan or only planning a short-term placement for studying or work).
