{"id":5762,"date":"2025-08-08T12:39:11","date_gmt":"2025-08-08T03:39:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.mobalpay.com\/blog\/?p=5762"},"modified":"2025-08-12T16:24:15","modified_gmt":"2025-08-12T07:24:15","slug":"japan-housing-foreigners","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.mobalpay.com\/blog\/japan-housing-foreigners\/","title":{"rendered":"Where to Live in Japan: A Guide to Housing Options for Foreigners"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"toc\">\n<p><strong>Table of Contents<\/strong><\/p>\n<ol>\n<li><a href=\"#a1\">Rental Apartments (\u8cc3\u8cb8\u30a2\u30d1\u30fc\u30c8\u30fb\u30de\u30f3\u30b7\u30e7\u30f3)<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#a2\">Share Houses\uff08\u30b7\u30a7\u30a2\u30cf\u30a6\u30b9\uff09<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#a3\">Guest Houses \/ Hostels<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#capsule-hotels\">Bonus: Capsule Hotels\uff08\u30ab\u30d7\u30bb\u30eb\u30db\u30c6\u30eb\uff09<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#a4\">Company Dormitories \/ School Housing<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#a5\">Monthly\/Weekly Apartments\uff08\u30de\u30f3\u30b9\u30ea\u30fc\u30de\u30f3\u30b7\u30e7\u30f3\uff09<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#final-tips\">Tips for Choosing the Right Option<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/div>\n<p>Moving to Japan is exciting, but finding the right housing options in Japan can be a challenge\u2014especially for foreigners unfamiliar with the local housing system.Whether you\u2019re staying for a few months or a few years, it\u2019s important to understand the main housing options in Japan available for foreigners. This guide breaks down the main options to help you choose the one that fits your lifestyle and budget.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"a1\">1. Rental Apartments (\u8cc3\u8cb8\u30a2\u30d1\u30fc\u30c8\u30fb\u30de\u30f3\u30b7\u30e7\u30f3)<\/h2>\n<p><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-5862 alignright\" src=\"https:\/\/www.mobalpay.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/20250723_1530_\u30a2\u30d1\u30fc\u30c8\u306e\u5185\u88c5_simple_compose_01k0tzhbh3f60be6hkdykbth66-200x300.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"200\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.mobalpay.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/20250723_1530_\u30a2\u30d1\u30fc\u30c8\u306e\u5185\u88c5_simple_compose_01k0tzhbh3f60be6hkdykbth66-200x300.png 200w, https:\/\/www.mobalpay.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/20250723_1530_\u30a2\u30d1\u30fc\u30c8\u306e\u5185\u88c5_simple_compose_01k0tzhbh3f60be6hkdykbth66-683x1024.png 683w, https:\/\/www.mobalpay.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/20250723_1530_\u30a2\u30d1\u30fc\u30c8\u306e\u5185\u88c5_simple_compose_01k0tzhbh3f60be6hkdykbth66-768x1152.png 768w, https:\/\/www.mobalpay.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/20250723_1530_\u30a2\u30d1\u30fc\u30c8\u306e\u5185\u88c5_simple_compose_01k0tzhbh3f60be6hkdykbth66.png 1024w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 200px) 100vw, 200px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Rental apartments are a popular option for long-term residents like full-time workers or families. They\u2019re usually unfurnished and require a formal contract, and the rental process can be tricky for foreigners.<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-top: 0;\"><strong>Example:<\/strong><br \/>\nA one-room (1R) apartment in Tokyo can cost around \u00a570,000\/month. Add an initial payment of \u00a5200,000\u2013\u00a5400,000 for key money, deposit, and agency fees.<\/p>\n<div style=\"background-color: #f9f9f9; padding: 10px 16px; border-radius: 6px; max-width: 400px; font-size: 14px; margin: 1em 0;\">\n<p style=\"margin: 0 0 0.5em 0;\"><strong>Initial Cost Breakdown:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul style=\"margin: 0 0 0.5em 1.2em; padding: 0;\">\n<li>Security Deposit (\u6577\u91d1): \u00a570,000<\/li>\n<li>Key Money (\u793c\u91d1): \u00a570,000<\/li>\n<li>Agency Fee (\u4ef2\u4ecb\u624b\u6570\u6599): \u00a570,000<\/li>\n<li>Pro-rated Rent (\u65e5\u5272\u308a\u5bb6\u8cc3): \u00a570,000<\/li>\n<li>Key Exchange Fee (\u9375\u306e\u4ea4\u63db\u8cbb\u7528): \u00a515,000<\/li>\n<li>Fire Insurance (\u706b\u707d\u4fdd\u967a\u6599): \u00a515,000<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p style=\"margin: 0;\"><strong>Total:<\/strong> \u00a5310,000<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><strong>Pros:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Full privacy<\/li>\n<li>Variety of locations and sizes<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Cons:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>High initial costs (key money, deposit, agent fees)<\/li>\n<li>Guarantor often required (or extra fee for guarantor company)<\/li>\n<li>Most contracts are in Japanese<\/li>\n<li>Often unfurnished<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Tip:<\/strong> Some real estate agencies like Tokyo Room Finder or Village House offer support in English and don\u2019t require key money or a guarantor.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Useful Sites:<\/strong><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/suumo.jp\/tokushu\/foreigner\/english\/index.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">SUUMO<\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.homes.co.jp\/msh\/en\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Homes.co.jp<\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/apartments.gaijinpot.com\/en\/rent\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">GaijinPot Housing<\/a><br \/>\netc.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"a2\">2. Share Houses\uff08\u30b7\u30a7\u30a2\u30cf\u30a6\u30b9\uff09<\/h2>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-5869 alignright\" src=\"https:\/\/www.mobalpay.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/20250723_1541_\u30b7\u30a7\u30a2\u30cf\u30a6\u30b9\u306e\u98a8\u666f_simple_compose_01k0v04npzezqadt5g083n785h-200x300.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"200\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.mobalpay.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/20250723_1541_\u30b7\u30a7\u30a2\u30cf\u30a6\u30b9\u306e\u98a8\u666f_simple_compose_01k0v04npzezqadt5g083n785h-200x300.png 200w, https:\/\/www.mobalpay.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/20250723_1541_\u30b7\u30a7\u30a2\u30cf\u30a6\u30b9\u306e\u98a8\u666f_simple_compose_01k0v04npzezqadt5g083n785h-683x1024.png 683w, https:\/\/www.mobalpay.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/20250723_1541_\u30b7\u30a7\u30a2\u30cf\u30a6\u30b9\u306e\u98a8\u666f_simple_compose_01k0v04npzezqadt5g083n785h-768x1152.png 768w, https:\/\/www.mobalpay.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/20250723_1541_\u30b7\u30a7\u30a2\u30cf\u30a6\u30b9\u306e\u98a8\u666f_simple_compose_01k0v04npzezqadt5g083n785h.png 1024w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 200px) 100vw, 200px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>A share house is a co-living arrangement where you rent a private room and share spaces like the kitchen, living room, and bathroom with other residents. It\u2019s a popular and budget-friendly option for students, young professionals, remote workers, and travelers.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Example:<\/strong><br \/>\nA furnished single room in an Oakhouse property in Tokyo starts around \u00a540,000\/month, with no deposit or key money.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Pros:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Low initial costs<\/li>\n<li>Fully furnished<\/li>\n<li>Utilities often included<\/li>\n<li>Friendly community atmosphere<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Cons:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Less privacy<\/li>\n<li>House rules may vary<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Tip:<\/strong> Check for properties with international communities if you want to connect with people from around the world.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Useful Sites:<\/strong><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.oakhouse.jp\/?sm_tag=qTvHThF9\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Oakhouse<\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.sakura-house.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Sakura House<\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/tokyosharehouse.com\/eng\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Tokyo Sharehouse<\/a><br \/>\netc.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"a3\">3. Guest Houses \/ Hostels<\/h2>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-5873 alignright\" src=\"https:\/\/www.mobalpay.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/20250723_1550_\u65e5\u672c\u306e\u30b2\u30b9\u30c8\u30cf\u30a6\u30b9\u306e\u90e8\u5c4b_simple_compose_01k0v0n5nwfqxtkdxq1vbp3mje-200x300.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"200\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.mobalpay.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/20250723_1550_\u65e5\u672c\u306e\u30b2\u30b9\u30c8\u30cf\u30a6\u30b9\u306e\u90e8\u5c4b_simple_compose_01k0v0n5nwfqxtkdxq1vbp3mje-200x300.png 200w, https:\/\/www.mobalpay.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/20250723_1550_\u65e5\u672c\u306e\u30b2\u30b9\u30c8\u30cf\u30a6\u30b9\u306e\u90e8\u5c4b_simple_compose_01k0v0n5nwfqxtkdxq1vbp3mje-683x1024.png 683w, https:\/\/www.mobalpay.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/20250723_1550_\u65e5\u672c\u306e\u30b2\u30b9\u30c8\u30cf\u30a6\u30b9\u306e\u90e8\u5c4b_simple_compose_01k0v0n5nwfqxtkdxq1vbp3mje-768x1152.png 768w, https:\/\/www.mobalpay.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/20250723_1550_\u65e5\u672c\u306e\u30b2\u30b9\u30c8\u30cf\u30a6\u30b9\u306e\u90e8\u5c4b_simple_compose_01k0v0n5nwfqxtkdxq1vbp3mje.png 1024w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 200px) 100vw, 200px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Guest houses and hostels are ideal for short-term stays in Japan, whether you&#8217;re here for a few days or a few weeks. You can choose a shared dormitory room or pay extra for a private room, making them a convenient option for travelers.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Example:<\/strong><br \/>\nDorm beds in budget hostels around Tokyo typically start at about \u00a52,500 per night, while private rooms usually range from \u00a55,000 to \u00a58,000 per night.<br \/>\n<strong>Pros:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Budget-friendly<\/li>\n<li>No contract required<\/li>\n<li>Great for travelers<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Cons:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Shared dormitory rooms<\/li>\n<li>Minimal personal space<\/li>\n<li>Not ideal for long-term stays<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Tip:<\/strong> Some guest houses and hostels like Wise Owl Hostels Tokyo and Guest House Wasabi offer discounts for longer stays.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Useful Sites:<\/strong><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/wiseowlhostels.com\/rivertokyo\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Wise Owl Hostels Tokyo<\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/guesthousejp.com\/asakusa\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Guest House Wasabi<\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/ja.sakura-hotel.co.jp\/asakusa\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Sakura Hostel Asakusa<\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/unplan.jp\/kagurazaka?lang=en\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">UNPLAN Kagurazaka<\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Hostelworld<\/a><\/p>\n<h2>Bonus: Try a Capsule Hotel!<\/h2>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-5872 alignright\" src=\"https:\/\/www.mobalpay.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Untitled-design11-300x169.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"169\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.mobalpay.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Untitled-design11-300x169.png 300w, https:\/\/www.mobalpay.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Untitled-design11-1024x576.png 1024w, https:\/\/www.mobalpay.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Untitled-design11-768x432.png 768w, https:\/\/www.mobalpay.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Untitled-design11.png 1366w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>If you&#8217;re looking for a unique Japanese experience, consider staying in a <strong>capsule hotel<\/strong>. These compact, pod-style accommodations are typically found in major cities and offer a private sleeping space at a low cost\u2014often starting around \u00a53,000 per night.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Pros:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Unique experience<\/li>\n<li>Very affordable<\/li>\n<li>Perfect for solo travelers<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Cons:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Extremely limited space<\/li>\n<li>Short-term use only<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Useful Sites:<\/strong><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/first-cabin.jp\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">FIRST CABIN<\/a><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"a4\">4. Company Dormitories \/ School Housing<\/h2>\n<p>If you&#8217;re coming to Japan through a university or employer, you may be offered a dormitory-style room with low rent and basic amenities.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Example:<\/strong><br \/>\nSome university dorms cost around \u00a520,000\u2013\u00a540,000\/month and include utilities. Company dorms may include meals and cleaning services.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Pros:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Very affordable<\/li>\n<li>Conveniently located near schools or workplaces<\/li>\n<li>Supportive environment for newcomers<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Cons:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Limited personal space<\/li>\n<li>Curfews or shared facilities<\/li>\n<li>May be limited to the first year only<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Tip:<\/strong> Always confirm what&#8217;s included (Wi-Fi, meals, etc.) and whether you&#8217;re allowed to invite guests.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"a5\">5. Monthly\/Weekly Apartments\uff08\u30de\u30f3\u30b9\u30ea\u30fc\u30de\u30f3\u30b7\u30e7\u30f3\uff09<\/h2>\n<p>These are short-term, fully furnished rentals available by the week or month. They are great for people who want independence without the hassle of signing a long-term contract.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Example:<\/strong><br \/>\nA monthly apartment in Tokyo via LeoPalace21, Monthly ResiStay, or TokyoMonthly21 can range from \u00a5100,000 to \u00a5180,000 per month depending on size and location.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Rental Platforms:<\/strong><br \/>\nLeoPalace21, Monthly Mansion, Monthly Apartment Japan, TokyoMonthly21<\/p>\n<p><strong>Pros:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>No key money or guarantor required<\/li>\n<li>Move-in ready (furniture, appliances, kitchenware included)<\/li>\n<li>Utilities and internet usually included<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Cons:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Higher rent compared to long-term leases<\/li>\n<li>Smaller space<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Tip:<\/strong> Great for those waiting for a long-term contract or staying a few months.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Useful Sites:<\/strong><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/housingjapan.com\/short-term\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Housing Japan<\/a><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"final-tips\">Tips for Choosing the Right Option<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Length of stay:<\/strong> Short-term travelers may prefer hostels or monthly apartments. Long-term residents may want rental apartments or share houses.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Budget:<\/strong> Share houses and dorms are the most affordable. Apartments require high initial costs.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Language skills:<\/strong> Choose a provider that offers English support if you&#8217;re not confident in Japanese.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Lifestyle:<\/strong> Want privacy? Go for an apartment. Want to meet people? Try a share house.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>Final Thoughts<\/h2>\n<p>When comparing housing options in Japan, it\u2019s important to consider privacy, budget, and how long you plan to stay. Japan offers a wide range of choices, each with its own advantages and challenges. Whether you&#8217;re here to study, work, or explore, there&#8217;s a living situation that fits your needs. Take your time, compare your options, and don\u2019t hesitate to ask for help\u2014finding the right home is the first step to a great life in Japan!<\/p>\n<p>Some MobalPay users even use their MobalPay cards to pay their rent.<br data-start=\"108\" data-end=\"111\" \/>If you don\u2019t have a Japan-issued credit card or only have a card issued overseas, consider using MobalPay.<br data-start=\"219\" data-end=\"222\" \/>\ud83d\udc49 <a class=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mobalpay.com\/japanese-prepaid-card\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" data-start=\"227\" data-end=\"257\">Learn more about MobalPay<\/a><\/p>\n<p>If you don\u2019t yet have a Japanese phone number with a SIM or eSIM, we recommend checking out our <a class=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mobalpay.com\/japan-sim-promo\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" data-start=\"153\" data-end=\"167\">SIM Promo<\/a> \u2014 perfect for newcomers to Japan.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Table of Contents Rental Apartments (\u8cc3\u8cb8\u30a2\u30d1\u30fc\u30c8\u30fb\u30de\u30f3\u30b7\u30e7\u30f3) Share Houses\uff08\u30b7\u30a7\u30a2\u30cf\u30a6\u30b9\uff09 Guest Houses \/ Hostels Bonus: Capsule Hotels\uff08\u30ab\u30d7\u30bb\u30eb\u30db\u30c6\u30eb\uff09 Company Dormitories \/ School Housing Monthly\/Weekly Apartments\uff08\u30de\u30f3\u30b9\u30ea\u30fc\u30de\u30f3\u30b7\u30e7\u30f3\uff09 Tips for Choosing the Right Option Moving to Japan is exciting, but finding the right housing options in Japan can be a challenge\u2014especially for foreigners unfamiliar with the local housing system.Whether you\u2019re staying [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":7,"featured_media":5918,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"default","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","ast-disable-related-posts":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"default","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"set","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center 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