Finding Housing in Japan

When looking for rental housing in Japan, you use real estate agencies and rental housing search websites.

Rental contracts in Japan have arrangements not commonly seen in some other countries, such as guarantors, guarantor companies, security deposits (shikikin), and key money (reikin).

Ways to search for housing, such as real-estate agents and websites.

Organize your preferences first

Before visiting a real estate agency, organizing the following conditions makes your search easier:

Where you want to live
Your rent budget
The size of the room
The number of people moving in
When you want to move in
Commute or commuting-to-school time
Whether you have pets, etc.

What real estate agencies ask

When applying to move in, you may be asked to confirm:

Your Residence Card
Income or employer
An emergency contact
People who will live with you

The required documents vary depending on the property and the real estate agency.

Check more than just the rent

Required documents vary depending on the property and the real estate agency.

Monthly and initial costs

Rent
Management fee
Security deposit (shikikin)
Key money (reikin)
Guarantee fee

Contract conditions

Arrangements such as a guarantor or guarantor company
Renewal costs
Conditions for moving out
Prohibited actions

The six steps from finding a property to moving in.

Check before signing a contract

Before renting a room, check:

Rent
Management fee
Security deposit (shikikin)
Key money (reikin)
Guarantee fee
Renewal costs
Conditions for moving out
Prohibited actions

It's important not to sign a contract without understanding it.

Initial costs needed when signing a lease (deposit, key money, agency fee, etc.).

Common worries foreign residents have when looking for housing.

If you want to consult in a foreign language

The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism publishes a "Guidebook for Room Hunting" for foreign nationals in multiple languages.

Some real estate agencies can respond in foreign languages.

If you're refused housing and have trouble

If you have trouble, such as finding it difficult to rent a room because you are a foreign national, consult a foreign resident consultation counter or a housing consultation counter.

If individual legal judgment is needed, they will connect you to a specialist.

What you can check next

Rental contracts and the money you need at the start
Moving out of rental housing
Rules on trash, noise, and shared housing
Electricity, gas, and water

Main places to check

Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism
Real estate agencies
Local housing consultation counters

Last checked: August 2026