{"id":2180,"date":"2025-06-24T11:31:30","date_gmt":"2025-06-24T02:31:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/oito-mares.co.jp\/?p=2180"},"modified":"2025-06-25T01:18:40","modified_gmt":"2025-06-24T16:18:40","slug":"guidehow-to-rent-a-foreign-friendly-apartment-in-japan","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/oito-mares.co.jp\/?p=2180","title":{"rendered":"&lt;English>How to Rent a Foreign-Friendly Apartment in Japan: Costs, Process, and Tips"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"vk-htags-dee318e6-31bb-41f7-99a3-40232a885e7e\">It\u2019s time to rent&#8230;..what is the initial cost for rent?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>After a period in a hotel, dormitory, or company housing, you\u2019ll eventually need to find a place of your own.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The process can be exciting\u2014but also confusing. Japan\u2019s rental system includes several upfront costs that differ from those in other countries: deposits(Shiki-kin), key money(Rei-kin), agency fees, and guarantor charges, among others. It\u2019s also important to know when these payments are due and what support is available.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In this article, we\u2019ll explain typical initial costs fore rent, based on real cases we\u2019ve supported. Whether you&#8217;re here for work or study, this guide will help you prepare with confidence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"427\" src=\"https:\/\/oito-mares.co.jp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/1098052_s.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2200\" style=\"width:223px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/oito-mares.co.jp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/1098052_s.jpg 640w, https:\/\/oito-mares.co.jp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/1098052_s-300x200.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"vk-htags-4519bcf0-f97c-4ad3-a631-debd18fba59e\">Types of Initial Rental Costs in Japan<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"vk-htags-53a1decc-aaee-464d-b685-6df08e51bde1\">1. Deposit (\u6577\u91d1 \u2013 <em>Shikikin<\/em>)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>This is usually equivalent to one month\u2019s rent. It\u2019s paid to the landlord and held as a form of insurance to cover the cost of restoring the room to its original condition when you move out. Common expenses such as cleaning fees will typically be deducted, and the remaining balance is refunded to you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"vk-htags-1d09ff41-bbdd-43af-9474-41773387dc30\">2. Key Money (\u793c\u91d1 \u2013 <em>Reikin<\/em>)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Also typically one month\u2019s rent, key money is a non-refundable gift to the landlord as a gesture of appreciation for renting the property. Unlike the security deposit, this money will not be returned when you move out. However, it\u2019s worth noting that an increasing number of properties no longer require key money.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"vk-htags-ffcd7272-bfcc-4615-b2f9-463f0ad92d32\">3. <strong>Advance Rent (\u524d\u5bb6\u8cc3 \u2013 <em>Mae-yachin<\/em>)<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>You\u2019ll usually need to prepay one month\u2019s rent before moving in. For instance, if you sign the lease in February and move in starting March, the March rent is paid upfront. If you move in mid-month, the rent will be prorated based on the number of days.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"vk-htags-49976903-b6df-44e9-bddc-7898a2355eee\">4. <strong>Agency Fee (\u4ef2\u4ecb\u624b\u6570\u6599 \u2013 <em>Ch\u016bkai tes\u016bry\u014d<\/em>)<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>This is the commission paid to the real estate agency for helping you find the apartment and handling paperwork. The legal maximum is one month\u2019s rent (excluding tax), and most agencies charge the full amount. In some cases, you might also see a \u201ccontract processing fee\u201d of around \u00a510,000 depending on the property.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"vk-htags-729f82c8-7b88-4911-a2c6-933a1df10414\">5. <strong>Fire Insurance<\/strong> (\u706b\u707d\u4fdd\u967a <strong>\u2013<\/strong> <em>Kasai Hoken<\/em>)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>You\u2019ll be required to have insurance that covers fire, water damage, and other incidents. Costs vary, but for single renters, it\u2019s around \u00a515,000; for couples or families, approximately \u00a520,000.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"vk-htags-4c2985cf-24e9-41e9-88b2-5f40d3f6ca79\">6. <strong>Guarantor Company Fee (\u4fdd\u8a3c\u6599 \u2013 <em>Hosh\u014dry\u014d<\/em>)<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>In Japan, it&#8217;s common to use a rent guarantor company instead of relying on a personal guarantor. The fee is usually equal to one month\u2019s rent (including common service fees) and is non-refundable. This service guarantees payment to the landlord if you&#8217;re unable to pay your rent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"vk-htags-1aec40b4-a74a-4e9b-b050-d5f46b4ccb8f\">7. <strong>Other Possible Costs (Depending on the Property)<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Key Replacement Fee<\/strong><br>Many landlords require a lock change before a new tenant moves in. The cost varies depending on the type of lock, but in our clients\u2019 experience, it usually ranges from \u00a516,000 to \u00a533,000.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>24-Hour Emergency Support Service<\/strong><br>Some properties require tenants to enroll in a 24\/7 support service that handles emergencies like water leaks or lost keys. Instead of contacting the property manager directly, you can call the support center anytime. This service typically costs \u00a515,000\u2013\u00a520,000 for a two-year period.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"vk-htags-b9b0d40c-dfde-430b-951d-b1be937dc404\">How much are initial rental costs in Japan?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><span data-color=\"#fffd6b\" style=\"background: linear-gradient(transparent 60%,rgba(255, 253, 107, 0.7) 0);\" class=\"vk_highlighter\">Expect to Pay Around 4.5 to 5 Months\u2019 Rent Upfront<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The total initial costs for renting a property in Japan typically amount to <strong>about 4.5 to 5 times the monthly rent<\/strong>. While the actual amount varies depending on the property and location, this formula offers a helpful general estimate:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><span data-color=\"#fffd6b\" style=\"background: linear-gradient(transparent 60%,rgba(255, 253, 107, 0.7) 0);\" class=\"vk_highlighter\">Estimated Initial Costs = Monthly Rent \u00d7 4.5 to 5<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This estimate usually includes:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Security deposit (1 month\u2019s rent)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Key money (1 month\u2019s rent)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Agency fee (1 month\u2019s rent)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Advance rent (1 month\u2019s rent)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Guarantor company fee<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Fire insurance<br>Additional fees, such as key replacement or support services, may also apply.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"vk-htags-d11593bf-ab11-42cd-bb7f-2454bfb79ae1\">Watch out for hidden fees<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>If you\u2019re having trouble finding a suitable property through other agencies, or if you\u2019ve encountered unclear or unexpected charges, feel free to reach out to us. We\u2019re happy to support you from the very first step of your apartment search, ensuring transparency and peace of mind throughout the process.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>It\u2019s time to rent&#8230;..what is the initial cost for rent? After a period in a hotel, dormitory, or company  [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":2200,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"_locale":"ja","_original_post":"https:\/\/oito-mares.co.jp\/?p=2180","sns_share_botton_hide":"","vkExUnit_sns_title":"","_vk_print_noindex":"","sitemap_hide":"","_veu_custom_css":"","veu_display_promotion_alert":"common","vkexunit_cta_each_option":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[6,8],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2180","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-6","category-8","ja"],"veu_head_title_object":{"title":"","add_site_title":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/oito-mares.co.jp\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2180","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/oito-mares.co.jp\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/oito-mares.co.jp\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/oito-mares.co.jp\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/oito-mares.co.jp\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=2180"}],"version-history":[{"count":24,"href":"https:\/\/oito-mares.co.jp\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2180\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2238,"href":"https:\/\/oito-mares.co.jp\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2180\/revisions\/2238"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/oito-mares.co.jp\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/2200"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/oito-mares.co.jp\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=2180"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/oito-mares.co.jp\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=2180"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/oito-mares.co.jp\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=2180"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}