- The main apartment search platforms in Japan — and which ones foreigners can actually use
- How to read Japanese apartment listings without fluent Japanese
- What “foreigner OK” (外国人可) means and how to find these listings
- GaijinPot Housing, UR Housing, and share house platforms explained
- How to contact landlords and schedule viewings as a foreigner
The main apartment search websites in Japan are SUUMO, Homes.jp, and AtHome. These are in Japanese but Chrome’s auto-translate makes them navigable. For English-language platforms, GaijinPot Housing and Sakura House are the most foreigner-accessible. UR Housing offers guarantor-free, no-key-money apartments through a Japanese government website.
Finding an apartment in Japan as a foreigner requires knowing which platforms to use — and understanding that many listings don’t accept foreign applicants at all. Here’s how to navigate the system.
Japanese Apartment Search Platforms (Main Sites)
1. SUUMO (スーモ) — Japan’s Largest Platform
URL: suumo.jp Language: Japanese only (Chrome translate works well) Coverage: National, with the most listings of any platform Foreigner filter: No specific foreigner filter — must check each listing
SUUMO is Japan’s dominant real estate portal with 1M+ listings. The interface is entirely in Japanese, but it’s organized clearly enough that Chrome auto-translate makes it functional. Most serious apartment hunters use SUUMO as their primary search.
How to search for foreigner-friendly listings on SUUMO:
- Use the filter for 外国人可 (gaikokujin ka — foreigners accepted) if you can navigate to it, OR
- Contact the managing agency for each listing to ask “外国人でも申し込めますか？” (Can foreigners apply?)
2. Homes.jp (ライフルホームズ) — Best Alternative to SUUMO
URL: homes.jp Language: Japanese (Chrome translate works) Coverage: National, second-largest after SUUMO Foreigner filter: Limited
Homes.jp (Lifull Homes) is the second-largest portal. Similar listings to SUUMO but with a slightly different agency network — it’s worth checking both as some listings appear on only one platform.
3. AtHome — Third Major Platform
URL: athome.co.jp Language: Japanese Coverage: National Foreigner filter: No
AtHome rounds out the big three Japanese portals. Same principle applies — use Chrome translate and check individual listings.
4. GaijinPot Housing — Best English-Language Platform
URL: housing.gaijinpot.com Language: English Coverage: Major cities (Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto, Fukuoka, etc.) Foreigner filter: All listings are foreigner-friendly (that’s the platform’s purpose)
GaijinPot Housing specifically serves the foreigner market. Every listing is pre-vetted as foreigner-accepting. The trade-off is a smaller selection than SUUMO/Homes and slightly higher prices (reflecting the niche/convenience premium).
Best for: New arrivals who need English support, first apartment in Japan, short-term furnished options.
5. UR Housing (UR都市機構) — No Guarantor, No Key Money
URL: ur-net.co.jp Language: Japanese (Chrome translate) Coverage: Metropolitan areas + regional cities Foreigner filter: All UR apartments accept foreigners with residence card
UR Housing is a Japanese government housing agency. Their apartments:
- No guarantor required (major advantage for foreigners)
- No key money (礼金)
- No renewal fees
- Slightly older buildings but well-maintained
- Rents are transparent and fixed
UR is one of the best options for foreigners who have arrived recently and don’t yet have a Japanese guarantor company. Applications require a residence card and proof of income (or minimum savings of 100x monthly rent).
6. Sakura House — Best Share House Network
URL: sakura-house.com Language: English Coverage: Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto, Nagoya, Fukuoka Foreigner filter: Specifically designed for foreigners
Sakura House operates share houses and private rooms specifically for the foreigner market. Key features:
- Fully furnished rooms available
- No guarantor required
- Short minimum stays (as low as 1 month)
- English-speaking staff
- Mix of Japanese and international residents
Price range: ¥35,000–75,000/month (private room) depending on location and sharing level.
Best for: New arrivals who need immediate accommodation, solo travelers, people who want to meet other expats.
7. Borderless House — International Share Houses
URL: borderless-house.com Language: English Coverage: Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto, Fukuoka Concept: Japanese and foreign residents living together
Borderless House specifically mixes Japanese and foreign residents — designed for people learning Japanese or wanting cross-cultural experience. Cheaper than Sakura House in some cases.
How to Read Japanese Apartment Listings
Key terms to know:
| Japanese | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 外国人可 | gaikokujin ka | Foreigners accepted |
| 礼金なし | reikin nashi | No key money |
| 敷金 | shikikin | Security deposit |
| 管理費 | kanrihi | Management fee (added to rent) |
| 築年数 | chikunensuu | Building age (years old) |
| 1K / 1DK / 1LDK | — | 1 room + kitchen / dining kitchen / living-dining-kitchen |
| 徒歩○分 | toho ○ fun | ○ minutes walk from station |
| オートロック | auto lock | Secure entry system |
| ペット可 | petto ka | Pets allowed |
| 室内洗濯機置場 | sentakuki okiba | Indoor washing machine space |
| 南向き | minamimuki | South-facing (good light) |
| 即入居可 | soku nyukyo ka | Available immediately |
Foreigner-Friendly vs Regular Listings: What to Expect
The problem: Many Japanese landlords don’t accept foreign tenants. There’s no legal obligation to accept, and many simply don’t — reasons range from language concerns to visa uncertainty.
The reality:
- Listings marked 外国人可 openly accept foreign applications
- Listings with no mention can go either way — ask
- Listings marked 外国人不可 do not accept foreigners — don’t apply
Improving your chances:
- Having a Japanese guarantor company (保証会社) significantly helps — most agencies work with guarantor companies for foreigners
- Full-time employment with a Japanese company is the strongest signal
- Being able to communicate basic Japanese helps at the viewing stage
- Long-term visa (3–5 year) is more reassuring to landlords than 1-year
See our complete apartment rental guide for the full process, deposits, and key money explained.
Contacting Listings: Phrases You Need
If you’re contacting Japanese agencies directly:
Email template (use Japanese):
件名：○○（物件名）の内覧について
はじめまして。私は（名前）と申します。外国籍ですが、（物件のURL）に興味があります。内覧は可能でしょうか？
よろしくお願いいたします。
Or simply ask an agency: “外国人でも申し込めますか？” (Can foreigners apply?)
English agencies: If you want English support throughout, use GaijinPot Housing, Sakura House, or an expat-focused agency like Fontaine Real Estate or Tokyo Rent.
Which Platform for Which Situation
| Your Situation | Best Platform |
|---|---|
| Just arrived, need immediate housing | Sakura House, Borderless House |
| Want a private apartment, English only | GaijinPot Housing |
| No guarantor, budget-conscious | UR Housing |
| Want maximum selection, some Japanese OK | SUUMO + Homes.jp |
| Looking for Tokyo neighborhoods specifically | SUUMO + cross-reference with GaijinPot |
| Budget share house in major city | Sakura House, Borderless House |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best website to find apartments in Japan? SUUMO (suumo.jp) has the most listings overall. For English-friendly platforms, GaijinPot Housing is the best. For guarantor-free options, UR Housing is ideal. Most expats use SUUMO for broad search and GaijinPot Housing for confirmed foreigner-friendly properties.
Can foreigners rent apartments in Japan? Yes, but not all landlords accept foreign tenants. Look for listings marked 外国人可 (foreigners accepted). Using a guarantor company (保証会社) and having stable employment significantly improves approval odds.
What is UR Housing in Japan? UR Housing (UR都市機構) is a Japanese government housing corporation offering apartments with no guarantor, no key money, and no renewal fees. They accept foreigners with a residence card. Apartments are slightly older but well-maintained.
What is Sakura House? Sakura House is a share house and apartment network specifically designed for foreigners in Japan. They have English-speaking staff, no guarantor requirement, and short minimum stays. Branches in Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto, Nagoya, and Fukuoka.