Apartment

Bringing a pet to Japan or getting one here involves regulations, costs, and apartment rules that catch many foreigners off guard. Done right, it’s entirely manageable. Here’s the full picture on pet ownership in Japan. Can You Have a Pet in Your Apartment? This is the first and most important question. Many Japanese apartments are ペット不可 (pets not allowed). Check your lease carefully. What to look for: ペット可 (petto ka) — pets allowed ペット相談 (petto soudan) — pets negotiable (discuss with landlord) ペット不可 (petto fuka) — no pets Reality: Finding a pet-friendly apartment adds difficulty and usually cost. Pet-friendly apartments often require a larger deposit and sometimes extra monthly fees. ...

Coin laundries in Japan are clean, cheap, and efficient — but the machines, signs, and etiquette are all in Japanese. First-time users waste money pressing the wrong buttons. Here’s a clear walkthrough so you get it right from the start. Types of Machines Washer-Dryer Combo (洗濯乾燥機) Wash and dry in one cycle Most convenient option Cost: ¥600–1,200 for a full wash+dry cycle depending on drum size Washing Machine Only (洗濯機) Cheaper wash cycle only You’ll need to use a separate dryer or hang clothes at home Cost: ¥200–400 per wash Dryer Only (乾燥機) For items washed at home that need machine drying Very useful for duvets, futons, and heavy items that take days to air dry Cost: ¥100 per 10–12 minutes Large-Capacity Machine (大型) For duvets, blankets, curtains, sleeping bags 10kg–25kg capacity Cost: ¥1,000–2,500 depending on size and cycle time How to Use the Machines Choose a machine — check it’s empty and the drum is clean Load your laundry — don’t overfill (fill to 70–80%) Select your cycle — standard wash is fine for most items Insert coins — most machines accept ¥100 coins; some newer ones accept IC cards or QR code payment Add detergent — many machines dispense detergent automatically (included in price), or have a slot for your own Start the machine — it will display the remaining time Cycle time: Typically 30–40 minutes for washing, 40–60 minutes for drying. ...

Quick Answer Japanese apartment noise norms are stricter than most foreigners expect. General rule: no audible noise in your neighbors’ units after 10pm, and significant sound reduction starts at 8pm. Vacuum cleaners are typically off-limits before 8am and after 8–9pm. Music, TV, and phone calls must be inaudible through walls. Common complaints foreigners generate: late-night showers, walking heavily (heels on hardwood), talking loudly on phone calls, and running washing machines at night. Warning notices come from the building manager; repeated violations can end a lease. ...

Quick Answer Hikkoshi aisatsu (引越し挨拶, moving-in greeting) is the Japanese custom of visiting your immediate neighbors on moving day or within the first 3 days to introduce yourself and give a small gift. Standard gift: a consumable item (towels, detergent, sweets) worth ¥500–1,500, wrapped. Knock on the 2 units above, 2 below, and 2 beside you (the “two-above, two-below, left-right” rule). If nobody’s home, leave the gift with a note. Skipping it is noticed and sets a negative social tone for your tenancy. ...

Quick Answer Foreigners can rent apartments in Japan privately, but you need a guarantor company (保証会社), valid visa, and upfront costs of 4–6x monthly rent. Use foreigner-friendly agencies like Sakura House, Able, or Suumo’s foreigner support services to simplify the process. Apartment hunting in Japan is stressful for everyone — but as a foreigner, you’re starting with a stack of extra obstacles. Some landlords will say no simply because of your nationality. The paperwork is in Japanese. The upfront costs are genuinely significant. And the “guarantor” requirement traditionally assumed you knew a Japanese person willing to vouch for you financially. ...

Quick Answer Key money (礼金, reikin) is a non-refundable payment of 1–2 months’ rent made directly to the landlord when signing a Japanese lease. It is not a deposit — you get nothing back. Combined with security deposit (敷金), agency fee (仲介手数料), and guarantor insurance, move-in costs in Japan typically reach 4–6 months’ rent before you spend a yen on furniture. Key money has no legal requirement — many apartments, especially newer ones and UR housing, no longer charge it. ...

Quick Answer Japanese landlords can legally refuse foreign tenants — and many do. Your best path: use foreigner-specialist agencies (GaijinPot Apartments, Sakura House, Able), look for UR housing (government-run, zero discrimination by policy), or go for share houses while building rental history. Having a Japanese guarantor or using a corporate guarantor service (e.g. GTN, ORIX) dramatically increases your acceptance rate. You found a great apartment, submitted your documents, waited — and then got the politely worded rejection. Or the agency told you upfront: “The landlord prefers Japanese tenants.” It’s one of the most common frustrations foreigners encounter in Japan, and it’s not something most expat guides prepare you for. ...