Apartment

1K, 1LDK, 2DK — Japanese apartment listings use shorthand that leaves most foreigners baffled. Once you crack the code, comparing apartments becomes much faster. Here’s a plain-English breakdown of every apartment type you’ll encounter. The Basic Notation System Japanese apartment listings use a simple formula: [Number of rooms] + [Room type designation] The Number The number indicates how many separate rooms (bedrooms or multi-purpose rooms) the apartment has beyond the kitchen and dining/living areas. ...

Your neighbors noticed everything on your first day. In Japan, how you behave in your building and on your street matters more than most foreigners realize. Get the basics right early and you’ll avoid complaints, tension, and awkward confrontations. The Greeting Visit (引越し挨拶, Hikkoshi Aisatsu) When you move into a new apartment, visiting your immediate neighbors to introduce yourself is standard practice. Who to Visit The apartments directly above, below, and on either side Sometimes the building manager (管理人) When to Go Within the first few days of moving in Avoid early morning or late evening — try mid-morning or late afternoon on a weekend What to Bring A small gift: ...

What you'll learn in this guide How much notice you must give before moving out (and what happens if you don’t) What Japanese landlords can and cannot legally charge you for How to maximize your deposit return Step-by-step move-out checklist for Japan What to do if you’re charged unfairly How to cancel utilities, insurance, and address registration when leaving Moving out of a Japanese apartment involves more steps — and more potential costs — than most foreigners expect. Japan’s move-out process has specific rules around deposit deductions, cleaning fees, and notice periods. Know the rules before you give notice, and you can avoid paying for things you’re not legally responsible for. ...

Moving apartments within Japan involves more paperwork and more money than most people expect — key money, re-registration, utility transfers, and more. Knowing the process in advance saves real money and avoids nasty surprises. Here’s a complete walkthrough. Timeline Overview When What to Do 1–2 months before Give notice to current landlord 1–3 weeks before Book moving company 1–2 weeks before Notify utilities, internet provider Moving day Complete the move Within 14 days after Update address at city hall Within 14 days after Update immigration (residence card) Within 14 days after Notify employer, bank, etc. Step 1: Give Notice to Current Landlord Check your lease — most Japanese leases require 1–2 months notice before moving out. ...

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. ...