Reikin

Quick Answer Zero-zero (ゼロゼロ) apartments charge no key money (礼金) and no deposit (敷金). Find them by filtering 礼金なし on SUUMO/Homes, checking UR Housing (never charges key money), or using share houses. Trade-offs to check: higher rent, cleaning fees due at move-out instead, and lock-in clauses with penalties for leaving within 1–2 years. Key money (礼金, reikin) is the fee that shocks every foreigner: one or two months’ rent, paid to the landlord as a “thank you,” never returned. Add a deposit, agency fee, and guarantor fee, and a ¥80,000 apartment costs ¥400,000+ before you get the keys. ...

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. ...