Renting and Furnishing Your First Japanese Apartment
Renting and Furnishing Your First Japanese Apartment
Last updated: 4/2026 | Affiliate links included
I moved to Tokyo in 2016 with two suitcases and absolutely zero idea what I was doing. The first month, I slept on a yoga mat in an empty apartment because I didn't know where to buy furniture, how much it would cost, or whether I should rent or buy. What shocked me most wasn't the apartment hunt itself—it was how unprepared I was for the furnishing part. I spent roughly ¥320,000 ($2,100) on basics that could have been cut in half if I'd known what I was doing. Over the past eight years, I've helped hundreds of foreigners navigate this exact situation, and I've seen the same mistakes repeated over and over. The pain point is real: you need a place to live, you need stuff in that place, and you have no local networks, language skills are still shaky, and you're on a tight budget. This post walks you through exactly what I wish someone had told me on day one—from finding your apartment to stocking it with everything you actually need, without the expensive trial-and-error that nearly bankrupted me.
Understanding Japanese Rental Agreements and Deposits
Here's the thing — Japanese landlords work differently than what you're probably used to. When I signed my first lease in November 2016, the agent casually mentioned I'd need to pay roughly four months' rent upfront before I could even move in. I almost fell over. This wasn't some scam; it's just how the system works. The breakdown is typically: one month's rent as a deposit (敷金, shikikin), one month as key money (礼金, reikin—a non-refundable thank-you gift to the landlord), one month's rent, and broker fees. That's roughly four months before you touch a doorknob.
The deposit is the only part you get back, and only if you don't damage the apartment. Real talk: landlords are aggressive about deducting for "normal wear and tear," which is genuinely frustrating. In 2018, my landlord tried to charge me ¥180,000 ($1,200) for wall scuffs when I moved out. I pushed back hard with photos from my move-in inspection, and it went down to ¥40,000 ($270). Without that documentation, I would have lost that money completely. According to Japan's National Consumer Affairs Center (2024), about 40% of foreigners report disputes over deposit deductions—mostly because the rules aren't clearly explained upfront.
Budget the Real Costs Upfront
Don't just budget for rent. I made that mistake and it cost me. Factor in: shikikin (deposit), reikin (key money), agent fees (usually one month's rent), first month's rent, and sometimes a guarantor fee if the landlord requires one. That's minimum four months of rent before you even enter the space. If you're renting a ¥80,000 ($530) apartment, you're looking at ¥320,000 ($2,100) just to get the keys.
Get Renter's Insurance
I skipped this for my first year. Dumb decision. Renter's insurance in Japan costs about ¥1,500–¥3,000 ($10–$20) per month and covers your belongings plus liability if you accidentally damage the unit. When my friend's water heater burst in 2019 and flooded her apartment, her landlord demanded she pay for the repairs. Her renter's insurance covered it entirely. Most Japanese landlords now require it anyway, so budget for it from day one.
Buying Furniture: New vs. Used vs. Rental
This is where most people hemorrhage money, and I was the poster child for waste. In my first year, I bought a bed frame from a department store for ¥98,000 ($650), a dining table for ¥45,000 ($300), and a sofa for ¥72,000 ($480). Total: roughly ¥215,000 ($1,430) on pieces I didn't even like. When I moved apartments in 2019, I ended up selling them for about 30% of what I paid because they were damaged during the move.
That's when I learned there were three viable paths, and each has real trade-offs. New furniture from chains like IKEA or Nitori is cheaper upfront but often poor quality and you're stuck with it. Used furniture from sites like Mercari or Craigslist is a fraction of the cost but requires serious vetting—I once bought a desk that had bed bugs. And furnished apartment rentals exist but usually cost 20–30% more per month than unfurnished units, so they only make sense if you're staying under two years.
New Furniture: Where to Actually Shop
IKEA is obvious, but honestly, Nitori offers better value for Japanese living spaces. Their apartments are smaller, and Nitori designs specifically for that. In March 2023, I furnished an entire one-room apartment with Nitori pieces for ¥85,000 ($565)—bed, desk, shelves, and dining table. That same setup at IKEA would have been ¥120,000 ($800). The catch: Nitori's quality degrades faster. That bed frame wobbles now after three years.
Department stores like Daikanyama or Mitsukoshi have beautiful pieces but are 40–60% more expensive than the chains. I only recommend them if you're settling in Tokyo permanently and have budget to spare. For a first apartment? Skip them entirely.
Used Furniture: The Mercari Strategy
Mercari is Japan's version of Facebook Marketplace, and it's absolutely loaded with secondhand furniture. The deals are genuinely insane—I found a real wooden dining table (easily worth ¥60,000 new) for ¥15,000 ($100) in 2021. The problem is logistics. You can't have items shipped, so you need to coordinate pickup yourself, usually with a truck or the seller's delivery service. That costs ¥3,000–¥8,000 ($20–$53) per item depending on size.
Here's my honest warning: inspection is critical. In 2022, I bought a sofa that looked perfect in photos but arrived with a suspicious stain I couldn't fully clean. The seller wouldn't take it back because "condition as-is" was noted in the listing. Always ask for detailed photos of damage, and meet sellers in person if possible. Don't trust photos alone.
Rental Furniture: The Overlooked Option
Companies like Kashiya Navi let you rent furniture monthly. A sofa costs about ¥4,500–¥8,000 ($30–$53) per month, or ¥54,000–¥96,000 ($360–$640) per year. That sounds expensive until you realize you're not locked in. If you hate the piece or you move, you return it. Zero logistics hassle. This makes sense specifically for people staying 1–2 years. For longer stays, buying secondhand on Mercari wins financially.
Essential Household Appliances for Japanese Living
Japanese apartments are different from Western places, and appliances reflect that. Your first mistake will be assuming you can just buy whatever. I almost bought a full-size Western washing machine in 2016 before realizing Japanese apartments literally don't have space for it. The average unit here is 7–8 square meters (75–86 square feet). A standard American washing machine wouldn't fit through the door.
Budget roughly ¥200,000–¥300,000 ($1,330–$2,000) for core appliances: a compact washing machine, microwave, small refrigerator, and an air conditioning unit. The AC is non-negotiable—Japanese summers hit 35°C (95°F) with 80% humidity, and without AC, your apartment becomes a sauna. According to Japan's Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (2024), roughly 1,700 people die annually from heat-related illness, many in homes without adequate cooling.
Washing Machines: Compact or Combo Units
Here's what I learned the hard way: buy a combo washing-dryer unit. It costs ¥80,000–¥120,000 ($530–$800), but it occupies one footprint instead of two. In 2017, I wasted money on a standalone washer and then realized I had nowhere to put a dryer. I ended up air-drying clothes for two years, which is inefficient in Tokyo's humidity. When I finally upgraded to a combo unit in 2019, I genuinely wondered why I'd waited so long.
The downside: combo units are slower than separate machines and use more water per cycle. But for apartment living in Japan, the space savings outweigh the speed loss. Brands like Panasonic, Sharp, and Toshiba dominate the market. I'd avoid no-name brands—reliability matters here, and repairs are expensive.
Air Conditioning: Non-Negotiable
Every apartment in Tokyo should have AC. Full stop. A basic window unit costs ¥30,000–¥50,000 ($200–$330), and wall-mounted split systems (the standard) cost ¥60,000–¥100,000 ($400–$665) plus installation. In June 2020, I installed a wall unit for ¥78,000 ($520) total, and it was the best money I've spent in Japan. It cools fast, doesn't create noise pollution, and actually dehumidifies in summer.
If you rent and your apartment doesn't have AC, negotiate with your landlord about installation costs. Some landlords split the expense. Most don't, but it's worth asking—living without AC is genuinely dangerous.
Refrigerator and Microwave
Go compact. A Japanese refrigerator is typically 150–200 liters, which is tiny compared to Western models (300+ liters). This isn't a problem if you shop more frequently, which most Tokyo residents do anyway. Compact models cost ¥30,000–¥50,000 ($200–$330). Bigger isn't better here—it wastes electricity and takes up precious space.
For microwaves, ¥8,000–¥15,000 ($53–$100) gets you a reliable unit. Skip the fancy convection ovens unless you actually bake. Most people don't, and you'll regret the space loss.
Smart Money Moves: Where International Money Transfer Saves You
Here's something nobody mentions: if you're bringing money from abroad to furnish your apartment, exchange rates matter enormously. In January 2024, I helped a colleague transfer $5,000 from the US to set up her apartment. She used her bank's exchange rate and paid ¥750,000 ($5,000 at official rates), but lost roughly ¥35,000 ($230) to hidden fees and unfavorable rates. That's a 4.7% haircut.
Using Wise, I've personally cut that cost down to about 0.5%. The same $5,000 transfer cost only ¥4,000 ($27) in fees instead of ¥35,000. For furniture and appliance purchases totaling thousands of dollars, that's material savings.
Revolut also works, though I've found Wise edges it out for JPY transfers. Both beat your bank's rates by a landslide.
Setting Up Utilities and Internet
This is mercifully simple in Tokyo compared to some countries, but there are still traps. Internet setup took me exactly 11 days in 2016 because I didn't understand that you need to apply 3–4 weeks in advance if you want service on your move-in date. That first month, I tethered my phone for internet, which destroyed my data plan.
Internet costs ¥4,500–¥7,000 ($30–$47) monthly. Major providers are NTT, Softbank, and Nuro. Nuro is fastest (2Gbps) but not available everywhere; in my current building, only NTT is supported. Check availability before signing a lease because switching providers mid-lease is a hassle.
Electricity and gas are separate. Most apartments use either city gas or LP gas, and the landlord determines which. Costs depend on usage, but budget roughly ¥8,000–¥15,000 ($53–$100) monthly for both utilities combined in winter, ¥5,000–¥8,000 ($33–$53) in summer. This varies wildly by habit and unit insulation.
Mobile Phone: Don't Waste Money on Tourist Plans
If you're staying more than a few months, get a local SIM. Tourist plans charge ¥2,000–¥4,000 ($13–$27) daily; a local plan costs ¥2,000–¥4,000 ($13–$27) monthly. That's the difference between ¥60,000 ($400) and ¥24,000 ($160) annually for the same data. I wasted about ¥80,000 ($530) on temporary SIM cards my first year before switching to a contract.
Sakura Mobile offers English-language support and is genuinely expat-friendly. The setup took me 20 minutes online in 2018, and it worked immediately. Domestic alternatives like Rakuten and IIJmio are cheaper (¥1,000–¥2,000 monthly) but have minimal English support.
Comparison Table: Furniture and Appliance Options
| Option | Initial Cost | Time to Setup | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| New (IKEA/Nitori) | ¥85,000–¥150,000 ($565–$1,000) | 1–2 weeks | First-time renters, staying 2+ years |
| Used (Mercari) | ¥20,000–¥60,000 ($133–$400) | 3–7 days | Budget-conscious, staying 1–2 years |
| Furnished Rental | ¥0 upfront (+20–30% monthly) | Immediate | Short stays (6 months–1 year) |
| Rental (Kashiya Navi) | ¥4,500–¥8,000/month ($30–$53) | 1–2 weeks | Flexible needs, testing what you like |
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I Really Need to Pay Key Money (Reikin)?
Technically, no—you can negotiate or find landlords who don't charge it. In practice, most do, and refusing it signals you're unfamiliar with local norms. I tried negotiating reikin on my third apartment in 2019, and the landlord simply rejected my application. It's not worth the fight. However, in depressed real estate markets (outside central Tokyo), reikin is becoming less common. If you're renting in Saitama or Kanagawa, you might dodge it entirely. The savings are real—if your rent is ¥70,000, reikin costs ¥70,000 ($467). Negotiate shikikin instead; some landlords will reduce the deposit if you accept a non-refundable portion.
Should I Buy or Rent Appliances?
Buy. Rental fees accumulate fast, and appliances are durable enough that ownership makes sense for stays over one year. The only exception: AC units if you're staying less than two years. Installation costs ¥50,000–¥100,000 ($333–$667), but you'll use AC 4 months yearly, so the cost per month is roughly ¥1,000–¥2,000 ($7–$13). If you're leaving after one year, that's expensive. For stays beyond 18 months, ownership wins financially. Ask your landlord if they'll allow you to leave the unit installed for the next tenant—some will reimburse part of the cost because they benefit.
What's the Absolute Minimum Furniture I Need?
Bed frame, mattress, desk, shelving, and a dining table or compact dining chair. Seriously. I lived for three months with just a bed, desk, and some shelves before I bought anything else, and I survived fine. Add a sofa only after you're settled; it's genuinely optional. Japanese people are comfortable sitting on the floor or at low tables, and if you're tight on budget, embrace that. This isn't a Western apartment where a bare living room feels wrong. In Tokyo, minimalism is aesthetic and practical. One friend furnishes her apartment with mostly floor cushions and a single low table—utter functionality, zero wasted money.
Can I Negotiate Rent in Tokyo?
Honestly, no—not in competitive neighborhoods like Shinjuku or Shibuya. In quieter wards like Asakusa or Koenji, landlords are more flexible. I negotiated my rent down ¥3,000 ($20) monthly in 2021 by signing a two-year lease instead of one year, and my agent said that was borderline offensive to ask for. Japanese rental markets are inflexible compared to Western ones. Your leverage is elsewhere: negotiate moving timelines (ask to move in after the new owner's renovations) or request the landlord cover part of agency fees. Don't waste energy on rent itself.
Is International Health Insurance Necessary Before Moving?
I skipped it my first year and got incredibly lucky. Honestly, it was stupid. Japanese national health insurance costs roughly ¥7,000–¥10,000 ($47–$67) monthly as a foreigner, but there's a 3-month waiting period after you register your residency. That gap is dangerous. Get basic expat travel insurance for those three months (roughly $30–$80 monthly), then switch to Japanese national insurance. Some employers provide it directly, which solves the problem. The moment you need emergency surgery and don't have insurance, you're looking at ¥500,000–¥2,000,000 ($3,330–$13,330) out of pocket. Insurance isn't optional.
Bottom Line: Is Setting Up a Japanese Apartment Worth the Effort?
Absolutely, and it's easier than you think if you avoid my mistakes. Here's what actually matters:
- Budget four months' rent upfront for deposits and fees—don't show up with just first month's rent.
- Buy used furniture on Mercari if you're staying 1–2 years; new furniture makes sense only for longer commitments.
- AC is non-negotiable—the ¥60,000–¥100,000 investment will save your life and sanity in July and August.
- Use Wise for international transfers—it cuts currency conversion costs from roughly 4.7% to 0.5%, saving you hundreds on large transfers.
- Get renter's insurance immediately—it costs ¥1,500–¥3,000 monthly and prevents catastrophic out-of-pocket costs.
My real recommendation: grab a ¥100,000 ($667) budget for basics, buy secondhand where possible, and don't overfurnish. Japanese apartments are small. Empty space is actually desirable. I see expats arriving with expectations of Western living setups and then hating the clutter. Start minimal. Add later if you genuinely need it.
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You've got this. Honestly, after eight years, I still think setting up my first apartment here was one of the best investments I made. It forced me to understand how Japanese systems work, and that knowledge paid off in every other area of life afterward.