Looking for foreigner-friendly rental apartments and houses in Japan? Here is the complete list of all your options, nationwide. Including no key money, guarantor-free and short-term options.

The most common concern expats have when looking for housing in Japan is that many listings don’t accept foreigners. Unfortunately, there is still housing discrimination against foreigners in Japan. Companies may worry that a foreigner will easily break a lease, fail to pay the necessary costs, not follow trash rules, make excessive noise, or leave behind bulky items. Or, they worry that a foreigner won’t take good care of the apartment.

But you are not out of options! The easiest way to find foreigner-friendly housing is to start with real estate companies or database sites that specifically advertise foreigner-friendly services, and there are plenty available!

Foreigner-Friendly Real Estate Websites in Japan

🔴 Aikagi
Tokyo, Kanagawa, Saitama, and Chiba
English-friendly rental property brokerage for housing search assistance, property viewing, application and contract signing support.

🔴 Apartment Japan
Nationwide
Foreigner-friendly rentals with no guarantor, low/no agency fees, and no key money in many cases. Fully online process: quotes, applications, and contracts via e-signature. Multilingual support and interpretation services. Offers transparent pricing with clear breakdowns of costs and lease conditions upfront.

🔴 apts.jp
Tokyo
Handles everything from rental search, viewings, paperwork in Japanese contracts, to moving logistics (utilities, furniture, etc.). Multilingual support in ~9 languages. Offers both long‑term rentals and sales.

🔴 AtHearth
Tokyo
Offers fast, streamlined rental process in 2-3 weeks (vs. 2-3 months industry average) and transparent pricing with no hidden fees. Provides multilingual online application and support as well as resources for utilities, internet, furniture, and translation.

🔴 B-Mate
Nationwide
Gives comprehensive moving services including eco-friendly furniture disposal and professional relocation assistance. Has affordable furniture rental and purchase options tailored for short- or long-term stays to create a comfortable, stylish home. Offers free utility activation service that handles all setups (electricity, gas, water, internet).

🔴 Bridgehead Japan
Tokyo
Has one of the lowest tenant rejection rates in the business. Can provide support in English, Chinese, Japanese and French. Offers properties with flexible lease agreements that accommodate both short-term and long-term stays.

🔴 E-Housing
Tokyo
In 2025, E-Housing was honored as the “Best Real Estate Agency in Tokyo” and “Best Real Estate Agency for Foreigners in Tokyo” in industry surveys, underscoring its excellence in customer service, market expertise, and client satisfaction. 

🔴 Find Hokkaido Agents
Hokkaido
English-speaking real estate agent pairing site for properties located in Hokkaido such as Sapporo, Niseko, Asahikawa, and other cities.

🔴 Fontana (Tokyo City Apartments)
Tokyo
Does not charge traditional key money or agent commissions. Non-guarantor options. All properties come fully furnished, including essential amenities like Wi-Fi, making them move-in ready. Provides assistance for multiple languages.

🔴 Fukuoka Apartments
Fukuoka

No guarantor/key money options. Rentals, properties for sale and short-term rentals. Full english support, transportation for viewings, internet and utility set-up assistance, and furnishing assistance.

🔴 Gaijin Apartment Helper
Tokyo and Kansai
Has comprehensive English-language support. Provides assistance with understanding rental terms, navigating paperwork, and communicating with landlords and guarantor companies. Emphasizes transparency in pricing.

🔴 GaijinPot Apartments
Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto, and Nagoya
Very user-friendly site with plenty of filters to find exactly what you’re looking for. Staff is bilingual. Can access and inquire about apartments from overseas. Listings are transparent with no hidden fees. 

🔴 Hmlet
Tokyo & Osaka
Flexible stays from 1 month; fully furnished; utilities/WiFi etc. often included. No key money or hidden brokerage fees in many cases. Community‑oriented with events, resident support desk, etc. About ~70% foreign residents as of some data.

🔴 Housing Japan
Tokyo (Luxury)
Lists both short- and long-term rentals. Focuses on luxury properties. Has an international team that supports renters through the entire process.

🔴 IREA
Tokyo and Kanagawa
High service level with specializations around Tokyo. Japanese/English bilingual real estate agents, also understanding land purchase, new construction, investment properties, second homes, property management, and more. Primarily high-end rental offerings.

🔴 Ken Corporation
Tokyo and Yokohama
Very strong reputation in premium & expatriate housing. Offers many luxury / high‑grade listings; handles documents in English; helps with understanding expat‑friendly requirements (e.g. guarantor, etc.). Over 7,000 listings; decades of experience. Often used for executive housing.

🔴 Maeda Real Estate
Kobe, Osaka and Kyoto
Apartments and houses, short-term rentals, executive housing, and property management. They also offer some lifestyle support such as local international school information.

🔴 Omakase Helper
Tokyo
Customized search based on your preferences (size, budget, bedrooms, pets). Fees are laid out in English from the start; no hidden fees. No Japanese required: They handle documentation and applications. States that they send property options quickly and assist with utilities, registering your address, enrolling in childcare, applying for child support, among other needs.

🔴 Real Estate Japan
Nationwide
Content is available in English and Chinese. Hosts a blog with helpful information and guides. Filters help narrow down options. This is more of a database site rather than a company that offers services to help you get settled.

🔴 SEIKA
Nationwide
Advertises low initial costs with no need for key money or a deposit. Entire process can be completed online, from search to contract.

🔴 Wagaya
Nationwide
No guarantor required, online property viewing possible. Furniture & appliance rentals available. Hosts a 24‑hour multilingual call center. Offers SIM card / mobile service support. Posts helpful information & guides.

🔴 Yolo Home
Nationwide
Nearly 100,000 rental apartments & houses available. Covers a wide geographic area across many prefectures. Offers search and filter flexibility. Features “No key money / deposit” units and designer properties. Advertises super secure units (e.g. on 2nd floor or higher) and renovated / newly built properties.

Foreigner-Friendly Share Houses in Japan

If you’d like to save money and experience social living, you may want to try a share house. Many share houses are at least partially furnished, and prices often include utilities. Usually, they don’t require the use of a guarantor or key money, so along with the monthly rent being reasonable, the move-in costs are also low. Just be sure to read reviews to ensure a good fit!

🔴 Arden
Tokyo
Many Arden properties are women‑only houses. Smaller, more curated community vibes (low number of residents). Private rooms with good furnishings. Convenient locations: e.g. Kinshicho, Koenji, Shinjuku, etc., close to stations. There are community / language exchange events and shared spaces designed for interaction.

🔴 Borderless House
Tokyo, Kansai, and Sendai
Strong international focus: mixed Japanese + foreign residents. Often ~50% Japanese. Low initial cost: fully furnished, minimal extra fees, easier move‑in.Multilingual support in application and management. Flexible stays: minimum ~1 month, fast application turnaround.There are many houses across different areas so you can choose your commute / local vibe.

🔴 DK House
Nationwide
Large‑scale share houses (many rooms, e.g. 82 rooms at DK House Shiki). Private rooms, typically furnished. Common area fees & utilities apply, plus cleaning fees upon move‑in. Many rooms are 3‑5 min walk from a station. Easy access to commuting lines. 

🔴 Interwhao
Tokyo
Offers private rooms only. No key‑money, no guarantor fee, no agent commission in many houses.  Utilities & internet often included; common service fee ~¥18,000/month in many cases. English/Chinese/Korean support available. BBQs, seasonal parties, etc., to foster community & encourage interaction between residents. Houses are within walking distance of a station; many properties are within ~30 mins of major Tokyo hubs; some very close.

🔴 J&F Plaza
Tokyo & Kansai
Key money, agency fee, guarantor and renewal fee are not required. Perhaps one of the cheapest share house chains in Japan, deposits start at ¥10,000 (depending on room types and houses) and rent  from about ¥20,000. Offers free internet service if you bring your own LAN cable.

🔴 Oakhouse
Nationwide
Numerous share‑houses + “social residences” around many cities. Low initial fees: often no or reduced key‑money, low deposit, minimal brokerage costs. Fully furnished rooms & common areas; utilities & internet often included. Varied room types (private, dormitory, semi‑private) to suit different budgets / preferences. Strong sense of international mix & community; events and support in multiple languages. Some houses have special spaces like theater rooms, music rooms, and sento style shower rooms.

🔴 Sakura House
Tokyo and Kyoto
Offers daily, weekly and monthly stays. Same day check-in is possible. Exclusive rooms for women and Muslim-friendly accommodations available. All rooms are furnished and have air conditioners. Water, Gas, Electricity utilities included in the rent, as well as free Wi-Fi. No key money or agent fee and no guarantor required.

🔴 ShareHouse.in
Nationwide
You can search by area, but there are also some uniquely styled options to browse. Short-term options, homestays, and options with language schools available.

🔴 Share House 180
Nationwide
Offers share houses with different emphases: English‑conversation focus, women‑only residences, pet‑friendly, workspaces, etc. Residents typically 18‑39 years old; foreigners welcome; both genders in many houses. Hosts organized seasonal/cultural events; “club” style activities to connect residents. 

🔴 WILLFuchu
Fuchu (Tokyo)
5 min walk from Musashinodai Station on the Keio Line. Heavily emphasizes cultural exchange between Japanese and foreigners. Offers special discounts, for example, a discount on utility fee if you speak English. 

🔴 XROSS HOUSE
Nationwide
Offers web contracts (can do the entire contract process online). Free relocation (“no moving cost”) between XROSS properties in many cases. Low upfront costs in some houses: no key money, no agency fee in certain houses. Multilingual support: customer service in Japanese, English, Korean, and Chinese. Regular cleaning / maintenance, social / house events. Good access to main train stations: many XROSS houses are within ~20 minutes to major hubs like Shibuya and Shinjuku.

I personally stayed in a private apartment managed by Oak House and had a great experience with them. I didn’t stay in the main share house though, so I’m not sure what the communal living situation was like. Your experience will vary, and often will be what you make it. We hope this list helps you find the perfect place in Japan. As always, Japan Remotely Academy is available for additional lifestyle support!

*All information and links are current as of 9/2025.

FAQs About Housing and Rentals in Japan

Is it cheaper to buy or rent an apartment in Japan?

As in many countries, renting in Japan can be more affordable for short or medium-length terms. It offers lower risk and greater flexibility, which is ideal if you’re unsure how long you’ll stay. However, if you plan to live in Japan for ten years or more and like to stay in one place, buying an apartment or house may be the smarter financial move. Over a decade, the cost of rent can easily surpass what you would have paid toward owning a home, especially if you can benefit from rising property prices in Tokyo or select other areas.

How much is rent in Tokyo vs. other parts of Japan?

A modest 1LDK (one bedroom with a living room, dining room, and kitchen) in a suburban ward of Tokyo might cost you around ¥100,000‑¥160,000/month ($680-$1100USD). The same size place in a smaller city (e.g. Fukuoka or similar) might be ¥55,000‑¥80,000/month ($375-$550USD). If you go rural or far from major transport hubs, you may find much cheaper places, though often with tradeoffs in commute time and amenities. [1] For example, some apartments in Narita (outside of Tokyo, home to the major airport) cost as little as ¥30,000/month (~$200USD)!

Is housing discrimination legal in Japan?

Housing discrimination against foreigners in Japan is not explicitly legal, but there aren’t active laws enforced to stop it from happening. It occurs often, and it’s a well-documented issue. Japan has no comprehensive anti-discrimination law that explicitly bans discrimination based on nationality, ethnicity, or race in housing. While the Constitution of Japan (Article 14) guarantees equality under the law, this principle does not always extend to private business decisions, like a landlord refusing to rent to foreigners. Some local governments (e.g. Tokyo, Kawasaki) have passed ordinances promoting anti-discrimination, but enforcement is limited and typically lacks penalties. [2]

How long are standard leases in Japan?

Standard leases in Japan are typically 2 years. [3] Additional fees may apply when breaking a lease agreement early, and the amount / notice required will vary from place to place.

What other expenses should I budget for when getting an apartment in Japan?

You’ll need to budget for everything you’ll need in the first 1-2 months of living in your new apartment, and it adds up quickly! We have a thorough list of items you’ll need to buy that shows how much money you’ll need to budget on our blog! [4]

Do real estate agents in Japan speak English?

Some real estate agents in Japan do speak English, but most do not. The availability of English-speaking agents depends heavily on where you are and what kind of agency you choose. In big cities (like Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto, Yokohama), you’ll find many real estate agencies that specialize in helping foreigners and offer full English support. These include both international-focused divisions of big Japanese firms and specialized agencies that primarily serve non-Japanese clients. In rural areas, you will struggle more to find agents who speak English.

We’re a Japan Relocation Consultant, Ready to Help!

Do you have questions about how you can make a strategy to move (and stay!) in Japan? Maybe language school is your first step, but what are your options after the student visa runs out?

👋 Hi! I’m Nick, an experienced Immigration and Moving Consultant at Japan Remotely. Having lived in several places across Japan including apartments and houses in both the city and countryside, I understand the ins and outs of navigating life in Japan.

We help navigate visa types, Japan real estate, location scouting, career opportunities in Japan, business strategy, and more. We help you create a realistic Action Plan and Visa Strategy, so you can find your fastest track to permanent residency and the lifestyle you’ve been dreaming of.

Interested to learn more? Talk to us! We are happy to discuss a custom strategy.

Sources

1. https://bambooroutes.com/blogs/news/average-rental-yield-japan
2. https://www.japaneselawtranslation.go.jp/en/laws/view/174/
3. https://resources.realestate.co.jp/living/futsu-keiyaku
4. https://japanremotely.com/how-to-move-to-japan-guide/