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Japan Housing Guide

Key money (reikin), deposit (shikikin), guarantor system — understanding Japan's unique rental market.

🏠 Renting

📋 Key Terms

• Reikin (礼金): "Gift money" to landlord — NON-refundable! 0-2 months rent
• Shikikin (敷金): Security deposit — 1-2 months (partially refundable)
• Agency fee: 1 month rent to real estate agent
• Guarantor (保証人): Japanese guarantor or guarantor company
• Total upfront: 4-6 months rent!

🏢 Apartment Types

• 1R: One room (studio, no kitchen separation)
• 1K: 1 room + kitchen (most common for singles)
• 1LDK: 1 bedroom + living/dining/kitchen
• 2LDK/3LDK: Family apartments
• Mansion (マンション): Concrete building (not a mansion!)
• Apāto: Wooden building (cheaper)

📱 Finding Housing

• Suumo (スーモ): #1 rental site
• Homes.co.jp: Large database
• GaijinPot Apartments: Foreigner-friendly!
• Real estate agents: Walk into shops (lots everywhere)
• UR Housing: Gov't housing — no key money, no guarantor!
• Share houses: ¥30,000-¥60,000 (furnished, no upfront costs)

⚠️ Tips for Foreigners

  • Discrimination exists: Some landlords refuse foreigners. GaijinPot + UR Housing are safe bets.
  • Guarantor company: If no Japanese guarantor, use a guarantor company (保証会社) — costs ~50% of 1 month rent.
  • Pets: Very strict. Most apartments = no pets. "ペット可" = pets allowed.
  • No shoes inside: Genkan (entryway) — remove shoes here. Always!
  • Trash rules: Extremely strict! Different collection days for burnable, plastics, PET bottles, cans.

📖 Explore More

🏠

Cost of Living

Rent Data
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Banking

Account
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Cities

Best Areas
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Immigration

Residence Card