The charm of Japan’s cherry blossoms, majestic temples, and futuristic cities lures countless foreigners each year. While some come for a fleeting visit, others plan an extended stay, often bumping into the unique and sometimes challenging terrain of Japan’s rental market. This article will be useful not only international students visiting Japan but also people who want to go to Japan in the future.
After reading, one gains awareness of rental challenges foreigners face in Japan.
- The Challenge of Contract Duration
For many tourists turned temporary residents, Japan’s conventional two-year lease requirement can pose a problem. It’s a stark contrast to the often short-term work or study commitments of many foreigners. This discrepancy forces many to either commit to a lengthier stay than planned or to seek out alternatives. - The Language Barrier and Reluctance to Rent
The beauty of Japan’s language also brings about its complexity. For a foreigner with limited Japanese proficiency, this can be a significant barrier in daily life, including when seeking rental accommodation. Understandably, landlords are hesitant to navigate potential miscommunications. This, coupled with certain misconceptions about foreigners, can sometimes lead to an outright refusal to rent. Due to such factors, the number of apartments that foreigners can rent in Japan is extremely small compared to Japanese people. - Guarantor Requirements and Financial Transparency
Much like a co-signer for a loan, many Japanese landlords require a guarantor for the lease. For a foreigner without local connections, this can be a monumental challenge. Additionally, diving into one’s financial background can feel intrusive, especially when this level of scrutiny isn’t the norm in the renter’s home country. - Navigating the Costly Entry into a New Home
The mosaic of fees awaiting new renters can be staggering. From reservation fees to deposits and non-refundable payments like key money and service fees, the upfront costs can be daunting. For someone unaware or unprepared, this can turn their dream of living in Japan into a financial nightmare. - The Sparse Nature of Rentals
Finally, the often-unfurnished nature of Japanese apartments means another added layer of expense and effort, from buying furniture to setting up utilities.
For foreigners, there are many steps involved in finding, contracting, and starting to live in a rental property in Japan. If you can find a trustworthy real estate agent, it can be incredibly beneficial for your life in Japan. At Momotarou Real Estate, we offer support not just in property introductions for foreigners, but also in handling troubles you might encounter while living in Japan, job hunting, and more. If you’re looking to move with minimized initial costs or are worried about renting a home because you don’t speak any Japanese, please feel free to contact us.
Thank you for reading until the end.
We hope that you can have a fulfilling life in Japan.
