How to Read Japanese Real Estate Listings?

At Tokyo Portfolio, we present all our real estate listings for sale or rent in English with clear details designed for international clients. However, if you’re browsing Japanese platforms like SUUMO, HOME’S, or AtHome, you’ll see interfaces entirely in Japanese with confusing terminology, even when you translate it to your local language.

Japanese real estate listings differ significantly from what you’re accustomed to back home. Instead of the MLS formats with clear square footage and straightforward pricing, you’ll see abbreviations like “1LDK,” measurements in “tatami mats,” and upfront costs that can seem overwhelming at first glance.

The ability to read these listings is the first skill you need when searching for properties on websites that are in Japanese. Without it, you’ll waste hours confused by floor plans, miss red flags in property details, and struggle to compare options effectively across different platforms.

In this guide, we’ll break down everything you need to know about the room layout system, Japanese real estate terms, and also walk you through actual Tokyo listings step-by-step. Let’s get started…

Japanese Apartment Layout

The most confusing part of Japanese listings is the room layout system. Instead of “1 bedroom” or “studio,” you’ll see combinations like 1R, 1K, 1DK, 1LDK, 2LDK, or 3LDK.

Here’s what these abbreviations mean:

• R = Room (one single space combining living, sleeping, and kitchen)
• K = Kitchen (separate kitchen area, typically 4.5 tatami or less)
• DK = Dining Kitchen (larger kitchen with space for dining table, typically 6-10 tatami)
• LDK = Living Dining Kitchen (combined living room, dining area, and kitchen, typically 10+ tatami)

The number before these letters indicates how many separate rooms exist beyond the LDK space. A 2LDK means two separate bedrooms plus a living-dining-kitchen area. A 3LDK has three bedrooms plus the living space.

Japanese apartments are systematically smaller than Western equivalents. A 1LDK (one bedroom) is often smaller than a Western studio. These codes help you understand the actual layout and prevent showing up to viewings for apartments half the size you expected.

The letter combination also indicates your level of privacy and lifestyle compatibility. A 1K gives you no separation between living and sleeping if you have guests over. A 1DK lets you close off your sleeping area but forces guests into your kitchen space. A 1LDK finally provides proper hosting ability with separate living and bedroom areas.

Pay attention to the specific measurements listed for each room. Two 1LDK apartments can vary significantly in actual size, depending on the size of the LDK space. A 1LDK with an 8-tatami LDK feels cramped. A 1LDK with a 14-tatami LDK feels spacious.

Japanese floor plans use standardized symbols and abbreviations. Here are the essential ones you need to recognize:

Symbol / Term	Japanese	Meaning
玄関	Genkan	Entryway where you remove shoes. Marked with a small step up from the door.
UB	—	Unit Bath. Combined bathroom with tub, shower, sink, and toilet in one prefabricated unit. A number like UB1216 indicates dimensions in millimeters.
WC	—	Toilet room (from “water closet”). Used when the toilet is separate from the bathroom.
洗面	Senmen	Sink or washbasin area, often with a vanity, mirror, and storage.
CL	—	Closet. Storage closet; Japanese closets are generally smaller than Western ones.
収納	Shuunou	Storage space. Alternative term for closet.
押入	Oshiire	Traditional Japanese closet with sliding doors, designed for storing futons. Common in tatami rooms.
PS	—	Pipe Space. Utility area containing the building’s plumbing pipes; not usable space.
MB	—	Meter Box. Contains utility meters for gas, water, and electricity. Usually located outside the apartment door or on the balcony.
バルコニー	Barukonī	Balcony. Outdoor space marked with parallel lines; area does not count toward apartment square meters.
室外機	Shitsugaiki	Air conditioning outdoor unit placement, usually located on the balcony.

You might also see information about doors and windows on floor plans. Doors are shown as curved lines indicating swing direction. This matters for furniture placement.

• 内開き (Uchbiraki/Opening inward): Door swings into the room, taking up floor space
• 外開き (Sotbiraki/Opening outward): Door swings into hallway, maximizing room space

Sliding doors (引き戸 – hikido) are shown as rectangles with parallel lines. These are common for closets and between rooms because they save space.

Windows are indicated by gaps in walls with parallel lines showing the frame. The window location affects furniture placement and sunlight. South-facing windows get full sun. North-facing windows get minimal direct light.

You’ll see X marks on many floor plans with Japanese characters.

• 冷 (Rei): Refrigerator space. The apartment doesn’t include a fridge, but this shows where you should place one.
• 洗 (Sen): Washing machine space. Shows the outdoor or indoor location designated for your washer.

These X marks indicate spaces provided for appliances you must buy yourself. Most Japanese apartments are unfurnished and don’t include white goods (fridge, washer, microwave).

Some floor plans show additional marks:

• TV: TV antenna outlet location
• TEL: Telephone jack location
• AC: Air conditioning unit location

You might also see additional floor plan layout details that indicate the apartment’s overall configuration:

• Long narrow layout (うなぎの寝床 – unagi no nedoko): Common in older buildings, rooms arranged in a line with hallway running along one side. Less efficient space usage but provides clear separation between rooms.

• Wide shallow layout (ワイドスパン – wide span): Rooms arranged horizontally across building width. More efficient, better natural light, more expensive.

• Corner unit layout (角部屋 – kadobeya): Two sides with windows, maximum light and ventilation. Premium pricing, usually 10-15% more expensive than equivalent interior units.

Japanese Measurement Units

Japanese listings use three different measurement systems, and you need to understand all of them to accurately assess apartment sizes.

Tatami Mats (帖/畳 – Jou)

Tatami mats are the traditional measurement unit based on the size of woven straw floor mats used in Japanese rooms. One tatami mat equals approximately 1.65 square meters or 17.8 square feet.

When you see a room listed as “6帖” (6 jo), that room is roughly 6 tatami mats in size, or about 10 square meters (108 square feet). An “8帖” room is about 13 square meters. A “12帖” LDK is roughly 20 square meters.

Tatami mat sizes vary slightly by region. In Tokyo, one tatami mat is 1.62 square meters. In Nagoya, it’s 1.65 square meters. In Kyoto, it’s 1.82 square meters. These regional differences are minor but can add up in total apartment size.

Listings show tatami measurements as 帖 or 畳. Both mean the same thing and are pronounced “jou.” You might also see it abbreviated as just “J” on floor plans.

Square Meters (平米 – Heibei)

This is the official measurement you’ll see for total apartment size. Look for 専有面積 (senyuu menseki or occupied floor area) in the listing details.

Square meters give you the most accurate size comparison. A 25m² apartment is small (1R or 1K). A 50m² apartment is medium-sized (1LDK or 2DK). A 70m² apartment is large by Tokyo standards (2LDK or 3DK).

To convert square meters to square feet, multiply by 10.764. A 50m² apartment is roughly 538 square feet.

Tsubo (坪)

Tsubo is an older measurement unit you’ll occasionally see, especially for houses or larger properties. One tsubo equals 3.306 square meters or about two tatami mats.

If you see “20坪” (tsubo), that’s roughly 66 square meters or 710 square feet. This unit appears more often in sale listings than rental listings, and more for houses than apartments.

Most Tokyo apartment listings don’t use tsubo, but you should recognize it when you see it. Just multiply tsubo by 3.3 to get square meters.

These measurements will seem shockingly small compared to Western standards. A “spacious” 50m² (538 sq ft) Tokyo apartment would be considered tiny in most American cities.

For context on typical Tokyo apartment sizes:

• 20-25m²: Minimum viable space for one person (1R or 1K)
• 30-40m²: Comfortable for one person, tight for two (1K or 1DK)
• 45-55m²: Comfortable for two people or one person who wants space (1LDK)
• 60-70m²: Family-sized, rare in central Tokyo (2LDK)
• 80m²+: Large by Tokyo standards, very expensive in central areas (3LDK)

Don’t expect Western-sized closets, kitchens, or bathrooms within these measurements. Japanese apartments maximize space efficiency but that means compact everything.

How to Understand a Real Estate Listing in Japanese?

We’ll walk through a sample listing to show you exactly what you might encounter and how to interpret each section. We’ll take a sample listing for a 1LDK apartment for rent in Meguro.

Here are the details you might see:

• 賃料 (Chinryou/Rent): ¥145,000/month: This is your base monthly rent. The number you’ll pay every month after moving in. This particular listing is mid-range for Meguro, a popular expat area in Tokyo.
• 管理費 (Kanrihi/Management Fee): ¥8,000/month: This covers building maintenance, common area cleaning, and shared utilities. You pay this every month in addition to rent. Your actual monthly payment is ¥153,000 (rent + management fee combined).

Always add rent and management fee together to get your true monthly cost. Some landlords include management fees in the rent number, but most list them separately.

• 敷金 (Shikikin/Deposit): 1 month: This is your security deposit, held by the landlord to cover damages. With ¥145,000 rent, you’ll pay ¥145,000 upfront as deposit. You get this back when you move out if the apartment is in good condition (minus cleaning fees and any damage costs).

One month deposit is standard and reasonable. Two months is on the higher end. Zero deposit (敷金なし – shikikin nashi) saves you money upfront but sometimes indicates the landlord had trouble finding tenants.

• 礼金 (Reikin/Key Money): 1 month: This is non-refundable money paid to the landlord. Typically 1-2 months of rent. Yes, you read that right. You pay the landlord ¥145,000 that you never get back just for the privilege of renting their property.

Key money is a uniquely Japanese practice. It’s frustrating but standard. Listings with 礼金なし (reikin nashi/no key money) save you significant upfront costs and are worth prioritizing in your search.

• 仲介手数料 (Chuukai Tesuuryou/Brokerage Fee): 0.5 month: The real estate agent’s commission, typically 0.5 to 1 month of rent. This listing charges ¥72,500 (half month rent) to the agent who showed you the property.

By law, the total brokerage fee split between landlord and tenant cannot exceed one month’s rent. If you’re paying 0.5 months, the landlord is paying the other 0.5 months. Some agencies charge tenants the full month and nothing to landlords.

Here’s what the total move-in cost for this apartment is:

• First month rent (初月家賃): ¥145,000
• Management fee (管理費): ¥8,000
• Deposit (敷金): ¥145,000
• Key money (礼金): ¥145,000
• Brokerage fee (仲介手数料): ¥72,500
• Fire insurance (火災保険): ¥20,000
• Lock change (鍵交換費用): ¥15,000
• Total: ¥550,500

You need roughly 3.8 months of rent saved to move into this apartment. This is why understanding all the fees upfront is critical for budgeting.

Building and Location Details

• 所在地 (Shozaichi/Address): 東京都目黒区目黒3丁目 Tokyo-to, Meguro-ku, Meguro 3-choume. This tells you the ward (Meguro-ku) and the specific neighborhood (Meguro 3-choume means Meguro neighborhood, block 3).

Addresses in Japan work backwards from Western format. The country (Tokyo-to) comes first, then ward (ku), then neighborhood (choume), then block number (banchi), then building number (gou). You don’t need to memorize the full address system, just recognize that the ward name tells you the general area.

• 最寄り駅 (Moyori Eki/Nearest Station): JR山手線・東急目黒線 目黒駅 徒歩8分: Nearest stations are JR Yamanote Line and Tokyu Meguro Line at Meguro Station, 8 minutes walk (徒歩 – toho).

This is critical location information. Access to multiple train lines (JR Yamanote and Tokyu Meguro) makes commuting flexible. The Yamanote Line is Tokyo’s most important train line, circling the city and connecting all major centers.

Walking time uses a standard calculation: 80 meters per minute at average walking pace. An 8-minute walk means roughly 640 meters (0.4 miles) from the station. Most people consider anything under 10 minutes “close to station” and under 5 minutes “excellent access.”

Be realistic: 8 minutes at average pace means 10-12 minutes if you’re carrying groceries or walking in bad weather. Always add 2-3 minutes to listed times for real-world conditions.

• 建物構造 (Tatemono Kouzou/Building Structure): RC (鉄筋コンクリート – Tekkinkoncriito): RC stands for Reinforced Concrete with steel-reinforced concrete construction. This is the best construction type for apartments.

RC buildings are:

• Earthquake resistant and safest in disasters
• Soundproof between units (you won’t hear neighbors as much)
• Fire resistant
• Better temperature insulation
• More expensive to rent than wooden (木造 – mokuzou) buildings

Other construction types you’ll see:

• SRC (鉄骨鉄筋コンクリート): Steel-framed reinforced concrete, even stronger than RC, usually for tall buildings
• 鉄骨 (Tekkostu): Steel frame, medium quality
• 木造 (Mokuzou): Wood construction, cheapest but poor soundproofing and earthquake resistance

Always prefer RC or SRC if your budget allows. The soundproofing alone is worth it in dense Tokyo.

• 築年月 (Chiku Nengetsu/Construction Date): 2018年3月 (March 2018): This building was completed in March 2018, making it 7 years old at time of this listing.

Building age dramatically affects quality. Newer buildings (築浅 – chiku asa) have:

• Modern amenities (delivery boxes, auto-lock, better kitchens)
• Current earthquake standards (buildings after 2000 use stricter codes)
• Better insulation and energy efficiency
• Cleaner appearance and maintained common areas

Buildings under 5 years old command premium rent. Buildings 5-15 years old are the sweet spot – modern enough for good amenities, old enough for reasonable prices. Buildings over 20 years old are noticeably dated but significantly cheaper.

• 階数 (Kaisuu/Floor Number): 3階 / 5階建て: This unit is on the 3rd floor (3階 – san kai) of a 5-floor building (5階建て – go kai date).

Floor number matters more than you might think:

• 1st floor (ground level): Cheaper rent, security concerns, less sunlight, more noise from street
• 2nd-3rd floor: Good balance of convenience and privacy
• 4th floor and higher: More expensive, better views, more sunlight, but inconvenient if building has no elevator

This building is only 5 floors, which means it likely doesn’t have an elevator. Japanese law requires elevators in residential buildings over 6 floors. Walking to the 3rd floor daily is manageable for most people but consider this if you have heavy groceries or mobility concerns.

• 方位 (Houi/Direction Facing): 南向き (Minami Muki/South-facing): This apartment’s main windows face south.

Direction facing is crucial in Japan because it determines sunlight. South-facing (南向き) is most desirable and commands highest rent because it gets full sun throughout the day. The order of preference:

• South (南): Best sunlight all day
• Southeast (南東): Good morning and afternoon sun
• Southwest (南西): Strong afternoon sun
• East (東): Morning sun, dark afternoons
• West (西): Hot afternoon sun, dark mornings
• North (北): Least desirable, minimal direct sunlight, cheapest

For Tokyo’s humid summers, south-facing also means your apartment dries out faster. For winter, it stays warmer. Most Japanese people strongly prefer south-facing and will pay premium rent for it.

Floor Plan and Room Specifications

• 間取り (Madori/Floor Plan): 1LDK: One bedroom plus living-dining-kitchen space, as we covered in the layout section.
• 専有面積 (Senyuu Menseki/Floor Area): 45.50m²: This is the total apartment size including bathroom, entrance, and hallway. For a 1LDK, 45.50m² is slightly above average and comfortable for one person or a couple.
• LDK: 12帖 (12 tatami mats): The combined living-dining-kitchen space is 12 tatami mats, roughly 20 square meters (215 sq ft). This is a generous LDK size. 10-12 tatami is comfortable for a dining table and small sofa. Under 8 tatami feels cramped.
• 洋室 (Youshitsu/Western-style room): 6帖 (6 tatami mats): One Western-style room (bedroom) at 6 tatami mats, about 10 square meters (108 sq ft). This fits a double bed, small desk, and small dresser comfortably. It’s a standard bedroom size for Tokyo.

洋室 (youshitsu) means Western-style room with flooring rather than tatami mats. Most modern Tokyo apartments use 洋室 for all rooms.

You might also see:

• 和室 (washitsu): Traditional Japanese room with tatami mat flooring, sliding doors, and often a closet alcove (押入れ). These are increasingly rare in modern apartments.
• 納戸 (nando): Storage room or room without windows (can’t legally be called a bedroom)

設備 (Setsubi/Equipment/Amenities)

• エアコン (Eakon/Air conditioning): ✓ : Air conditioning is included and usually already installed. In older apartments or cheap properties, you might need to purchase and install your own AC unit, which costs ¥50,000-100,000.

• バス・トイレ別 (Basu Toire Betsu/Separate bath and toilet): ✓ : The bathroom and toilet are in separate rooms. This is a major quality-of-life feature that expats should prioritize.

Japanese apartments come in two bathroom configurations:

• Unit bath (UB): Combined bath/shower/toilet in one small prefabricated unit, common in 1R and 1K apartments, cramped and inconvenient
• 別 (Betsu/Separate): Bath/shower in one room, toilet in separate room, more space and more civilized

Always look for バス・トイレ別 in listings. It costs slightly more but dramatically improves daily comfort.

• システムキッチン (System Kitchen): ✓: Built-in modern kitchen with sink, stove, and counter space in one integrated unit. Better than older separate-element kitchens.
• オートロック (Auto-lock): ✓: Security entrance requiring either key card, code, or intercom approval to enter the building. This is a major security and convenience feature.
• 宅配ボックス (Takuhai Box/Delivery box): ✓: Automated parcel locker system for package deliveries when you’re not home. Essential in Japan’s heavy delivery culture. Without this, you’ll miss deliveries constantly and need to coordinate redeliveries.
• インターネット無料 (Internet Muryou/Free internet): ✓: Building has included internet service at no additional cost. This saves you ¥3,000-5,000/month and the hassle of setting up your own connection.

Without free internet, you’ll need to contract with providers like NTT, NURO, or SoftBank. Installation takes 2-4 weeks and requires a Japanese phone number and bank account.

• 駐輪場 (Chuurinjou/Bicycle parking): ✓: Dedicated bike parking area. Important if you plan to bike, as you cannot park bikes anywhere else without risk of removal.
• ペット (Pet): ✗: This apartment doesn’t allow pets. Look for ペット可 (petto ka/pets OK) or ペット相談 (petto soudan/pets negotiable) if you have animals.

Pet-friendly apartments are rare in Tokyo and command premium rent. If you need pet-friendly housing, it significantly limits your options.

How to Compare Real Estate Listings and Spot Red Flags

Once you understand the basic terms and layout codes, the next challenge is comparing listings side by side. Two apartments may look similar on paper but differ drastically in livability and cost.

1. Watch for Hidden or Missing Costs

Some listings omit mandatory expenses to appear cheaper. Always confirm:

管理費 (Kanrihi/Management fee) is included in your total. A ¥120,000 apartment with ¥10,000 management fee actually costs ¥130,000 monthly. Some listings hide this in fine print or show only the base rent prominently.

礼金 (Reikin/Key money) and 敷金 (Shikikin/Deposit) are listed clearly. If a listing only shows rent without mentioning these upfront costs, ask before viewing. You could discover an extra 2-4 months of rent due at signing.

仲介手数料 (Chuukai Tesuuryou/Brokerage fee) is disclosed. Some agents charge tenants the full month even when the law caps the total at one month between landlord and tenant. Ask who pays what percentage.

更新料 (Koushinryou/Renewal fee): Common after 2 years, usually 1 month’s rent. Check for this in the fine print. Properties without renewal fees (更新料なし) save you significant money if you stay long-term.

保証会社利用料 (Hoshou Gaisha Riyouryou/Guarantor company fee): If required, this adds ¥50,000-120,000 upfront plus ¥10,000-20,000 annually. Not all listings mention this clearly.

If a listing looks too good to be true with rent ¥30,000-50,000 below market rate, it probably excludes one or more of these costs or has serious problems with the property.

2. Check for “Nashi” Terms (Money-Saving Indicators)

Look for words ending in なし (nashi) meaning “none” or “not included”:

礼金なし (Reikin nashi) = No key money. Saves you 1-2 months of rent upfront. These properties are worth prioritizing.

敷金なし (Shikikin nashi) = No deposit. Saves money initially but sometimes indicates the landlord had trouble finding tenants. Proceed with caution and inspect carefully.

仲介手数料なし (Chuukai Tesuuryou nashi) = No brokerage fee. Rare but valuable, saves you another half to full month of rent.

更新料なし (Koushinryou nashi) = No renewal fee. Excellent for long-term stays, saves you 1 month’s rent every 2 years.

保証人不要 (Hoshounin Fuyou) = No guarantor needed. Eliminates both the hassle of finding a Japanese guarantor and the cost of guarantor companies.

Properties advertising multiple “nashi” terms can save you ¥200,000-300,000 over a two-year lease. These are highly competitive and get applications quickly.

3. Evaluate Building Condition and Age

The 築年数 (Chikunensuu/Build age) matters for comfort, safety, and efficiency:

築5年以内 (Chiku 5-nen inai/Within 5 years old): Modern building with latest amenities. Expect premium rent but current earthquake standards, delivery boxes, auto-lock, and energy-efficient systems.

築10-15年 (Chiku 10-15-nen/10-15 years old): Best value range. Modern enough for good amenities, old enough for reasonable prices. Sweet spot for most renters.

築20年以上 (Chiku 20-nen ijou/20+ years old): Dated interiors but lower price. Check for renovations. Expect older plumbing, less insulation, higher utility costs.

築30年以上 (Chiku 30-nen ijou/30+ years old): Very old buildings. If built before 1981, they don’t meet current earthquake standards. Only consider if significantly renovated or you have strict budget constraints.

Check listing photos for:

• Flooring type (modern vs. worn)
• Bathroom fixtures (unit bath vs. separate, new vs. old)
• Kitchen counter material and appliances
• Common area condition in building photos

The term リノベーション済み (Renovation-zumi/Renovated) can mean anything from complete gut renovation to just new wallpaper. Always ask when the renovation happened and what it included.

4. Floor Levels and Trade-offs

Floor number (階数 – Kaisuu) affects price, comfort, and lifestyle in significant ways.

1階 (Ikkai/1st floor – ground level) apartments are typically ¥5,000-15,000 cheaper than higher floors, but they come with notable drawbacks. Security concerns are greater since ground-floor units are easier targets for break-ins.

These apartments receive less sunlight, especially if surrounded by other buildings, and experience more street noise from traffic and pedestrians. Ground-floor units often have metal security grates or minimal balconies for safety reasons. The main advantage is easier furniture moving during move-in and move-out.

2-3階 (Ni-san kai/2nd-3rd floor) units offer a good balance of convenience and privacy with moderate rent pricing. These floors are easier to access via stairs if the building has no elevator, and they receive sufficient sunlight in most locations without the drawbacks of ground-floor apartments.

4階以上 (Yon-kai ijou/4th floor and higher) apartments command ¥5,000-10,000 more per floor in central Tokyo buildings. These units provide better views and natural light, experience less noise from street level, and enjoy better airflow and ventilation.

However, they become significantly more inconvenient without an elevator, and buildings under 6 floors often lack elevators entirely. Consider your mobility needs and the daily reality of carrying groceries up multiple flights of stairs before choosing a high floor in a building without elevator access.

5. Location Keywords That Signal Value

Japanese listings often mention phrases that indicate desirability:

駅近 (Ekichika) = Close to station. Usually means under 5 minutes walk. Premium pricing but maximum convenience.

駅徒歩10分以内 (Eki toho 10-pun inai) = Within 10 minutes walk from station. Standard acceptable distance.

築浅 (Chikuasa) = Recently built. Typically under 5 years old with modern amenities.

角部屋 (Kadobeya) = Corner unit. Two sides with windows, more light and ventilation. Usually 10-15% more expensive than interior units.

南向き (Minami-muki) = South-facing. Most desirable direction for sunlight throughout the day. Commands highest rent.

オートロック付き (Auto-lock tsuki) = With auto-lock security. Important for safety and preventing solicitors.

宅配ボックスあり (Takuhai box ari) = With parcel locker. Essential for anyone who works outside home and orders packages online.

バス・トイレ別 (Basu toire betsu) = Separate bath and toilet. Major quality-of-life upgrade over unit baths.

ペット可 (Petto ka) or ペット相談 (Petto soudan) = Pets allowed or negotiable. Rare and valuable if you have animals.

即入居可 (Soku nyuukyo ka) = Immediate move-in possible. Property is vacant and ready now.

Each of these keywords adds value and demand, making properties more competitive.

6. Red Flag Terms and Warning Signs

Certain phrases in listings should make you investigate further:

事故物件 (Jiko bukken/Stigmatized property): Someone died in the unit (usually suicide or murder). Dramatically cheaper but many people find them uncomfortable. Landlords must disclose this legally.

訳あり物件 (Wake-ari bukken/Property with issues): Vague term meaning “property with circumstances.” Could be structural problems, neighborhood issues, or bad landlord history. Always ask for specifics.

保証会社利用必須 (Hoshou gaisha riyou hissu/Guarantor company mandatory): While common, if combined with very high fees and inflexible terms, this indicates the landlord has had problems with previous tenants.

外国人不可 (Gaikokujin fuka/Foreigners not permitted): Landlord explicitly refuses to rent to foreigners. Move on immediately.

外国人要相談 (Gaikokujin you soudan/Foreigners require consultation): Landlord is hesitant about foreign tenants. Possible rejection or extra scrutiny during application.

契約期間1年 (Keiyaku kikan 1-nen/One-year contract only): Standard contracts are two years. One-year contracts suggest the landlord wants flexibility to remove tenants or anticipates building demolition/renovation.

7. Pricing Red Flags

Watch for unusual charges like:

• 鍵交換費用 (Kagi koukan hiyou/Lock change fee) over ¥20,000
• 清掃費 (Seisou hi/Cleaning fee) over ¥50,000
• 消毒費用 (Shoudoku hiyou/Disinfection fee) – often unnecessary
• 24時間サポート費用 (24-jikan support hiyou/24-hour support fee) – questionable value

8. Building and Location Warning Signs

バスのみ (Bus nomi/Bus access only): Property isn’t within walking distance of any train station. You must take a bus to reach trains. This is significantly less convenient and adds ¥10,000-15,000 monthly in bus fares. Should be notably cheaper than station-accessible apartments.

No photos of building exterior: If listing only shows interior floor plans or room photos but no exterior shots, the building may be run-down or in an undesirable location.

No photos at all: Computer-generated floor plans only, no actual photos. Huge red flag. Property may not actually be available or may have serious undisclosed issues.

Start Your Tokyo Property Search

Japanese real estate listings will always have unique terminology and cultural practices that differ from Western markets.

Key money, guarantor requirements, and compact apartment sizes are realities of the Tokyo rental market. The advantage you now have is the ability to read listings accurately, spot good deals versus overpriced properties, and avoid problematic apartments before wasting time on viewings.

While you can now search Japanese platforms independently, Tokyo Portfolio simplifies the entire process. We curate properties that welcome international clients, handle all Japanese-language communication with landlords, negotiate fees and contract terms on your behalf, and guide you through every step from search to move-in.

Our team has helped over 1,000 expats find homes in Tokyo. We understand the specific challenges foreigners face and work exclusively with landlords who are comfortable renting to international tenants.

Browse our current listings to see properties presented in clear English with all costs disclosed upfront, or contact our team to discuss your specific housing needs.