If you are looking to rent an apartment in Japan, it is not always as simple as finding a place that is available and sending in an application.
The rental process in Japan is designed for residents, and if you are applying to rent an apartment, most landlords and guarantor companies will require a residence card, a registered address, proof of income, a Japanese contact number, and documents showing your stay for the lease period.
A visitor who enters on temporary visitor status or a tourist visa usually does not have those documents, which means it’s impossible for them to rent an apartment, but that also does not mean every apartment-style stay is closed to tourists.
Japan has share houses, monthly mansions, serviced apartments, hotels, and licensed short-term rentals that are designed for people who do not have the paperwork required for a standard lease.
In this article, we’ll explain the requirements to rent an apartment in Japan, and why tourist visa holders can not rent an apartment in Japan, and which housing options are more realistic if you are coming for a short-term stay.
Requirements to Rent an Apartment in Japan
Before we get into tourist visas, it helps to understand what a normal apartment application in Japan usually asks for.
There is not a simple rule that says a foreign visitor can never sign a lease or rent an apartment, but the issue is usually more practical because most standard apartment leases are built around Japan’s resident paperwork system, and that system does not fit someone entering the country as a temporary visitor.
The landlord, management company, and guarantor company usually want to ensure that the renter can live in Japan for the lease period, register an address, pay rent consistently, and be reached if there is a problem.
For most regular apartments, the main requirements are:
| Requirement | Why it is usually needed |
|---|---|
| Residence card | Shows your status of residence, period of stay, name, address, and basic identity details in Japan. |
| Registered address | Needed once you are living in Japan as a resident. This is usually registered at the local ward or city office. |
| Jūminhyō | A certificate of residence that confirms your registered address and household information. |
| Proof of income or employment | Helps the landlord and guarantor company judge whether the rent is affordable. |
| Guarantor company approval | Many landlords require a guarantor company instead of an individual guarantor. The guarantor company screens the applicant separately. |
| Japanese phone number and emergency contact | Used by the agent, landlord, and guarantor company during screening and after move-in. |
| Move-in funds | Usually includes first month’s rent, deposit, key money if applicable, agency fee, guarantor fee, insurance, and other initial costs. |
The residence card is the document that often determines whether a regular lease can proceed. It is issued to people with mid- to long-term residence status in Japan, not to temporary visitors. Once someone has a residence card, they can register an address and obtain a jūminhyō. Those documents then support the guarantor-company and landlord screening process.
A tourist does not usually have that chain of documents. They may have a passport, savings, a return ticket, and a clear travel plan, but that is not the same set of documents used for ordinary residential leases.
Even if the landlord is open to foreign renters, the guarantor company will usually want to confirm the applicant’s residence status, registered address, income, phone number, and emergency contact in Japan. Without a residence card or jūminhyō, the application often does not fit the standard screening process.
For someone with a work visa, student visa, spouse visa, or another mid- to long-term status, these requirements can be frustrating but manageable. For someone entering Japan as a tourist, several of them are missing from the start.
Housing Options That Work For Foreigners on a Tourist Visa
A tourist visa usually does not work for a standard apartment lease, but it can work for housing that is designed for temporary stays.
The right choice depends on how long you are staying, how much privacy you need, and how quickly you need to move in:
Share Houses
A share house is often the easiest option for a short stay in Japan.
Many share house operators are used to foreign residents, students, working holiday visitors, and tourists. The room is usually furnished, utilities are often included, and the application is simpler than a standard apartment lease.
In many cases, you can apply with a passport, overseas address, and payment method instead of a residence card, jūminhyō, or Japanese guarantor.
This can work well if you are staying for one to three months and do not want to spend hotel-level prices. It is also useful if you are arriving in Japan before starting a longer-term housing search.
The tradeoff is privacy. Depending on the property, you may have your own room but share the kitchen, bathroom, laundry area, or lounge. Some share houses are quiet and residential, while others feel more social, which may or may not be what you want.
Operators such as Sakura House, Oakhouse, and Borderless House are commonly used by foreign renters looking for flexible stays.
The exact rules vary by property, but share houses are generally one of the more tourist-friendly housing categories in Japan. Some operators accept temporary visitors, offer one-month minimum stays, and do not require the same guarantor-company process used for regular leases.
Monthly Mansions
A monthly mansion is usually the closest short-term alternative to renting your own apartment.
Despite the name, a “mansion” in Japan usually means an apartment unit, not a luxury house. A monthly mansion is normally furnished and rented by the month. It may include basic furniture, appliances, internet, utilities, and kitchen items, although the details vary by operator.
This can be a good fit if you want your own space but cannot sign a regular lease. The application is usually much lighter than a standard rental application, and many operators are prepared to work with people who only have a passport and temporary stay dates.
Monthly mansions are usually more expensive than standard apartments when compared month to month. But for a short stay, they can still make more sense because you avoid many of the costs attached to a regular lease, such as key money, agency fees, guarantor fees, furniture purchases, and utility setup.
For a central Tokyo 1K, your research suggests a rough monthly range of ¥90,000 to ¥250,000, depending on location, size, age, and operator. Units farther from central areas may be closer to the lower end.
Serviced Apartments
A serviced apartment is the more comfortable option, but it is usually priced accordingly.
These properties are designed for business travelers, relocating employees, families, executives, and people who want a smoother move-in experience. They are typically furnished, professionally managed, and easier to arrange from overseas. Many include utilities, internet, kitchen equipment, reception support, cleaning options, and English-language communication.
You usually do not need to deal with a Japanese guarantor company, a long screening process, or setting up furniture and utilities from scratch.
Serviced apartments can be much more expensive than share houses or monthly mansions. Mid-tier options may work for some longer stays, while premium serviced apartments in central Tokyo can start around ¥600,000 per month and go well above ¥1,000,000 per month.
Operators such as MetroResidences, Hmlet Japan, Weave Living, Mori Living, Ascott, Oakwood, and Citadines as examples in this category.
This route makes the most sense when budget is less of a concern, when the stay is tied to work or relocation, or when you need a private apartment with fewer surprises.
Hotels and Legal Short-Term Rentals
For shorter visits, a hotel or licensed short-term rental may be simpler than trying to arrange any kind of lease.
Hotels are the easiest option for a few nights or a few weeks. There is no guarantor screening, no resident paperwork, and no lease process. The downside is that the cost can become high quickly, especially in Tokyo during busy travel seasons.
Legal short-term rentals can also work, but they require more care. Japan regulates short-term lodging, and not every apartment-style listing is operating under the same rules. Licensed minpaku and hotel-licensed rentals can be used by tourists, but availability depends on the area, building rules, and local restrictions.
More recently, minpaku rules have become more restricted in some cities and wards, and that regulations can vary by location. For a tourist, this means a short-term rental may be available in one area but limited in another. Before booking, it is worth checking that the listing is legal, properly licensed, and clear about check-in rules, cancellation terms, and the maximum stay.
For stays under one month, hotels and licensed short-term rentals are often the cleanest option. For one month or longer, a share house, monthly mansion, or serviced apartment may be easier to compare on total cost.
Find the Right Housing in Japan
Renting an apartment in Japan on a tourist visa is difficult, but the reason is usually more practical than legal.
If you are in Japan for a longer stay, a regular apartment lease becomes more realistic, although you may still need the right documents, a guarantor company, and a landlord who accepts foreign tenants.
Tokyo Portfolio helps foreigners navigate both sides of the housing market in Japan, from rental apartments to property purchases. Whether you are planning a short-term stay, moving to Japan for work or study, or looking to buy property in Tokyo, our team can help you understand what is realistic for your status, budget, and timeline.
To discuss your options, contact Tokyo Portfolio and tell us what kind of stay you are planning.
