Renting an Apartment in Japan as a Foreigner
A practical guide to renting in Japan as a foreigner in 2026: what reikin, shikikin, and hoshounin actually mean, where to find foreigner-friendly listings, upfront costs to budget for, and how to sign without the headaches.
Apr 5, 2026·✍️ olablog·⏱ 3 min read
A practical guide to renting in Japan as a foreigner in 2026: what reikin, shikikin, and hoshounin actually mean, where to find foreigner-friendly listings, upfront costs to budget for, and how to sign without the headaches.
Essential Concepts to Know Before Renting in Japan
1. 礼金 Reikin (Key Money)
Reikin is a non-refundable payment made directly to your landlord — think of it as a goodwill gift rooted in old Japanese custom. There's no getting it back when you move out. It typically runs 0–2 months' rent.
✅ Pro tip: More and more landlords are dropping reikin altogether. Look for listings marked "礼金0ヶ月" (reikin: 0 months) to sidestep this cost entirely.
2. 敷金 Shikikin (Security Deposit)
Shikikin is a refundable security deposit of 1–2 months' rent, returned when you leave minus any deductions for damage beyond normal wear and tear.
⚠️ Deposit disputes at move-out are surprisingly common in Japan. Do yourself a favor: photograph every corner of the apartment the day you move in and the day you move out.
3. 保証人 Hoshounin (Guarantor)
Most Japanese rental contracts require a guarantor — traditionally a Japanese national with a steady income. For foreigners, this is the single biggest obstacle to signing a lease. Here's how to work around it:
Use a Hoshoudaiko (保証代行 — a professional guarantor company): Pay a fee of roughly $65–$130 and they stand in as your guarantor.
Look for listings marked "保証人不要" — no guarantor required. These tend to be older buildings or carry a slight price premium, but the tradeoff is often worth it.
Upfront Costs When Renting in Japan
| Item | Estimated Cost |
|---|---|
| First month's rent | 1 month |
| Reikin (礼金) | 0–2 months |
| Shikikin (敷金) | 1–2 months |
| Agency fee (仲介手数料) | 0.5–1 month |
| Fire insurance | ~$100–$130 / 2 years |
| Guarantor company fee | ~$65–$130 |
| Total upfront | 3–6 months' rent |
Best Apartment Sites for Foreigners in Japan
🏠 SUUMO (suumo.jp): Japan's largest property portal with the widest selection. Mostly in Japanese, so lean on Google Translate or bring a bilingual friend.
🏠 HOME'S (homes.co.jp): Clean interface with a handy "Foreigners Welcome" filter — a great starting point.
🌍 GaijinPot Apartments (apartments.gaijinpot.com): Built specifically for foreigners, fully in English, and many listings waive the guarantor requirement.
🌍 Sakura House (sakura-house.com): Expat-focused share houses with low deposits and no guarantor needed — ideal if you want to ease into Japan living.
📱 LIFULL HOME'S: The slickest mobile app for apartment hunting on the go.
Things to Check at Viewings and Before Signing
🔍 Apartment orientation: Units facing 南向き (south-facing) get the best natural light throughout the day — worth prioritizing, especially in winter.
🚪 Sound insulation: Knock on the walls. Japanese apartment walls can be paper-thin; it's better to find out at the viewing than at midnight.
📝 Contracts are in Japanese — bring a translator or use the Google Translate camera function to work through the key clauses on the spot.
🏗️ Ask about 更新料 Koushinryo: A lease renewal fee charged every two years, typically around one month's rent. It catches a lot of renters off guard.
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