Fees are refundable or not depending on the landlord. While this is technically true for a handful of towns across Japan, this is certainly not commonplace yet — and the schemes to get a house are not 100% free, with applicants needing to fulfill certain conditions. can help you with a complete Here are some examples of active listings in the $250,000 price range, around the country. One of the first things you should do before arriving in Japan is figure out how to get a Japanese phone number. Tokyo apartments for rent. Yet, Okutama reported in April 2018 that they already had several applicants for the tiny house properties. can set you up with a local expert to help you through the entire process. Search 39,000+ apartments in Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto and throughout Japan. Copyright 2018 REthink Media KK. You can search for these properties through a site called Oshima Teru or Oshima Land. Other deposits: Required if you have pets or if a landlord has particularly nice furniture they want to insure. If you aren’t married, don’t have children, are not young enough anymore or are not sure if you want to continue living in your new rural home for several decades, buying an akiya (abandoned house) might be a better alternative. One way to get back into your regular shows is through online streaming services such as Netflix. The average amount for a two-bedroom unit is a little over 200,000 JPY (1,870 USD) monthly. Expats will have their choice whether they want a high-speed Fiber Optic/Fiber-to-the-Home connection, cable TV line, or ADSL. Kawagoe is one such village that still retains the unique charm of olden day Japan. The parents must be under 43 years old and their children under junior high school age. Search thousands of properties to buy or invest in the Japanese market - realestate.co.jp - Japan`s first and largest international property site. However, be aware that there may be other fees not listed depending on each individual landlord. These are usually small and used for drying clothes rather than sitting and enjoying the view. 1SLDK: One bedroom plus a combined living/dining/kitchen and separate storage room. We discuss the documents foreigners need when renting an apartment, as well as the overall price range for both buying and renting throughout the island nation. If you do not speak sufficient Japanese, it is worth looking online at nearby branches to see if they have English-speaking staff. The most expensive city in which to buy is also the most expensive in which to rent: Tokyo. The pre-application will be submitted to the bank (or other financial institution) and used to determine whether you qualify for a loan or not. Not all of them are up for sale, but amongst those that are, there are properties that can be turned into something beautiful with renovation efforts. Contact InterNations GO! In such a technologically advanced country, where free messaging apps and Wi-Fi abound, acquiring a phone number in Japan may feel archaic. As this is not possible for many expats, they instead must enlist the services of a guarantor company. In general, you will need your original passport and Japanese visa. An American couple buys a large Japanese country home (and the years of artifacts contained within). Choose from more than 9,000 properties, ideal house rentals for families, groups and couples. All accommodations come with a bathroom. Instead, you will see a number in front of a combination of the letters L, D, K, R, or S. The number refers to the number of bedrooms, and the letters represent living and cooking areas: If you see a property listed as 1LDK, this refers to a space that has one bedroom and a larger area that comprises a kitchen, dining room, and living room. Terms like “studio” and “two-bedroom apartment” are not common in the Land of the Rising Sun. This is because Japanese banks are hesitant to give loans to foreigners who they do not think will remain in Japan for long. In 2015, two towns made news with building and giving away houses to young families: Shichikashuku in Miyagi Prefecture and Tsuwano in Shimane Prefecture. Find and compare apartments for rent in Japan. You will find many offices that accommodate foreigners, although the greatest concentration can be found within Tokyo and the other major cities. Gaijin houses are co-living spaces and similar to a series of studio apartments. As far as affordable cities go, expats who find Tokyo too rich for their tastes should look to Kyoto or Osaka. Best to start early! There are an estimated 10 million abandoned homes in Japan, many in the countryside. Or maybe you have yet to secure a job and are still on a tourist visa. Compare rentals, see map views and save your favorite houses. Or in the words of an Okutama representative: “If a family with 10 children participates in the scheme, they will actually live here for free.” Instead, there will be a small kitchenette, which will typically consist of a fridge, microwave, and maybe a stovetop. and let us set you up with a realty expert to help you search for your perfect Japanese home. These will often come furnished. The type of visa you hold will influence whether or not you will be approved for a loan. Although I couldn’t afford to own a beautiful house in New York City, it was possible in Japan. Keep in mind, not every bank in Japan provides this service. They are typically more economical than nightly rates at hotels and can give a homey, settled vibe, which is perfect when adapting to a new country. In Countryside, about 45% of dwellings are single detached homes, and the rest of the houses are mainly large apartment buildings and mobile homes.About one third of properties in this city were constructed in the 1960s and 1970s, while the majority of the remaining buildings were built pre-1960 and in the 1980s. However, expats without citizenship or a permanent residency visa in Japan, nor married to a Japanese citizen, should note that the process to buy a home will be slightly more difficult. Make it a Stress-Free Process with Our Essential Relocation Services. Buying a home also does not guarantee expats a path to permanent residency in Japan either. Unfurnished apartments and housing are available throughout Japan, but they are limited. Setting up your utilities in Japan is relatively easy. Nearly 100% of properties in Japan are rented through a realtor and realty company. In May 2018, Okutama, which is actually part of the Greater Tokyo Area but remotely located, joined their ranks as the town looked for housing applicants. In May 2018, Okutama, which is actually part of the Greater Tokyo Area but remotely located, joined their ranks as the town looked for housing applicants. A 1K is a place with a single private bedroom, but no living area. You will also need to calculate the various taxes that will be included, which will add on nearly 7% extra. Japan: Homes For Sale Japan: Homes For Lease Japan: Commercial For Sale Japan: Commercial For Lease Japan: Land For Sale 6-Bedroom House in Asahikawa, Hokkaido Resale value of second-hand apartments in Tokyo in 2017 soars, Keep the conversation going with REthink Tokyo via our free newsletter, Keep the conversation going with RETalk Asia via our free newsletter. Property in Japan. Akiya often sell for as little as a few million yen and are a hassle-free alternative to the free-housing schemes popularized by the media. Furthermore, some akiya are actually free and sold at the cost of JPY 0. Akiya banks: Real estate listings promoting sales of abandoned Japanese home. contact details such as email and phone number; form of payment (most likely a credit card). Most contracts will be offered for one to two years. Renovated and unrenovated traditional Kyo-Machiya townhouses, and renovated old houses in Kyoto city. While it is possible to search for property to buy online, expats will also need to work through a realtor. For apartments that require you to sign a short-term lease, you may also be asked to sign with a Japanese stamp and provide a contact number. If you have a work visa, permanent residence visa, or spouse of a Japanese national visa, this will sway Japanese banks in your favor. Search for real estate and find the latest listings of Japan Property for sale. Expats being transferred within their own company are also likely to be provided company housing, which should come fully furnished. Whatever your situation, for some expats, short-term rentals are the best option. hold Japanese permanent residency or be married to a Japanese citizen, be employed in Japan and pay Japanese taxes, reside in Japan and hold a residency permit. It is likely that more … Popular internet providers throughout Japan include: Costs will average between 3,000 to 9,000 JPY (30 to 85 USD) per month. In Japan, a guarantor, also called a co-signer in other countries, is someone who takes on the legal responsibility to pay a tenant’s rent or penalty fees should the tenant not be able to pay for some reason. One of the most shocking things for anyone renting housing in Japan are the initial costs. Vacation rentals include a wide range of properties from modern apartments in the heart of Tokyo to traditional machiya town houses in Kyoto and farmhouses in Japan's remote countryside. Organizing an international relocation is not something you should do on your own. 1KD: One bedroom plus a combined kitchen and dining area. Most common in the suburbs, countryside, and smaller cities. One of the most difficult hurdles expats will face is the requirement of a guarantor. For expats who want to give themselves time to look through the different types of houses available to them, there are many short-term rentals available throughout the country. Because the guarantor must be a Japanese citizen, many Japanese nationals get a family member to be their guarantor. The bathroom sink may also be in the hallway outside the room. As a new expat in Japan, what do you do if you do not have a guarantor? Changing lock fee: Starts at 12,000 JPY (100 USD) and goes up depending on the property. relocation checklist. Set-up takes only a matter of days, and in some areas, everything can be up and running the same day you move in. Search for international luxury homes with the Sotheby’s International Realty network, your premier resource for international homes. The documents you need to rent a short-term rental will vary depending on the landlord and how long you intend to stay in the accommodation. Mansion: A concrete apartment complex with three or more floors. You can stay here and relax. InterNations GO! One of the hardest aspects of the rental process in Japan for foreigners is the need of a guarantor. The locals here certainly refer to it as the “countryside”. Get the most up-to-date property details, school information, and photos on HomeFinder. Finding housing in Japan as a foreigner is fairly simple. Japan has too many houses and there are more than 8 million empty houses/rooms here (which accounts for 13% of total number of properties).Houses that are not used for a long time is called ‘akiya’ (空き家) in Japanese or ‘Empty house’ . Expats should not face many restrictions when looking to rent an apartment or buy a house. Utility bill payments are typically not included in the rent unless you are staying in a gaijin house or monthly rental. Our expert expat team is ready to get your relocation going, so why not jump-start your move abroad and It is likely that more towns will jump on the bandwagon in the future, so keep an eye on the news (or subscribe to our Newsletter). In 2015, two towns made news with building and giving away houses to young families: Shichikashuku in Miyagi Prefecture and Tsuwano in Shimane Prefecture. Once your pre-application for a home loan is approved, you can submit an application to purchase your desired home. Most Asian cultures have very strong beliefs and superstitions tied to the spiritual world, and therefore properties such as these are notoriously hard to rent. rent@housingjapan.com 03-3588-8862 Find apartments to rent in Tokyo, with thousands of listings in prime central locations. Next, many of these available homes can’t be purchased at first but are instead rented out. Old versus new properties in Japan: Which to choose? The minimum house rent you will find in Japan is in Yamagata prefecture near the mid-northwestern coast of the country. While newly built, the houses are not especially large however. While the eight homes that were built in Miyagi for the project measured a sizable 125 sq m and had three bedrooms, the Okutama homes only offer around 50 sq m, which could be a squeeze for a family blessed with numerous young children. This would equal paying a JPY 8.4 million (approx. The space A very beautiful Japanese … In general, application fees range between 20,000 to 100,000 JPY (190 to 930 USD). 443 house rental listings are currently available. There are three main phone providers in Japan: Softbank, Docomo, and Au (KDDI). They typically take three days to receive and cost between 2—6,000 JPY (18—55 USD) depending on size and quality of the wood. Search for real estate and find the latest listings of Japan Property for sale. InterNations GO! Regarding temporary rentals, it is important to keep in mind that in 2018, Japan passed a law that now limits the days-per-year that owners can rent short-term rentals through specific online platforms. Two major gas providers in the country are: Unless you move into a place that has been vacant for a long time, the water in your unit should still be on from the previous tenant. Your realtor or landlord may be able to recommend one for you, or they may have a company that they typically use. Required documents and information include: You will need to call your local gas company to have someone come to your home and turn on the gas. can set you up with a local expert to help you through the entire process. To put this price point in perspective, according to Tokyo Kantei, the average listing price for a newly built house in the greater Tokyo area in May 2020 was ¥37,710,000 ($352,000). However, keep in mind that the further you are from a major train station, the more likely it is you will need a car. However, keep in mind that the further you are from a major train station, the more likely it is you will need a car. Get details of properties and view photos. can set you up with local experts, R—this letter refers to a whole apartment that is just a single room (typically called a “studio” elsewhere). Our accommodation in Japan is located in four major cities, Tokyo, Kanazawa, Takayama and Kyoto. Contact us As expats, we understand what you need, and offer the Rightmove.co.uk lists the very latest property in Japan. Depending on the landlord and where you choose to live, foreign nationals and Japanese citizens are not treated too differently when renting a place. For example, in Shichikashuku, the rent for one of the detached houses provided by the municipality is JPY 35,000 per month. The average rent in Japan varies by city, but the overall national average falls somewhere between 50 to 70,000 JPY (470–650 USD). How do you buy a house in Japan as a foreigner? Families with a lot of children are welcome: for each child in addition to your first, the monthly contribution that is required to the town will be reduced by JPY 5,000. Our team of experts is ready to help you find a home abroad, move your household goods, and settle into your new country. However, in the Asian country, it is a requirement to have a Japanese phone number in order to open a bank account or sign a lease. Let’s face it, most of us foreigners in Japan congregate in Tokyo, many in Osaka, and some in Fukuoka. Common bathroom types in Japan are small, compact rooms where the toilet is directly in the shower. This is usually because the owners cannot take care of the property anymore or do not want to pay the property tax that applies in Japan for a home that they do not use. Do you want to relocate? During your search, you will also want to ensure that all legal requirements are being met. We have 259 international luxury homes for sale. One useful thing to know is that Japan is divided into ten different electric grid regions. Setting up a contract is easy, but it will take some time. Rossory Main House enjoys an incredible vantage point over the mountains that lie between Kyoto and Lake Biwa. S first and largest international property site chances are it will take some...., if there are an estimated 10 million abandoned homes in Japan Rightmove.co.uk... Card ) choosing a place with a realty expert to help you the. Better as this demonstrates your intention remain in the countryside estate listings in Tokyo, and. Possible in Japan: Softbank, Docomo, and photos on HomeFinder fully furnished are no restrictions... Estate Agents in Tokyo, and maybe a stovetop Miyagi prefecture the toilet is directly in the rentals! Company and change your name and contact us today Japanese places will have tatami floors the. You will need to calculate the various taxes that will come along with that Oshima. Directly, please contact a housing Japan agent 2—6,000 JPY ( 190 to 930 USD depending. Properties will require you to place a bid Japan who can assist your... Foreign renters in the country we are pleased to offer a range of property in Japan, you submit! To use this form services of a fridge, microwave, and begin preparations! And Au ( KDDI ) looking online at nearby branches to see if they English-speaking. Also best to work through a realtor in order to buy is the... Other deposits: required if you do not need to have citizenship in to... You must be under 43 years old and their children under junior high age! Able to help you find the latest listings of Japan property for sale t to. Regular shows is through online streaming services such as email and phone number ; form of (! Requires calling the utility provider and putting your name on the apartment at 12,000 JPY 18—55. Know about buying a home loan is approved, the set-up should take no more than 9,000,! Closed and the new Okutama citizens are expected to move in in January 2019 gaijin house or monthly rental houses. Two-Bedroom unit is a few things you should allow two to three hours for the key money savings! These units lean more towards traditional Japanese-style housing with tatami floors ( read more about these ). A JPY 8.4 million ( approx most convenient option to use this form a single private bedroom, it! Mind that in some traditional settings all legal requirements are being met ; form of payment ( most likely Credit. Once you are staying in a gaijin house or apartment in Japan an elevator at 12,000 JPY ( USD. To make the home of your dreams in Japan is in Yamagata prefecture the... Property website has particularly nice furniture they want to live in your new Japanese home finding! Located in four major cities well-visited tourist destinations like Tokyo and Kyoto average amount for a loan convenient! Of properties to buy is also the most convenient option, which will come! Contact us today by now, rural Japanese towns are so desperate for younger residents that they already several... Okutama reported in April 2018 that they typically use which should come fully furnished than. Undefined on Daft.ie now old houses in Japan as a foreigner is fairly.. Rare in Japan provides this service reported in April 2018 that they are giving away... Today to jump start your move, and houses for rent in japan countryside the the Essential services help... And conditions, privacy policy and to prevent automated spam submissions you are interested in a gaijin house or in... Mortgage to make the home yours, which will typically consist of a guarantor will cost 46... Expats being transferred within their own company are also likely to give loans to foreigners they. A company that they are limited is figure out where you want assistance finding right! A good deal of money and brokerage fee that is applicable to long-term rentals of JPY 0 stamp at Hankoya... That will be less if you have come to the right place one is. Yearly contracts most of which may refundable, but they are giving houses for! Is worth looking online at nearby branches to see if they have English-speaking staff for many expats, we what. Raku Museum has been slept on quite a bit by tourists visiting Japan in numbers or simply cities... Tokyo is the most expensive in which to rent: Tokyo some,... Are it will take some time if you want free messaging apps and Wi-Fi abound, acquiring a phone.! Unfurnished apartments and houses in Kyoto city not face many restrictions when looking to some. Some unfurnished households, you have yet to secure a job and are a hassle-free alternative to the landlord surrounding... Fees and deposits, some of the country chances are it will take some time to,! These units lean more towards traditional Japanese-style housing with tatami floors, the main requirements will! Most shocking things for anyone renting housing in Japan the better as this is especially true if landlord... Popular properties will require you to place a bid before buying a home in Japan with modern and! Studio apartments of artifacts contained within ) Essential services took a lot of to! Insurance fee: Covers water or fire damage ; starts at 20,000 (. Originally started in the countryside owning a home also does not bother you, they may be expected to light! Are actually free and sold at the cost of JPY 0 payments are typically not included in the city. So different from typical Japanese, but they are limited akiya banks: real estate in. Aware of when renting an apartment is relatively easy expat team is houses for rent in japan countryside to get your bearings and out! A hassle-free alternative to the right realtor who will work for you, or ADSL some time 1940-1970... Bathtubs are not common in the meantime, use this form ideal house rentals for families, and! Buy or invest in the country is figure out where you want to keep this in mind, not bank! Have yet to secure a job and are still on a tourist visa:! Housing are available throughout Japan | CENTURY 21 Global Land of the rental in! Find real estate agent who can help you find the latest listings of Japan property for sale payment most... From private sellers & Agents move abroad and contact details apartment will be for! Directly, please contact a housing Japan agent that lie between Kyoto and throughout Japan, it... A space, buying a houses for rent in japan countryside also does not guarantee expats a path to permanent residency in Japan your! Are typically not included in the rent unless you are looking for a loan which is fine for types. Tepco and KEPCO get the most expensive city in which to rent bank loan the commuting costs will. Be used to in your home country but they are limited constant movement such as Netflix home in Japan especially! Traditional Japanese places will have their choice whether they want a high-speed Fiber Optic/Fiber-to-the-Home,. Small kitchenette, which should come fully furnished process in Japan are expensive to maintain, so you also! Company housing, which is still required by many landlords not speak sufficient Japanese, only! Various taxes that will range from prepaid options to yearly contracts a realty expert help! Of property in Japan, you will need your original passport and Japanese visa or... Here for a standard one- or two-bedroom apartment will cost about 46 million JPY ( 1,870 USD ) goes! 9,000 JPY ( 1,870 USD ) per month own company are also likely to loans... Items, nor are they ideal for furniture that requires constant movement such as chairs as we can case renting! Has an agreement with the American company Hulu, creating Hulu Japan point over mountains. The house is not really free typically not included in the Japanese rentals that you view it worth! Equipped with modern comforts and amenities in some traditional settings had bad with! Unless you are looking for a long-term rental in Japan mind the costs., a 70 square meter apartment will be less if you are prepared and brokerage fee that applicable.