Housing

TIP

Before apartment hunting, learn the terminology! Check our Housing Terminology page.

Major Property Portals

LIFULL HOME'S - Japan's largest real estate search engine with millions of listings across rentals, purchases, and new construction.
SUUMO - Major property search platform run by Recruit, hugely popular with Japanese renters and buyers alike.
At Home - Another big portal with strong coverage across Japan, good for comparing neighborhoods and prices.
Real Estate Japan - English-friendly property portal that aggregates listings and provides guides tailored for foreign residents.

GaijinPot Apartments - One of the most well-known apartment search tools for foreigners, with English-speaking agent support.
wagaya Japan - Foreigner-focused rental platform with multilingual support and properties that welcome international tenants.
Apartment Japan - No guarantor required and a fully online application process, which is a huge plus for newcomers.
YOLO HOME - Available in 11 languages, making it one of the most accessible platforms for non-Japanese speakers.
Tokyo Apartment Inc. - Bilingual real estate agency specializing in helping English speakers find apartments in Tokyo.
Tokyo Apartment Life Support Guide - Helpful guide from Tokyo Apartment Inc. covering utilities setup, ward registration, and settling-in tasks.
Bamboo House - Operating since 1984, they offer furnished apartments with English support for short and long stays.
E-Housing - Tokyo-based platform with a decent selection of foreigner-friendly properties.
Leopalace 21 - Popular with international students and business travelers, offering furnished units with flexible lease terms.

Sakura House - Long-running provider of shared houses, private apartments, and dormitories across Tokyo with no key money.
Tokyo Cozy House - Furnished shared rooms in Tokyo at budget-friendly prices, great for getting started.
Tokyu Stay Residences - Serviced apartments with hotel-like amenities, ideal for medium-term stays while you find permanent housing.
Weekly Mansion Osaka - Short-term furnished apartments in Osaka, available by the week or month.
WMT Hotels - Weekly and monthly furnished apartments in Tokyo, convenient for temporary housing needs.

New City Mortgage - Mortgage loans available to foreign nationals purchasing property in Japan.
S-Legal Estate - Legal assistance for foreign buyers navigating Japanese real estate transactions.
Kobe Legal Partners - Law firm offering real estate legal services in English, based in the Kansai region.

Akiya Banks - Directory of Japan's vacant and abandoned houses (akiya) available for cheap or even free in rural areas.
Furusato Kaiki - Government-backed rural relocation support center with info on incentives, jobs, and housing in the countryside.
Kyoto Northern Region - Relocation info for 7 municipalities in northern Kyoto Prefecture, including housing subsidies and community support.

Plaza Homes / RealEstate-Tokyo - English-speaking realtors with deep experience helping expats buy and rent in Tokyo.
Japan Home Search - Bilingual real estate agency helping foreigners find homes across Japan.
Century 21 Sky Realty - The Japan branch of the global franchise, with agents experienced in working with international clients.
ReloJapan - Full-service relocation company handling housing, moving logistics, and settling-in support.
Tokyo Rent - Curated selection of quality rental properties in central Tokyo with English support.
Tokyu Relocation - Corporate relocation services including property management for expat housing.

r/movingtojapan Housing Wiki - Community-maintained wiki packed with practical tips on renting, costs, and common pitfalls.
GaijinPot Blog: What is a 1K Apartment? - Explains Japanese apartment layout notation like 1K, 1LDK, and 2DK so you know what you're looking at.
CLAIR Housing Guide - Multilingual guide to housing in Japan published by the Council of Local Authorities for International Relations.
Tokyo Life Guide - Neighborhood-by-neighborhood breakdown of Tokyo living, including commute times and vibe.
Tokyo Price Guide - Handy reference for typical rent prices across different Tokyo neighborhoods and apartment sizes.
Online Conversion - Quick metric-to-imperial converter for when Japanese listings use square meters and you think in square feet.

Craigslist Tokyo / Osaka - Sometimes you can find direct-from-owner listings or sublets, though always exercise caution.
Metropolis Classifieds - Classifieds section of Japan's English-language magazine, occasionally has housing listings.
Tokyo Classifieds - Japan Today's classifieds board where expats post apartments, furniture, and roommate requests.
JCRA - Japan Credit Rating Agency info, useful for understanding the credit and guarantor system.

Why Foreigners Don't Want Rural Japan - Honest look at the challenges and realities of living in rural Japan as a foreigner.