Furnished vs Unfurnished Apartments in Japan: Which Is Better for Foreigners?

By Admin

Life in Japan / Housing & Rent

When renting an apartment in Japan, one of the first surprises for foreigners is that most apartments are unfurnished. What seems normal in many countries—beds, sofas, even basic appliances—is often missing.

This guide compares furnished vs unfurnished apartments in Japan, using realistic anonymized cases to help you decide which option fits your budget, visa status, and length of stay.

What “Unfurnished” Really Means in Japan

In Japan, unfurnished usually means almost empty.

Most unfurnished apartments do not include:

Refrigerator
Washing machine
Microwave
Bed or mattress
Curtains
Light fixtures (sometimes)

You are typically renting only the space.

Furnished Apartments: What’s Included?

Furnished apartments (家具付き) usually include:

Bed and mattress
Refrigerator
Washing machine
Microwave
Desk or small table
Curtains and lights

They are often:

Smaller
Studio-style
Managed by companies catering to foreigners

Cost Comparison: Furnished vs Unfurnished

Monthly Rent

Furnished:
¥10,000–¥30,000 higher per month
Unfurnished:
Lower base rent, but higher upfront costs

Upfront Costs

Unfurnished apartments

Furniture & appliances: ¥80,000–¥150,000
Delivery & setup fees
Disposal costs when moving out

Furnished apartments

Minimal setup cost
Usually move-in ready within days

Realistic Anonymized Comparisons

Case 1: Short-Term Worker (6–12 months)

A contractor staying 8 months chose a furnished apartment:

Higher rent: +¥20,000/month
No furniture purchase
Total cost was lower than unfurnished

➡️ Furnished was cheaper overall

Case 2: Long-Term Resident (2+ years)

A work visa holder staying 3 years chose unfurnished:

Paid ¥120,000 upfront for furniture
Much lower monthly rent
Saved money after year one

➡️ Unfurnished made more sense long-term

Contract Flexibility Differences

Furnished Apartments

Shorter contracts (monthly or yearly)
Easier move-out
Often foreigner-friendly
Fewer renewal fees

Unfurnished Apartments

Standard 2-year contracts
Renewal fees common
More paperwork
Stricter landlord rules

Location & Availability

Furnished apartments
Common in major cities (Tokyo, Osaka, Fukuoka)
Rare in rural areas
Unfurnished apartments
Available everywhere
More choice in layout and size

Quality & Comfort Trade-Offs

Furnished apartments often:

Use basic, low-cost furniture
Have limited storage
Feel “temporary”

Unfurnished apartments:

Allow personalization
Better for couples or families
More comfortable long-term

Visa Type Matters

Visa Type	Better Option
Student	Furnished
Working Holiday	Furnished
Short-term Work	Furnished
Long-term Work Visa	Unfurnished
Permanent Resident	Unfurnished

Hidden Costs to Watch For

Furnished

Furniture damage fees
Mandatory cleaning fees
Higher penalties for early move-out

Unfurnished

Furniture disposal fees
Moving truck costs
Time and effort to set up

How Foreigners Should Decide

Choose furnished if:

Staying under 1 year
Want zero setup stress
Just arrived in Japan
Don’t speak Japanese yet

Choose unfurnished if:

Staying long-term
Want lower monthly rent
Plan to settle
Care about space and comfort

Final Thoughts

There is no “better” option—only what fits your situation.

For most foreigners:

Furnished apartments are ideal for short stays and first arrivals
Unfurnished apartments are financially smarter for long-term living

Understanding this trade-off upfront can save you both money and frustration.

Tools you can use for check:

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