Why Renting in Japan Is Difficult for Foreigners (And How to Succeed)

By Admin

Life in Japan / Housing & Rent

Renting an apartment in Japan is often one of the most frustrating experiences for foreign residents. Even people with stable jobs, valid visas, and fluent Japanese can face rejections that seem arbitrary or unfair. This article explains why renting is difficult for foreigners in Japan—and, more importantly, what you can realistically do to succeed.

The Reality: Renting in Japan Is Not Equal

Japan’s rental market is highly conservative. Landlords prioritize predictability, long-term stability, and risk avoidance. Foreign tenants are often viewed—fairly or not—as “unknown risks.”

This isn’t always about racism. In many cases, it’s about systems built for Japanese tenants only, with little flexibility for non-Japanese residents.

Main Reasons Foreigners Face Rental Rejection

1. “No Foreigners” Policies Still Exist

Some landlords openly refuse foreign tenants. Others do so indirectly by rejecting applications without explanation.

Anonymized case:
A South Asian IT worker with a long-term work visa and Japanese language ability was rejected by five properties. Later, the same apartments were rented to Japanese tenants with similar income levels.

While legally questionable, this practice is still common—especially outside major cities.

2. The Guarantor (保証人) Problem

Most rentals require:

A Japanese guarantor (often a family member), or
A guarantor company

Many landlords distrust foreign guarantors or reject applicants who rely solely on guarantor companies, despite those companies being designed for this exact purpose.

3. Language & Communication Concerns

Landlords worry about:

Miscommunication during emergencies
Inability to understand house rules
Complaints from neighbors

Even fluent speakers may face assumptions that “foreigners don’t understand Japanese living rules.”

4. Visa Type and Length Matter

Short-term or unstable visas increase rejection risk:

Student visas
Working holiday visas
Newly issued work visas

Landlords prefer tenants who are likely to stay several years without job or visa changes.

5. High Upfront Costs Scare Landlords

Foreigners are sometimes perceived as more likely to:

Leave Japan suddenly
Skip final payments
Abandon furniture or trash

This perception leads landlords to demand stricter screening—or to avoid foreign tenants entirely.

Why Tokyo and Osaka Are Easier Than Rural Areas

Large cities have:

More foreign residents
More foreigner-friendly real estate agencies
Landlords experienced with non-Japanese tenants

In contrast, rural areas and smaller cities may have almost zero experience renting to foreigners, making rejection more likely even if discrimination isn’t intentional.

How Foreigners Can Successfully Rent in Japan

1. Use Foreigner-Friendly Real Estate Agencies

Look for agencies that explicitly say:

“外国人対応可”
“English support available”
“Foreigner OK”

These agencies already know which landlords are flexible—saving you time and emotional energy.

2. Choose the Right Property Type

More acceptance:

Apartments in large buildings
Properties managed by companies (not individuals)
Newer buildings

Less acceptance:

Old wooden houses
Individually owned units
“Quiet family-only” buildings

3. Prepare Strong Documents

Bring:

Residence card
Employment contract
Income proof
Emergency contact in Japan
Japanese phone number

Even if not requested, showing preparation builds trust.

4. Accept a Guarantor Company (Even If Optional)

Some landlords reject applicants who don’t use a guarantor company—even when it’s optional.

Paying the fee (usually 30–50% of one month’s rent) can significantly increase approval chances.

5. Be Flexible on Location and Layout

Your “perfect” apartment may not accept foreign tenants. Being flexible on:

Floor level
Distance from station
Room size

can dramatically improve your chances.

Common Mistakes Foreigners Make When Renting

Applying through general Japanese-only agencies
Insisting on properties marked “foreigners NG”
Assuming rejection is personal
Giving up too early

Rejection is common—even for long-term residents. Persistence matters.

Is Renting in Japan Getting Better?

Yes—but slowly.

More guarantor companies exist
Large cities are improving
Corporate-managed buildings are more open

However, systemic barriers still exist, and preparation remains essential.

Final Thoughts

Renting in Japan as a foreigner is difficult—but not impossible. The key is understanding how the system works, avoiding unfriendly landlords, and working with professionals who already know the landscape.

Most successful foreign tenants weren’t accepted on their first try—but they did eventually find a place by adjusting strategy, not giving up.

Tools you can use for check:

📲 𝗙𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗼𝘄 𝘂𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗝𝗮𝗽𝗮𝗻 𝘃𝗶𝘀𝗮 𝘁𝗶𝗽𝘀:
• 𝗙𝗮𝗰𝗲𝗯𝗼𝗼𝗸: https://www.facebook.com/gaijinblogs
• 𝗧𝗶𝗸𝗧𝗼𝗸: https://www.tiktok.com/@gaijin.blog
• 𝗜𝗻𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗺: https://www.instagram.com/gaijinblog/

Comments

No approved comments yet.