Work & research
A new job, research appointment or move within Tokyo. We start with your workplace, commute, timing and housing budget.
RENT IN TOKYO · ENGLISH SUPPORT
A home in Tokyo.
A clearer way to find it.
Moving for work, research, study or family life? Tell us where you need to be and what you can spend. We help you navigate the rental search in English.
Tell us what you needFree initial consultation · Enquiries from Japan or overseas
YOUR LIFE, YOUR SEARCH
Start with the life you are planning.
Study in Japan
Students can enquire directly, and parents can join the conversation. The exact campus and funding arrangements help shape the search.
Read the guide for parents ↗Couples & families
Tell us who is moving, the space you need and your everyday routes. Include pets or other essential requirements from the start.
Based in Tokiwadai, Itabashi. We discuss areas across Tokyo around your school, workplace and budget. Being flexible about nearby stations or walking distance can widen your options.
FROM FIRST QUESTION TO MOVE-IN
Know what happens next.
English communication throughout the search, with the requirements of each property checked along the way.
- 01
Share your plans
Send your budget, preferred area or commute, move-in timing and questions. We can discuss them by email or arrange an online consultation.
- 02
Check possible homes
We look for candidates and check availability and application conditions with the relevant agent or management company before arranging the next steps.
- 03
Review costs & apply
Compare the initial-cost estimate and prepare the requested documents. Applications are subject to landlord, management company and guarantee-company screening.
- 04
Contract & move-in
Once approved, confirm the terms, payment method, signing arrangements and key handover. We explain the steps in English.
BEFORE YOU CHOOSE A PROPERTY
Look beyond the monthly rent.
Monthly & initial costs
Compare rent plus management or common fees. Initial costs may include a deposit, key money, brokerage, guarantee fee, insurance, lock changes and advance rent. The actual items and amounts depend on the property.
Ask for an itemised estimate.Application documents
Identification and residence documents, employment or school details, income or funding evidence, and emergency contact information may be requested. Students may need to explain scholarships or family support.
We check what your application needs.Payments & timing
If you do not yet have a Japanese bank account, or prefer a credit card or international transfer, tell us early. Payment options and application timelines must be checked for each property.
Confirm arrangements before committing.For a general introduction, see the Japanese government's multilingual Apartment Search Guidebook ↗.
FROM OUR RENTAL CONSULTATIONS
Start with your situation. Check each property.
No Japanese bank account yet?
In one Asiascape consultation, we submitted a parent's proof of income to support an application when the applicant did not yet have a Japanese bank account. It helped explain the family's financial backing. Account requirements and the way rent will be paid need separate confirmation.
Some management companies do not require that income document. We check what the specific property needs before asking you to prepare paperwork.
Who reviews the application?
Management companies, landlords and guarantee companies can all be involved. In our experience, the landlord's and guarantee company's decisions often carry the most weight. The roles and review process vary by property.
How will you communicate?
Your Japanese level can matter for building rules, repairs and emergencies. Tell us what you are comfortable with so we can check language requirements and whether support is accepted.
Who can be contacted in Japan?
We check whether a local emergency contact is required and who can fill that role. This is separate from being a joint guarantor. Tell us if someone has agreed to help, or if you have no contact yet.
These checks help us identify realistic candidates before an application. If options are limited, we can compare nearby stations, walking distance and room requirements against your commute and budget.
Read the consultation example and screening guideCOMMON QUESTIONS
A few things you may be wondering.
Can I contact you before arriving in Japan?
Yes. Tell us your expected arrival, move-in timing and current situation. We can start by discussing the search in English. Whether you can apply or sign from overseas depends on the property and its application requirements.
I am a student or researcher. Can I enquire myself?
Yes. Students, researchers, working professionals, couples and families can contact us directly. Parents can also enquire on a student's behalf. Tell us the exact campus or workplace so we can consider the commute.
Can I apply before I have a Japanese bank account?
It depends on the property. In one consultation, we submitted a parent's proof of income to explain the applicant's financial backing when they did not yet have a Japanese account. This is not a universal requirement or a replacement for confirming payment arrangements. We check whether an account is needed, when it must be available and how initial costs and monthly rent can be paid.
Do I need a guarantor or an emergency contact in Japan?
Many properties use a guarantee company, and a joint guarantor or emergency contact may also be requested. These are different roles. Tell us whether someone in Japan has agreed to be your emergency contact; we will check the accepted relationship, location and language requirements for the property. If you have no contact yet, tell us early.
Do I need to speak Japanese?
Your Japanese level can matter in screening, including communication about building rules, repairs and emergencies. Tell us your actual level so we can check the property's requirements and whether language support is accepted. We provide English assistance with the search; the landlord, management company and guarantee company set their own conditions.
Can I pay by credit card or international bank transfer?
Please tell us your preferred payment method before we shortlist properties. Acceptance depends on the property, management company and payment provider. Initial payments and ongoing rent may have different rules; we will check them separately.
What if I need a short stay, a furnished home or a pet-friendly room?
Include those needs and your expected length of stay in your enquiry. Availability and contract conditions vary, and a standard rental may not fit every short stay. We will discuss which search options are realistic for your plans.
Is the consultation free?
The initial consultation is free. If you proceed with a rental, brokerage and other move-in charges may apply. We will explain the property-specific estimate before you decide to proceed.
FREE INITIAL CONSULTATION
Tell us what you need.
A rough plan is enough. We will reply by email to discuss suitable next steps.