My Journey of Finding a Beautiful Apartment to Rent in Japan

Once I got the keys, I finally breathed a sigh of relief. My days of stressing out and running around hunting for an apartment were officially over.

This apartment hunt was quite a challenge, mostly because it was the peak moving season and my requirements were pretty complicated. In this post, I want to share my journey of finding the perfect apartment to rent in Japan.
 

If you live in Japan, you're probably no stranger to the Suumo app—it's the largest apartment-hunting platform in the country. Usually, once you find a place you like on Suumo and send an inquiry, a real estate agent will get back to you to schedule a viewing or invite you to their office to look at other options.

For this move, my criteria were quite strict, so very few listings on the app actually caught my eye.

My requirements: Close to a JR Chuo Line station (central), less than a 10-minute walk from the station, a 1LDK or 2DK layout of at least 430 sq ft (40m2), soundproof reinforced concrete structure, built within the last 15 years, with a balcony, separated bathroom and toilet, etc.

I also had a few other specific preferences: A unit on a high floor, having three unshared walls, and large multi-pane windows for a great view from inside—since I mostly work from home, a good view is essential. The apartment also had to face west to match my Feng Shui elements, with south-facing windows to get natural sunlight all year round.

With such a long list of demands, very few apartments fit the bill. On top of that, I was looking just before April—the start of the new fiscal and school year in Japan—which is the absolute busiest season for house hunting. Even when I did find a place I liked, the real estate agents would tell me someone else had already applied for it by the time I sent my inquiry.

My advice is to keep searching and sending out as many inquiries as possible. Don't just rely on a single real estate agency; reach out and work with multiple companies so you have plenty of options.

After days of endlessly scrolling through the Suumo app, I found an apartment that was absolutely perfect for me. There was nothing to complain about—it checked every single box on my wish list. Even better, it was located right in a bustling shopping district (shotengai), incredibly convenient, and the moment I stepped out the door, I'd be greeted by lively crowds of people. I personally can't stand being in places that are too quiet or lonely.

I immediately contacted the real estate agency and scheduled a viewing for the very next day.

While waiting for the scheduled viewing of that dream apartment, I actually dropped by a few other real estate agencies. I figured that since the place was so nice, someone else might snatch it up before I could.

Because of my strict criteria, the first 4 or 5 real estate offices I visited completely gave up. They couldn't find any vacant properties matching my list, and even if they did, there was no guarantee they would rent to a foreigner. I was very confident in my application profile, but in Japan, many landlords restrict renting to foreigners, or the places were already taken, or the rent was way over $1,300 (200,000 JPY) 😂

"Naiken" is the Japanese term for an apartment viewing where a real estate agent takes you inside the property. Keep in mind that not every apartment is available for a naiken, as the previous tenant might still be living there.

Once the agent showed me inside my chosen apartment, I found absolutely zero flaws. The unit even had a bright, ready-made workspace with a beautiful high-altitude view, and you could actually see Mount Fuji from the balcony. Without a second thought, I filled out the application right then and there.

The apartment was genuinely gorgeous and convenient—right on a main road, close to the station, and just perfect all around. However, the price was quite steep. The monthly rent was roughly $1,050 (160,000 JPY), and the initial move-in costs were around $5,000 (750,000 JPY).

I hesitated a lot because, living alone, I didn't necessarily need a place that big and expensive. But then I realized that a comfortable and convenient living space makes everyday life much happier and more refreshing. Plus, moving in Japan is incredibly exhausting and expensive. I figured I might as well rent a spacious place now, so if I ever get married and have a kid, a family of three could still comfortably live here.

Finally, after all the time spent house hunting, waiting for application results, and going through the tiring moving process, my personal sanctuary is completely set up! 🤗

I chose a primary color palette of white and light blue to keep the apartment looking bright and cool. I also replaced all my old furniture and appliances, buying entirely new white items to create a fresh, airy vibe for this new chapter of my life.

Since I'm a neat freak, coming home and stepping into this tidy apartment always makes me feel so relaxed. The space is always filled with natural light, and you can look outside from almost anywhere in the house. With three unshared walls, great soundproofing, and being on a high floor, I can play chill music all day long without worrying about the neighbors! 🥰

In addition, I looked into some interior decor and added a few potted plants and flower vases to give the apartment a bit more life and energy.

That was the story of my journey to find the perfect rental apartment. I hope everyone out there has great luck finding their own dream home! 🤗