Furnished Apartment in Tokyo for Expats: 5 Quick Options (2026)

Furnished Housing in Tokyo: What Expats Actually Need to Know

Quick answer: A furnished apartment in Tokyo (monthly mansion) lets you move in fast, with no guarantor and no key money, and furniture, appliances and often internet included. It is ideal for an expat's first months: expect 90,000 to 250,000 JPY per month depending on size and ward. You apply online with a passport and visa.

Relocating to Tokyo, corporate transfer, new job, long-term move, means facing one of the tightest rental markets in the developed world. Standard Japanese leases require a guarantor, hanko, and 3 to 6 weeks of processing. These 5 options bypass all that. For how furnished rentals actually work in Tokyo, start with our complete guide to furnished apartments in Tokyo.

1. Expat-friendly share houses

Expat-specialist share house networks offer furnished rooms and studios for foreigners, with no Japanese guarantor required.

Key advantages:

• No Japanese guarantor: a deposit of 1 to 2 months is enough
• All-inclusive: furniture, bedding, wifi, all utilities
• Flexible terms: minimum 1 month, renewable monthly
• Coverage: all major lines (Yamanote, Chuo, Keio, Tokyu)

Typical price range: ¥45,000 to ¥80,000 per month depending on room type and location.

Best for: first weeks in Japan, tight budget, no furniture to ship.

2. Monthly mansions (マンスリーマンション)

Monthly mansions are private fully-equipped apartments rented by the month, kitchen, washing machine, TV all included. Unlike share houses, you have complete privacy.

Monthly mansions are available across all central Tokyo neighbourhoods, bookable within hours.

• Availability: sometimes within 24 hours of booking
• Size: typically 20 to 35 m² studios
• Price: ¥100,000 to ¥200,000 per month depending on neighbourhood
• Minimum stay: usually 7 days, useful for testing an area before committing to a long lease

Popular expat neighbourhoods: Shinjuku, Minato, Shibuya, Nakameguro, Shin-Koenji.

3. Serviced apartments for corporate relocations

If your company covers accommodation, serviced apartments combine hotel-level comfort with apartment space:

• Oakwood Residence (Akasaka, Azabudai)
• Tokyo Serviced Apartments (Minato, Shinjuku)
• Citadines (Shinjuku, Asakusa)

Price: ¥250,000 to ¥500,000 per month depending on size. Usually includes weekly housekeeping and bilingual concierge. Suited to 3 to 12 month corporate contracts.

4. Weekly mansions for your first days

Arriving without confirmed housing? Weekly mansions accept passport-only bookings so you can check in on arrival day while searching for a longer-term solution.

Typical rate: ¥25,000 to ¥50,000 per week for a studio.

Weekly mansions accept passport-only bookings with no prior paperwork required.

Strategic advantage: being in Tokyo lets you physically visit standard apartments, which substantially increases your chances of securing a regular lease.

5. Foreigner-friendly apartments (外国人向け)

Since 2020, a growing category of foreigner-ready listings has appeared on Japanese property portals, searchable with the filter 「外国人可」. These may be furnished or unfurnished but the agency handles paperwork for non-residents.

Key partners: Able, Sumifu, and other agencies specialising in foreigner-friendly housing.

Quick comparison

The October crunch: what agencies don't tell you

October and early Q4 are peak relocation periods. Japanese companies process mid-year staff transfers, and foreign executives arrive ahead of the November-March fiscal cycle. The best share house rooms and monthly mansion studios rent within hours of listing.

If you are arriving in October, reserve your first accommodation, even temporary,at least 3 weeks before landing. Most share houses accept international card payments and remote booking.

FAQ

Can I rent a furnished apartment in Tokyo without Japanese residency?

Yes, for share houses and monthly mansions, your passport is enough on arrival. For a standard lease, you will need your residence registration number, obtained at your local ward office after arrival.

Do I need a Japanese guarantor?

Not for share houses or monthly mansions. Yes for a standard lease. We can connect you with apartments that accept alternative guarantors such as J-Trust or Global Trust Networks.

Can I view the property before arriving?

Yes. Most share houses offer virtual tours via Zoom. The main expat-specialist operators have English-speaking staff, and some also have French speakers.

For health coverage during your transition, SafetyWing Nomad Insurance offers monthly insurance with no commitment, ideal for the period between arrival and national insurance enrolment. (affiliate link)

See also: Furnished Apartments in Tokyo With No Guarantor Required (2026), Furnished Apartment Tokyo: 5 Best Options for Expats in 2026.

Relocating to Tokyo soon? Contact us for a current availability list matching your budget and target neighbourhood.