Furnished Apartment in Tokyo for Expats: 5 Quick Options (2026)
Relocating to Tokyo for Q4? Compare share houses, monthly mansions and serviced apartments with 2026 price ranges and availability tips for expats arriving fast.
Furnished Housing in Tokyo: What Expats Actually Need to Know
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.
1. Expat-friendly share houses
Networks like Oak House, Sakura House and Hana Sakura specialise in 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.
Key operators: Weekly Mansion Tokyo, Leopalace21, Sakura House Monthly.
- 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.
Operators: Sakura Hotel & House, Weekly Mansion Tokyo, Arden Hotel Akasaka.
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 Suumo and At Home, 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, Leopalace21, ESR.
Quick comparison
| Situation | Best option | Monthly budget |
|---|---|---|
| Urgent arrival (under 7 days) | Weekly mansion | ¥25k to 50k per week |
| Stay of 1 to 3 months | Share house | ¥45k to 80k |
| Mid-range budget, solo | Monthly mansion | ¥100k to 150k |
| Couple or family | Monthly mansion or gaikokujin-muke | ¥150k to 250k |
| Corporate relocation | Serviced apartment | ¥250k and above |
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 Oak 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. Oak House and Sakura House have English-speaking staff, and some also have French speakers.
Relocating to Tokyo soon? [Contact us](/contact) for a current availability list matching your budget and target neighbourhood.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between a furnished apartment and a share house for expats in Tokyo?+
Can I find furnished apartments in Tokyo with month-to-month contracts?+
What is typically included in a furnished apartment in Tokyo for expats?+
Are furnished apartments in Tokyo available without a guarantor?+
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