Our home finder in Tokyo will help you find your ideal home

Save time and skip the stress

A hand holding a small white house with a red roof and a blue door.
Rent at real local prices

Green shield icon with a white tick: security.
Secure your new home safely from abroad

I describe my search
Navigation arrow
Navigation arrow
Navigation arrow
4.8
Read the 1,100+ Google reviews Read reviews
Trustpilot 4.6
Read the 100+ Trustpilot reviews Read reviews

Why choose a home finder ?

Home finder Julie (Tokyo)

Julie or another of our home finders will handle your search.

Reliability of listings
Information symbol.
Your home finder is there to select the goods, he visits them, alone, with you in person, or with you by video. And above all, he knows how to rely on reliable business partners who only present him with quality goods.
Icône de fermeture (croix)
Market access
Information symbol.
Your home finder can offer you his own goods, he also has access to all the offers published on the market, and he knows the local agencies and landlords
Icône de fermeture (croix)
Scam risk
Information symbol.
At Remoters, we no longer count the number of French people who have signed a rental contract abroad, without understanding it. Some unscrupulous sellers take advantage of this to insert conditions that are disadvantageous for the tenant. This cannot happen when the contract is reviewed by our home finder.
Icône de fermeture (croix)
Access to local prices
Information symbol.
When you search alone, about 85% of the time goes into searching and 15% into viewings. With a home finder, you only do the viewings
Icône de fermeture (croix)
Application accepted
Information symbol.
In areas where homeowners have plenty of candidates to choose from, they rarely choose foreigners first. Your home finder will use his influence (and his mastery of the language) to put your case before others.
Icône de fermeture (croix)
Information symbol.
Satisfaction
Only 20% of satisfied buyers according to the 2018 Crédit Foncier study. For its part, Remoters gets a score of 4/5 or 5/5 in 95% of cases
Icône de fermeture (croix)

Browsing online listings

Weak
Weak
Elevated
Red cross icon.
Uncertain
20%

Finding with Remoters

Total
Total
Weak
Very likely
95%
Tokyo

Finding a long-term rental in Tokyo as a foreigner is achievable, but requires careful preparation and a clear understanding of the local market. The process differs significantly from rental norms in Europe or North America: upfront costs are high, documentation requirements are strict, and language barriers are real. Key points to keep in mind:

  • Initial move-in costs typically amount to 4–6 months' equivalent rent, covering the security deposit, key money, agency fee, guarantor fee, and insurance.
  • A professional rent guarantee company (yachin hosho-gaisha) is essential for most foreign tenants who cannot provide a Japanese personal guarantor.
  • Rental listings are predominantly in Japanese; English-language platforms cover only a small share of the market.
  • Discrimination in tenant selection remains a documented challenge, with nearly 40% of foreigners reporting nationality-based rejection (source: A-Realty Blog, 2024).
  • Neighbourhood choice has a major impact on both rent levels and quality of life — central wards command a significant premium over outer areas.
  • Working with a bilingual rental search specialist significantly increases your chances of a successful, stress-free application.

In short: renting long-term in Tokyo as a foreigner is entirely possible but requires preparation. Expect upfront costs of 4–6 months' equivalent rent, a Japanese-language application process, and the need for a professional rent guarantor. Central wards like Minato and Shibuya are prestigious but expensive; outer wards like Nakano or Edogawa offer better value. Working with a bilingual rental search specialist dramatically improves your chances of securing the right apartment quickly and without costly mistakes.

Tokyo's long-term rental market presents a number of structural challenges, particularly for international tenants unfamiliar with local norms:

  • Discrimination in practice: recent data indicates that nearly four out of ten foreigners in Japan have faced housing rejection based on nationality alone (source: A-Realty Blog, 2024). While this is not legally straightforward to challenge, it remains a real obstacle.
  • Fast-moving listings: the Tokyo rental market is highly competitive. Desirable properties in central wards are often taken within days of listing, requiring applicants to be ready to act quickly with all documents prepared in advance.
  • Limited English-language listings: the majority of rental listings are published on Japanese-language platforms such as SUUMO, HOME'S, and AtHome. English-language portals cover only a fraction of available stock.
  • Tightening supply in central areas: availability in central Tokyo wards has continued to tighten, with rents rising in both the low and mid-range segments (source: Century 21 SKY Realty, 2024).
  • Opaque pricing: advertised rents often exclude management fees (kanrihi), which can add ¥5,000–¥15,000 JPY/month to the effective cost.
  • Seasonal demand peaks: the Japanese rental market peaks in February–April (the start of the academic and corporate year), making it harder and more expensive to find accommodation during this period.

The administrative process for renting an apartment in Tokyo as a foreigner is considerably more complex than in most other major cities. Several structural barriers can slow down or block applications:

  • All-Japanese documentation: lease contracts, application forms, guarantor agreements, and building rules are almost exclusively in Japanese. Misunderstanding a clause can have costly consequences at the end of the tenancy.
  • Guarantor requirement: Japanese landlords traditionally require a hoshonin (personal guarantor), usually a Japanese national. Most foreigners cannot provide one, making enrolment with a professional rent guarantee company (yachin hosho-gaisha) essential. These companies conduct their own credit and employment checks.
  • Proof of income and employment: landlords typically require a certificate of employment, recent pay slips, and a tax withholding slip (gensen choshu hyo). Freelancers, self-employed individuals, and new arrivals without a Japanese employment history face additional scrutiny.
  • Residence card (Zairyu Card): required for most applications. Applicants who have not yet arrived in Japan may need to provide a Certificate of Eligibility (COE) instead.
  • Juminhyo (residence certificate): once you move in, you must register your address at the local ward office within 14 days — a legal obligation under Japanese law.
  • Short visa validity: if your visa expires in less than one year, many landlords will decline your application outright, regardless of your financial situation.

Navigating Tokyo's rental market without local expertise is genuinely difficult, especially for international tenants. A dedicated rental search specialist provides concrete advantages at every stage of the process:

  • Access to foreigner-friendly listings: specialists maintain curated databases of properties whose landlords have explicitly agreed to rent to foreign nationals, bypassing the most common source of rejection.
  • Bilingual support: all communications with landlords, property managers, and guarantor companies are handled in Japanese on your behalf, eliminating language barriers.
  • Guarantor navigation: specialists manage the entire guarantor company application process, ensuring documentation is accurate and compliant with each company's specific requirements.
  • Contract review: lease agreements are reviewed in detail, with all key clauses — including restoration obligations, renewal fees, and subletting rules — explained clearly in English.
  • Time savings: the Tokyo rental process typically involves multiple in-person visits, extensive paperwork, and tight deadlines. A specialist coordinates all of this on your behalf, which is especially valuable if you are relocating from abroad.
  • Negotiation: experienced specialists can negotiate on fees such as reikin or management fees, and identify properties where these costs can be reduced or waived.

A rental search specialist working in Tokyo will carry out a thorough verification process on your behalf before any application is submitted. Key checks typically include:

  • Foreigner-friendliness of the property: confirming that the landlord and property management company accept foreign tenants, which is not guaranteed across the market.
  • Visa and residency status compatibility: ensuring your current visa type and remaining period of stay meet the landlord's minimum requirements — some landlords decline applications if the visa expires within 12 months.
  • Guarantor company eligibility: verifying which approved rent guarantee companies (yachin hosho-gaisha) are accepted for the property, and pre-checking your eligibility with them.
  • Lease terms and hidden clauses: reviewing the Japanese-language contract for unusual restoration clauses, pet restrictions, subletting prohibitions, and renewal conditions.
  • Upfront cost breakdown: itemising all initial fees (shikikin, reikin, agency fee, insurance) so there are no surprises at signing.
  • Building condition and management: checking the age of the building, earthquake resistance standards (post-1981 shin-taishin certification), and the responsiveness of the property management company.
  • Proximity to transport and amenities: confirming walking distance to the nearest train or metro station, a key factor in Tokyo's rental market.

A structured rental search service in Tokyo typically follows these steps:

  1. Initial briefing: you share your requirements — budget, preferred neighbourhoods, apartment size, move-in date, and any specific needs (pet-friendly, English-speaking building management, proximity to international schools, etc.).
  2. Document preparation: the specialist helps you compile your rental dossier, including your residence card or Certificate of Eligibility, proof of income, employment certificate, and passport.
  3. Curated property selection: a shortlist of foreigner-friendly properties matching your criteria is prepared, drawing on both public listings and pre-screened stock.
  4. Property viewings: viewings are arranged and accompanied (in person or virtually), with the specialist providing commentary on each property's strengths, weaknesses, and value for money.
  5. Application submission: once you select a property, the specialist submits the application in Japanese, liaises with the guarantor company, and manages all back-and-forth with the landlord and property manager.
  6. Contract review and signing: the lease is reviewed in full, key clauses are explained in English, and you sign with full understanding of your obligations.
  7. Move-in support: the specialist may assist with utility setup, ward office registration (juminhyo), and any initial issues with the property.

A rental search service in Tokyo is particularly valuable for the following profiles:

  • Newly arrived expatriates: professionals relocating to Tokyo for work who need to find accommodation quickly, often before or shortly after arrival, without an established local network.
  • Independent professionals: individuals seeking furnished or semi-furnished long-term rentals (typically 3–12 months or more) who need flexibility and English-language support throughout the process.
  • International students: students enrolling at Tokyo universities who are not eligible for university dormitories and need to navigate the private rental market for the first time.
  • Families relocating internationally: households requiring larger apartments (2LDK or 3LDK) in specific school catchment areas, with particular attention to proximity to international schools and family-friendly neighbourhoods.
  • Freelancers and self-employed professionals: individuals who cannot provide a standard Japanese employment certificate and need specialist guidance to present their financial situation in a way that satisfies landlord and guarantor company requirements.
  • Short-notice relocations: anyone who needs to secure accommodation within a tight timeframe and cannot afford the delays caused by application rejections or language barriers.

Tokyo is divided into 23 central wards (ku) plus numerous outer cities and towns, each with a distinct character and rental price range. Here is a practical comparison of the most relevant areas for long-term international tenants:

  • Minato-ku: the most prestigious central ward, home to Roppongi, Azabu-Juban, and Hiroo. Popular with senior expats and diplomatic staff. Rents for a 1LDK start from approximately ¥200,000 JPY/month and rise significantly for larger units (source: Tokyo Room Finder, 2024).
  • Shibuya-ku: vibrant and international, with popular sub-areas including Daikanyama and Ebisu. Average rents are high, with 1-bedroom apartments typically ranging from ¥150,000 to over ¥220,000 JPY/month (source: E-Housing, 2024).
  • Shinjuku-ku: highly connected transport hub with a mix of residential and commercial areas. Rents for a 1-room to 1LDK range from approximately ¥100,000 to ¥155,000 JPY/month (source: Tokyo Room Finder, 2024).
  • Setagaya-ku: quieter, residential, and popular with families. Larger apartments available at mid-range prices, typically ¥130,000–¥230,000 JPY/month depending on size (source: Tokyo Relocation Guide, 2025).
  • Nakano-ku and Suginami-ku: more affordable inner-city wards with good transport links. Rents for a 1LDK typically range from ¥75,000 to ¥200,000 JPY/month (source: Tokyo Room Finder, 2024; Tokyo Relocation Guide, 2025).
  • Edogawa-ku and Adachi-ku: outer eastern wards offering the most affordable rents in the 23-ward area, popular with expat families seeking space and value. Rents are typically 30–50% lower than in Minato-ku (source: Japan Living Life, 2024).

The right neighbourhood depends on your commute, lifestyle, budget, and family situation. A rental search specialist can help you compare options based on your specific priorities.

Renting long-term in Tokyo involves significantly higher upfront costs than in most Western cities. Beyond the monthly rent itself, tenants should budget for several one-time fees paid at the start of the lease:

  • Shikikin (security deposit): typically 1–2 months' rent, partially refundable at the end of the tenancy depending on the condition of the property.
  • Reikin (key money): a non-refundable goodwill payment to the landlord, equivalent to 1–2 months' rent. As of 2024, approximately 54.5% of Tokyo properties still require reikin (source: MailMate, 2024). Searching for reikin nashi listings can help avoid this cost.
  • Agency fee: typically 1 month's rent, paid to the real estate agency.
  • Guarantor company fee (yachin hosho): usually 0.5–1 month's rent upfront, plus annual renewal fees.
  • Fire insurance premium: mandatory in most leases, usually a fixed annual amount.
  • Renewal fee (koshinryo): charged every 2 years in Tokyo, typically 1 month's rent.

In total, initial move-in costs can reach 4–6 months' equivalent rent before you even step through the door. Monthly rents vary widely by ward: central wards such as Minato and Chiyoda command the highest rates, while outer wards like Nakano, Suginami, or Adachi offer more affordable options (source: Tokyo Relocation Guide, 2025).

International tenants searching for long-term accommodation in Tokyo frequently make the following avoidable mistakes:

  • Underestimating upfront costs: many newcomers budget only for the first month's rent and are caught off guard by the full stack of initial fees — shikikin, reikin, agency fee, guarantor fee, and insurance — which can total 4–6 months' equivalent rent.
  • Applying without a guarantor solution in place: submitting an application before confirming eligibility with a rent guarantee company (yachin hosho-gaisha) often leads to rejection and wasted time.
  • Ignoring visa expiry dates: applying for a property when your visa has less than 12 months remaining significantly reduces your chances of approval with most landlords.
  • Relying solely on English-language platforms: limiting your search to English-only portals means missing the vast majority of available listings on Japanese platforms.
  • Not reading the restoration clause (genjo kaifuku): failing to understand what you are liable to restore at the end of the tenancy can result in unexpected deductions from your security deposit.
  • Choosing a neighbourhood without testing the commute: Tokyo's train network is extensive but complex. A seemingly short distance on a map can involve multiple transfers and a 45-minute journey.
  • Skipping the building age check: older buildings built before 1981 may not meet current earthquake resistance standards (shin-taishin kijun), which is an important safety and insurance consideration.
  • Prepare your documents before you start searching: have your residence card (or Certificate of Eligibility), passport, proof of income, employment certificate, and recent pay slips ready before contacting any agency. Delays in document submission can cost you a property.
  • Search for reikin nashi (no key money) listings: as of 2024, nearly half of Tokyo properties do not charge key money. Filtering for these listings can significantly reduce your upfront costs.
  • Check your visa expiry date: if your visa expires within 12 months, address this before applying — many landlords will decline your application regardless of your financial profile.
  • Use Japanese-language platforms: SUUMO, HOME'S, and AtHome list the vast majority of available rentals. A bilingual specialist can search these on your behalf.
  • Avoid the February–April peak season if possible: competition is highest during Japan's corporate and academic year-start period. If your move-in date is flexible, targeting May–September can give you more choice and negotiating room.
  • Factor in management fees (kanrihi): always ask for the total monthly cost including management fees, which are not always included in the advertised rent.
  • Verify the building's earthquake resistance standard: confirm that the building meets the post-1981 shin-taishin kijun (new earthquake resistance standard) for safety and insurance purposes.
  • Register at your ward office promptly: once you move in, you are legally required to register your address (juminhyo) at the local ward office within 14 days.

Remoters connects international tenants with vetted rental search specialists who are experienced in the Tokyo market. Whether you are relocating for work, studying, or settling in Japan for the long term, Remoters can match you with an English-speaking expert who will guide you through every step of the rental process — from building your dossier to signing your lease — in full compliance with Japanese rental regulations.

In Tokyo, your Home Finder searches the Japanese platforms SUUMO, HOME'S and AtHome, where most listings are, and works with local letting agents, keeping only homes open to foreign tenants.

Depending on the quote, they view flats with photos or video, prepare your application, submit it in Japanese, liaise with the rent guarantee company, check the lease and stay with you until signing.

You need to move fast: in Tokyo's central wards, sought-after homes are often let within a few days of appearing. Demand peaks from February to April, the start of the academic and business year; from May to September, you will have more choice and more room to negotiate.

Have all your documents ready before you start. Your Home Finder follows the listings and submits your application without delay.

You start with a free, no-commitment first conversation with a Home Finder based in Tokyo who speaks English. They then send you a quote detailing what is included and what happens if the search does not succeed.

They search, view flats with photos or video, prepare and submit your application, then stay with you until signing. You pay online on the platform; the funds stay blocked during the search and are only released to them once it is complete.

First, they check that the landlord accepts foreign tenants and that the time left on your visa is acceptable: many refuse an application if the visa expires within 12 months. They read the Japanese lease to spot restoration clauses (genjo kaifuku), renewal terms or bans on pets.

They also break down every move-in cost, check the management charges (kanrihi) and make sure the building meets the post-1981 earthquake standard.

Prepare your residence card (Zairyu Card), or your Certificate of Eligibility (COE) if you are not yet in Japan, your passport, an employer's letter, recent payslips and your withholding tax statement (gensen choshu hyo). Without a Japanese personal guarantor, you will go through a rent guarantee company (yachin hosho-gaisha).

After moving in, register your address (juminhyo) at the local ward office within 14 days: it is a legal requirement.

What are you looking for in Tokyo?

One of our home finders will look for the ideal property for you
Floor plan of a home with its rooms and furniture.

Long-term rental

standard lease, for 12 months or more
Blue backpack and folding chair: short-term flatshare.

Short rental

for periods of 1 to 12 months
Illustration: trois colocataires

Colocation

a room in an existing shared flat
Floor plan of a home with its rooms and furniture.

Long-term rental

Standard lease, for 12 months or more
Blue backpack and folding chair: short-term rental.

Short-term rental

For periods of 1 to 12 months
Illustration of three flatmates.

Colocation

a room in an existing shared flat

How does it work?

1

First contact:Your home finder offers a free call to understand your needs.

2
Quote: If you’re ready to move forward, you’ll receive a personalized quote via Remoters.
3
Mission start: Once approved and paid, the housing search begins.
4
Support: Your home finder assists you through to the lease signing and your arrival.
5
Feedback: Share your review — your satisfaction is our priority !
A couple lying on a bed, embracing.

We are present around the world!

Remoters continues to grow!
We are recruiting new home finders everywhere, do not hesitate to apply
World map with red markers in the Americas, Europe, Africa and Asia.I am applying

Frequently asked questions

A hand pointing at a laptop screen while the other types.
What does a Home Finder do to rent a flat in Tokyo on your behalf?

In Tokyo, your Home Finder searches the Japanese platforms SUUMO, HOME'S and AtHome, where most listings are, and works with local letting agents, keeping only homes open to foreign tenants.

Depending on the quote, they view flats with photos or video, prepare your application, submit it in Japanese, liaise with the rent guarantee company, check the lease and stay with you until signing.

A hand pointing at a laptop screen while the other types.
How long does it take to find a rental home in Tokyo?

You need to move fast: in Tokyo's central wards, sought-after homes are often let within a few days of appearing. Demand peaks from February to April, the start of the academic and business year; from May to September, you will have more choice and more room to negotiate.

Have all your documents ready before you start. Your Home Finder follows the listings and submits your application without delay.

A hand pointing at a laptop screen while the other types.
How does a remote home search in Tokyo work?

You start with a free, no-commitment first conversation with a Home Finder based in Tokyo who speaks English. They then send you a quote detailing what is included and what happens if the search does not succeed.

They search, view flats with photos or video, prepare and submit your application, then stay with you until signing. You pay online on the platform; the funds stay blocked during the search and are only released to them once it is complete.

A hand pointing at a laptop screen while the other types.
Which pitfalls does a Home Finder help you avoid when renting in Tokyo?

First, they check that the landlord accepts foreign tenants and that the time left on your visa is acceptable: many refuse an application if the visa expires within 12 months. They read the Japanese lease to spot restoration clauses (genjo kaifuku), renewal terms or bans on pets.

They also break down every move-in cost, check the management charges (kanrihi) and make sure the building meets the post-1981 earthquake standard.

A hand pointing at a laptop screen while the other types.
Which documents do you need to gather to rent a home in Tokyo?

Prepare your residence card (Zairyu Card), or your Certificate of Eligibility (COE) if you are not yet in Japan, your passport, an employer's letter, recent payslips and your withholding tax statement (gensen choshu hyo). Without a Japanese personal guarantor, you will go through a rent guarantee company (yachin hosho-gaisha).

After moving in, register your address (juminhyo) at the local ward office within 14 days: it is a legal requirement.

White Remoters logo on a navy background.

Find housing abroad thanks to our network of Home Finders, all over the world.

Remoters
Become a Remoters Home Finder
Cgu
Privacy policy
Your reviews
Know everything
Real estate market
Who are we?
Press
Contact
Blog
Cookies
Cookies
About
Contact us
+33 1 84 60 74 42hello@remoters.ioMake an appointment with Remoters Buying real estateReal estate sale