Japan Figured Out

  Don't Lose Your Deposit! How Foreigners Avoid Japan Apartment Move-Out Fees & Restoration Scams "I moved out of my Osaka apartment after two years and cleaned everything thoroughly before handing back the keys. Three weeks later I got an invoice for ¥180,000 — wall repainting, floor restoration, and a full professional cleaning fee. I had no photos from move-in day and had signed the inspection sheet on the spot without reading it. I paid most of it because I didn't know I had any legal standing to dispute it. A friend told me afterward about the MLIT wear-and-tear guidelines and the consumer affairs center. The landlord had charged me for things he was legally responsible for. I'd lost money I didn't have to lose simply because I didn't know the rules." Updated September 2026  |  Written by Luna H

  No Hot Water on Move-In Day? How Foreigners Open Utilities in Japan & Book Gas Technicians Without Panic "I moved into my Tokyo apartment on a Saturday in March and immediately tried to take a shower after carrying boxes up four flights of stairs. Nothing but cold water. I checked the water heater panel and it showed an error code I couldn't read. I called my real estate agent who told me gas requires a technician visit and the next available appointment wasn't until Tuesday. I spent three days heating water in a kettle for basic washing. When I mentioned it to a coworker that week she said she'd booked her gas inspection two weeks before moving in and had hot water from the first hour. I had no idea that was something you had to schedule in advance." Updated September 2026  |  Written by Luna H

Renting an Apartment in Japan as a Foreigner (2026): The Real Costs, Hidden Fees, and How to Actually Get Approved Housing Renting an Apartment in Japan as a Foreigner (2026): The Real Costs, Hidden Fees, and How to Actually Get Approved Updated September 2026  |  Japan Figured Out Editorial Team Renting an apartment in Japan as a foreigner is absolutely possible — but it is nothing like renting in your home country. The upfront costs alone can hit 4–6 months' rent before you move in a single box. There's a non-refundable "gift payment" to the landlord that makes no sense until you understand the history. And some landlords will still refuse to rent to foreigners — not because of any law, but because they can. This guide tells you exactly what to expect, what everything costs, how to find foreigner-friendly apartments, and how to cut your move-in costs significantly if you know where to look. 🏠 Can Foreigners Rent Apartm...