Housing & Daily Life
Updated against official, partner, and reviewed site evidence where available.
Last updated: July 1, 2026
Official or partner facts are separated from practical notes.
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"I inquired about 10 apartments on GaijinPot, but only got one reply. And even that one said, 'Sorry, that room is already taken'..."
This is a rite of passage for almost every foreigner looking for housing in Japan. It's called "Ghosting."
Why does this happen on sites that claim to be "Foreigner Friendly"? The answer is simple: Portal sites are just "catalogs."
Most real estate agents listing properties there only call the management company after they receive your inquiry to ask, "Is a foreigner okay?" When the answer is "No" (which is often), they don't even bother to reply to you to save time.
But you don't have to give up. If you choose "Foreigner Specialists" or "Innovative Tech Companies," you will never be ignored.
Based on the latest reviews and data from 2025, we have selected the Top 5 Services where you are guaranteed to get a reply and pass the screening.
To avoid failure, you need to understand the structure of the industry.
💡 Pro Tip Use GaijinPot only as a "catalog to know the market price." If you find a property you like, don't inquire there. Instead, ask one of the "Selected Agents" below: "Can you handle this property (or something similar)?" This is the winning strategy.
Choose the best service according to your specific situation.
~ Best for Pre-Arrival & Peace of Mind ~
Operated by "GTN," the largest guarantor company specializing in foreigners.
Pros:
Cons:
Recommended For: People who speak zero Japanese or want to secure a home before arriving in Japan.
👉 Visit Best-Estate Official Site
~ Best for Long-Term & Cost Performance ~
Public housing operated by the Japanese government agency (Urban Renaissance Agency).
Pros:
Cons:
Recommended For: People who want to save money and plan to stay for 2+ years.
👉 Visit UR Housing Official Site
~ Best for Professionals in Tokyo ~
A real estate agency in Tokyo run by foreigners, for foreigners.
Pros:
Cons:
Recommended For: Professionals working in Tokyo who want high-quality service. Note: Blackship Realty is also highly recommended for luxury properties.
~ Best for Nomads & Flexibility ~
A modern housing service with an innovative "Rent-back" system where rent decreases on days you don't stay.
Pros:
Cons:
Recommended For: Frequent travelers, digital nomads, or those looking for temporary housing.
~ Best for Singles & Community ~
One of the largest Share House operators in Japan.
Pros:
Cons:
Recommended For: People who want to make friends and minimize startup costs.
👉 Visit Oakhouse Official Site
| Service | Initial Cost | English | Difficulty | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best-Estate | Average | ◎ Native | Easy | Pre-arrival / No Japanese |
| UR Housing | Low | △ Japanese | Medium | Long-term / Budget |
| Apts.jp | Average | ◎ Native | Medium | Tokyo Professionals |
| unito | Low | ○ App | Instant | Nomads / Short-term |
| Oakhouse | Low | ◎ | Easy | Singles / Community |
Services with poor reputations or that are too difficult for beginners.
If you are unsure, use this flowchart and list to decide.
Are you "Pre-arrival" (Outside Japan)? 👉 YES: Contract online with Best-Estate.jp.
Do you want to live "Cheaply and for a Long Time"? 👉 YES: Search for UR Housing.
Do you want to find a "Nice Apartment in Tokyo" efficiently? 👉 YES: Consult with Apts.jp.
Do you want to move "Flexibly and Lightly"? 👉 YES: Move in today with unito.
Good luck finding your perfect home in Japan!
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A: Village House, UR Housing, Best-Estate (Sumai Search), Leopalace21, and sakura-house.com are the top 5 foreigner-friendly rental services. Village House and UR Housing stand out because they require no guarantor and have zero or very low key money.
A: Yes. UR Housing has no guarantor requirement for any tenant. You only need to meet their income criteria (monthly rent × 4 in monthly income, or sufficient savings). This makes UR one of the most accessible options for newly arrived foreigners.
A: Village House properties are typically older buildings with very low rent and minimal upfront costs. UR Housing is government-managed with slightly newer stock, more urban locations, and a transparent online application process. Both require no guarantor.
A: Some agencies allow pre-arrival contract signing. Best-Estate (Sumai Search) has English support and allows online applications before arrival. Bring a valid passport, your visa, and a Japanese bank account. Not all landlords agree to rent to pre-arrival tenants.
A: A guarantor company (hoshō gaisha) acts as your financial guarantor in place of a personal Japanese guarantor. Most landlords require either a personal guarantor or a guarantor company. For foreigners, companies like ORICO and Casaforward are commonly used, charging roughly 0.5–1 month of rent upfront plus an annual fee.
CEO / Native Japanese Expert
Updated on: July 1, 2026
※ The information in this article is accurate as of the time of writing. Laws and regulations may change, so please always check official sources for the latest information. We assume no liability for any damages resulting from the content of this article.
