Rent vs. Buy: Is Renting Furniture & Appliances Actually Cheaper? A Complete 2-Year Cost Comparison [2026]

"I'm only planning to stay in Japan for 1 to 2 years. I'll just buy cheap furniture and appliances from Nitori or Amazon and sell them when I leave."

If this is your plan, be warned: it could lead to tens of thousands of yen in guaranteed losses and a state of "Panic Disposal" right before you return home.

Japan's "Home Appliance Recycling Law" and procedures for "Sodai Gomi" (oversized garbage) are stricter and more expensive than almost anywhere else in the world. Furthermore, with the rise of cheap "generic" appliances, the secondhand market has collapsed. The "Sayonara Sale" strategy that worked in the past is no longer viable.

In this article, we thoroughly simulate the total costs (initial cost + disposal fees) of "Buying" vs. "Renting (Subscription)" for a 1–2 year stay. We will derive the "mathematically correct answer" to protect your wallet and your time.

[Verdict] Staying Less Than 2 Years? Renting is King. "Buying" Carries Hidden Liabilities.

To give you the conclusion first: if your stay is less than 2 years (24 months), renting is overwhelmingly advantageous, both financially and mentally.

Most people only look at the "product price" they pay at the store. However, owning furniture and appliances in Japan means carrying a "liability (disposal cost)" that you must pay when you move out.

Approximate Break-even Points

• Stay of 1 year or less: Renting is overwhelmingly cheaper (Approx. 50% less than buying).
• Stay of 2 years: Costs are comparable, but renting wins when you factor in "zero disposal hassle."
• Stay of 2+ years: In terms of raw numbers, "Buying" becomes cheaper, but the decision depends on how much you value QOL (new items, design).

Thorough Simulation: Nitori's Cheapest Set vs. 3 Rental Companies

We answer the question readers want to know most: "So, how much does it cost in the end?" We compared the "Total cost for 2 years" for acquiring the four essentials for a new life (Fridge, Washing Machine, Microwave, Bed).

Pattern A: "Cheapest Purchase" via Amazon/Nitori

This plan involves buying generic appliances and a cheap legged mattress.

• Initial Cost: Approx. ¥75,000
• [Important] Disposal Cost at Move-out: Approx. ¥16,000
  • Recycling fees + Collection/Haulage (Fridge/Washing Machine): Approx. ¥12,000
  • Sodai Gomi tickets (Bed/Microwave): Approx. ¥1,500
  • The stress of moving items out & booking collection: Priceless
• Total for 2 Years: Approx. ¥91,000

Note: "I'll just sell it" is a fantasy. Unless it's a famous domestic brand manufactured within 3–5 years, the purchase price at recycle shops is almost "¥0," or conversely, you will be charged a disposal fee.

Pattern B: Renting a Used Set from "Kasite! Dot Com"

This uses the industry's lowest-priced rental service.

• Total for 2 Years: Approx. ¥53,000 (Includes shipping, collection, and consumables replacement)

This is approx. ¥40,000 cheaper than buying. Moreover, when you move out, they come to collect everything with just one phone call, so there are absolutely no disposal procedures. The downside is that you receive "used items," so you cannot choose the design or the level of wear and tear.

If you want to save money or are worried about screening, we have a detailed comparison in the following article: 【2026 Edition】5 Best Furniture & Appliance Rentals for Foreigners! Recommendations with No Screening & No Credit Card

Pattern C: Using "Cosmo" or "Rakuriars" for New/Stylish Furniture

This plan is for those who feel "physiologically unable to use used items" or "don't want to live in a tacky room."

• Total for 2 Years: Approx. ¥140,000 – ¥160,000

This is more expensive than buying, but the price difference is an investment in "Hygiene of new items," "A stylish room," and "Zero disposal hassle." In the next section, we will dig deeper into this "investment value."

For Those Prioritizing "QOL" Over "Cheapness": The Value of Subscriptions That Buying Can't Offer

If you don't just want to "survive" but want to comfortably enjoy your life in Japan, we recommend next-generation subscriptions that dramatically increase your QOL (Quality of Life) for a little extra cost.

Cosmo SubscRental: "Better than IKEA" Design at Nitori Prices

"Kasite! Dot Com" is cheap, but your room inevitably ends up looking like a "Showa-era student dorm." On the other hand, if you buy stylish furniture, disposing of it when you leave is a real nightmare.

With Cosmo SubscRental, you can get high-design furniture and the latest brand-new appliances with ¥0 initial cost.

• Exchangeable if you get bored: The "fluidity" to change your interior according to the season or your mood is a benefit you don't get with ownership.
• Purchase option available: If you like an item, you can pay the difference and make it yours.

Rakuriars: The Final Answer for Those Who Demand "Brand New"

The most common concern from foreign residents and female users is: "I physically can't handle a bed or washing machine that strangers have used (Hygiene issue)." But buying new makes throwing it away difficult...

Rakuriars solves this dilemma.

• Guaranteed Brand New: Everything delivered is new. These are not items used by someone else previously.
• Long-term plans are a deal: Monthly costs are significantly reduced for contracts of 2 years or more.
• Lump-sum payment supported: You don't have to worry about monthly payments, making it perfect for international students.

Why is Japanese "Sodai Gomi" (Oversized Garbage) So Difficult?

Finally, let me explain why I emphasize the "hassle of disposal" so much. Japan's garbage disposal rules can be the "final trap" for foreigners.

1. Complexity of the Process: It is normal to wait 2 weeks to 1 month for reservations via the internet or phone.
2. Buying Stickers at Conbini: You must purchase stickers (fees) for the correct amount for each item category.
3. The Hurdle of Carrying Out (The Hardest Part): You must carry the items out to the designated spot by yourself by 8
   AM on the designated day. Moving a fridge or mattress out of a room alone is heavy labor. If you hire a "Benri-ya" (handyman), it costs ¥10,000–¥20,000, ultimately making your "cheap purchase" expensive.

You should consider the rental service fee as including an "insurance premium to avoid this future hardship."

What is Your Best Strategy? Decision Matrix

• Cost Priority / Just need a place to sleep 👉 Kasite! Dot Com (Used)
• Hygiene Priority / Have some funds 👉 Rakuriars (New Rental)
• Interior Priority / Like changing style 👉 Cosmo SubscRental
• Settling for 3+ Years / DIY Lover 👉 Purchase (Kagu350, etc.)

Conclusion

The era where "just buying for now" was the correct answer is over. Especially for stays of less than 2 years, buying is a high-risk choice economically and in terms of time when you include disposal costs.

Choose a style of "usage" wisely that fits your length of stay and what you seek in life (Cheapness vs. Comfort). Avoid the chaos when returning home and enjoy your life in Japan until the very end.