Renting & Living
Columns on renting in Japan: finding a place, tenant screening, move-in costs, renewals and moving out.
Do You Always Have to Pay a Renewal Fee? How Lease Renewals and Renewal Costs Work in Japan
Japanese rental leases are commonly renewed every two years. A renewal fee comes from a special clause in the contract, not from the law. Here are the renewal rules under the Act on Land and Building Leases, typical renewal costs, and what to do if you do not want to renew.
Can Garbage Day Get You in Trouble? Sorting, Collection Times and Bulky Waste for Renters in Japan
With more visitors to Japan, street littering has become a problem, and Tokyo is considering an ordinance with administrative fines. Here is a renter's guide to the basics of garbage disposal in Japan and what happens if you break the rules.
How Much of Your Deposit Do You Get Back When Moving Out in Japan?
In principle, normal wear and tear and ageing are not the tenant's cost, so part of the deposit is usually returned. Tenants pay for damage they caused. Here is what the Civil Code says and what to watch at the move-out settlement.
Do Foreigners Need a Guarantor to Rent in Japan?
Usually not. Most Japanese leases now use a rent guarantee company instead of a personal guarantor, and foreign nationals can sign without problems. Here is how guarantee companies work, what to prepare and what to check before signing.
How Much Are Move-In Costs When Renting in Japan?
Move-in costs for a Japanese rental, including deposit, key money, agency fee, guarantee fee and fire insurance, often total around four to six months' rent. Here is what each one is, and which you get back.
Can You Sign If You Can't Read the Japanese Contract? Rental Disclosures and Language Support
Even if a Japanese lease worries you, there is a lot you can check before signing. This guide covers the pre-contract explanation, translations and interpreters, and how to review special clauses.
Bothered by Noise from Next Door? What Tenants in Japan Can Do and Who to Contact
How to handle noise from neighbors in a Japanese rental: keeping records, approaching the property manager or landlord, when to call the police or local office, the legal ideas behind Civil Code Articles 616, 415, 709 and 541, and what to do if you receive a complaint.
Need to Move Out Early? How Mid-Term Termination and Penalty Fees Work in Japan
A guide to ending a Japanese rental lease before the term ends: notice periods, early-termination penalties, and the special rule for fixed-term leases, based on the Civil Code, the Land and Building Lease Act and the Consumer Contract Act.
Will You Get Your Deposit Back? Who Pays for Move-Out Repairs in Japan
A practical guide to Japan's security deposit (shikikin) refund rules, explaining how normal wear and tear differs from tenant-caused damage under Civil Code Article 621, and what to check before signing your move-out settlement.
- What is the security deposit (shikikin), and how is it different from key money (reikin)?
- What actually counts as ‘restoration to original condition’ (genjo kaifuku)?
- How is normal wear and tear actually separated from tenant-caused damage?
- What happens at the move-out walkthrough and deposit settlement?
- What can you do if you disagree with the settlement statement?
No Guarantor, No Problem? How Rent Guarantee Companies Work in Japan
Japanese rental contracts often require a joint guarantor, but renters without one can typically use a rent guarantee company instead. Here's how these companies work, what they typically cost, and what to check before signing.
Will a BOJ Rate Hike Change Your Rent or Mortgage? Numbers to Check Before Choosing Renting or Buying
The Bank of Japan is widely expected to raise its policy rate to around 1.25% at its September 17-18 meeting. Based on Mizuho Research Institute estimates, here's how the impact differs between renting households and mortgage-holding households, and what to check before deciding whether to keep renting or buy.
Storm Damage Left a Leak — Who Pays? A Renter's Guide to Repair Duties in Japan
On September 8, 2026, evacuation alerts were lifted for Oshima and Toshima in the Izu Islands while Niijima Village stayed at the highest warning level, and the JMA issued a half-day-ahead linear rain band forecast for the Tokai region. When a typhoon or heavy rain damages a rental unit, here's how repair responsibility and insurance generally work.
- What should you do first if a typhoon or heavy rain damages your unit?
- What does a landlord's 'repair obligation' actually cover?
- Can you get a rent reduction while repairs are pending?
- What if your own belongings get wet or damaged?
- How is storm damage distinguished from normal wear or tenant negligence?
How Much Are the Upfront Costs? Understanding Japan's Rental Move-In Fees
Renting in Japan often means paying a deposit, key money, agent's fee, guarantor fee, and fire insurance all at once — commonly four to six months' rent in total. Here's what each item actually is, and what to check as a foreign resident.
Can You Check Flood Risk Before You Rent? Hazard Maps and Disclosure in Japan
On 27 August 2026, emergency heavy rain warnings were issued for Ishikawa and Toyama. This guide covers how far you can check flood risk before signing a lease, through three entry points: hazard maps, the statutory disclosure, and water damage cover in your insurance.
Will Rising Prices Push Up Your Rent in Japan? Reading a Rent Increase Notice
With Japan's July CPI released on August 21 still pointing to ongoing inflation, here's how to read a landlord's rent increase notice and what your options are under Japanese law.
Do You Owe a Month's Rent at Renewal? How Japan's Lease 'Renewal Fee' Works
We break down how Japan's lease renewal fee works, its legal basis, how it varies by region, and what to check when your lease comes up for renewal.
Is Your Rental Ready for a Typhoon? Disaster-Prep Checkpoints Before You Sign a Lease in Japan
With Typhoon No.13 causing widespread disruption in Okinawa, we look at what to check before renting in Japan — earthquake standards, hazard maps, and what your lease should tell you.
Will You Get Your Deposit Back? Restoration Rules in Japanese Rentals
Where normal wear ends and tenant liability begins, how the move-out inspection works, and the records that keep deposit settlements from becoming disputes.
Can Foreign Residents Rent in Tokyo? Guarantors and Friendly Listings
For newcomers and overseas applicants: what a guarantor company does, how to find listings open to foreign tenants, and the fees to check before signing.
Laws Covered in This Category
- Act on Land and Building Leases, Article 26
- Do Foreigners Need a Guarantor to Rent in Japan?
- Act on Land and Building Leases, Article 26, Paragraph 1
- Do You Always Have to Pay a Renewal Fee? How Lease Renewals and Renewal Costs Work in Japan
- Act on Land and Building Leases, Article 28
- Do You Always Have to Pay a Renewal Fee? How Lease Renewals and Renewal Costs Work in Japan
- Act on Land and Building Leases, Article 30
- Do You Always Have to Pay a Renewal Fee? How Lease Renewals and Renewal Costs Work in Japan
- Act on Land and Building Leases, Article 32
- Will a BOJ Rate Hike Change Your Rent or Mortgage? Numbers to Check Before Choosing Renting or Buying
- Act on Land and Building Leases, Article 32(1)
- Will Rising Prices Push Up Your Rent in Japan? Reading a Rent Increase Notice
- Act on Land and Building Leases, Article 32(2)
- Will Rising Prices Push Up Your Rent in Japan? Reading a Rent Increase Notice
- Act on Land and Building Transactions Business, Article 35
- Is Your Rental Ready for a Typhoon? Disaster-Prep Checkpoints Before You Sign a Lease in Japan
- Act on Promotion of Sediment Disaster Countermeasures, Article 7
- Can You Check Flood Risk Before You Rent? Hazard Maps and Disclosure in Japan
- Building Lots and Buildings Transaction Business Act (宅地建物取引業法), Article 46
- How Much Are Move-In Costs When Renting in Japan?
- Building Standards Act, Article 20
- Is Your Rental Ready for a Typhoon? Disaster-Prep Checkpoints Before You Sign a Lease in Japan
- Civil Code (民法), Article 622-2
- How Much Are Move-In Costs When Renting in Japan?
- Civil Code Art. 415
- Bothered by Noise from Next Door? What Tenants in Japan Can Do and Who to Contact
- Civil Code Art. 541
- Bothered by Noise from Next Door? What Tenants in Japan Can Do and Who to Contact
- Civil Code Art. 616 (applying Art. 594(1))
- Bothered by Noise from Next Door? What Tenants in Japan Can Do and Who to Contact
- Civil Code Art. 709
- Bothered by Noise from Next Door? What Tenants in Japan Can Do and Who to Contact
- Civil Code, Art. 601
- Can You Sign If You Can't Read the Japanese Contract? Rental Disclosures and Language Support
- Civil Code, Art. 616 (applying Art. 594, para. 1)
- Can Garbage Day Get You in Trouble? Sorting, Collection Times and Bulky Waste for Renters in Japan
- Civil Code, Article 465-2
- No Guarantor, No Problem? How Rent Guarantee Companies Work in Japan
- Civil Code, Article 606
- Storm Damage Left a Leak — Who Pays? A Renter's Guide to Repair Duties in Japan
- Civil Code, Article 611
- Storm Damage Left a Leak — Who Pays? A Renter's Guide to Repair Duties in Japan
- Civil Code, Article 615
- Storm Damage Left a Leak — Who Pays? A Renter's Guide to Repair Duties in Japan
- Civil Code, Article 617
- Need to Move Out Early? How Mid-Term Termination and Penalty Fees Work in Japan
- Civil Code, Article 618
- Need to Move Out Early? How Mid-Term Termination and Penalty Fees Work in Japan
- Civil Code, Article 621
- How Much of Your Deposit Do You Get Back When Moving Out in Japan?
- Civil Code, Article 622-2
- How Much of Your Deposit Do You Get Back When Moving Out in Japan?
- Civil Code, Article 622-2, Paragraph 1
- Will You Get Your Deposit Back? Restoration Rules in Japanese Rentals
- Civil Conciliation Act, Article 24-2
- Will Rising Prices Push Up Your Rent in Japan? Reading a Rent Increase Notice
- Consumer Contract Act (消費者契約法), Article 10
- How Much Are Move-In Costs When Renting in Japan?
- Consumer Contract Act, Art. 10
- Can You Sign If You Can't Read the Japanese Contract? Rental Disclosures and Language Support
- Consumer Contract Act, Article 10
- Do You Owe a Month's Rent at Renewal? How Japan's Lease 'Renewal Fee' Works
- Consumer Contract Act, Article 9, item 1
- Need to Move Out Early? How Mid-Term Termination and Penalty Fees Work in Japan
- Enforcement Regulations of the Real Estate Brokerage Act, Article 16-4-3, item 3-2
- Can You Check Flood Risk Before You Rent? Hazard Maps and Disclosure in Japan
- Flood Control Act, Article 15
- Is Your Rental Ready for a Typhoon? Disaster-Prep Checkpoints Before You Sign a Lease in Japan
- Flood Control Act, Articles 14 and 15
- Can You Check Flood Risk Before You Rent? Hazard Maps and Disclosure in Japan
- Land and Building Lease Act, Art. 26
- Can You Sign If You Can't Read the Japanese Contract? Rental Disclosures and Language Support
- Land and Building Lease Act, Article 38, paragraph 7
- Need to Move Out Early? How Mid-Term Termination and Penalty Fees Work in Japan
- Local Autonomy Act, Art. 14, para. 3
- Can Garbage Day Get You in Trouble? Sorting, Collection Times and Bulky Waste for Renters in Japan
- MLIT Rent Guarantee Company Registration System
- No Guarantor, No Problem? How Rent Guarantee Companies Work in Japan
- Real Estate Brokerage Act, Article 35
- Can You Check Flood Risk Before You Rent? Hazard Maps and Disclosure in Japan
- Real Estate Transaction Business Act, Art. 35
- Can You Sign If You Can't Read the Japanese Contract? Rental Disclosures and Language Support
- Real Estate Transaction Business Act, Art. 37
- Can You Sign If You Can't Read the Japanese Contract? Rental Disclosures and Language Support
- Supreme Court decision, July 15, 2011 (one example)
- Do You Owe a Month's Rent at Renewal? How Japan's Lease 'Renewal Fee' Works
- Waste Management Act, Art. 16
- Can Garbage Day Get You in Trouble? Sorting, Collection Times and Bulky Waste for Renters in Japan
- Waste Management Act, Art. 5
- Can Garbage Day Get You in Trouble? Sorting, Collection Times and Bulky Waste for Renters in Japan