Housing in Japan for International Students
The hardest part of studying in Japan is rarely admission; it is housing. Conventional apartments want a guarantor, 4-6 months of rent upfront, and an in-person signing before you get a key. JapanHeya students book a furnished apartment online, land, and go straight to campus.
No guarantor, no co-signer
University housing offices and agencies usually want a guarantor company or a Japanese contact. JapanHeya needs neither: your passport and payment method are the whole application.
Move-in cost you can actually plan
No key money (reikin), no deposit (shikikin), no agency fee. First month rent plus a service fee covers it, with utilities and Wi-Fi already in the rent.
Land ready for orientation week
Bed, desk, kitchenware, appliances and Wi-Fi are in place when you arrive. Your first week goes to campus and konbini runs, not furniture stores.
Leases that match programs
From one week (trial visits, campus tours) up to 24 months (language school, full degree), and you extend in place when the program does.
Study cities with JapanHeya inventory
Tokyo
Home to Waseda, Keio, Todai and dozens of language schools. Neighbourhoods near campus hubs like Takadanobaba and Ikebukuro are student favourites.
Kyoto
Kyoto University, Ritsumeikan and Doshisha. A compact, bikeable city where student life and historic streets share the same blocks.
Osaka
Osaka University and a dense network of vocational schools, with rents below Tokyo and the best street food in the country.
Fukuoka
Kyushu University and Fukuoka's growing international programs, in Japan's most walkable and affordable big city.
Frequently asked questions
Can international students rent in Japan without a guarantor?
Yes. Conventional student apartments require a guarantor company (and sometimes a Japanese co-signer) plus key money, deposit and agency fees. JapanHeya requires none of that: a passport and payment method book the apartment, which is why most students can secure housing before leaving home.
How much does student housing cost per month in Japan?
Furnished studios in Tokyo commonly run ¥120,000 to ¥200,000 per month with utilities included; Osaka, Kyoto and Fukuoka run lower. Compare that with a conventional unfurnished room where the move-in package alone (key money, deposit, agency fee, guarantor) often totals 4-6 months of rent.
When should I book housing for my semester?
As soon as your admission and dates are confirmed. Japan's rental market moves in the February-March and August-September peaks, and good furnished units in central areas go first. Booking furnished means you skip the apartment hunt entirely when you land.
Can I stay in the apartment during school breaks?
Yes, your lease continues regardless of the academic calendar, which matters for students who travel during breaks. Leases run up to 24 months, covering a full language-school program or master's degree, and extensions are possible where plans change.
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