Cove Japan Blog

What Does "Foreigner-Friendly" Mean for Apartments in Japan?

What Does "Foreigner-Friendly" Mean for Apartments in Japan?

A foreigner-friendly apartment in Japan is a rental property where the landlord explicitly accepts non-Japanese tenants and the leasing process accommodates people who do not speak Japanese, lack a Japanese guarantor, or have recently arrived in the country. The term is not regulated or standardized. It is used informally by

Can You Rent an Apartment in Japan Without a Residence Card?

Can You Rent an Apartment in Japan Without a Residence Card?

Renting a standard apartment in Japan without a residence card (在留カード, zairyū kādo) is extremely difficult. Most landlords, real estate agents, and guarantee companies require a valid residence card as part of the rental application. However, alternatives exist. Serviced apartments, monthly mansions, and some share houses accept tenants using only

6 Best Areas for Serviced Apartments in Tokyo

6 Best Areas for Serviced Apartments in Tokyo

Tokyo serviced apartments cluster in central wards with strong rail access. The best areas: Asakusa, Yoyogi, Ebisu, Kiyosumi, Kinshicho, plus more.

What Is a Serviced Apartment in Japan?

What Is a Serviced Apartment in Japan?

A serviced apartment in Tokyo is a fully furnished home with no key money, no guarantor, and English support. Here's what's included and how it compares.

1-Bedroom (1LDK) Apartments in Tokyo: When to Choose One

1-Bedroom (1LDK) Apartments in Tokyo: When to Choose One

1LDK is Tokyo's most-rented layout for couples and remote workers, 30 to 50 sqm at ¥75,000 to ¥330,000/month. When and why to choose one.

2-Bedroom Apartments in Japan (2LDK): a Complete Guide

2-Bedroom Apartments in Japan (2LDK): a Complete Guide

Tokyo 2LDK is for couples planning a family, families with one child, or two-WFH households. 50 to 80 sqm at ¥150,000 to ¥700,000/month.

Studio vs 1-Bedroom Apartment in Tokyo (1K/1DK vs 1LDK): Which Should You Rent?

Studio vs 1-Bedroom Apartment in Tokyo (1K/1DK vs 1LDK): Which Should You Rent?

Tokyo studio (1K/1DK) vs 1-bedroom (1LDK): cost, layout, lifestyle fit, and a quick decision framework for foreigners.

Studio Apartments in Tokyo (1K & 1DK): A Foreigner's Guide

Studio Apartments in Tokyo (1K & 1DK): A Foreigner's Guide

Tokyo studios are 1K or 1DK apartments, 13 to 35 sqm, with rents from ¥55,000 to ¥130,000. A practical guide for foreigners on choosing one.

Best Places to Live in Tokyo for Foreigners (2026 Guide)

Best Places to Live in Tokyo for Foreigners (2026 Guide)

Most Tokyo neighborhood guides are written for tourists deciding where to book a hotel. This guide is for foreigners who are actually moving to Tokyo and need to decide where to live. Every neighborhood below is evaluated on what matters for daily life: commute times, affordability, and how the area

Japan Digital Nomad Visa: The Complete Guide for Remote Workers (2026)

Japan Digital Nomad Visa: The Complete Guide for Remote Workers (2026)

Japan's digital nomad visa allows remote workers to live in Japan for up to six months while working for employers or clients based outside the country. Officially called the "Specified Visa: Designated Activities," it launched in March 2024. Applicants must earn at least ¥10 million per

How to Use a Japanese Air Conditioner: A Comprehensive Guide

How to Use a Japanese Air Conditioner: A Comprehensive Guide

Everything on the remote is in Japanese. You just want the room to stop feeling like a sauna. We get it. This is one of the first things every new tenant asks us about at Cove. The good news: Japanese AC remotes all follow the same basic layout, and once

How to Rent an Apartment in Japan as a Foreigner (2026 Guide)

How to Rent an Apartment in Japan as a Foreigner (2026 Guide)

Renting an apartment in Japan is very different from what you might be used to. You'll come across unfamiliar fees, unexpected paperwork, and a guarantor system that can make things tricky from the start, unlike renting anywhere else in the world. There are fees you've never

1R, 1K, 1DK, 1LDK: Japanese Apartment Layouts Explained (With Sizes & Rent)

1R, 1K, 1DK, 1LDK: Japanese Apartment Layouts Explained (With Sizes & Rent)

Apartment listings in Japan don't use "1 bedroom" or "studio" the way most countries do. Instead, you'll see codes like 1R, 1K, 1DK, and 1LDK. If you've ever stared at a Japanese real estate listing and wondered what these letters

What Is a Guarantee Company in Japan, and Do You Need One?

What Is a Guarantee Company in Japan, and Do You Need One?

💡TL;DR: Guarantee companies exist to replace the traditional cosigner system in Japan. They're helpful for foreigners, but they cost money, require screening, and add complexity. If you want to skip all of that, Cove Japan offers no-guarantor rentals in prime Tokyo locations, fully furnished and ready to

Share Houses in Japan: Everything You Need to Know Before Moving In

Share Houses in Japan: Everything You Need to Know Before Moving In

So you're moving to Japan and trying to figure out where to live. Chances are, "share house" has come up in your research more than once. But what exactly is a share house, how does it compare to renting a regular apartment, and is it actually

Renting Furnished vs. Unfurnished Apartments in Japan: What is Right for You?

Renting Furnished vs. Unfurnished Apartments in Japan: What is Right for You?

If you are planning to move to Japan, apartment hunting can be a bit of a culture shock. In many Japanese apartments, "unfurnished" means exactly what it sounds like. You get four walls, a floor, and little else. There is no furniture, no appliances, and often no ceiling

Key Money in Japan: What Is It and How to Avoid It

Key Money in Japan: What Is It and How to Avoid It

If you are moving to Japan, apartment hunting will introduce you to a few unique cultural practices. One of the most confusing and expensive hurdles for foreigners is a traditional upfront cost called "key money" or reikin. Here is a straightforward guide to understanding key money in Japan

5 New Year Activities in Tokyo for Foreigners

5 New Year Activities in Tokyo for Foreigners

Celebrating your first New Year’s Eve in a new city can be daunting. After the excitement of moving to Tokyo settles, you likely want to find a good way to relax and enjoy the holiday without falling into tourist traps. To feel like a true local, avoid getting crushed

How to Book Your Cove Room in Japan

How to Book Your Cove Room in Japan

Moving to Japan is an exciting adventure, but finding a place to live can often feel like the biggest hurdle. Traditional Japanese rentals often come with language barriers, complex paperwork, and high upfront costs. At Cove, we have simplified the process to make it easy, transparent, and completely English-friendly. Whether