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

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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'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

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

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

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

💡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

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

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

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

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

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