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 a passport and visa, making them the practical housing option for foreigners who have not yet received or are not eligible for a residence card.

Why most Japanese landlords require a residence card

A residence card in Japan is issued to foreign nationals who hold a mid- to long-term visa (generally stays over 90 days). It serves as the primary identification document for daily life, required for opening a bank account, signing a phone contract, registering at the ward office, and signing a lease.

Landlords require a residence card for three reasons. First, it confirms the tenant has legal permission to stay in Japan beyond a short visit. Second, guarantee companies (保証会社) run credit and identity checks that depend on the residence card number. Third, the card shows the tenant's registered address, which is updated at the local ward office and serves as a form of accountability in the rental system.

Without a residence card, the standard rental application process cannot proceed. Most real estate agents will not submit your application to a landlord if you cannot provide one.

Who does not have a residence card in Japan?

Several categories of foreigners legally stay in Japan without receiving a residence card.

• Digital nomad visa holders. Japan's digital nomad visa allows stays of up to six months, but it does not come with a residence card. Holders cannot open a Japanese bank account or sign a standard lease.
• Tourist visa visitors exploring relocation. Foreigners visiting Japan on a 90-day visa waiver to scout neighborhoods and jobs before committing to a move do not have a residence card.
• New arrivals before ward office registration. Foreigners who have just landed in Japan with a work or student visa receive a residence card at the airport or by mail, but the card is not fully active until they complete ward office registration. Some landlords will not accept an unregistered card.
• Short-term business travelers. Professionals on business trips of one to three months typically enter on a short-term business visa, which does not include a residence card.

Housing options in Japan without a residence card

Three housing types consistently accept tenants without a residence card.

Serviced apartments

Serviced apartments in Japan are the most practical option for foreigners without a residence card. Serviced apartments are fully furnished, require no key money, no guarantor, and no Japanese bank account. Most accept booking with a passport, visa, and proof of employment or enrollment. Lease terms start from one month.

Cove Japan accepts tenants without a residence card across all eight Tokyo properties. Required documents are a passport, visa, and proof of employment (for working professionals) or proof of admission (for students). Payment is handled via Flywire or credit card, eliminating the need for a Japanese bank account. Browse Cove's Tokyo apartments.

Monthly mansions (マンスリーマンション)

Monthly mansions are furnished short-term rentals designed for stays of one to twelve months. Most operators accept passport-based applications without a residence card. Monthly mansions include basic furniture and utilities. They are widely available in central Tokyo but offer less English-language support than serviced apartment operators.

Share houses

Some share houses in Japan accept tenants without a residence card, particularly larger operators like Oakhouse and Sakura House that cater to international residents. Share houses provide a private room with shared common areas, furnished, with flexible contracts. Monthly costs range from ¥40,000 to ¥70,000 in Tokyo.

What documents can replace a residence card when renting in Japan?

For housing types that do not require a residence card, the typical alternative documentation includes:

• Passport with valid visa. Your passport and the visa page or entry stamp confirming your legal status in Japan.
• Proof of income or employment. An employment contract, client contracts (for freelancers), or a university admission letter (for students). This replaces the income verification that a residence card and Japanese employer would normally provide.
• Private health insurance certificate. Particularly relevant for digital nomad visa holders, who are required to carry private insurance with coverage of at least ¥10 million.
• Credit card or international payment method. Since you cannot open a Japanese bank account without a residence card, operators that accept foreigners without one will offer credit card payment or international transfer services like Flywire.