Property Management
Building Management Fees in Japan: What are they and Why do I have to pay them?
By David Imme, Tokyu Housing Lease Many residential buildings in Japan, especially in bigger cities, are apartment buildings with dozens or even hundreds of units. As opposed to free-standing single-family homes, they are managed by the building management association (or... More
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Area Guides
Live closer to nature and pay lower rent, while still being within commuting distance of central Tokyo. An excellent neighborhood for international students studying at Tokyo Gakugei University, Chuo University Tama Campus, and Meiji University.
Harajuku Area Guide - Living Guide for Foreginers
Harajuku in Shibuya Ward, Tokyo is made up of bustling world famous fashion centers wrapped inside quiet, cozy residential areas. The neighborhood’s vibe differs drastically depending on whether you live there or whether you see it as a destination. Main... More
Sakai Osaka Guide - Living Guide for Foreigners
Sakai's proximity to Osaka but relatively inexpensive real estate makes it ideal for families looking for more space or for those looking for somewhere peaceful that’s not too far from the beaten track.
Shibuya Area Guide - Living Guide for Foreigners
Shibuya is everything to everyone. Every little neighborhood around the station has its own vibe. It runs the gamut from low cost single-room micro-apartments to massive, luxurious seven-bedroom manors. Street food to Michelin-starred gourmet dining. Back alley smoking areas to young, fashionable vape cafes. Mass market department stores to one-of-a-kind designer boutiques. It’s every aspect of Tokyo life distilled into one location.
Guides to Tokyo Residential Neighborhoods
Tokyo area guides to residential neighborhoods popular with foreigners.
Azabu Juban Area Guide
Home to numerous embassies, excellent public and international schools, quiet narrow streets, expat-dense, international influences vie with Edo-period appeal. Popular with expats and cosmopolitan Japanese alike, this family-friendly suburb boasts top-class amenities.
Jiyugaoka Area Guide
Jiyugaoka is a neighborhood and train station on the southern edge of Meguro Ward. With its leafy tree-lined streets, fashionable boutiques, and many small restaurants and cafes, it is known as Tokyo’s Little Europe and is synonymous with “calm and sophisticated.”... More
Hongō Area Guide
Hongō is a neighborhood located in Bunkyo Ward, Tokyo, west of Ueno Park and north of the Imperial Palace, that is synonymous with Japan’s top institution of higher learning, Tokyo University. It is also home to Juntendo and Toyo Gakuen... More
Chitose Area Guide
Chitose City, with a population of about 96,500, is located about 45-km southeast of Sapporo. Its main claim to fame is its proximity to New Chitose Airport, the main airport serving Hokkaido, but it is also known for being surrounded... More
Ōokayama Station Area: Tokyo Neighborhood Guide
Ōokayama (大岡山) Station in Ota Ward, Tokyo is a relaxed and student-friendly neighborhood. Near the station is the area's most famous landmark, The Tokyo Institute of Technology. Not to be confused with Okayama Station in Okayama Prefecture.
Kyobashi Area Guide
Kyobashi is as central as you can get in Osaka. It has the distinction of being one of the city's largest business districts while being close to many tourist attractions, most notably Osaka Castle Park. It is known for its shopping and nightlife, especially its numerous izakayas and tachinomi, or standing bars.
Kyobashi Area Guide
Osaka is the second largest metropolitan area in Japan after Tokyo and one of the largest in the world with a population of more than 19 million. It is located in the southern portion of Honshu, Japan’s main island, on... More
Living in Roppongi
Famous for its iconic nightlife scene and more recently the upmarket Roppongi Hills and Tokyo Midtown mega-complexes. Home to many foreigners living in a microcosm of Tokyo's many urban delights.
Living in Nagoya
Nagoya is situated about midway between Tokyo and Osaka. Many foreigners who have lived in both Tokyo and Nagoya will tell you that Nagoya offers everything Tokyo does, only on a much more liveable, convenient, and affordable scale.
Living in Kichijoji
A youthful and creative neighborhood situated in Musashino City, just west of Tokyo. Close enough to the central wards to be convenient but far enough away to have a relaxed and bohemian atmosphere. Its diverse and vibrant shopping center is surrounded by peaceful residential areas and home to the famed Inokashira Park.
Living in Meguro
A residential area that’s as well connected and convenient as anywhere in the world’s largest city can be. But distinctly calmer, quieter and far more liveable than many other parts of Tokyo.
REJ Room Finder
Finding the perfect apartment in Japan can be stressful. Let the REJ Room Finder do the work for you!
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Sections
Property Management
By David Imme, Tokyu Housing Lease Many residential buildings in Japan, especially in bigger cities, are apartment buildings with dozens or even hundreds of units. As opposed to free-standing single-family homes, they are managed by the building management association (or... More
Getting Financing
In this post we feature three Japanese banks that extend mortgage loans to foreign residents of Japan for purchasing a home or investment property. Prestia SMBC Trust Bank Shinsei Investment & Finance Tokyo Star Bank All three of these banks... More
Renting in Tokyo
In this installment of the “What can you rent in Tokyo” series, we feature budget apartments within easy commuting distance of major stations in Tokyo like Shinjuku, Shibuya, and Shinagawa. Most of the examples below are all long-term rentals. None... More
Market Trends
The average price of land in Japan climbed 0.1 % year-on-year, putting an end to 26 straight years of decline. This was the first year of positive growth since burst of the asset bubble, according to the Ministry of Land,... More
Investing in Tokyo Residential Real Estate
Real Estate Japan recently conducted an e-mail interview with Shinichi Kawamura, CEO of LINC KK, a real estate consulting company and brokerage in Tokyo. Mr. Kawamura discusses in detail the issues related to buying a residential investment property in Tokyo,... More
Living in a Japanese Apartment
In this post, we give a brief explanation of setting up a broadband internet connection in your home in Japan, including an overview of English-friendly internet service providers (ISPs) and the process of applying for internet service. As we’re focused on... More
Living & Studying in Japan
In this article, we interview Kohei Nagaoka, an undergraduate student at Meiji University‘s School of Commerce, about what academic and extracurricular life is like there. This is the first post in a new series introducing Japanese universities to prospective international... More
Living in a Japanese Apartment
In this article, we explain how to read your water bill in Japan, with Japanese-English translations of the main keywords. This post is part of the series on “how to live in a Japanese apartment“. This sample bill is from... More
Living in a Japanese Apartment
In this post, we explain how to read your gas bill in Japan, with translations of the keywords. This post is part of the series on “how to live in a Japanese apartment“. The explanation below uses a sample gas... More
Living in a Japanese Apartment
In this article, we explain the main differences between the two types of gas systems (city gas and LP gas) mainly used for cooking and heating homes in Japan. This article is part of the series on “living in a... More