Contrary to popular belief, low move-in cost (no key money, no agency fee, no deposit) apartments in Tokyo are not impossible to find.
In the summer months, especially, agents and landlords sometimes waive some or all of these fees, especially when they are trying to fill vacancies in the off-peak season (from about April to July and sometimes through to August). These fees can add at least three months’ rent to your move-in costs, so it pays to shop around.
Real Estate Japan currently lists over 1,677 properties in Tokyo’s 23 Wards with no deposit, no key money, no agency fee required. You can see the full list here.
For a list of properties in other parts of Japan, please go here. We currently list over 4,885 properties throughout Japan that don’t charge a deposit, key money, or agency fee.
For a full list of short-term rentals in Tokyo, please see this list: Short-Term Apartments for Rent in Tokyo
Now let’s take a look at what’s out there!
Studio apartment near Kodaira Station – 30-min direct to Shinjuku
Where: 10-min walk from Kodaira Station on the Seibu Shinjuku line (and Seibu Hajima branch line), about a 30-min ride to Seibu-Shinjuku Station by express. Kodaira is the end station on the Sebiu Hajima line (which is a branch line of the Seibu Shinjuku line), so it’s possible to get a seat for your morning commute.
- Total Monthly Cost: ¥65,540 ($593)
- Size: 19.87 m² (204-sqft)
- Floor: 1st-floor in 2-story building
- Notes: Built in 2010. Loft-style studio apartment. Room sharing (up to 2 people) ok!
Private Room in Shared Guest House – 16-min to Shinjuku
Where: 5-min walk from Higashi Nagasaki Station on the Seibu Ikebukuro line, one-stop to Seibu Ikebukuro Stn, 16-min to Shinjuku with one transfer.
- Total Monthly Cost: ¥66,000 ($597)
- Size: 7.81 m² private room in shared guest house
- Floor: 1st-floor in 3-story building
- Notes: Built July 2018. Shared living room and kitchen.
Studio apartment near Daitabashi Stn – 8-min direct to Shinjuku
Where: 10-min walk from Daitabashi Station on the Keio line, 8-min direct ride to Shinjuku.
- Total Monthly Cost: ¥65,000 ($588)
- Size: 23.00 m² studio (1K) apartment
- Floor: 2nd-floor in 2-story house
- Notes: Minimum lease term of 6-months. Possible to submit application from overseas (please click to the full listing to see requirements for overseas application).
Studio apartment for rent Itabashi Station – 14-min direct to Shibuya
Where: 12-min walk from Itabashi Station on the JR Saikyo line, 14-min direct ride to Shibuya. Four-minute walk to Itabashi Kuyakushomae Stn on the Toei Mita line.
- Total Monthly Cost: ¥59,540 ($538)
- Size: 12.80 m² (129-sqft)
- Floor: 1st-floor in 2-story building
- Notes: Furnished, sunny (south-facing) unit. WiFi available for an additional fee of ¥2,268/month.
Studio apartment for rent near Akabane Stn – 15-min direct to Shinjuku
Where: 5-min walk from Akabane Station in Kita Ward.
Akabane is a major train station in the JR East network. From Akabane you can get to Tokyo non-stop in about 19 minutes, to Shinjuku in about 14 minutes, and to Ikebukuro in 8 minutes. Being on the Keihin-Tohoku and Saikyo lines, Akabane also allows easy access to locales north and south of the city. For example, from here you can get directly to Yokohama in less than 45 minutes on the Saikyo line.
- Total Monthly Cost: ¥57,054 ($516)
- Size: 16.15 m² (172-sqft)
- Floor: 1st-floor in 2-story building
- Notes: Super convenient area for shopping and getting to major stations in Tokyo. This is a GaijinPot Housing Service apartment, so you do not need a guarantor and can apply from overseas.
These are just a few of the many low move-in costs apartments available on Real Estate Japan. Now that you’ve seen a few you’ll know that they are not as elusive as unicorns but as findable as Gundam in Daiba (in the lead photo)!
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Top photo: RX-0 Unicorn Gundam in Daiba, Tokyo. Photo by Alex Chen via Flickr.