- The main apartment search platforms in Japan — and which ones foreigners can actually use
- How to read Japanese apartment listings without fluent Japanese
- What “foreigner OK” (外国人可) means and how to find these listings
- GaijinPot Housing, UR Housing, and share house platforms explained
- How to contact landlords and schedule viewings as a foreigner
The main apartment search websites in Japan are SUUMO, Homes.jp, and AtHome. These are in Japanese but Chrome’s auto-translate makes them navigable. For English-language platforms, GaijinPot Housing and Sakura House are the most foreigner-accessible. UR Housing offers guarantor-free, no-key-money apartments through a Japanese government website.
You open SUUMO, and it’s a wall of Japanese. You try an English site, and there are only a fraction of the listings — at higher prices. Then you finally find a place you like, contact the agency, and get told the landlord doesn’t accept foreigners. Apartment hunting in Japan can feel rigged against you.
It’s not — you’re just using the platforms wrong. Each site has a specific role, and once you know which one to use for your situation, the process gets dramatically easier. Here’s how to navigate the system.
Before you dive in: if you’re new to Japan with no payslips yet, a regular apartment may reject you at screening regardless of which site you use. In that case start with our share house guide (no guarantor, no key money, move in within days) or learn how to rent without a job — then come back once your documents are ready. And read guarantor companies explained and hidden rental fees before you sign anything.
Japanese Apartment Search Platforms (Main Sites)
1. SUUMO (スーモ) — Japan’s Largest Platform
URL: suumo.jp Language: Japanese only (Chrome translate works well) Coverage: National, with the most listings of any platform Foreigner filter: No specific foreigner filter — must check each listing
SUUMO is Japan’s dominant real estate portal with 1M+ listings. The interface is entirely in Japanese, but it’s organized clearly enough that Chrome auto-translate makes it functional. Most serious apartment hunters use SUUMO as their primary search.
How to search for foreigner-friendly listings on SUUMO:
- Use the filter for 外国人可 (gaikokujin ka — foreigners accepted) if you can navigate to it, OR
- Contact the managing agency for each listing to ask “外国人でも申し込めますか？” (Can foreigners apply?)
2. Homes.jp (ライフルホームズ) — Best Alternative to SUUMO
URL: homes.jp Language: Japanese (Chrome translate works) Coverage: National, second-largest after SUUMO Foreigner filter: Limited
Homes.jp (Lifull Homes) is the second-largest portal. Similar listings to SUUMO but with a slightly different agency network — it’s worth checking both as some listings appear on only one platform.
3. AtHome — Third Major Platform
URL: athome.co.jp Language: Japanese Coverage: National Foreigner filter: No
AtHome rounds out the big three Japanese portals. Same principle applies — use Chrome translate and check individual listings.
4. GaijinPot Housing — Best English-Language Platform
URL: housing.gaijinpot.com Language: English Coverage: Major cities (Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto, Fukuoka, etc.) Foreigner filter: All listings are foreigner-friendly (that’s the platform’s purpose)
GaijinPot Housing specifically serves the foreigner market. Every listing is pre-vetted as foreigner-accepting. The trade-off is a smaller selection than SUUMO/Homes and slightly higher prices (reflecting the niche/convenience premium).
Best for: New arrivals who need English support, first apartment in Japan, short-term furnished options.
5. UR Housing (UR都市機構) — No Guarantor, No Key Money
URL: ur-net.co.jp Language: Japanese (Chrome translate) Coverage: Metropolitan areas + regional cities Foreigner filter: All UR apartments accept foreigners with residence card
UR Housing is a Japanese government housing agency. Their apartments:
- No guarantor required (major advantage for foreigners)
- No key money (礼金)
- No renewal fees
- Slightly older buildings but well-maintained
- Rents are transparent and fixed
UR is one of the best options for foreigners who have arrived recently and don’t yet have a Japanese guarantor company. Applications require a residence card and proof of income (or minimum savings of 100x monthly rent).
6. Sakura House — Best Share House Network
URL: sakura-house.com Language: English Coverage: Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto, Nagoya, Fukuoka Foreigner filter: Specifically designed for foreigners
Sakura House operates share houses and private rooms specifically for the foreigner market. Key features:
- Fully furnished rooms available
- No guarantor required
- Short minimum stays (as low as 1 month)
- English-speaking staff
- Mix of Japanese and international residents
Price range: ¥35,000–75,000/month (private room) depending on location and sharing level.
Best for: New arrivals who need immediate accommodation, solo travelers, people who want to meet other expats.
7. Borderless House — International Share Houses
URL: borderless-house.com Language: English Coverage: Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto, Fukuoka Concept: Japanese and foreign residents living together
Borderless House specifically mixes Japanese and foreign residents — designed for people learning Japanese or wanting cross-cultural experience. Cheaper than Sakura House in some cases.
Budget option in Tokyo/Osaka: Oak House offers share house rooms from ¥30,000/month — no guarantor, no key money, flexible deposits. One of the best value operators if you have basic Japanese.
Considering a share house instead of a private apartment? See our full Share House Guide for Foreigners — costs, operators compared, and what daily life is actually like.
How to Read Japanese Apartment Listings
Key terms to know:
| Japanese | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 外国人可 | gaikokujin ka | Foreigners accepted |
| 礼金なし | reikin nashi | No key money |
| 敷金 | shikikin | Security deposit |
| 管理費 | kanrihi | Management fee (added to rent) |
| 築年数 | chikunensuu | Building age (years old) |
| 1K / 1DK / 1LDK | — | 1 room + kitchen / dining kitchen / living-dining-kitchen |
| 徒歩○分 | toho ○ fun | ○ minutes walk from station |
| オートロック | auto lock | Secure entry system |
| ペット可 | petto ka | Pets allowed |
| 室内洗濯機置場 | sentakuki okiba | Indoor washing machine space |
| 南向き | minamimuki | South-facing (good light) |
| 即入居可 | soku nyukyo ka | Available immediately |
Foreigner-Friendly vs Regular Listings: What to Expect
The problem: Many Japanese landlords don’t accept foreign tenants. There’s no legal obligation to accept, and many simply don’t — reasons range from language concerns to visa uncertainty.
The reality:
- Listings marked 外国人可 openly accept foreign applications
- Listings with no mention can go either way — ask
- Listings marked 外国人不可 do not accept foreigners — don’t apply
Improving your chances:
- Having a Japanese guarantor company (保証会社) significantly helps — most agencies work with guarantor companies for foreigners
- Full-time employment with a Japanese company is the strongest signal
- Being able to communicate basic Japanese helps at the viewing stage
- Long-term visa (3–5 year) is more reassuring to landlords than 1-year
See our complete apartment rental guide for the full process, deposits, and key money explained.
Contacting Listings: Phrases You Need
If you’re contacting Japanese agencies directly:
Email template (use Japanese):
件名：○○（物件名）の内覧について
はじめまして。私は（名前）と申します。外国籍ですが、（物件のURL）に興味があります。内覧は可能でしょうか？
よろしくお願いいたします。
Or simply ask an agency: “外国人でも申し込めますか？” (Can foreigners apply?)
English agencies: If you want English support throughout, use GaijinPot Housing, Sakura House, or an expat-focused agency like Fontaine Real Estate or Tokyo Rent.
Which Platform for Which Situation
| Your Situation | Best Platform |
|---|---|
| Just arrived, need immediate housing | Sakura House, Borderless House |
| Want a private apartment, English only | GaijinPot Housing |
| No guarantor, budget-conscious | UR Housing |
| Want maximum selection, some Japanese OK | SUUMO + Homes.jp |
| Looking for Tokyo neighborhoods specifically | SUUMO + cross-reference with GaijinPot |
| Budget share house in major city | Sakura House, Borderless House |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best website to find apartments in Japan? SUUMO (suumo.jp) has the most listings overall. For English-friendly platforms, GaijinPot Housing is the best. For guarantor-free options, UR Housing is ideal. Most expats use SUUMO for broad search and GaijinPot Housing for confirmed foreigner-friendly properties.
Can foreigners rent apartments in Japan? Yes, but not all landlords accept foreign tenants. Look for listings marked 外国人可 (foreigners accepted). Using a guarantor company (保証会社) and having stable employment significantly improves approval odds.
What is UR Housing in Japan? UR Housing (UR都市機構) is a Japanese government housing corporation offering apartments with no guarantor, no key money, and no renewal fees. They accept foreigners with a residence card. Apartments are slightly older but well-maintained.
What is Sakura House? Sakura House is a share house and apartment network specifically designed for foreigners in Japan. They have English-speaking staff, no guarantor requirement, and short minimum stays. Branches in Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto, Nagoya, and Fukuoka.