Looking for a furnished apartment in Tokyo? This complete guide covers everything foreigners need to know — from no key money rentals to finding the right neighborhood. Updated 2026 So you've decided to spend real time in Tokyo — not just a few nights, but weeks or months. Smart. The city rewards those who stay long enough to find their rhythm: the bakery that opens at 7am, the quiet park five minutes from the station, the ramen spot that has no English menu but the best bowl you've ever eaten. But finding the right place to stay? For foreigners, that's where Tokyo can feel unexpectedly complicated. This guide walks you through everything you need to know — clearly, honestly — so you can focus on living, not logistics.
Japan's traditional rental system was not designed with foreigners in mind. A standard apartment lease requires a guarantor (hoshounin) — typically a Japanese national — along with key money (reikin), a non-refundable gift to the landlord that can equal two months' rent, plus a security deposit and agency fees. For a foreigner arriving with no local connections, this system is a near-impossible barrier.
The good news: a growing category of short-term and monthly furnished rentals bypasses all of this. No key money. No guarantor. No real estate agent. You contact the host directly, pay online, and check in with a smart lock code. This is how Tokyo Travel's Nana House properties work — and it's how more and more foreigners are choosing to stay in Tokyo.
Types of Stays: Nightly, Weekly, and Monthly Rentals
Before booking anything, it helps to understand the landscape:
Nightly stays
Ideal for trips of 1–6 nights. Flexible, but per-night rates are highest. Most suited to first-time visitors or people passing through.
Weekly stays (7–29 nights)
A sweet spot for people on work assignments, language study, or extended holidays. Rates drop compared to nightly bookings, and you get the comfort of a real home base.
Monthly stays (30+ nights)
The most cost-effective option for remote workers, long-stay tourists, relocating families, and anyone wanting to truly experience life in a Tokyo neighborhood. Monthly rates at Nana House are significantly lower per night than equivalent hotel rooms — and you get a full kitchen, private bedrooms, and shared living space.
Tokyo Travel offers all three stay types across its properties. You can check current availability on the calendar page.
Key money (礼金, reikin) is a Japanese custom where tenants pay a non-refundable sum directly to the landlord before moving in. It's not a deposit — you never get it back. On a standard Tokyo apartment, this can be 1–2 months' rent, paid before you've even turned on the lights.
For foreigners staying 1–6 months, paying key money makes zero financial sense. Short-term and monthly furnished rentals — including all Nana House properties — are structured specifically to avoid this. You pay for your stay, and that's it. No hidden fees, no non-refundable move-in costs.
This is one of the most important things to confirm when comparing accommodation options in Tokyo. Always ask: is there key money? Is there a guarantor requirement? If the answer to either is yes, look elsewhere unless you're planning a stay of several years.
Tokyo is enormous — 14 million people across 23 wards — and where you stay shapes your entire experience. Here's a quick breakdown of the areas where Nana House properties are located, and what kind of traveler each suits best:
Tokiwadai / Ikebukuro area
Best for: first-time visitors, shoppers, couples
Transport: 10 minutes by train to Ikebukuro, one of Tokyo's busiest hubs
Vibe: residential and quiet, with easy access to Shinjuku and Shibuya
Property: Tokiwadai House — 2-bedroom, 2-bed, up to 2 guests
Ekoda area
Best for: longer stays, remote workers, groups, families
Transport: 8-minute walk to Ekoda Station; 2 stops to Harry Potter Studio Warner Bros. Tokyo
Vibe: local, unhurried, authentic West Tokyo neighborhood life
Properties: Nana House Ekoda (3 bedrooms, 8 guests) and Hasu House (3 bedrooms, 6 guests)
Nerima area
Best for: groups, Harry Potter Studio visitors, families with children
Transport: near Nerima Station; 1 stop to Warner Bros. Studio Tokyo
Vibe: green, spacious, family-friendly
Property: Nana House Nerima — 2 bedrooms, up to 6 guests
None of these areas are "tourist zones" in the conventional sense — and that's exactly the point. You'll shop at the same supermarkets as local residents, walk the same streets, eat at the same small restaurants. That's what makes a longer Tokyo stay memorable.
Not all furnished apartments are created equal. When comparing options, here's what actually matters for a comfortable stay:
Kitchen and cooking equipment
Tokyo's convenience store food is legendary, but after two weeks you'll want to cook. Look for a property with a full kitchen: stovetop, refrigerator, rice cooker, and basic cookware. All Nana House properties include a fully equipped kitchen.
Laundry
For stays over one week, in-unit laundry is essential. Coin laundries exist, but having a washer at home is a genuine quality-of-life upgrade. Check the property listing carefully — not all furnished rentals include this.
Bathroom setup
Japanese apartments typically separate the toilet from the bath/shower — a design that's surprisingly practical once you're used to it. Look for properties with a full bathtub (not just a shower) for the authentic Japanese soaking experience. Most Nana House properties include a bathtub, bidet toilet, and hot water.
Internet speed
For remote workers, this is non-negotiable. Ask about upload speeds, not just download. All Tokyo Travel properties include high-speed WiFi suitable for video calls and remote work.
Self check-in
Arriving in Tokyo at midnight after a long flight is common. Self check-in with a smart lock means you're never dependent on someone being awake to let you in. All Nana House properties use keyless self check-in.
Tokyo Travel was built on a simple belief: the best stays in Tokyo aren't in hotels. They're in real homes, in real neighborhoods, where you can properly rest, cook, and settle in.
Our properties — Nana House Tokiwadai, Nana House Ekoda, Nana House Sakaecho, Hasu House, and Nana House Nerima — are each designed for a different kind of traveler. Some are better for couples or solo visitors. Others are built for families or groups of up to 9 people.
What they all share: fully equipped kitchens, high-speed WiFi, self check-in, no key money, and a host who is genuinely reachable via WhatsApp or Zalo when you need something.
We're a small operation. We don't have 50 properties scattered across the city. We have a few carefully maintained homes, and we're proud of each one.
Ready to find your Tokyo home?
View all available properties → tokyotravel.jp/room/
Check dates → tokyotravel.jp/calendar/
Can foreigners rent an apartment in Tokyo without a guarantor?
Yes — through short-term and monthly furnished rental services like Tokyo Travel. Standard long-term leases in Japan require a Japanese guarantor, but furnished monthly rentals bypass this requirement entirely. You book directly, pay online, and check in with a smart lock.
How much does a monthly furnished apartment in Tokyo cost?
Prices vary by property size, location, and season. As a general guide, a private furnished house sleeping 2–4 people typically ranges from ¥150,000 to ¥350,000 per month — significantly less than equivalent hotel rooms when split between guests. Contact Tokyo Travel directly for current pricing.
Is it safe to use self check-in properties in Tokyo?
Yes. Smart lock technology is widely used across Japanese rental properties. You receive your access code before arrival, and the host is reachable via WhatsApp or Zalo throughout your stay.
What areas of Tokyo are your properties located in?
Tokyo Travel's Nana House properties are located in Tokiwadai (near Ikebukuro), Ekoda, Sakaecho, and Nerima — all in West Tokyo, with excellent train connections to central areas like Shinjuku, Shibuya, and Harajuku.
Do I need to speak Japanese to stay at Nana House?
Not at all. Our host communicates fluently in English, Vietnamese, and Japanese. Listings, check-in instructions, and support are all available in English.
Can I book for a group of 6 or more people?
Yes. Nana House Sakaecho accommodates up to 9 guests, Nana House Ekoda up to 8, and Nana House Nerima up to 6. These are ideal for family trips or friend groups traveling together.
