Japanese Apartment Vocab You Must Know in 2025: Complete Glossary for Apartment Hunting and Rent in Japan

Introduction

Are you planning to rent an apartment in Japan? This comprehensive guide covers essential Japanese apartment vocabulary, from understanding listings and viewings to confidently handling applications and contracts. Whether you're an international student looking to study in Japan or planning to move to Japan permanently, mastering these Japanese real estate terms will help you navigate apartment hunting with confidence. By learning these key Japanese words, you'll effortlessly communicate with agents, landlords, and guarantor companies when renting a room or securing rental properties.

Overview: Apāto, Manshon & Fudōsan - Essential Japanese Real Estate Terms

Here's the fundamental vocabulary to begin your apartment hunt in Japan:

Japanese	Romaji	English Meaning	Why it Matters
不動産	fudōsan	Real estate / Property	General term for the real estate industry
不動産屋	fudōsanya	Real estate agent / Agency	Professionals who help you find apartments
物件	bukken	Property listing	Refers to specific apartments or houses available for rent
アパート	apaato	Low-rise, wood/light-gauge steel apartment	Cheaper, usually older, but less insulated
マンション	manshon	Reinforced-concrete apartment building	Modern, secure, soundproof, and typically taller

Why This Terminology Matters for Apartment Hunting

Understanding the distinction between アパート and マンション helps manage expectations when you rent an apartment in Japan:

• アパート (apaato): Usually 1–2 stories, residential buildings made of wood or light-gauge steel construction, affordable. These are often less modern apartments located in older neighborhoods, making them popular among international students and those seeking budget-friendly rental properties.
• マンション (manshon): Steel-reinforced concrete or reinforced concrete construction, multiple stories, includes elevators and better facilities. These modern apartments located in newer developments offer superior soundproofing and security.

Using terms like "アパートを探しています (apaato o sagashite imasu)" clearly communicates your housing preference when apartment hunting in Japan.

Must-Know Rental Contract Vocabulary for Rent in Japan

Financial terms you must grasp when signing an apartment contract:

• 家賃 / 賃料 (yachin / chinryō): Monthly rent
• 管理費 / 共益費 (kanrihi / kyōekihi): Building maintenance fee - 共益費 (kyōekihi) covers shared area maintenance
• 敷金 (shikikin): Refundable security deposit (0–3 months' rent) - 敷金 is mandatory for renters in most cases
• 礼金 (reikin): Non-refundable "key money" gift to landlord - 礼金 is also known as gift money, typically one month's rent
• 仲介手数料 (chūkai tesūryō): Agency commission fee (typically one month's rent)

Understanding these initial costs is crucial when you move to Japan, as they can add up to several months' rent upfront.

Layout & Size Terms: Understanding Tatami and Apartment Specifications

Quickly interpret apartment layouts when hunting in Japan:

• 間取り (madori): Layout codes (e.g., 1R, 1K, 1DK, 1LDK, 2LDK)
• 帖 (jō): Tatami mat unit (~1.6 square meters), used to describe room size
• 築年数 (chikunensū): Building age (築5年 = built 5 years ago)

Example: 「6帖の洋室 (roku-jō no yōshitsu)」 means a Western-style room about six tatami mats in size. One tatami mat equals approximately 1.6 square meters, making this room about 9.6 square meters. This tatami mat measurement system is customary in Japanese real estate and essential for understanding apartment sizes.

Application & Contract Terms: Lease Agreements and Guarantor Requirements

Vital terms for signing lease agreements when you rent an apartment in Japan:

• 契約 (keiyaku): Lease agreement/rental contract
• 普通借家契約 / 定期借家契約 (futsū shakuya keiyaku / teiki shakuya keiyaku): Standard lease vs fixed-term lease
  • 普通賃借権 (futsuuchinshakuken): Standard lease right offering tenant protection
  • 定期賃借権 (teikichinshakuken): 'Fixed term' lease right with predetermined end date
• 更新料 (kōshinryō): Renewal fee (often every two years) - 更新料 typically costs one to two months' rent
• 保証人 (hoshōnin): Guarantor (person)
• 保証会社 (hoshō gaisha): Guarantor company - 保証会社 services are increasingly common for international students and foreigners
• 保証金 (hoshōkin): Deposit paid to guarantor company (sometimes refundable)

Understanding these lease terms helps tenants and landlords establish clear agreements and is particularly important for those looking for a property without Japanese family connections.

Essential Utility & Daily Life Terms for Living in Japan

To smoothly handle everyday apartment issues and daily life in Japan:

• 電気 (denki): Electricity
• ガス (gasu): Gas
• 水道 (suidō): Water supply
• インターネット (intaanetto): Internet
• エアコン (eakon): Air conditioning
• 駐車場 (chūshajō): Parking space
• 駐輪場 (chūrinjō): Bicycle parking
• ゴミ収集 (gomi shūshū): Garbage collection

Example dialogue when renting a room:

Tenant: 「インターネットは契約に含まれていますか？」
(Internet wa keiyaku ni fukumarete imasu ka?)
"Is internet included in the contract?"

Agent: 「別途契約が必要です。」
(Betto keiyaku ga hitsuyō desu.)
"You'll need a separate contract."

Practical Conversations: Guarantor Company Calls for Apartment Contracts

When dealing with 保証会社 (hoshō gaisha), you might get verification calls. This process is mandatory for renters using guarantor services. Here's how it might go:

Company: 「保証会社の〇〇です。お名前と住所を確認させていただきます。」
(Hoshō gaisha no 〇〇 desu. O-namae to jūsho o kakunin sasete itadakimasu.)
"This is [Company Name] guarantor company. We'd like to confirm your name and address."

You: 「名前は [Your Name]、住所は [Your Address] です。」
(Namae wa [Your Name], jūsho wa [Your Address] desu.)
"My name is [Your Name] and my address is [Your Address]."

Company: 「勤務先の情報を教えてください。」
(Kinmusaki no jōhō o oshiete kudasai.)
"Please provide your workplace information."

You: 「会社名は〇〇、住所は〇〇です。」
(Kaisha-mei wa 〇〇, jūsho wa 〇〇 desu.)
"The company name is [Company], and the address is [Address]."

This verification process helps you find a place even without traditional Japanese guarantors, making rental properties more foreigner-friendly.

How to Sound Professional with Your Agent: Apartment Hunting Tips

Practical phrases to confidently discuss rental properties:

• 「この物件はマンションですか、アパートですか？」
  "Is this property a mansion or an apartment?"

• 「保証会社を使って保証人なしで契約できますか？」
  "Can I sign the contract without a guarantor by using a guarantor company?"

• 「更新料や礼金はありますか？」
  "Are there renewal fees or key money?"

• 「築年数はどのくらいですか？」
  "How old is this building?"

• 「駅から徒歩何分ですか？」
  "How many minutes' walk is it from the station?"

These phrases help you find the best place for your needs and demonstrate your understanding of Japanese real estate terminology.

Additional Housing Types and Rental Properties in Japan

Beyond traditional アパート and マンション, you might encounter:

• タウンハウス (taunhausu): Townhouse-style rental properties
• Condominium apartments: Privately-owned units within larger buildings
• Share houses: Popular among international students and young professionals
• Guest houses: Short-term accommodations that can help bridge the gap while apartment hunting

Understanding Move-in Costs and Initial Expenses

When you rent an apartment in Japan, initial costs typically include:

• First month's rent
• Security deposit (敷金) - usually one to three months' rent
• Key money (礼金) - customary gift to landlord
• Agent fees - typically one month's rent
• Guarantor company fees (if applicable)
• Utility connection fees

These costs can total three to six months' rent, so budget accordingly when planning your move-in date.

Tips for International Students and Foreigners

When you study in Japan or move to Japan as a foreigner:

• Look for foreigner-friendly agencies that specialize in helping non-Japanese nationals
• Consider apartments located in areas with international communities
• Prepare all necessary documents in advance, including proof of income and residence status
• Be prepared for the guarantor requirement - most rental properties now accept guarantor companies
• Research the neighborhood thoroughly to find a place that suits your lifestyle

Related Articles and Resources

This guide to Japanese apartment vocabulary serves as your comprehensive glossary for navigating Japanese real estate. Understanding these terms is essential whether you're an international student, working professional, or anyone planning to live in Japan long-term.

For Japanese people and foreigners alike, mastering this rental contract terminology ensures smooth communication with agents, landlords, and guarantor companies throughout your apartment hunting journey.

Conclusion

Understanding key Japanese rental vocabulary empowers you to navigate apartment hunting smoothly when you rent an apartment in Japan. Whether you're discussing listings, utilities, guarantor details, or negotiating lease terms, these essential terms and practical dialogues ensure you're prepared for any renting scenario. From understanding the difference between アパート and マンション to navigating 保証会社 requirements, this comprehensive glossary provides the foundation for successful apartment hunting in Japan.

Remember that finding the right rental properties takes time, especially when adjusting to Japanese real estate practices. Use this guide as your reference when looking for a property, and don't hesitate to ask agents to explain any unfamiliar terms. With these Japanese words in your vocabulary, you'll be well-equipped to find the best place for your needs and successfully navigate daily life in Japan.

Updated August 2025