Can I Rent an Apartment in Japan Before I Arrive?

This article explains whether you can apply for a rental property and complete the lease process in Japan while you are still living overseas.

Can I rent an apartment in Japan before arriving?

If you are planning to move to Japan, you may be wondering whether you can find a home, apply for a rental property, and complete the lease process before you arrive.

Yes, it is possible to arrange a rental home in Japan while you are still overseas.

However, not every property accepts applications from overseas, and the requirements vary depending on the property management company, landlord, and guarantor company.

Smart Relocate assists overseas residents by introducing suitable properties, confirming whether overseas applications are accepted, and coordinating the process through to the lease and key handover.

If you have already found a property you are interested in on a Japanese property website, we can also check whether that property accepts applications from overseas.

How the rental process works from overseas

The process usually begins with your preferred area, budget, move-in date, household information, and other requirements.

Based on these details, Smart Relocate can introduce available properties and confirm the application requirements with the property management company or landlord.

The process may include:

• Discussing your housing requirements
• Introducing suitable rental properties
• Confirming whether overseas applications are accepted
• Online property viewings
• Rental application
• Guarantor company screening
• Lease procedures
• Key handover
• Utility setup

If you have found a property yourself, you can also send us the listing and we can check the availability and application conditions on your behalf.

Documents and information you may need

The exact requirements vary by property, management company, and guarantor company, but you may be asked to provide the following:

• Passport
• Residence Card, if you already have one
• Certificate of Eligibility (COE), visa, or other documents related to your status of residence, if applicable
• Employment contract, certificate of employment, offer letter, or other documents confirming your employment and income
• Information about family members or other occupants
• Emergency contact in Japan
• Mobile phone number
• Expected arrival date and preferred move-in date

Additional documents may be requested depending on the screening process.

Emergency contact in Japan

Many rental applications require an emergency contact in Japan.

An emergency contact is generally different from a guarantor and does not normally assume responsibility for the rent or lease obligations. The purpose is to provide a local contact if the property management company is unable to reach the tenant.

Depending on the management company, the emergency contact may be a family member, employer, colleague, or friend living in Japan.

Typical information requested includes:

• Full name
• Date of birth
• Address
• Telephone number
• Relationship to the applicant

What if I do not have a Japanese mobile number yet?

Some properties and guarantor companies require a Japanese mobile number during the application or screening process.

However, if you are still overseas, you may not yet have one.

In such cases, Smart Relocate contacts the property management company or guarantor company directly and discusses possible alternatives, such as obtaining a Japanese mobile number after arrival or completing identity verification by international phone call.

The available options vary by property, so this is confirmed as part of the application process.

Online viewings and lease procedures

If you are unable to visit the property in person, an online viewing can help you check details that may not be clear from listing photos alone.

These may include:

• Natural light
• View from the windows
• Storage space
• Common areas
• Building surroundings
• Access to the nearest station

Smart Relocate can coordinate online viewings for properties you are considering.

Lease procedures also vary by property.

If the property supports online explanation of important matters and electronic contracts, the process can often be completed smoothly while you are overseas.

Some properties still require paper contracts or documents to be sent by post. In these cases, Smart Relocate can assist with receiving and forwarding the necessary lease documents.

Documents that may be required after arriving in Japan

If the lease is completed before you enter Japan, you may be asked to submit additional documents after arrival.

Depending on the property, these may include:

• Residence Card
• Certificate of Residence
• Japanese mobile phone number
• Key receipt
• Move-in condition report

The exact requirements vary by property.

Can I move in soon after arriving in Japan?

If the lease, key arrangements, and utility setup are completed in advance, it may be possible to move into your new home soon after arriving in Japan.

However, rental screening and contract procedures require time.

In addition, if a property is already vacant, the landlord or management company may not be able to hold it for a long period before the rent starts.

For this reason, the timing of your property search should be planned based on your expected arrival date and preferred move-in date.

How Smart Relocate assists with your home search

Smart Relocate assists overseas residents with the rental process in Japan, from the initial property search through to move-in.

Based on your preferred location, budget, household size, move-in date, and other requirements, we can introduce suitable properties and confirm directly with the property management company or landlord whether an overseas application is accepted.

We also assist with:

• Online property viewings
• Rental applications
• Guarantor company screening
• Lease procedures
• Document forwarding
• Key handover
• Utility setup

If you have already found a property on SUUMO, AtHome, or another Japanese property website, you are also welcome to send us the listing. We can check whether the property is still available and whether an application from overseas can be accepted.

For more information:

▶ Renting a Home in Japan from Overseas

For inquiries in English, please contact us through our inquiry form or WhatsApp.