How to Read a Japanese Apartment Listing: A Guide for Foreigners

Japanese apartment listings are packed with information — but most of it is in Japanese, and even the translated terms can be unfamiliar. This guide explains the key fields you'll find in any Japanese rental listing so you can search and compare properties with confidence.

Basic Property Information

築年数 (Chikunensuu) — Building Age

The number of years since the building was constructed. Older buildings (築30年以上) may have lower rent but could lack modern earthquake-proofing. Buildings constructed after 1981 meet the updated seismic standards (新耐震基準).

構造 (Kouzou) — Building Structure

RC (鉄筋コンクリート): Reinforced concrete — durable, good soundproofing
SRC (鉄骨鉄筋コンクリート): Steel-reinforced concrete — even stronger
木造 (Mokuzou): Wooden construction — cheaper, less soundproof
軽量鉄骨 (Keiryou Tekkotsu): Light steel frame — common in アパート

階数 (Kaisuu) — Floor Number

Which floor the apartment is on, e.g. 3階/5階建て = 3rd floor of a 5-storey building.

向き (Muki) — Facing Direction

南向き (Minami-muki): South-facing — most desirable, maximum sunlight
東向き (Higashi-muki): East-facing — morning sun
西向き (Nishi-muki): West-facing — afternoon sun
北向き (Kita-muki): North-facing — least sunlight, usually cheapest

Financial Terms

家賃 (Yachin) — Monthly Rent

The base monthly rent. Does not include 管理費 (common area fees).

管理費 (Kanrihi) — Management / Common Area Fee

Monthly fee for building maintenance — typically ¥3,000–¥15,000. Always add this to the rent when budgeting.

礼金 (Reikin) — Key Money

Non-refundable gift to the landlord, usually 0–2 months rent. Look for 礼金なし (no key money) listings.

敷金 (Shikikin) — Security Deposit

Refundable deposit, usually 1–2 months rent. Returned after move-out minus any repair costs.

仲介手数料 (Chuukai Tesuuryou) — Agency Fee

Paid to the real estate agency, usually 1 month rent + tax.

Property Features

専有面積 (Senyuu Menseki) — Floor Area

The private area of your unit in m². Note: this excludes balconies and common spaces.

バルコニー (Balcony)

Whether the unit has a balcony. Important for laundry drying in Japan.

設備 (Setsubi) — Facilities & Amenities

Common items you'll see:

エアコン: Air conditioner (pre-installed)
バス・トイレ別: Separate bath and toilet — preferred over ユニットバス (combined)
オートロック: Auto-lock entrance — security feature
宅配ボックス: Parcel delivery box
2口コンロ: 2-burner stove
インターネット: Internet availability

ペット可 (Petto Ka) — Pets Allowed

If you have pets, look for this term. Most standard units are ペット不可 (no pets).

駐車場 (Chuushajou) — Parking

Whether parking is available and if there's an extra cost.

Contract Terms

契約期間 (Keiyaku Kikan) — Lease Term

Standard Japanese leases are 2 years (2年). They're renewable.

普通借家契約 vs 定期借家契約

普通借家契約: Standard renewable lease — tenant has strong rights
定期借家契約: Fixed-term lease — cannot be renewed; usually cheaper

入居可能日 (Nyuukyo Kanouobi) — Move-in Date

When you can actually move in.

Practical Tips

Always calculate total monthly cost = rent + 管理費
Check 築年数 — post-1981 buildings meet modern earthquake standards
南向き costs more but is worth it for natural light
バス・トイレ別 is strongly preferred by most renters
Ask about インターネット — many buildings have free/included internet

Let Us Help You Navigate

Reading listings in Japanese takes practice, but you don't have to do it alone. At Shin Housing, our multilingual team translates every detail and helps you find the right apartment.

Browse our listings →