Blog & stories
What's happening at Shin Housing
Resident stories, area guides, and news from our properties across Japan.
Resident storiesHow to Set Up Electricity, Gas, and Water in Your New Japanese Apartment
Electricity and water are easy to start, but gas needs an in-person appointment. Here's how to set up all three utilities in your new Japanese apartment and what to book first.
Shin Housing team · 10/16/2026
Resident storiesFamily Housing: What Changes When You're Renting With Kids
Renting with children in Japan means thinking about floor plans, noise, school districts, and city hall benefits, not just the apartment. Here's what changes for families and how to prepare.
Shin Housing team · 10/16/2026
Resident storiesNoisy Neighbors in Japan: Your Rights and How to Handle It Politely
Noise complaints are one of the most common sources of tension between neighbors in Japan. Here's the right way to report a noisy neighbor through proper channels — and what to do if you're the one being complained about.
Shin Housing team · 10/7/2026
Resident storiesNatural Disasters and Renting: What Your Contract Says About Earthquakes and Typhoons
Japan's earthquakes and typhoons show up in your rental contract, not just your emergency kit. Here's what to check about earthquake standards, required insurance, and disaster clauses before you sign.
Shin Housing team · 10/7/2026
Resident storiesMoving Within Japan? Here's How Transfer-Out and Transfer-In Notifications (転出届・転入届) Work
Moving to a new address in Japan requires more than signing a lease — it means filing tenshutsu todoke and tennyu todoke at city hall within 14 days. Here's the step-by-step process and what to avoid.
Shin Housing team · 9/29/2026
Resident storiesBest Areas in Tokyo for First-Time Foreign Renters
Your first Tokyo apartment doesn't need to be a gamble. Here's where existing foreign communities, multilingual support, and reasonable rent make the process easier for first-time renters.
Shin Housing team · 9/10/2026
Resident storiesSmall City, Big Savings: Is Living Outside the Tokyo Metro Area Worth It?
Remote work has made regional cities like Fukuoka and Sendai a real option for cutting costs. Here's what you'd actually save — and the hidden expenses, like car costs and income gaps, that can eat into it.
Shin Housing team · 9/10/2026
Resident stories日本で働く外国人が最初に困りやすい5つのこと
Starting a new job in Japan is exciting, but daily life can also be confusing. Here are five things foreign workers often struggle with after arriving in Japan, and some simple tips to make life easier.
Shin Housing team · 8/18/2026- Resident stories
Anna's first six months in Nakameguro
A designer moves from Berlin into a women-only share house and finds a surprisingly tight-knit floor.
Anna Park · 5/7/2026
