The moving truck is gone, the utilities are switched on, and the internet is (hopefully) on its way. But if you've just moved into an unfurnished apartment in Japan, there's one more piece of the puzzle: turning an empty room into a place you can actually live in. Unlike some countries, many rental apartments in Japan come completely bare — no fridge, no washing machine, sometimes not even light fixtures or curtain rails. Here's a general look at what you'll likely need, and the main ways foreign residents typically go about getting it.
The Basics Most New Residents Need
The exact list depends on your lifestyle, but these are the items that come up again and again for anyone moving into an unfurnished place:
- Refrigerator — one of the first things people prioritize
- Washing machine — many apartments have a designated washing machine space (often on a balcony or in a utility area) but no machine installed
- Microwave (or microwave/oven combo)
- Bedding — a bed frame and mattress, or a futon set if you're going the traditional route
- Curtains — window sizes vary by building, so these are almost never included
- Lighting fixtures — some Japanese apartments are delivered without a ceiling light installed in every room, just a wired socket
- Smaller items like a table, a chair or two, storage shelving, and basic kitchenware
You don't necessarily need everything on day one — many people prioritize the fridge, washing machine, and bedding first, then fill in the rest over the following weeks.
Three General Ways to Get Furnished: Buy, Rent, or Go Secondhand
| Buying New | Renting | Secondhand / Recycle Shop | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Initial cost | Highest upfront cost, but you own it outright | Lower upfront cost, spread out as a monthly fee | Generally cheaper than new, cost varies by item and condition |
| Best for | Longer-term stays, wanting your own choice of items | Shorter stays or uncertain length of stay, wanting to avoid disposal hassle later | Budget-conscious moves, short notice, or filling in gaps quickly |
| Leaving Japan / moving again | You'll need to sell, give away, or arrange disposal (which can involve a fee) | Simply return the items or end the contract — no disposal to arrange | Same as buying — you're responsible for reselling or disposing when you leave |
| Warranty / repairs | Usually covered by manufacturer warranty for a period | Often includes repair or replacement support as part of the plan, depending on the provider | Warranty is typically limited or nonexistent, depending on the shop |
| Delivery & setup | Store or retailer usually arranges delivery, sometimes for a fee | Delivery and setup are commonly included as part of the rental service | Varies widely — some shops deliver, others expect you to arrange your own transport |
None of these options is universally "better" — it really comes down to how long you expect to be in Japan and how much you want to deal with reselling or disposing of items later.
A General Way to Think About Which Option Fits
- Short stay or unsure how long you'll be in Japan — renting or going secondhand tends to be popular, since you avoid being stuck with items to sell or dispose of when you leave
- Planning to stay long-term — buying new becomes more attractive, since the per-month cost of ownership works out lower over time, and you get to choose exactly what you want
- Tight budget or moved in on short notice — a recycle shop or secondhand marketplace can help you fill in the essentials quickly and affordably while you figure out longer-term plans
- Want to minimize decisions and hassle — a furniture/appliance rental package (often bundling a fridge, washing machine, and microwave together) can be a simple way to get set up without visiting multiple stores
These are general tendencies rather than hard rules — plenty of short-term residents buy new, and plenty of long-term residents rent, depending on personal preference.
Before You Assume You Need to Buy Anything: Check Your Lease
Some rental apartments in Japan — especially those marketed toward short-term residents, corporate housing, or certain share houses — come partially or fully furnished, sometimes including a refrigerator, washing machine, and even a microwave already installed. This varies a lot by property and by real estate agency, so it's worth:
- Asking directly whether any appliances or furniture are included before signing
- Getting a specific list in writing of what's included and what condition it's in
- Confirming who's responsible for repairs if an included appliance breaks (the landlord, or you)
Assuming a listing is unfurnished (or furnished) without confirming can lead to an unpleasant surprise on move-in day.
Where Foreign Residents Often Get Stuck
- Japanese-only application forms — many rental and delivery services' websites and order forms are Japanese-only, which can slow down comparing options if you're not yet confident reading Japanese
- Coordinating delivery and installation dates — similar to utilities and internet setup, scheduling a delivery window (and being home for it) is usually arranged by phone or a Japanese-language portal, and popular time slots can fill up quickly during the spring moving season
- Requests for a guarantor or residence card — some rental services ask for identification such as your residence card (在留カード), and in some cases a guarantor or payment method tied to a Japanese bank account, which can be an extra hurdle if you've only just arrived
- Disposal rules for bulky items — if you buy new or secondhand, getting rid of large items later (when you move again or upgrade) often involves a formal bulky-waste disposal process with its own fees and scheduling, rather than simply putting them out with regular trash
What to Confirm Before You Commit
Because exact prices, contract lengths, and cancellation or disposal fees vary a lot by service, provider, and even by campaign, it's best not to assume any specific numbers you've seen quoted online will apply to your situation. Before signing anything, it's worth directly asking:
- The total cost including delivery, setup, and any deposit — not just the sticker price or monthly rental fee
- For rentals: the minimum contract period and what happens if you need to return items early
- What condition the items will arrive in, and what the repair or replacement process looks like if something breaks
- Whether disposal or return of the item at the end is included, or an extra cost
Treat these as questions to ask the specific provider rather than assumptions to carry over from a friend's experience or something you read online.
Bottom Line
Furnishing an unfurnished apartment in Japan usually comes down to choosing between buying new, renting, or going secondhand — and the right choice generally depends on how long you plan to stay and how much hassle you want to deal with when you eventually move again. Before spending anything, double-check whether your apartment already comes with some appliances included, and once you've picked a route, confirm the total cost, contract terms, and repair/disposal details directly with the provider rather than assuming. Give yourself some lead time for delivery and installation scheduling, especially if you're moving during the busy spring season.
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