Are you planning to come to Japan on a working holiday visa?
You may be wondering whether you can rent a normal apartment in Japan.
You may also be worried about the rental screening process.
The answer is yes. It is possible to rent an apartment in Japan on a working holiday.
However, not every property accepts working holiday applicants.
Your visa period is limited. You may also arrive without a job or regular income.
For these reasons, some landlords and property management companies may review your application carefully.
This guide explains the rental screening process, required documents, initial costs, overseas applications, and ways to improve your chances of approval.
What you will learn
- Whether working holiday visa holders can rent in Japan
- Why rental screening may be difficult
- Which documents you may need
- Whether you can apply from overseas
- How to prepare for rental screening
Can Working Holiday Visa Holders Rent an Apartment in Japan?
Yes. Working holiday visa holders can rent regular apartments and condominiums in Japan.
A working holiday visa does not automatically prevent you from signing a rental contract.
However, each landlord and property management company has its own rules.
You will need to find a property that accepts your nationality, visa type, and application status.
The property may require the following conditions:
- Foreign applicants must be accepted
- Working holiday visa holders must be accepted
- A suitable guarantor company must be available
- An emergency contact may be required
- A residence card may be required before moving in
- You must prove that you can pay the rent and initial costs
The most important point is not only your visa type.
You must confirm whether the landlord, management company, and guarantor company accept working holiday applicants.
Is Rental Screening Difficult on a Working Holiday Visa?
Rental screening may be more careful than it is for permanent residents or full-time workers.
However, this does not mean that your application will be rejected.
You need to choose a suitable property. You also need to prepare the correct documents.
Your period of stay is limited
A working holiday visa is not designed for permanent residence.
In contrast, a standard Japanese rental contract is often set for two years.
The landlord may be concerned that you will leave Japan during the contract period.
They may also want to know whether you will complete the correct move-out procedures.
You may still be able to sign a two-year contract.
Some properties accept applicants whose visa period is shorter than the contract period.
You must follow the cancellation rules when you leave Japan.
You may not have a job yet
Many working holiday visitors look for work after arriving in Japan.
Rental screening checks whether you can continue paying the monthly rent.
If you do not have a job, you may need to submit a bank balance certificate.
Your savings can help prove your ability to pay.
Some properties accept applicants without employment if they have enough savings.
You may not have a financial history in Japan
New arrivals usually have little financial history in Japan.
You may not yet have a Japanese bank account, phone number, salary record, or rental history.
For this reason, many properties require a rent guarantor company.
A foreigner-friendly guarantor company may review your visa, savings, work status, and emergency contact details.
Communication may be a concern
The management company may need to contact you after you move in.
They may contact you about rent, repairs, contract renewal, garbage rules, or moving out.
Some companies may worry about communication if you do not speak Japanese.
A multilingual real estate agency or guarantor company can make the process easier.
What Does the Rental Screening Check?
When you rent an apartment in Japan on a working holiday, the following items may be reviewed.
| Screening item | What may be checked |
|---|---|
| Visa and period of stay | Your visa type and residence card expiration date |
| Ability to pay | Your income, job, savings, or bank balance |
| Emergency contact | A contact person in Japan or your home country |
| Purpose of stay | Work, travel, study, or other plans in Japan |
| Identity confirmation | Whether you answer confirmation calls or emails |
| Previous payment history | Your rental history in Japan, if available |
Screening standards are different for every property.
The landlord, management company, and guarantor company may use different criteria.
This means that one property may reject an application while another accepts it.
Documents You May Need
The required documents depend on the property and your application status.
You may be asked to prepare the following:
- Passport
- Working holiday visa page
- Residence card
- Japanese phone number
- Emergency contact information
- Employment offer or workplace information
- Bank balance certificate
- Flight details showing your arrival date
If you apply before arriving in Japan, you will not have a residence card yet.
In that case, the screening may use your passport, visa, arrival date, and bank balance certificate.
After arrival, many properties require a residence card and Japanese phone number.
Prepare these items as soon as possible.
Can You Apply for an Apartment Before Arriving in Japan?
Yes. Some properties accept overseas applications.
However, many properties only accept applications after you arrive in Japan.
An overseas application may require the following:
- Passport
- Working holiday visa
- Planned arrival date
- Preferred move-in date
- Bank balance certificate
- Current overseas address and phone number
- Emergency contact information
The rent begins on the contract start date.
The landlord may not hold the apartment for free until you arrive.
You may need to start paying rent before your arrival date.
Always confirm the contract start date before applying.
How to Improve Your Chances of Approval
1. Choose properties that accept working holiday applicants
Do not apply to random properties without checking the conditions.
Start with apartments that accept foreign nationals and working holiday visa holders.
A listing may say “foreigners negotiable.”
However, this does not always mean that every visa type is accepted.
Ask the management company before submitting your application.
2. Prepare a bank balance certificate
A bank balance certificate is useful if you do not have a job yet.
It helps show that you can pay the rent and living expenses.
The document may need to be in English or Japanese.
Some companies only accept recently issued documents.
There is no single required balance for every property.
However, your savings should cover the initial costs, several months of rent, and daily expenses.
3. Complete the application accurately
Incorrect information can delay the screening process.
Check your name, address, phone number, workplace, and emergency contact.
Your name must match your passport and residence card.
Use the same spelling and name order on every document.
4. Answer calls and emails
The guarantor company may contact you during screening.
They may call or email you to confirm your identity and application details.
Return missed calls as soon as possible.
Check your spam folder as well.
Your application may be delayed if the company cannot contact you.
5. Choose an affordable rent
A high rent may make the screening more difficult.
Choose a monthly payment that matches your income or savings.
Remember that the monthly payment may include more than rent.
- Management fees
- Monthly guarantor fees
- Water charges
- Internet fees
- Support service fees
Check the total monthly payment before applying.
6. Be flexible about the move-in date
A landlord may not wait several months for you to move in.
Most vacant apartments are offered to people who can begin the contract soon.
It is often practical to begin an active search about one to one and a half months before your move-in date.
How Much Are the Initial Costs?
You will need to pay initial costs when you rent an apartment in Japan on a working holiday.
The total depends on the property.
Common initial costs include:
- Prorated rent for the first month
- Rent for the following month
- Security deposit
- Key money
- Initial guarantor company fee
- Fire insurance
- Key replacement fee
- 24-hour support fee
- Real estate agency fee
A property with no security deposit or key money is not always cheap.
You may still need to pay cleaning fees, guarantor fees, and other charges.
Always request a full initial cost estimate before applying.
Check these costs before signing
- Fees due before the contract begins
- First and following month’s rent
- Monthly guarantor or support fees
- Move-out cleaning charges
- Early cancellation penalties
Check the Early Cancellation Penalty
Some rental contracts include an early cancellation penalty.
You may need to pay a penalty if you leave within the first year.
For example, the penalty may equal one or two months of total rent.
This is important for working holiday visitors.
Your planned stay may be shorter than a standard rental contract.
Check the following conditions before signing:
- Contract period
- Renewal fee
- Cancellation notice period
- Early cancellation penalty
- Move-out cleaning fee
Regular Apartments, Monthly Apartments, or Share Houses?
A regular apartment is not your only option.
You can also consider a monthly apartment or share house.
| Housing type | Advantages | Points to consider |
|---|---|---|
| Regular rental apartment | Monthly costs may be lower for a longer stay | Screening and initial costs are required |
| Monthly apartment | Often furnished and easier to rent for a short period | Monthly costs may be higher |
| Share house | Lower initial costs and furnished rooms are common | Kitchen and bathroom facilities may be shared |
You can then move to a regular apartment after finding a job and choosing your preferred area.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I rent an apartment in Japan on a working holiday visa?
Yes. You can rent a regular apartment if the landlord, management company, and guarantor company accept working holiday applicants.
Can I apply without a job?
Some properties accept applicants without employment. You may need to provide a bank balance certificate to prove that you can pay the rent.
Can I apply before arriving in Japan?
Yes, if the property accepts overseas applications. You may need a passport, visa, arrival date, bank balance certificate, and emergency contact details.
Do I need a Japanese guarantor?
Many properties use a rent guarantor company instead of a personal guarantor. A separate emergency contact may still be required.
Can I apply without a residence card?
Some overseas-friendly properties accept applications before your residence card is issued. You may need to submit the card after arriving in Japan.
How long does rental screening take?
It may take several business days when all documents are ready. It can take longer if additional documents or identity confirmation are required.
Summary: You Can Rent in Japan With the Right Preparation
It is possible to rent an apartment in Japan on a working holiday.
However, you must choose a property that accepts your visa and application status.
Rental screening may be careful because your visa period is limited.
You may also arrive without a job or Japanese financial history.
Prepare your passport, visa, bank balance certificate, emergency contact, and arrival information.
You should also check the initial costs, contract start date, and early cancellation penalty.
For overseas applications, it is helpful to begin preparing about one and a half to two months before your preferred move-in date.
Looking for an apartment in Japan on a working holiday visa?
willow supports foreign residents with apartment searches, overseas applications, rental screening, contracts, and move-in preparation across Japan.
Contact us with your preferred area, monthly budget, visa type, and planned arrival date.
Official Resources
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan: Working Holiday Programmes
- Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism: Rental Housing Support for Foreign Residents
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