To sign a rental contract in Japan, you need a valid visa (Work, Student, Spouse, Working Holiday, etc.). The primary documents required for the application include:

• Passport & Residence Card: Copies of your passport photo page and visa stamps, plus both sides of your residence card.
• Proof of Visa/Status: For work visas, an "employment contract" or "offer letter"; for student visas, a "letter of acceptance" or student ID.
• Income Verification: Recent pay slips or tax statements. Students may need parents' income statements, and working holiday makers may need bank balance statements.
• Japanese Contact & Phone Number: A domestic phone number is required. Having a domestic emergency contact (friend or colleague) who speaks Japanese is also highly recommended.

Yes, you can! The vast majority of rental properties in Japan now utilize guarantor companies (保証会社) instead of individual guarantors. Sorai Tokyo is partnered with numerous reputable guarantor companies that specialize in screening foreign nationals. You do not need to worry about finding a Japanese guarantor; we will handle the applications for you.

Yes, in very many cases, guarantor and property management companies require you to register a Japanese-speaking emergency contact (often a Japanese friend, colleague, or school representative) during the screening process. This is extremely common to ensure smooth communication during emergencies.

Generally, guarantor companies require your visa to be valid for at least the duration of the initial screening process. If your visa is expiring soon, providing documentation that you are currently applying for an extension (e.g., a stamped application receipt from immigration) is often sufficient.

Generally, it takes about 2 to 4 weeks. This duration involves submitting the application, the guarantor and landlord screening (3-7 days), signing the contract, transferring initial fees, and arranging the key handover. For urgent cases, we can introduce specific properties that support express screening and move-in within 10 days, so please consult us.

These are standard initial lease fees in Japan:

• Shikikin (Security Deposit): A refundable deposit kept by the landlord. Any unpaid rent or room restoration/cleaning fees are deducted when you move out, and the remainder is returned.
• Reikin (Key Money): A non-refundable, customary gratuity paid to the landlord. (We offer many "zero key money" properties to help you save!).
• Brokerage Fee: The commission paid to the agency for facilitating the lease. By law, it is capped at 1 month's rent plus tax.

Yes, it is possible! We represent properties and guarantee companies that support credit card payments for initial fees. By using your credit card, you can take advantage of your card issuer's installment plans to pay the upfront costs gradually, reducing your financial burden during the move.

For standard long-term apartments, utilities are not included in the rent. You will need to sign contracts directly with utility providers. However, for short-term monthly apartments or share houses, utilities are often included or charged at a flat rate.

Garbage sorting rules are highly detailed and vary by municipality. During contract signing or key handover, we will provide you with a multilingual sorting guide or municipal calendar. You are required to follow these official municipal rules and deposit garbage at the designated place, day, and time to prevent neighborhood issues.

If a household emergency arises (water leak, lost keys, broken AC), you should contact your building's property management company (管理会社) or the 24/7 tenant support hotline provided under your fire insurance policy. If you have language barriers, contact Sorai Tokyo's LINE support, and we will gladly help communicate with your landlord or manager.

To vacate, you must submit a written cancellation notice (解約通知書) to the property manager 1 to 2 months in advance, as defined in your contract. Upon move-out, a mandatory room cleaning fee is charged (usually deducted from the deposit). Aside from standard cleaning, you will only be charged for intentional damages or extreme neglect (e.g. wall stains from smoking).

Many modern apartments offer "Free Internet," meaning you can use Wi-Fi immediately upon moving in by plugging in a router. If it's not included, you must apply for a fiber-optic or pocket Wi-Fi service on your own. We can introduce you to English-speaking internet providers with no complex setup required!