Find Apartments, Housing, and WiFi for Foreigners in Tokyo

Looking for a mid-to long-term place to stay in Tokyo that’s easy to rent, even for foreigners? Whether you’re planning to live here for 3 months to a year or longer, finding an apartment and figuring out your WiFi options can be a challenge—from language barriers and guarantor requirements to the confusing process of setting up internet services.

The good news is that with the right approach and resources, you can find foreigner-friendly accommodations, reliable WiFi, and complete all procedures in English. In this guide, we’ll show you how to secure a mid- to long-term foreigner-friendly apartment in Tokyo, WiFi, and stress-free contracts. Plus, Sakura Mobile can help you secure an eSIM/SIM card, phone number, and WiFi before you even arrive, ensuring you have stress-free internet connection and are ready to go as soon as you settle in.

In This Article We Cover:

Understanding Housing Options for Foreigners in Tokyo
Phone Number Requirement for Renting Apartments in Tokyo
Tokyo Apartment Rental Agencies and Share Houses
How to Set Up WiFi and Stay Connected in Japan with Sakura Mobile
Final Considerations for Housing & WiFi in Tokyo

Understanding Housing Options for Foreigners in Tokyo

When searching for accommodation in Tokyo, you’ll encounter two main categories that welcome international residents:

• Share houses are great for those on a short-to mid-term stay or people who prefer a social environment. These properties typically feature individual rooms with shared kitchens, lounges, and sometimes bathrooms. The communal atmosphere makes it easy to meet people and build friendships, while the lower costs help stretch your budget further.

• Apartments, on the other hand, are better suited for those looking for long-term stays or more privacy, ranging from compact studios to spacious multi-bedroom units. You’ll have your own kitchen, bathroom, and living space without sharing facilities wit others. Many apartment buildings in Tokyo offer WiFi, which is a must for working remotely or staying connected with friends and family back home.

Why Foreigner-Friendly Apartments Matter

When searching for an apartment, it’s important to look for places that are “foreigner-friendly.” These properties typically have simpler lease processes, English-speaking staff, and depending on the company that manages it, no guarantor requirements—a huge relief for many foreigners in Japan. Many of these apartments also include high-speed internet, so you don’t have to worry about setting up WiFi separately.

WiFi Availability in Apartments

Having WiFi is essential for staying connected in Tokyo. Luckily, many foreigner-friendly apartments now offer WiFi as part of the rental package. However, if your apartment doesn’t include WiFi, or you’re worried that the connection might not be fast enough for your needs, you can easily set it up with services like Pocket WiFi or Home WiFi.

Key Factors to Consider When Renting

Location is crucial for commuting, convenience, and cost. Consider proximity to public transportation, supermarkets, and your work or school. Living near popular areas like Shibuya or Shinjuku may be ideal, but it can also be more expensive.

Lease Terms vary widely among foreigner-friendly options. For mid- to long-term stays, look for leases offering 3-12 month commitments or longer; some companies still offer month-to-month flexibility but often at higher rates. Mid-term flexibility costs more but provides the freedom to relocate if your circumstances change, while longer commitments typically offer better monthly rates. Make sure the terms match your plans.

Budget considerations extend beyond monthly rent. Factors in utilities, internet costs, initial deposits, and furnishing expenses when calculating your total housing budget. Many foreigner-friendly properties include utilities and WiFi in their monthly fees, simplifying budgeting and eliminating surprise bills.

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Phone Number Requirement for Renting Apartments in Tokyo

Let’s look into how to deal with the phone number requirement when signing a rental agreement in Japan.

Why a Japanese Phone Number is Required

Most landlords and rental agencies require a Japanese phone number as part of the application process. This number serves multiple purposes: it allows property managers to contact you directly about lease matters, provides a local reference for emergency situations, and demonstrates your intention to establish residency in Japan.

For many foreigners, this requirement creates a complicated situation. You need a phone number to rent an apartment, but getting a traditional phone contract often requires a local address and sometimes even a Japanese guarantor.

How to Obtain a Japanese Phone Number

Sakura Mobile offers the perfect solution to this common problem. Through their eSIM and SIM card services, you can obtain a Japanese phone number before even arriving in Japan. This eliminates the stress of trying to secure both housing and phone service simultaneously upon arrival.

Benefits of Using Sakura Mobile: 

• Secure your Japanese phone number while still overseas.
• English customer support available 7 days a week.
• eSIM/SIM card ready to use immediately upon arrival.
• Competitive rates with flexible plan options.

How to Use the Phone Number for Renting

Using your Sakura mobile phone number for apartment applications is straightforward. Simply provide the number on rental applications and inform potential landlords that it’s your primary contact number in Japan. The number functions like any other Japanese phone number, typically to confirm your identity and contact you for further details.

Having a local phone number makes the rental process smoother, as it provides a simple and reliable point of contact for property managers. Sakura Mobile ensures that you have access to your phone number before you even arrive, eliminating the stress of securing one upon arrival and allowing you to complete your rental process more easily.

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Tokyo Apartment Rental Agencies and Share Houses

Best Housing Options with WiFi for Foreigners

Finding an apartment or share house in Tokyo that’s both foreigner-friendly and comes with WiFi included is a top priority for many new arrivals. Here are some of the best options in the city that cater specifically to foreigners, offering easy rental processes and reliable internet:

Modern Living Tokyo

Modern Living Tokyo operates using a Western-style leasing model, offering both beautiful share houses and private apartments across major Tokyo areas. Their share house rooms function like private apartments with locking doors and shared common spaces. Many properties including WiFi, and  their English-friendly leasing system makes the entire process smooth and straight forward.

Plaza Homes

Plaza Homes specializes in luxury rental properties in Tokyo, particularly in prime areas like Hiroo and Minami-Azabu. If you’re seeking a comfortable home for your family, Plaza Homes can help you find the right fit. Keep in mind that most properties require a long-term lease, and you’ll need to arrange your own internet service.

Minimini

Minimini is a traditional Japanese real estate agency that provides services in multiple languages, including English. While they operate under traditional Japanese rental practices, their multilingual support helps bridge the communication gap. Keep in mind that internet service at Minimini properties requires separate contracts with both an internet service provider and the line provider, which can take over a week to install.

Sakura House

Sakura House (unrelated to Sakura Mobile) manages over 130 locations across Tokyo, offering share houses, apartments, and dormitory-style accommodations. All utilities are included in monthly fees up to 10,000 yen per person, and the WiFi is free. They accommodate stays as short as 1 month. Their extensive property network provides options in virtually every area of Tokyo.

Borderless House

Borderless House specializes in share houses—creating international communities by housing foreigners and Japanese residence together. They require a minimum of 1-month stay but offer flexible terms without fixed lease periods. All properties include WiFi, and their focus on cultural exchange creates a unique living environment.

J & F Plaza

J & F Plaza focuses specifically on foreign residents, managing both share houses and furnished/unfurnished apartments. All share houses and short-term rentals can be rented for minimum 1-month periods, and some include free internet access. Note that their long-term apartments often have 2-year contracts, so make sure the property you’re looking at fits your needs. Their two share house locations offer different neighborhood options to match various preferences and budgets.

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How to Set Up WiFi and Stay Connected in Japan with Sakura Mobile

Once you’ve decided on a place to live, it’s time to start thinking about your internet setup. Your WiFi options will depend on your housing situation—here’s what to consider:

1. Check Your Apartment’s WiFi Setup:

Many foreigner-friendly apartments come with WiFi included. If your apartment offers WiFi, simply ask the landlord for the login credentials when you move in. However, free WiFi is often slow, so it might not offer the quality you’re looking for. In that case, consider these two options:

2. Rent Home WiFi: 

If your apartment doesn’t have WiFi, or if the speed is unsatisfactory, consider renting Sakura Mobile Home WiFi. It’s portable, offers unlimited data, and can be used throughout Tokyo. It supports both 4G and 5G networks. This is perfect for those who want flexibility and easy access to the internet.

3. Set Up Fiber Internet: 

If you’re staying long-term, setting up fiber internet is the best option for stable, high-speed internet. Sakura Mobile offers 1Gbps/10Gbps Fiber-optic internet plans, and fast, reliable service—perfect for ensuring your home is always connected. Installation comes with English-language support so you can rest easy.

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Final Considerations for Housing & WiFi in Tokyo

When finalizing your plans to live in Tokyo, choose housing that fits your needs, whether it’s for a mid-term stay or a long-term residence. Be sure to secure reliable WiFi through your apartment or Sakura Mobile’s services to avoid unnecessary stress.

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