Renting Your First Apartment

Leaving home is perhaps the biggest step you will ever take. However long you’ve lived there, sixteen years, thirty years, leaving the house where you grew up is sure to give you a giant bout of anxiety.

And why wouldn’t it? You’ll be asking yourself all sorts of questions. Where should I move to? What should I rent – a house or apartment? Where should you rent? City, town, or countryside? How much is the rent? What fee can I afford? How do I budget?

The questions go on and on …

Don’t worry, you’re not alone. Leaving home should be scary, but it should be exciting too. There is nothing more liberating than having your own space full of the things that make you feel great.

Rent in Japan

Before we get into some apartment essentials, if you are looking to rent in Japan then be sure to check out our website. We have beautiful and affordable Japanese apartments all across the country ready to lease today.

From Kyushu to Hokkaido, from Kyoto to Tokyo, city, suburbs, or countryside, we will be able to find you somewhere to rent in Japan. There is a Japanese apartment fit for anyone’s needs, you just need to know what to look for!

What You Need for Your First Apartment

Now, let’s run through some of the apartment essentials.

1. Bed and Bedding

First and foremost, you are going to need something to sleep on. Whether it’s a western-style bed or a Japanese-style futon, you aren’t going to have a very nice time without something to sleep on.

With the bed, you better order yourself some sheeting, pillows, and a duvet. Two sets of sheeting are advised so that you can make the bed whilst washing the other set.

Renting a Japanese apartment? Then why not try out a Japanese futon! We have a handy article about beds in Japan including where to purchase and price pros and cons of different models. Follow the link to find out more:

2. Clothing Storage

Whilst this might not seem like an immediate apartment essential, you will soon grow tired of having nowhere to store your clothes. For those of you wishing to rent in Japan, many Japanese apartments have storage spaces built into them. You only then need to buy hangers!

3. Towels and Toiletries

When renting your first apartment it is always the little things that we forget. Toilet paper. Toothpaste. Toothbrush. Soap. Shampoo. You might remember to pack a television or your laptop, but you’ll forget to pack the things to keep clean!

These are apartment essentials. It won’t be long before you will need all of these, if not on the first day of moving in. Is there ever a day you go without using toiletries? Be smart and stock up before you move in so that there are no last-minute dashes to the local shop.

A towel is another easily overlooked apartment essential. No one wants to drip dry after they’ve left the shower, especially in winter. Stock up on towels as you move into your new apartment.

4. Refrigerator

There are some appliances that most apartments come with. A stove, a toilet, a shower. Some even come with washing machines and fridges.

We don’t think that a washing machine is an apartment essential, especially not if you’re renting a Japanese apartment. Washers are very useful, but coin washers are popular across Japan.

However, a fridge is essential. If your apartment does not come with a fridge then buying a fridge is one of the first things you should do.

Food doesn’t last long, especially if you are going to rent in Japan. The summers in Japan are awfully hot and food left out in a Japanese apartment will turn bad within a day.

Even if you are not into cooking, you will make use of a fridge. This really is an essential and something that can be easily overlooked if you are renting your first apartment.

5. Cooking Utensils

Another thing overlooked when renting your first apartment: food prep. If you’re used to your parents’ home cooking, moving into your first place may come as a shock.

Eating out costs money, so sooner or later you will have to learn how to cook. For beginners in the kitchen, most things can be made between two pans, a frying pan, a chopping board, a place, a bowl and a set of cutlery.

6. Cleaning Supplies

Now that you’ve cooked, you need to clean! The excitement of renting your first apartment may cause you to forget the chores you’ll need to do. Having your own place means learning to take care of it.

Some apartment essentials are: a vacuum, trash bags, washing up liquid, laundry detergent, kitchen cleaner, sponges, toilet cleaner, bathroom cleaner.

If you want to rent in Japan, then your local convenience store should stock the majority of these products, although a health or drug store is the best option.

7. Safety Gear

As the old saying goes: it’s better to be safe than sorry. Make sure to stock up on some medical equipment. Buying a basic first aid kit should be enough.

Remember to check your apartment for smoke and carbon monoxide detectors and fire prevention measures such as a fire extinguisher, a fire blanket. Having these small things should put you at ease when renting your first apartment.

Rent in Japan

There you have our list of apartment essentials. Once again, if you are looking to rent in Japan then be sure to check out our website (villagehouse.jp). We have affordable Japanese apartments ready to lease today.