Spring comes like a breath of fresh air and just like with New Year and new year resolutions; it brings an opportunity to make changes.
Spring cleaning is a popular tradition that often inspires people to freshen up both their living space and even lifestyle. However, for even more of a change, many people move in spring, the moving season in Japan.
Moving in Spring
The end of the fiscal year falls at the end of March and the new fiscal year begins in April. This end of the fiscal year is the most popular time for moving in Japan so it is the best time to find available apartments, but it is also when some moving companies will increase the charges and landlords may even increase rent.
The reason why moving in spring and at the end of the fiscal year is so common is because this is the end of the school year. Many families, students, and workers will change schools during this time. As well as this, it is when a lot of big companies do recruitment drives and when most businesses will do their hiring and firing.
Advantages
The benefits of moving in Japan during the spring season are that there are so many new apartments and apartments in great condition available around this time of year, especially in early spring before everyone has made their arrangements. It’s much easier to guarantee you will find somewhere to rent as well.
Disadvantages
Demand for apartments is at its highest, so the prices may not be as competitive. However, it is worth bearing in mind that moving costs do also tend to drop as soon as the moving season is over.
Furnishing an Apartment in the Moving Season
Since moving in spring is so common, the end of the fiscal year is a great time for anyone furnishing an apartment. On top of this, with spring cleaning, people are trying to get rid of things that they no longer need; furniture, white goods, appliances, and pretty much anything you can imagine too.
Anyone moving in Japan with a large number of belongings may have to pay for moving services, which can be costly. One way to simplify the move is selling and getting rid of any bits that aren’t needed or could be replaced for the new apartment.
During the end of the fiscal year and the spring moving season people are desperately trying to get rid of goods they don’t need. For this reason, it is a good time to find cheap deals or even things for free. This is particularly true for larger items such as beds, tables, fridges, and more. If you are furnishing an apartment, the moving season is the best time to scour websites for second-hand goods. It is much more convenient if you have access to a car or can rent a van as most of the best offers require you to pick up bulkier items.
One place where you can find deals for furnishing an apartment is on second-hand groups on Facebook. Search for ‘sayonara sales’, ‘mottainai’, and ‘buy and sell’ groups specific to your local area, such as ‘mottainai Japan’ and ‘Osaka sayonara sales’. Please make sure to be safe if you are meeting someone to exchange goods.
If you are planning on furnishing an apartment, please check our post on budget furnishing tips for more advice on how to save money!
Spring Cleaning
Whether you are moving in Japan or staying put, this time of year is a good time for some spring cleaning and doing a “Marie Kondo”.
Since a lot of people will be moving in spring, it is a great time to declutter because you can pass your belongings onto people who have a need for them!
Not only this but part of spring cleaning also involves actual cleaning. Carrying out a deep clean is so beneficial to maintaining a clean apartment, the small ‘top up’ cleans are much easier so you will be able to keep your apartment in better condition.
As part of the deep clean, you may want to get a stain remover and go around your apartment looking for any marks that might have gone unnoticed throughout your time living there. If you need a stain remover for apartment walls, we have more information on our post about how to clean walls in Japanese apartments.
With allergy season fast approaching, a duster can come in very handy. Japanese apartments are generally very easy to clean and maintain, especially more modern apartments. Despite this, dust is inevitable and if too much dust gathers in one place (especially in the sleeping area) it can have negative health impacts. One way this can be prevented is by running a duster over the house regularly, which also helps it look sparkly clean too!
Spring is a great time for change and reflection, so whether you are moving or not, please take some time to consider your apartment and whether you want to change anything or clean or declutter!
If you are planning on moving in Japan, please check out our available apartments for easy apartment hunting with low upfront costs!