People move and relocate for all kinds of reasons – work, school, family, or even simply a desire for a change of scenery. In Japan, the most common reasons to relocate are either for work or school.
Due to the fiscal and academic year starting in April in Japan, the peak moving season for many in the country are from January to March. September and October are also considered peak moving months as this is when a lot of employee transfers occur in Japanese companies.
On the other hand, off-peak moving months occur from June to August and the reason for this is weather-related – Japan’s rainy season, tsuyu, occurs around May ~ June, and temperatures tend to skyrocket during July and August. These weather conditions make it tricky and uncomfortable to move, for both the individual and the moving company, which is why many tend to avoid moving during this time of the year.
So, what time of the year is best for moving? In this article, we’ll take a look at the differences between moving during peak season and off-peak season; and depending on your circumstances, hopefully you can use the information provided to help you make a sound decision.
Available Apartments
As previously mentioned, Japan’s fiscal and academic year begins on the first day of April, meaning that many individuals head off to university or start their new jobs. This led to the real estate market in Japan increasing the number of rental properties, particularly for single individuals in January, February, and March.
The benefit of this is that it provides more options for moving hopefuls to choose from. However, on the flip side, competition is fierce and many of the more desirable properties tend to get snatched up pretty quickly, so if you plan to move during that time, you need to be ready to make snap decisions.
For September and October, when many companies in Japan transfer their employees to different departments or branches, the number of available rental properties also increases, particularly accommodation for couples and families. Those who are planning to or need to move with their partner and/or families may find it beneficial to start their house or apartment hunting a little before September or at the beginning of the month.
During the off-peak moving season – June to August – the number of rental properties available decreases somewhat, with many listings being “leftovers” from the peak moving season. This usually means that the still unoccupied properties may perhaps be undesirable, problematic, or harboring an issue or flaw but depending on what the problem is, you can spin it to your advantage.
Ideal Time to Negotiate
One of the more advantageous reasons to move during the off-peak season is that both the real estate agent and the landlord or owner are more amenable to negotiations regarding rent, initial move-in costs, contract length, etc. This is because the landlord or owner loses income with every month their property sits empty and therefore might be more open to negotiations to secure a tenant.
Negotiating on things like initial move-in costs and rent can save you money in the long term and depending on whether you’re trying to rent a furnished or unfurnished apartment or house, you can also negotiate for things such as furniture and appliances.
If you’re planning or needing to move during the peak months of January to March, the above negotiations may be harder to come by as there may be other clients looking at the same property who may be willing to accept the terms and conditions laid out by the real estate agent and landlord or owner. Alternatively, you can go with the services of real estate organizations such as Village House which provide themselves with offering clients low initial move-in costs – depending on the rental property, there may be no deposit, no key money, and no renewal fees.
More Time for Your Consultation
If you’re someone who likes to dot all their i’s and cross all their t’s, moving during peak season may not be the best idea as real estate agents are often busy with multiple clients and may not be able to accommodate a lengthy and thorough consult with you. Still, you can try to minimize any miscommunications and ensure all your wants, needs, and requirements for an apartment or house are met by doing thorough research on your end and preparing a list of inquiries and questions for the real estate agent and even landlord or owner.
If you’ve more flexibility on when you need to move, moving from June to August might be a better idea as real estate agents often deal with fewer clients during the off-peak moving season, and therefore can dedicate more time to you. A lighter workload for them also means that they can be more thorough with your list of requirements and even offer up alternatives that may suit your wants and needs.
Changing Rates for Moving Companies
It probably comes as no surprise that movers’ fees become pricier during the peak season. This is because their services are in high demand and many customers are willing to pay for their services and assistance to ensure their move goes off without a hitch.
Choosing a time and date to move during the peak season can also be difficult because again, you’re competing with many others who are also moving during this time. If you do need to move during the peak season, make sure to book your desired time and date slot as soon as possible to avoid any issues and hiccups in the future.
If you’re looking to save money and/or are on a tight budget, consider moving during the off-peak season. Moving companies tend to lower their rates during this time, may offer special discounts, and you also have more options on what day and time you want to move.
Getting an Appointment
Booking an appointment as early as possible is important when wanting or needing to move during the peak season. This is because many other people will be requiring the services of real estate agents and organizations so to secure the rental property you’re interested in, it’s best to start looking at real estate agents and companies early. Some real estate organizations such as Village House make this process easy by allowing potential clients to simply fill out an online application form with their personal information and rental property requirements.
Of course, during the off-peak season, you can be more choosey and relaxed when it comes to securing an appointment with a real estate agent, landlord, or owner because fewer people are looking to move during this period. This means that you can find a time and date that suits your schedule and find a real estate agent or landlord or owner that you are more suited to and get along with.
In conclusion, there are both pros and cons to moving during peak season and off-peak season. Depending on your wants and needs, choose a month that best suits you, your partner, and/or your family to ensure that you find the perfect apartment or home of your dreams.
Freelance writer with over 2 years of experience writing for the Village House Blog, ESL teacher, and digital nomad who has lived in countries including The Czech Republic, The UK, The U.A.E., Japan, and most recently, Georgia. Is constantly on the hunt for the best, most optimal apartment for remote work when not enjoying going to film festivals, concerts, and the theater.