A study published by Statista Research Department on February 21, 2023, found that as of 2018, there were around 6.18 million rental properties with a floor area ranging between 30 ~ 49 square meters in Japan. Rental properties with a floor area of 20 square meters or understood at around 5.44 million.
Real estate agencies such as Village House manage and operate their properties throughout Japan. Village House itself operates in all of the country’s 47 prefectures and currently has over 1,000 properties available for rent.
Depending on whether one chooses shared or private accommodation, rent in Japan can vary anywhere from ¥12,000 ~ ¥60,000 according to the national average. However, in big cities such as Tokyo and Osaka where land is at a premium and demand far exceeds supply, a private one-room apartment with a floor area of between 20 ~ 40 square meters can cost anywhere from ¥71,000 ~ ¥95,000.
Japanese Real Estate Housing Terminology
For those unfamiliar with how the layouts of Japanese dwellings are described and categorized, here’s a summary of the different apartment room types typically found in Japan:
- 1R apartments – this is the Japanese equivalent of a studio apartment where everything is situated in one open-planned style room. The bathroom and toilet are in a separate room and are usually together (this is called a unit bathroom). Such apartments can have a floor area as small as 7 square meters to around 18 square meters.
- 1K apartments – apartments where the kitchen or kitchenette is separated from the rest of the apartment via a wall. Depending on the layout of such apartments, you may be able to fashion yourself a small dining area in the kitchen where you can have your meals. Such apartments have a floor space starting at around 16 square meters.
- 1DK apartments – apartments with the bedroom/living room area separate from the combined kitchen and dining room area. Such apartments have a floor space ranging anywhere from 25 ~ 40 square meters.
- 1LDK apartments – apartments where all living spaces (bedroom, living room, kitchen, and maybe dining room) are all in their separate dedicated spaces. Such apartments have a floor space starting from 35 square meters.
As you can probably glean from above the number i.e. “1” refers to the number of bedrooms while “L”, “D”, and “K” respectively refer to “Living Room”, “Dining Room”, and “Kitchen.
Most Common Type of Apartment for Single Individuals
According to various surveys, the most common type of apartment for the average individual living alone in Japan is 1K apartments, which have an average floor space of 20 ~ 30 square meters though they can be as small as 16 square meters in big cities. Depending on which prefecture you reside in, a 1K apartment with a floor space of 22 square meters could cost ¥71,500 (Osaka; 15 minutes walk to the nearest station), while a 1K apartment with a floor space of 18 square meters could go for ¥43,000 (Fukuoka; 17-minute walk to the nearest station).
1K apartments are great for those who prefer not to do their cooking and meal prep in the same room as their living and sleeping quarters. Having a wall dividing the kitchen and living areas also can create the illusion of more space depending on the layout of the apartment.
Cheap Rent Options For Single Individuals On a Budget
Individuals living alone who are looking to save on rent and/or don’t mind a smaller living space may want to consider 1R apartments. These studio-style apartments are designed to house all living spaces in one open-plan room but depending on the layout and size of the window, it can feel bigger than a 1K apartment.
Be aware that in Japan’s dense cities, 1R apartments can boast a floor space of as little as 8 square meters meaning that while you may save on rent, you’ll have to get mighty creative on carving out adequate space in such apartments for yourself and your belongings. A way to do this is to find a 1R apartment with a loft area, which can either be used as a type of bedroom assuming the ceiling is high enough, or as storage.
In Tokyo, a 1R apartment with a floor area of 12 square meters that is a 12-minute walk from the nearest station may go for ¥64,000 while a 1R apartment with a floor area of 24 square meters and a 13-minute walk to the nearest station may cost ¥44,000 in Fukuoka.
Spacious Room Options for Single Individuals Willing To Spend A Little More (But Not Go Over Their Budget)
Individuals who can stretch their budget some, and who enjoy making use of their kitchen, work from home, or like to entertain guests may want to consider 1DK apartments. The separate kitchen and dining room area is usually big enough to install a small dining table with two chairs, layout depending. This allows space for meal preparation and to eat your meals in the kitchen/dining room area and to entertain guests if you feel so inclined.
In Tokyo, a 1DK apartment with a floor area of 40 square meters and a 5-minute walk from the nearest station can average around ¥145,000, while a 1DK apartment with a floor area of 30 square meters and a 20-minute walk from the nearest station may cost ¥56,000 in Fukuoka.
More Expensive Options For Single Individuals
Individuals living alone who want to live as comfortably as possible would probably gravitate towards 1LDK apartments as all living spaces are segregated. This allows not only for more storage space and to keep things organized in their own spaces, but also more opportunities for guests to either visit or stay over. Individuals who work from home may also appreciate having a dedicated workspace separate from their sleeping and eating quarters.
A 43 square meters 1LDK apartment in Osaka 8 minutes from the nearest station can cost around ¥87,000 while a similarly sized 1LDK apartment in Tokyo may cost ¥239,000.
2-Room Options For Those Who Can And Want To Splurge
For those with generous salaries and budgets and who want to spread their wings, a 2-bedroom apartment may be just the ticket. This may be a particularly attractive option if living in the more rural areas of Japan where demand for rental properties is lower than in say, Tokyo or Osaka.
Individuals who are keen on 2-room apartments but still want to save on initial move-in costs may want to consider real estate agencies such as Village House, as they offer no deposits (rental property depending), no key money, no renewal fees, and no handling fees. It’s also easy to search for these apartments on their website where you can use their filter section to search for a specific type of apartment layout.
In sum, whether you’re on a tight budget or have the means to splurge on a more spacious apartment, there are numerous rental property options available in Japan. Be sure to consider your wants and needs when choosing an apartment (work from home; comfort; location; budget limit; pets etc.) to ensure you get the most out of the rental unit you choose.
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.