What comes with a furnished Tokyo apartment?

Ask for the inventory for the exact apartment you're considering. “Furnished” is a useful search term, but it doesn't tell you whether the cupboards contain cookware, whether bedding is included or whether the table works as a desk.

You don't need every amenity. You do need the ones that make your own stay comfortable. A clear answer about a washing machine can matter more than a long list of things you'll never use.

Check both appliances and cupboard contents

Check the appliances first: hob type and number of burners, fridge size, microwave and any oven function. A microwave's photograph doesn't tell you whether it can bake, and an oven isn't useful without suitable trays and instructions.

Then ask what is in the cupboards: pan, knife, chopping board, utensils, plates, bowls and mugs. Union Monthly's FAQ says its rooms don't include kitchenware, cookware or amenities such as towels and shampoo as standard, while some items can be arranged through options.

Choose questions around what you cook. If you plan rice and simple pan meals, a working hob and the right pan may be enough. If you rely on roasting food, confirm a suitable appliance before booking. Our day-one kitchen guide and small-kitchen cooking guide can help you plan a modest first shop.

Your own kitchen may come with less equipment

Compare that Union Monthly policy with Sakura House's FAQ, which describes shared kitchens equipped with cooking utensils, a microwave, refrigerator and basic kitchenware. A private furnished room with a kitchen may need more shopping before you can cook than a room with a stocked shared kitchen.

For a solo traveller who plans a few simple dinners and is comfortable sharing, a stocked shared kitchen may avoid buying a pan, knife and dishes for a short stay. For someone who cooks every day, has dietary needs or needs the kitchen at a fixed time, private space may still be worth arranging the missing equipment. Ask about storage and when the shared kitchen is busiest as well as what is supplied.

Use the exact room's inventory when deciding: Sakura House says the room's actual condition and contents take priority, and Union offers some rental options. Compare the cost of those options with buying the missing equipment and removing it at the end of your stay.

Laundry needs a drying plan too

Ask where the washing machine is: in the unit, shared in the building or at a nearby laundry. If shared, check opening hours, payment and whether detergent is supplied. If there is a dryer function, ask for the appliance model or instructions rather than assuming every wash-and-dry setting works the same way.

For line drying, look for a permitted balcony setup, indoor rack or bathroom drying system. Ask whether hangers and laundry poles are supplied. A machine with nowhere practical to dry a week's clothes can become an awkward part of the routine.

If you'll use a paid laundry, include its charges and the trip there in your comparison.

See the workspace with the chair in place

A desk listed as an amenity may be narrow, low or occupied by another appliance. Request a photo showing the table, chair and legroom together. If two people will work, identify both work areas and where calls can happen without interrupting each other.

Ask what internet is supplied, whether the connection is shared and what support is available if it stops working. A listing that says Wi-Fi doesn't establish a particular speed or reliability for your calls. If internet is essential, discuss a fallback you could actually use.

Lighting and power sockets are worth a look too. You want to know whether you'll be working comfortably at the desk or balancing a laptop somewhere else for the whole stay.

Check beds, bathroom and storage in concrete terms

Ask for mattress dimensions and the bedding supplied, especially if two adults will share. Confirm towels and any linen-change service separately. The bedding shown in a listing photo may not be included in your booking.

For the bathroom, look at the layout: bathtub or shower only, toilet together or separate, and enough space for the way you'll use it. Don't infer one standard bathroom from the age of the building or the word “unit bath.”

For storage, ask where suitcases can go and whether wardrobe space is available for your use. Floor area doesn't reveal how much remains after furniture and locked owner storage. A floor plan and a few cupboard photos can be more useful than another wide-angle room shot.

Services belong in the comparison as well

Check whether utilities are included, charged separately or covered up to an allowance. Ask how often the apartment is cleaned, whether supplies such as toilet paper are replaced, and who provides cleaning equipment between visits. Our utility-fee guide explains what to ask about utility charges.

If you need something added, request its total cost for the stay and whether it will be in place before arrival. For a made-up example, an apartment quoted at ¥200,000 plus ¥12,000 for the kitchen equipment you need comes to ¥212,000. An alternative at ¥208,000 with those items included would be ¥4,000 cheaper, assuming the other charges are the same.

Send a short, tailored request

I'm considering [unit] for [dates]. Could you send its current inventory and confirm [your essential items]? Please also confirm the laundry-drying arrangement, bedding sizes, internet setup and any extra cost to have the missing items ready before arrival.

Save the reply with the booking details. On arrival, compare the promised items with the apartment and report anything missing promptly.