Tokyo monthly apartments: what to check before you book

If you're coming to Tokyo for a month or more, a furnished apartment gives you somewhere to unpack, cook, and get on with everyday life. The furniture is already there, and the utilities and internet may be set up before you arrive too.

You'll see these homes advertised as monthly apartments, furnished rentals, or マンスリーマンション (mansurī manshon — furnished monthly apartment). What's included varies, so start with your dates and ask for a complete quote. Then look closely at the things you'll use every day: the kitchen, the workspace, and the route out of your front door.

A private apartment suits a stay where you want your own kitchen and room for a regular routine. A sharehouse is worth considering if you're comfortable sharing facilities and would like people around. A hotel may suit a shorter trip or a stay where reception and housekeeping matter more to you.

Check your dates first

There are furnished options available from one month, which can be useful for a work assignment or while you look for a permanent home. The minimum stay should appear in the apartment's booking details.

Check how that month is counted. MetroResidences, for example, uses calendar dates rather than a fixed number of nights: its FAQ treats 10 April to 10 May as one month, while 10 April to 9 May does not meet the minimum. This means a search for ‘30 nights’ can miss the booking rule. Enter your actual dates and compare the full price, including any days you would pay for but not use.

If your trip is a little shorter than the minimum, ask whether you can book for the minimum period and leave earlier, and what you would pay. Compare that quote with accommodation you can book for your exact dates.

If you're unsure how long you'll stay, find out when you'd need to request an extension and how the extra days would be priced. Extending may depend on the apartment still being available, so a short initial booking may mean moving again later. Decide how comfortable you are with that before committing.

Get one total for the whole stay

Ask for an itemised quote covering your exact dates and number of guests. It should make these amounts easy to find:

• Rent, utilities, internet, and any recurring service charges.
• One-off fees, including cleaning or setup charges.
• Any refundable deposit, with the conditions and timing for its return.
• The amount due before arrival and the dates of later payments.

Keep the refundable deposit separate when comparing costs, while still allowing for it in the money you need upfront.

Here's a simple example using made-up prices. An apartment advertised at ¥180,000 for your stay with a ¥30,000 mandatory cleaning fee costs ¥210,000 before any other charges. Another quoted at ¥200,000 with that cleaning included is cheaper on those figures. A headline price alone won't show you that.

Utilities deserve a quick check too. Some packages include a usage allowance with extra charges above it. Find out whether any limit applies to your quote.

Look at how you'd use the apartment

If you plan to cook, ask what's in the cupboards. A fridge and hob are only part of the setup; pans, a knife, a chopping board, and enough plates matter as well. Equipment varies: Union Monthly's FAQ lists furniture and appliances but says kitchenware and towels are not supplied as standard.

For remote work, look for a photo that shows the table and chair together. Ask about the internet connection and whether it is shared with other apartments. If two of you take calls, consider where each person would sit with a door closed.

Laundry is another small detail worth settling before arrival. Check whether the washing machine is inside the apartment, elsewhere in the building, or off-site, and how you'll dry clothes. You may also want to ask about bedding sizes, storage for suitcases, and lift access.

For a compact kitchen, our guide to cooking with one burner and a small fridge can help you plan the first shop.

Sort out documents and payment early

Before applying, check which documents you'll need. If the form asks for a residence card, Japanese address or local contact you don't have, ask whether an alternative is accepted. Our documents guide explains the paperwork and how to prepare it. Arrange secure submission when you're ready to send the files.

Confirm the payment method as well. For an overseas card or bank transfer, ask which currency you'll pay in, whether a processing charge applies, and when the payment must arrive.

If your employer is paying or reimbursing you, get its invoice requirements before asking for the bill. It's a small email that can save a lot of chasing later.

Read the cancellation terms while you're still choosing

Ask what happens in three situations: you cancel before arrival, leave during the stay, or need to change the dates. Look for the notice period, any charges, and how refunds are calculated. Keep the written terms with your booking confirmation.

This matters when comparing booking platforms too. Airbnb applies its long-term cancellation policy to stays of 28 nights or more. Read the terms shown for the reservation you're considering.

Choose for the days you'll spend here

Once you have a shortlist, map the places you'll visit repeatedly. Check the full journey to work, including the walk and any changes of train. Look for a supermarket along the way. If quiet evenings matter, ask which way the bedroom faces and what's beside the building.

At HalfKey, our furnished Tokyo homes include utilities, Wi-Fi, and monthly cleaning, with no key money, guarantor, or agent fee. You can read how renting with us works, browse available homes, or send us your dates and what you need.