Long-Term Stays in Tokyo: Apartments, Guesthouses and Budgeting Advice for Months-Long Visits

Moving to Tokyo for months, not nights: how to find the right long-term place without wasting time or money

Planning a stay of one month or longer in Tokyo? You’re juggling too many choices, confusing listings, and unfamiliar tenancy rules — and you need real, practical steps that save time and cash. This guide gives a clear roadmap for choosing between monthly rentals, sharehouses and serviced apartments, plus budgeting, lease tips and neighborhood strategies for 2026.

Quick overview: the four long-stay paths

First — match the accommodation type to your priorities. Here’s a quick comparison so you can pick the right lane.

• Monthly rentals (furnished or unfurnished): Best value for stays 3+ months. Lower monthly cost but more paperwork and setup (utilities, internet) required.
• Sharehouses / co-living: Cheapest and social. Furnished, utilities often included, flexible terms. Good for solo travelers who want community.
• Serviced apartments / corporate housing: Highest price, most convenience. Utilities, cleaning and concierge included. Ideal for business travellers or families who need turnkey comfort.
• Extended-stay hotels & guesthouses: Flexible length, easy booking, higher nightly equivalent. Useful as a short buffer while you hunt for a longer-term place.

2026 trends that change how you should book

Recent patterns through late 2025 and early 2026 should shape your strategy:

• More mid-term inventory: Post-pandemic demand and remote-work growth prompted landlords and platforms to offer flexible 1–6 month leases and all-inclusive monthly rentals.
• Sharehouse innovation: Co-living operators now offer segmented plans (private rooms + optional co-working access), making them more attractive for digital nomads.
• Faster connectivity: Pre-installed high-speed internet is more common in monthly units; pre-installed high-speed internet and portable 5G options are reliable fall-backs.
• Transparent fees: Competition has driven down traditional up-front costs (key money) in many mid-range listings — but know what to expect.
• Sustainability and work-friendly design: Newer serviced apartments emphasize ergonomic desks, soundproofing and energy-efficient heating.

How much should you budget? Sample monthly budgets for Tokyo (2026)

Prices vary widely across neighborhoods and the type of place. These are realistic ranges for single travellers or couples.

Low budget (¥80,000–¥140,000 / month)

• Sharehouse private room or 1R apartment away from central wards (Setagaya outskirts, Itabashi, Nerima).
• Utilities (electricity, gas, water): ¥8,000–¥18,000
• Internet / pocket Wi‑Fi: ¥3,000–¥8,000
• Transport: commuter pass or pay-as-you-go ¥10,000–¥20,000

Mid budget (¥150,000–¥300,000 / month)

• Central 1K–1LDK (Shinjuku, Shibuya outskirts, Meguro) or a private furnished unit with utilities partly included.
• Utilities: ¥10,000–¥25,000
• Internet: ¥3,500–¥8,000 (often included in serviced options)
• Optional cleaning or linen service: ¥10,000–¥30,000

High budget (¥300,000+ / month)

• Serviced apartment, premium 2LDK, or corporate housing in Minato, Chiyoda, or Roppongi.
• All utilities, cleaning, concierge often included.
• Great for families, relocations, or executive assignments.

Practical takeaway: For most travelers staying 1–6 months, plan on ¥150,000 as a comfortable monthly baseline if you want central location + decent space.

Neighborhood choice: pick for commute, vibe and budget

Tokyo isn’t uniformly expensive — location drives price and lifestyle. Choose based on these priorities:

• Best for central work/meetings: Chiyoda, Chuo, Minato — expensive, short commutes.
• Best nightlife & food: Shibuya, Shinjuku, Nakameguro, Ebisu — lively, slightly pricier.
• Best balance of cost and access: Meguro, Setagaya, Nakano, Koto — lower rent with 20–30 min commute to central wards.
• Best for families: Setagaya, Suginami, Ota — parks, quieter streets, larger units.
• Budget suburbs: Itabashi, Adachi, parts of Saitama/Chiba/Kawasaki — cheaper, but expect longer commutes.

Monthly rentals: what to expect and how to negotiate

Monthly furnished rentals (short-term apartments) and standard leases are the two main sub-categories. Here’s how to handle each.

Furnished monthly rentals (platforms & agents)

• Most are fully furnished and billed monthly — ideal for 1–6 month stays.
• Fees vary; many include utilities, but check heating/cooling caps and Wi‑Fi speed.
• Cancellation policy: expect 30 days' notice; confirm refund rules for unused days.

Standard apartment lease (6+ months common)

• Traditional Japanese leases require security deposit (shikikin), and sometimes key money (reikin), plus agent fee. In 2026 many landlords waive reikin for monthly rentals, but ask first.
• Guarantor requirement: If you don’t have a Japanese guarantor, most landlords accept a guarantor company (hosho-gaisha) for a one-off fee (approx. 30–50% of one month’s rent as a yearly cost or a flat fee).
• Negotiate: For stays of 3–12 months, ask landlords for a reduced deposit or no key money and a month-to-month break clause. Landlords often prefer a stable occupant, so offer a 3+ month commitment to gain leverage.

Sharehouses & co-living: who benefits most

Sharehouses are a reliable budget option for solo travellers, students and young professionals.

Pros

• Lower upfront costs; utilities and internet often included.
• Furnished private rooms with shared kitchens and living areas.
• Built-in social life and local orientation (shared events, language exchanges).

Cons & rules

• Guest rules, cleaning rotas and quiet hours apply — read house regulations closely.
• Privacy limited; storage space may be small.
• Some sharehouses restrict long-term stays or have minimum stay rules.

Serviced apartments: cost vs convenience

Serviced apartments are the simplest long-stay option if budget allows.

• Advantages: instant move-in, cleaning and linen, utilities and often a kitchenette, short commute to central business districts.
• Downside: cost can be 1.5–3x a standard apartment per month. However, the time saved on setup and the included services can justify the premium, especially for corporate assignments.

Must-ask questions before you sign

Always get these items clarified in writing (listing, lease, or email):

1. Exact monthly cost and what’s included (electricity, gas, water, wifi, cleaning).
2. Deposit amount and refund conditions. Ask for the cleaning fee schedule and how wear and tear is defined.
3. Minimum and maximum stay; cancellation and notice periods.
4. Guarantor requirements and whether a guarantor company is accepted.
5. Furniture inventory and condition — photograph everything at move-in.
6. Garbage collection schedule and recycling rules (these differ by ward).
7. Move-in/out inspection and how deposits are returned (timeline and bank transfer details).

Utilities, internet and monthly bills — realistic expectations

These small line items add up. Here’s what to expect and how to keep control.

Electricity & gas

• Heating (winter) and AC (summer) are the big cost drivers. Heating bills can double in January–February depending on building insulation.
• Tip: set HVAC at 20–22°C and use humidifiers during winter to stay comfortable without huge bills. Use smart outlets and timers to cut standby loads — see advanced smart outlet strategies for energy-saving ideas.

Water

Usually modest (¥2,000–¥5,000/month) unless you run a lot of laundry.

Internet

• Fixed-line fiber (光 — hikari) can take 1–3 weeks to install unless the unit already has an active contract. Expect ¥3,500–¥6,000/month.
• Portable 5G routers and portable power solutions cost ¥3,000–¥7,000/month and provide immediate service — great for the first few weeks.

Mobile and banking

• SIM plans are competitive; consider eSIMs for short stays or local SIM if staying longer.
• Opening a Japanese bank account usually requires a Residence Card and proof of address; many banks now support multilingual onboarding but bring your passport and My Number card if you have one.

Administrative steps for settling in

These are quick, non-negotiable steps to get legal and practical systems working.

1. Register your address at the ward office (within 14 days of moving in for residents). You’ll need this for insurance and utilities.
2. Sign up for National Health Insurance at the ward office or through employer arrangements.
3. Get a Japanese SIM or eSIM and connect your internet provider.
4. Set up automatic billing or prepare to pay utilities each month — confirm payment methods (credit card vs bank transfer). Consider subscription and billing best practices from micro-subscription playbooks to keep recurring costs predictable.

Lease tips: protect yourself and your deposit

Small actions have outsized benefits when it comes to deposits and disputes.

• Document everything: Photo- and video-record the apartment on move-in (timestamped). This prevents unfair deductions later.
• Ask for English contract: If the landlord won’t provide an English lease, get a certified translation or use a reputable agency.
• Clarify cleaning fees: Ask for exact pricing if cleaning is deducted from deposit, and when it’s applied.
• Negotiate deposits: For 3–6 month stays, many landlords will accept a smaller deposit. Offer a slightly higher monthly rent in exchange, if needed.

Case study: a 3-month stay in Nakameguro — a realistic budget and plan

Scenario: single professional, hybrid work, wants lifestyle and commuting ease.

• Rent: Furnished 1K monthly rental ¥180,000
• Utilities: ¥12,000
• Internet (portable first month then fiber): ¥5,000
• Transport: ¥12,000
• Groceries & misc: ¥40,000
• Up-front costs: Deposit ¥180,000 (1 month, negotiable) + agency fee ¥180,000

Practical plan: book an extended-stay hotel for the first 10–14 days while you view apartments in-person; secure a place with immediate move-in or a flexible start date. Use a guarantor company if you don’t have a Japanese guarantor.

Where to search and whom to trust

Use a mix of platforms and local agents — each has pros and cons.

• Global and Japanese mid-term platforms: quick inventory and flexible terms (great for immediate bookings).
• Local real estate agents (fudosan): better for negotiated, longer leases and lower monthly rent but expect agent fees and more paperwork.
• Sharehouse operators: direct booking on operator sites; community reviews are valuable.
• Serviced apartment providers: book direct for best service options and reliable cancellation policies.

Saving strategies for long stays

• Book 1–3 months through monthly-rental platforms for discounts — many operators give price breaks for longer blocks.
• Negotiate on cleaning frequency or utilities caps rather than base rent to get immediate savings.
• Use a rail & metro monthly pass if you commute regularly — it usually saves money after 10–14 round trips per month.
• Cook at home and buy fresh produce at local markets; dining out is a quick drain on budgets.

Red flags to avoid

• Listings without a clear breakdown of what’s included.
• Landlords who refuse a written lease or demand cash-only deposits.
• Excessive, vague cleaning fees that could wipe out the deposit.
• Properties that cannot prove legal rental registration (especially short-term sublets) — always verify the ownership and permission to rent.

Pro tip: Always read the “move-out” clause. A 30-day notice requirement is typical for monthly rentals. If a listing forces 60–90 days, that’s less flexible and potentially costly if your plans change.

Checklist for your first 48 hours in Tokyo

1. Confirm move-in inventory and do a walk-through with the landlord or manager.
2. Register at the ward office and enroll in health insurance.
3. Set up internet (portable Wi‑Fi as fallback) and confirm utility billing name.
4. Locate the nearest konbini (24‑hour convenience store), grocery, pharmacy and clinic.
5. Pick up a Suica/Pasmo card and load a small balance for transit.

Final checklist before you commit

• Confirm total move-in cost (deposit + first month + agent fees + guarantor fee).
• Get the lease in writing and request an English summary if needed.
• Photograph the unit on move-in and keep email records of all communications.
• Check commute time at peak hours to your frequent destinations.

Why a thoughtful long-stay plan pays off

In 2026, Tokyo’s mid-term rental market is more diverse and flexible than ever. Planning your budget and vetting contracts will save you money and stress — and settling on the right neighborhood will shape your whole experience. Whether you choose a sharehouse for community, a monthly rental for value, or a serviced apartment for ease, the right preparation makes a months-long stay feel like home.

Ready to take the next step?

If you’re booking a stay in Tokyo for several months, start with two actions now: 1) set a realistic monthly budget using the ranges above, and 2) book a short buffer (10–14 nights in an extended-stay hotel or serviced apartment) so you can arrive relaxed and search in person. Want personalized help comparing monthly rentals, sharehouses and serviced apartments in your preferred neighborhoods? Click through to our neighborhood guides or contact our local booking advisors to get tailored quotes and lease support.

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