Free List of Resources for Expats in Japan
List of Resources (book 1)
The list of resources below was prepared as a complementary material for use in pair with Book 1 of the series Far Away Home in Japan by Izabelle Grenon, available on Amazon Worldwide (ebook and paperback available): “Japan Guide From Renting to Rice Cooking.“
However, as the list is intended to help all foreign residents in Japan, I decided to make it available for free, ad-free, spam free and with no obligation what-so-ever. You don’t need to buy the book, but if you are new to Japan, I strongly recommend to check it out. If you have Kindle Unlimited you can access it for free at the moment… just saying.
You are welcome to check this list as often as you wish, and share the link to this page with friends and on social media by copy and paste the following link: www.izabellegrenon.com/resources/far-away-home-in-japan-book-1
For the benefit of all expats in Japan, you can help keep this list up-to-date by reporting missing links or suggesting the addition of reliable providers using this form.
For any other query, you may contact the author using the contact form. For updates on new book releases, new list of resources, promotions and so on, please subscribe to my mailing list.
*Important disclosure: The author and anyone involved in the publication and distribution of this list of resources do not endorse any of the person, agency or business listed, nor do they receive any benefit or commission from any of these providers in any way, and thus, bear no responsibility for any conflict or problem that may result in using the services offered by a provider. However, as this list is meant to recommend trustworthy and reliable service providers, please report any case of abuse, dispute or unfair treatment using the form above and we will consider removing them from the list following investigation.
The list is not exhaustive, but meant to help you get started in your search for the right service or information you need on topics related to renting, moving in or out of Japan, importing your pets, moving to a new home, and where to shop for appliances and furniture, including online stores, so that you can finally feel *at home* in Japan.
CHAPTERS
TABLE OF CONTENTS
- Choosing a Home
- Housing Features
- The Rental Procedure
- Moving From Abroad
- Moving with Pets
- Settling In
- Electricity and Gas Comparison Calculators
- Public Electrical Providers by Region
- Gas Providers Across Japan
- Consultation Service Related to Utilities
- Popular Shops for Electrical and Gas Appliances
- Popular Shops for Furniture and Household Goods
- Online Only Stores
- Aircon Cleaning Services
- Internet and Mobile Phone Providers
- Convenient Shops Offering Items at Low Cost
- Shops, Websites or Groups to Buy or Sell Used Items
- Moving Out
- Local Moving Companies
- Repair, Storage or Disposal Services (see also 7.1)
CHAPTER 1: CHOOSING A HOME
1.1 Real Estate Agent/Agencies Offering Support in English & other languages
Provides support in Japanese, English and Chinese with real estate transactions and finding a home.
Usually covers the Kanto and Kansai area, but may be able to help in other regions as well.
Yuki Amano is an advisor who can provide support in Japanese and English to find or buy a home in Japan.
Can assist clients in Japanese, English, Vietnamese, Tamil, Hindi.
Act as an intermediary to help you find a rental properties you may be interested in and match you with a real estate agent who can speak English.
The help provided by GaijinPot Room Finder is free (although there may be initial fees to rent the apartment or house of your choice).
You have another one to recommend?
Please fill this form to let me know!
1.2 Daily Life Support for Foreigners
Public Office providing various information and support for foreign residents living in any region of Japan. This is link to the consultation desk with automatic translation in several languages.
On the website of Shinjuku city you can find an English translation (not AI made) explaining the different offices included in the FRESC and the services they can provide. Consultation services include legal support, visa consultation and more.
Provide support related to mental health to individual adults, couples, and children in any region.
Offers face-to-face and distance psychotherapy services. For face-to-face services, there is a counseling center in the Tokyo Metropolitan area and another in Okinawa.
Also offers telehealth counseling and help you find other kinds of services (find a doctor or hospital for you, find out where you can get financial support, etc.).
Can provide services in English, Japanese, Portuguese, Spanish, Cantonese, Urdu, Hindi, and Turkish.
Provides consultation (information) and interpreter services for residents in Yokohama.
Assistance available in English and 10 other languages besides Japanese.
Provides information about daily life through AI bot chat with automatic translation, so it can be used in any language, and anywhere in Japan.
Also offers personal consultations in Japanese, English and Chinese.
Requires a one-year or two-year membership, or monthly subscription (this service is not free).
You have another one to recommend?
Please fill this form to let me know!
1.3 Foreigner-Friendly Rental Agencies
Options starting above 100,000 yen/month for 1R or below 100,000 for shared room In Kanto region, Kansai region and Izu city.
Can search for Male only or Female only. Muslim friendly.
About 6000 rooms available.
Options starting above 100,000 yen/month for a room in a shared accommodation
in Kanto, Kansai (Kinki), Chubu and Kyushu regions. Specialize in shared accommodations with some hotel rooms. Initial contract fees of 50,000 yen, and property transfer fee of 5,000 yen or more when moving out. No other fees required (key money, guarantor, renewal, etc.)
Options starting above 100,000 yen/month for 1R Fully furnished luxury apartments and residential home for long term rentals.
Tokyo only (with few options in Yokohama).
Has a refined search option for housing offering “Disabled Access.”
About 1000 rentals available.
Options below 100,000 yen/month for 3DK in Tokyo.
Options across Japan (but few in each region).
All rentals require no deposit, key money, agency fee, or renewal fees
About 40,000 rentals available, starting below 100,000/month for 3DK in Tokyo.
Rental options in Kanto region (Tokyo, Saitama, Chiba, Kanagawa), Kansai region (Osaka,
Kyoto, Hyogo, Nara, Shiga, Wakayama), and Kyushu region (Fukuoka, Kagoshima).
Can search for women only, pets negotiable, no deposit or key money, guarantor not
required and many other options.
Luxury apartments in Tokyo only.
Options starting around 100,000/month for 1R.
Has a range of rentals open to foreigners across Japan.
Website available in Japanese, English and Chinese.
Also offers free help called Japan Room Finder (see point 1.1 above for direct link).
You have another one to recommend?
Please fill this form to let me know!
1.4 Real Estate Websites
Website to search specifically for housing open to foreigners (website in Japanese-only)
No key money, no guarantor, 2 months deposit required.
One of the most popular real estate websites, with thousands of rentals across Japan. In Japanese only.
Real estate website in English, Chinese, Vietnamese and Japanese. Work with real estate agencies open to foreigners with rentals available across Japan.
You have another one to recommend?
Please fill this form to let me know!
1.5 Risk Maps by the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA)
Provides earthquake intensity information in each prefecture after an earthquake.
Click on “latest information” to update the page.
You can zoom in to see the risk of landslides in a particular area. Map in English.
You can zoom in to see the risk of unundations in a particular area. Map in English.
You can zoom in to see the risk of flood in a particular area. Map in English.
1.6 Japanese Calendar vs. Western Calendar
PDF file from the Embassy to Japan in Seattle.
Includes name of Japanese Era in both letters and kanji. No ads.
CHAPTER 2: HOUSING FEATURES
2.1 Jō and Tsubo Converters
Converts “jō” to most units used in the world.
Available in English, French, Spanish, Portuguese, Russian.
Free to use and no registration required but contains ads.
Converts “tsubo” to most units used in the world.
Available in English, French, Spanish, Portuguese, Russian.
Free to use and no registration required but contains ads.
Tsubo to square meters and tatami (jō) converter. Can convert to and from different tatami sizes depending on the region.
CHAPTER 3: THE RENTAL PROCEDURE
3.1 Public Consultation Services for Issues Related to Your Rights
Provide general information about consumer-related issues (products, services) for anyone across Japan.
This is Japanese page.
The English website is aimed at tourists but should provide general information about consumer-related issues (products, services) to anyone, across Japan.
This is English page.
Free consultation services available in different prefectures for any problems.
English and other languages available.
Hotline
Consumer consultation hotline.
Dial 188 on your phone, anywhere in Japan.
May cost some phone charges.
In Japanese only.
Consultation in English or Japanese.
More information is availabe on the Japanese website.
You have another one to recommend?
Please fill this form to let me know!
3.2 Resources and Information Related to Renting
Guidelines about tenant and landlord responsibilities. Applicable in Tokyo Metropolitan area only.
Includes contact number and address of consultation offices for matters related to renting on the last page.
Pamphlet in English.
English guide.
Overview of rental options and explanations about the initial fees that may be required. Information about termination and renewal of rental agreement (and possible fees).
Available for free on Kindle unlimited, and as eBook and paperback on Amazon worldwide (not free).
CHAPTER 4: Moving From Abroad
4.1 Import Regulations (Information)
PDF Pamphlet in English. Short summary.
Website in English.
PDF file in English.
4.2 Transporting Your Luggage From and to the Airport
Schedule delivery of your luggage to and from the airport to any location.
Can be reserved upon arrival at the airport, no need to reserve in advance.
Delivery usually possible as soon as one day later.
Long distance bus to and from the airport. May have limit for number of suitcases that can be stored underneath the bus (usually one or two per person).
This company serves Tokyo (Narita Airport only), Nagoya, Osaka, Hokkaido, Hiroshima.
You have another one to recommend?
Please fill this form to let me know!
4.3 Customs Procedures and Forms
Information.
Information.
Online form version.
PDF form version.
This form is only available in PDF.
4.4 International Moving Companies
International mover with service in English and Japanese.
International mover with service in French, English and Japanese.
You have another one to recommend?
Please fill this form to let me know!
4.5 Information About Cost of Living in Japan
Provide an estimation of the cost of living in most cities and countries in the world, and can compare with another city/country in the currency of your choice.
Website available in English, Dutch, Portuguese, Italian, French and Spanish
Can also compare property prices and metrics related to quality of life.
CHAPTER 5: Moving With Pets
5.1 Importing Cats and Dogs (Information)
General information.
Website in English, also available in many languages including Chinese, Korean, Tagalog, Vietnamese, Thai, Spanish and French.
Dogs can’t be brought into Japan through any airport or seaport. Check this link for the list of acceptable ports of entry.
AIPO (Animal ID Promotion Organization)
To register your pet microchip number in Japan.
Phone: 03-3475-1695
Fax: 03-3475-1697
(no email available)
5.2 Procedures if Importing From Iceland, Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, Hawaii or Guam
List of requirements, documents, and steps to import cats or dogs from (only) one of the designated regions.
Website in English, also available in many languages including Chinese, Korean, Tagalog, Vietnamese, Thai, Spanish and French.
Online submission only available in Japanese.
PDF form Japanese–English version.
PDF form Japanese–English version.
PDF form Japanese–English version.
This form is for pets coming from a designated region.
PDF form English version.
Word form English version downloadable under step 6.
5.3 Procedures if Importing From Other Regions
List of requirements, documents, and steps to import cats or dogs from one of the non-designated regions.
Website in English, also available in many languages including Chinese, Korean, Tagalog, Vietnamese, Thai, Spanish and French.
Online submission only available in Japanese.
PDF form Japanese–English version.
PDF form Japanese–English version.
PDF form Japanese–English version.
This form is for pets coming from a non-designated region.
CHAPTER 6: Settling In
6.1 Electricity and Gas Comparison Calculators
Cost comparisons of electrical and gas providers across Japan (all regions).
Can apply for the provide of your choice through their website.
Website in Japanese only.
Provide cost comparisons in all regions.
Registration required to see the results.
Website in Japanese only.
Tokyo area only.
Website in Japanese only.
6.2 Public Electrical Providers by Region
Website/contact for application for connecting electricity (or gas) is only available in Japanese. Application can be done 24 hours/day, 7 days/week.
Although you can switch some pages to the English page, the English version only provides information about the company (no help in English to apply for connecting the electricity could be found).
Website English version, also available in Japanese.
Website English version, also available in Japanese.
Application for connecting electricity by phone only (no online form). However, an interpreter can be provided in English, Chinese, Korean, Portuguese, and Spanish.
This is link to a guidebook in PDF available in English, Portuguese and Chinese.
On the last page, you will find the phone number (no online form) to start, modify or change your electricity or gas contract.
Website English version, also available in Japanese.
Application for connecting electricity by phone only (no online form). However, an interpreter can be provided in 18 different languages.
Website English version, also available in Japanese.
Website English version, also available in Japanese.
Application for connecting electricity by phone and in Japanese only (no online form). If you don’t speak Japanese, you need to find someone who can help you (no interpreter service is provided by this company).
Website English version, also available in Japanese.
Website in English or Japanese.
Can complete application online 24 hours/day, but online application form in Japanese only.
Website English version, also available in Japanese.
6.3 Gas Providers Across Japan
Page in English.
List of gas providers available in this region, with link to their respective pages. Most providers’ pages are available only in Japanese.
Page in English.
List of gas providers available in this region, with link to their respective page. All the providers’ pages are available only in Japanese.
Page in English.
List of gas providers available in this region, with link to their respective pages. Most providers’ pages are available only in Japanese.
Page in English.
List of gas providers available in this region, with link to their respective pages. Most providers’ pages are available only in Japanese.
Page in English.
List of gas providers available in this region, with link to their respective pages. Most providers’ pages are available only in Japanese.
Page in English.
List of gas providers available in this region, with link to their respective pages. Most providers’ pages are available only in Japanese.
Page in English.
List of gas providers available in this region, with link to their respective pages. Most providers’ pages are available only in Japanese.
6.4 Consultation Service Related to Utilities
In case of disagreement over utility charges. Consultation service to file a complaint.
6.5 Popular Shops for Electrical and Gas Appliances
Find a store. Japanese only.
Has online store available in English, Chinese and Japanese.
Can deliver locally or ship overseas. Has tax free option (for tourists only).
Down the page in English you can find link to their product information website and page to find the nearest retailer.
Rinnai specializes in gas appliances, including gas drying machines.
Global website in English.
Can access the online Japanese shop or find a retailer in Japan through this page. However, the online shop in Japan is only in Japanese.
You have another one to recommend?
Please fill this form to let me know!
6.6 Popular Shops for Furniture and Household Goods
Online store available in English, Chinese and Japanese. Nitori has a delivery and assembly servicee (for a fee) in most regions. It can also remove an item you don’t need (again for a fee), with some conditions.
You can also search to find a store in your area but this page is only available in Japanese.
Muji
…
Ikea
…
Keyuca
…
You have another one to recommend?
Please fill this form to let me know!
6.7 Online Only Stores
Rakuten
…
Amazon
…
6.8 Aircon Cleaning Services
Aircon (A/C) installation and deep cleaning services in English or Japanese.
Tokyo and Kanagawa.
You have another one to recommend?
Please fill this form to let me know!
6.9 Internet and Mobile Phone Providers
AU
…
Softbank
…
Docomo
…
UQ mobile
…
Sakura mobile
…
Mobal
…
You have another one to recommend?
Please fill this form to let me know!
6.10 Convenient Shops Offering Items at Low Cost
Popular 100-yen store available across Japan (may have articles above 100 yen). Find a store near you with link (in Japanese only).
Popular 100-yen store (but some articles are more than 100 yen). Website in Japanese uses machine translation to see the website in EnglishandChinese.
Website helps you find a store near you.
You can also use this website to check if a product you want is in stock at the store near you.
Popular 100-yen store available across Japan (may have articles above 100 yen).
The website show only 6 stores on the map but there are over 1000 stores.
Website in English.
Discount chain stores across Japan.
On the website, can search for a store near you.
Website in Japanese, English, Chinese, Korean and Thai.
6.11 Shops, Websites or Groups to Buy or Sell Used Items
Buy and sell used items.
This is the English page but it is available in many languages.
Use this page to find the Craiglist nearest you. You can change the language on top right of the screen.
Buy and sell used items. You can bring to the store, or they can pick up bulkier items from your home.
Can sell or buy used home items from members of this group.
Facebook Groups
There are many Facebook groups made specially to buy or sell or give away used items.
Search with keywords such as sayonara, garage sale, in-search of, mottainai + Japan.
Some groups may be private, so you’ll need to ask to join first.
You have another one to recommend?
Please fill this form to let me know!
CHAPTER 7: Moving Out
7.1 Local Moving Companies
Provides help with moving in Tokyo or if moving abroad in English and Japanese.
Offers other services, such as removing and disposing of bulkier items, repair services, storage and more.
Provides help with moving in Kanto region in English.
Has disposal, packing and storage services.
Provides moving, delivery and disposal services.
English available.
Provides help with moving in Tokyo or long distance move. Also, delivery, disposal, packing and storage services.
English and Japanese available.
You have another one to recommend?
Please fill this form to let me know!
7.2 Repair, Storage or Disposal Services
Storage service, with optional pick up and delivery service.
English and Japanese available.
Available in Tokyo, Saitama, Chiba and Kanagawa (Kanto region only).
Refer to section 7.1 above for movers providing additional services
…
You have another one to recommend?
Please fill this form to let me know!