Rental apartments for international students in Tokyo typically cost between ¥55,000 and ¥95,000 per month for a 1K unit, according to 2025 data from the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Housing Supply Corporation (JKK Tokyo). Finding rental apartments for international students in Tokyo is more straightforward than many expect — but the screening process requires specific documents that catch many students off guard before they arrive.

This guide covers everything you need to secure rental apartments in Tokyo as an international student: required documents, how the guarantor system works, realistic ward-by-ward prices, and how to apply before you land in Japan.

Why Rental Apartments — Not Dorms — Are the Standard for International Students in Tokyo

University dormitories in Tokyo are extremely limited. Waseda University, for example, offers dormitory places to fewer than 10% of its international student population (Waseda University Housing Office, 2025). Most students must find private housing within the first two to four weeks of arrival.

Private rental apartments for international students in Tokyo are available across all 23 wards. Acceptance rates for foreign applicants have improved significantly over the past five years — provided you arrive with the right document set and a qualifying guarantor arrangement.

Documents Required to Rent in Tokyo as an International Student

Japanese landlords require a standard document set. For rental apartments aimed at international students in Tokyo, the required paperwork includes:

• Certificate of Enrollment (在学証明書) — issued by your university or language school
• Residence Card (在留カード) — showing student visa status
• Passport copy
• Proof of financial support — bank statement with ¥500,000+ or a sponsor letter from a parent abroad
• Emergency contact in Japan — often a university international office staff member
• Guarantor information — personal Japanese guarantor or rental guarantee company (保証会社, hoshō gaisha)

If you are arriving from overseas without a Residence Card yet, some landlords accept a pre-arrival application with passport, visa documents, and enrollment confirmation. See our guide on how to rent a Japan apartment from overseas before arrival for the full remote application process.

The Guarantor System for Student Visa Holders

The guarantor requirement is the most common obstacle for international students seeking rental apartments in Tokyo. Most landlords require one of:

1. A personal Japanese guarantor (保証人) — a Japanese resident with stable income who co-signs the lease
2. A rental guarantee company (保証会社) — a third-party service that covers unpaid rent, charging a one-time fee of 0.5–1× monthly rent

For rental apartments for international students in Tokyo, the guarantee company route is almost always more practical. Companies such as Global Trust Networks (GTN), Roommate, and Leonet specifically serve foreign nationals and accept student visas. GTN in particular has the widest acceptance among Tokyo landlords.

GTN Foreigner Housing Support — official site for guarantee company services for foreign nationals.

Some university international offices have agreements with specific guarantee companies. Ask your student support center before you start searching.

For apartments that waive the guarantor entirely, see our no guarantor apartments in Tokyo for foreigners.

Rental Prices by Ward: What International Students Pay in 2026

The ward matters as much as the apartment type when looking for rental apartments for international students in Tokyo. Below are realistic 1K (20–25㎡) prices near major university clusters:

Ward (区)	Avg. 1K rent/month	Closest universities
Shinjuku-ku	¥85,000–¥95,000	Waseda, Sophia
Bunkyo-ku	¥80,000–¥92,000	Tokyo University, Toyo, Nihon
Toshima-ku (Ikebukuro)	¥70,000–¥82,000	Rikkyo, Gakushuin
Suginami-ku	¥65,000–¥78,000	Hosei, Kokushikan
Nerima-ku	¥58,000–¥70,000	Musashino, Tokorozawa line schools
Edogawa-ku	¥55,000–¥68,000	TUS Noda campus line, budget option

Source: SUUMO rental market data, Q1 2026.

Students at Waseda or Sophia typically look in Shinjuku ward, while those at Tokyo University target Bunkyo ward or Ikebukuro in Toshima-ku.

Share House vs Rental Apartments for International Students in Tokyo

Share houses are popular as a first-step option for international students in Tokyo because move-in requires minimal documentation and can happen within 2–3 days. Monthly costs: ¥45,000–¥65,000 all-inclusive.

Private rental apartments for international students in Tokyo offer more stability, a fixed registerable address, and better long-term value for stays over 6 months.

	Share house	Private 1K apartment
Move-in time	2–3 days	1–3 weeks
Documents	Minimal	Full set
Monthly cost	¥45,000–¥65,000	¥55,000–¥95,000
Utilities	Included	+¥8,000–¥15,000
University address use	Confirm with school	Yes

For more on share houses, see our share house in Japan for foreigners guide.

How to Apply: Step-by-Step Process

The application process for rental apartments for international students in Tokyo follows a consistent sequence:

1. Search — SUUMO, Homes.co.jp, or Arealty’s foreigner-friendly Tokyo listings
2. Schedule viewings — most agencies allow same-day viewings on weekdays
3. Submit application — with all documents above
4. Guarantor screening — 2–5 business days with a guarantee company
5. Contract signing — in person or remotely via DocuSign
6. Initial payment — 3–5× monthly rent (deposit + key money if any + first month + agency fee + guarantee fee)
7. Move-in — key handover on contract start date

Initial costs for a ¥70,000/month apartment average ¥250,000–¥400,000. Budget for this before departure.

JASSO Student Life Support — Housing in Japan — official Japan Student Services Organization guide on student housing.

Practical Tips: Before You Arrive

• Apply 4–6 weeks before arrival. Landlords rarely hold units beyond 2 weeks, but an early start gives time for remote guarantor screening.
• Get your enrollment certificate early. Language schools issue these by email before arrival; universities usually issue on or after orientation.
• Open a Japan Post Bank account in week 1. Most landlords require automatic bank transfer (口座振替). Japan Post Bank (ゆうちょ銀行) is the easiest to open without a long visa history.
• Ask your international office for agency recommendations. Many have informal partnerships with agencies experienced in international student applications.

For more on the full student rental process, see our student apartments in Tokyo guide and our student housing Japan checklist.

FAQ: Rental Apartments for International Students in Tokyo

Can I apply for rental apartments in Tokyo before arriving in Japan? Yes — many agencies accept remote applications. You submit scanned documents by email, the agency does a virtual viewing, and you sign digitally before departure. See our overseas rental application guide.

Which guarantee company accepts student visas? GTN and Roommate are the most widely used. Both accept student visas, process in English, and charge 0.5–1× monthly rent as a one-time fee.

How long does the application take? Guarantor screening: 2–5 days. Contract preparation: 3–7 days. Total from document submission to keys: 10–21 days.

Can scholarship stipends count as proof of income? Yes. JASSO and Monbukagakusho stipends are accepted by many landlords. Provide a letter from your scholarship organization confirming monthly payment amount.

Ward Guides by University Location

• Shinjuku apartments for rent — Waseda, Sophia. 1K from ¥80,000
• Bunkyo apartments for rent — Tokyo University, Toyo. 1K from ¥78,000
• Ikebukuro apartments for rent — Rikkyo, Gakushuin. 1K from ¥70,000
• Suginami apartments for rent — Hosei, Kokushikan. 1K from ¥65,000

→ Browse all rental apartments for international students in Tokyo

By Lucy , Real Estate Advisor at Arealty Japan. Lucy has assisted over 200 international students in securing Tokyo apartments since 2022.