Quick answer: An Osaka short-term apartment rental costs about ¥2,200 to ¥3,100 a day on current monthly mansion promotions, which is roughly ¥66,000 to ¥92,000 for 30 days. At full list price the same furnished 1K runs ¥6,500 to ¥7,950 a day, or about ¥195,000 to ¥240,000 a month. Expect ¥35,000 or more in one-time fees on top.
The biggest 2026 change is legal, not price. Osaka City stopped accepting new special-zone minpaku (tokku minpaku) applications on 29 May 2026, so the supply of short nightly rentals will no longer grow.
| Stay length | Best option in Osaka | Typical cost (furnished 1K) | Legal basis |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 nights to 4 weeks | Existing tokku minpaku or hotel-licensed weekly apartment | Varies by season; weekly singles from about ¥30,000 | Special-zone minpaku or hotel license |
| 30 days to 3 months | Monthly mansion | ¥66,000 to ¥92,000 on promo; ¥195,000 to ¥240,000 at list | Fixed-term lease |
| 3 to 12 months | Monthly mansion or share house | Promo daily rate, with higher one-time fees for longer plans | Fixed-term lease |
| 12 months or more | Standard lease | See our Osaka apartment for rent guide | Ordinary or fixed-term lease |
Prices: LiVEMAX Osaka monthly mansion listings, checked 7 October 2026. Promo rates need a contract of 1 month or more, paid in full, and move-out by 15 March 2027.
Monthly mansions in Osaka charge no deposit, no key money and no agent fee, and utilities and Wi-Fi are usually inside the daily rate. Browse Osaka apartments on Arealty or tell our team your dates.
Which Osaka Short-Term Apartment Rental Type Fits Your Stay?
Osaka offers four short-term products, and the right one depends mostly on how many nights you need. Japan splits stays at one month: under 30 days is lodging, 30 days or more is a lease. Our Tokyo short-term rental guide explains that rule in full; below is how it plays out in Osaka.
Tokku minpaku (2 nights to a few weeks)
Osaka City ran Japan’s largest special-zone minpaku program. Unlike ordinary minpaku, these units have no 180-night yearly cap, but each booking must be at least 2 nights and 3 days. Units already certified can keep operating. Since 29 May 2026, no new ones are being approved.
Best for: tourists and house-hunting trips of a few nights. Watch out for: listings that show no certification number.
Weekly apartments (1 to 4 weeks)
Weekly apartments run on a hotel or inn license, so the minpaku freeze does not affect them. LiVEMAX, one of Osaka’s largest operators, notes that single rooms for about ¥30,000 a week are not unusual in the city. Many monthly mansion buildings do not accept stays under 30 days, so check the minimum before you enquire.
Monthly mansion (30 days to 12 months)
This is the main option for job transfers, interns and people waiting for a long-term lease. Contracts are usually a fixed-term lease (teiki shakuya), with a 30-day minimum. Utilities and internet are typically built into the daily rate.
Best for: stays of 1 to 6 months. Why Osaka is different: large operators run deep promotions here, sometimes 65% off list rent, so the gap between advertised and real prices is wider than in Tokyo.
Share house (1 month or longer)
A private room with a shared kitchen and bathroom is the cheapest furnished option. Oakhouse lists Osaka share houses at about ¥41,000 a month on average, plus around ¥15,000 for utilities and a ¥50,000 registration fee, with a 1-month minimum.
Best for: students, working holiday makers and solo stays on a tight budget. For unfurnished budget options, see our guide to cheap Osaka apartments under ¥70,000.
How Much Does an Osaka Short-Term Apartment Rental Cost in 2026?
A furnished 1K monthly mansion in Osaka lists at ¥6,500 to ¥7,950 a day, but promotional rates of ¥2,200 to ¥3,050 a day are widely available this autumn. Location moves the price less than in Tokyo: central Shinsaibashi and suburban Esaka list at the same ¥7,600.
| Area (station) | Ward | List rent per day | Promo rent from | Promo, 30 days |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shinsaibashi (Hakuromachi) | Chuo | ¥7,600 | ¥2,600 | about ¥78,000 |
| Matsuyamachi | Chuo | ¥7,300 | ¥2,500 | about ¥75,000 |
| Namba (Sakuragawa) | Naniwa | ¥7,400 | ¥2,500 | about ¥75,000 |
| Shitennoji-mae Yuhigaoka (1K, 23㎡) | Naniwa | ¥7,950 | ¥3,050 | about ¥91,500 |
| Tennoji | Tennoji | ¥6,500 | ¥2,200 | about ¥66,000 |
| Kyobashi | Miyakojima | ¥6,900 | ¥2,400 | about ¥72,000 |
| Higashi-Mikuni (near Shin-Osaka) | Yodogawa | ¥7,500 | ¥2,600 | about ¥78,000 |
| Imazato | Higashinari | ¥7,300 | ¥2,500 | about ¥75,000 |
| Esaka (Suita City) | outside Osaka City | ¥7,600 | ¥2,600 | about ¥78,000 |
Source: LiVEMAX Osaka featured listings, checked 7 October 2026. Rent only; daily insurance and support fees and one-time fees are extra. Larger 2K units (about 31㎡) list from ¥8,850 a day.
What a real first month costs
Using a Tennoji 1K as the example, one month at the promo rate comes to about ¥157,500:
- 30 days at ¥2,750 all-in daily rate: ¥82,500 (rent, utilities, insurance and support)
- Cleaning fee: ¥15,000
- Basic pack (bedding, supplies): ¥20,000
- Guarantee company fee for foreign residents, 1 to 3 months: ¥40,000 (recommended, not refundable)
At list price, the same month would be about ¥286,500. Always ask for the promo terms in writing before you pay.
Short-term vs a long-term lease in Osaka
A standard Osaka 1K rents for about ¥58,000 to ¥75,000 a month, per our Osaka apartment for rent guide. The catch is the upfront bill: deposit, key money, agent fee, guarantor fee and furniture. Our move-in cost guide breaks that down.
Bottom line: for 1 to 3 months, a promo monthly mansion usually beats signing a lease. Past 6 months, a standard lease almost always wins, and our guide to short-term vs 2-year leases shows where the line falls for your visa.
Osaka Minpaku Rules in 2026: What Changed on 29 May?
Osaka City closed new applications for special-zone minpaku on 29 May 2026, but every unit certified by that date can keep operating as before. For renters, that means existing listings stay legal, while new nightly supply now has to come through hotel licenses instead.
Why Osaka matters for minpaku
Over 90% of Japan’s special-zone minpaku are in Osaka City. The city counted 8,360 such facilities in fiscal 2025, up from 6,038 a year earlier, with noise and rubbish complaints rising from 190 to 338. That growth is why the city and 29 other Osaka Prefecture municipalities ended the program on the same date.
Rules that still apply to existing tokku minpaku
| Rule | Tokku minpaku (Osaka) | Ordinary minpaku (national law) |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum stay | 2 nights, 3 days | None |
| Yearly night cap | None | 180 nights |
| Room size | 25㎡ or more per room | No national minimum |
| Approval | City certification | Registration (number starts with “M”) |
| New units after 29 May 2026 | Not accepted | Still possible, under local rules |
Sources: City of Osaka press release, 28 November 2025; Cabinet Office national strategic special zone summary; Osaka Prefecture minpaku comparison sheet.
What it means if you are booking
- Ask for the certification or license number before you pay. A listing with neither is the riskiest kind of booking.
- Expect tighter rules on hotel-licensed rentals. The city consulted on stricter local rules for ryokan-licensed lodging in May and June 2026, because operators are expected to switch licenses.
- For 30 days or more, the freeze does not touch you. Monthly mansions and share houses are leases, not lodging.
If you hold a residence card, report your address at the ward office within 14 days of moving in, even to a monthly mansion. See our guide to registering your address in Japan.
Where to Stay in Osaka for a Short-Term Rental
The Midosuji Line is the spine to plan around: it links Shin-Osaka, Umeda, Shinsaibashi, Namba and Tennoji, so an Osaka short-term apartment rental anywhere near it keeps you within one train of the city’s main hubs.
| You are | Best areas | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Business traveler or transferee | Umeda, Higashi-Mikuni, Shin-Osaka | Office district plus Shinkansen access; see our Umeda neighborhood guide |
| Tourist or first-time visitor | Namba, Shinsaibashi, Matsuyamachi | Food, shopping and nightlife on foot; see our Namba apartments guide |
| Budget stay or day trips | Tennoji, Kyobashi | Lowest promo rates in our sample; JR and private lines toward Nara, Kyoto and Kansai Airport; see our Tennoji guide |
| Student or researcher | Esaka and the northern Midosuji Line | Quieter, toward the university areas of Suita, at the same list price as the center |
| Remote worker | Imazato, Matsuyamachi | Residential streets a few stops from the center, with promo rates near the bottom of the range |
Tip: compare total cost, not just rent. A cheaper suburb can cost more if you commute daily into the center at your own expense.
Fees, Inclusions and How to Book
The daily rate is only part of the bill. In a typical Osaka monthly mansion, the extras below can add 20% to 50% to a one-month stay, so get a full quote first.
Usually included
- Furniture, appliances, TV and an in-unit washing machine
- Utilities and internet, built into the rent
- A new bedding set and towels at move-in
- No deposit, no key money, no agent fee and no Japanese guarantor
Fees to check before you sign
| Fee | Typical amount (LiVEMAX Osaka) | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Cleaning fee | ¥15,000 (1 to 3 months), ¥25,000 (3 months+), ¥45,000 (6 months+) | Paid at contract; rises with stay length |
| Basic pack | ¥20,000 | One-time supplies and setup |
| Insurance and support | ¥350 to ¥550 a day | Charged on top of rent |
| Guarantee company (foreign residents) | ¥30,000 to ¥60,000 | Recommended, non-refundable, scaled by stay length |
| Extra occupant | 10% of the daily rent | Most 1K units allow 2 people |
| Paying monthly | ¥5,000 to ¥8,000 a month | Lump sum avoids it and is often required for promos |
| Early check-in or late check-out | 50% of one day’s rent | Standard times are 3 p.m. in and out |
How to book
- Pick your dates and get a written quote that lists every one-time fee.
- Check the minimum stay. Most monthly mansions start at 30 days and do not refund unused days.
- Prepare documents: passport, residence card or visa details, an emergency contact, and a card or bank transfer for payment.
- Book 2 to 4 weeks ahead off-peak. For February to April, Japan’s moving season, allow more time.
- Read the promo conditions. Discounts often require paying in full and leaving by a set date.
Not sure if a listing will accept your visa? Our guide to foreign-friendly apartments in Osaka explains what those labels really mean.
Frequently Asked Questions
A furnished 1K monthly mansion costs about ¥66,000 to ¥92,000 for 30 days on current promotions, or ¥195,000 to ¥240,000 at list price. Add about ¥35,000 in one-time fees, plus a guarantee fee if you are a foreign resident.
Yes. Only new applications stopped on 29 May 2026. Tokku minpaku certified before that date can keep operating, with a minimum stay of 2 nights.
Usually 30 days. Many buildings do not take shorter bookings at all, so look for a weekly apartment if you need under a month.
No Japanese guarantor is needed. Operators often recommend that foreign residents join a guarantee company, which costs about ¥30,000 to ¥60,000 and is not refunded.
Usually, yes. Osaka share house rooms average about ¥41,000 a month plus around ¥15,000 for utilities, but you share the kitchen and bathroom.
In our sample, Tennoji and Kyobashi had the lowest promo rates, from ¥2,200 to ¥2,400 a day. Central Shinsaibashi was only slightly higher.
Two to four weeks ahead in quiet months. For February to April, book earlier, as Japan’s moving season fills furnished units fast.
Find Your Osaka Short-Term Apartment Rental
Arealty helps foreign renters find furnished and short-stay apartments in Osaka, with English support from enquiry to move-in. Tell us your dates, budget and preferred area, and our bilingual team will send matching options.
About this guide
Written by Lucy Nguyen at Arealty. Monthly mansion prices were checked on 7 October 2026 and promotions change often, so confirm the live quote with the operator. This is general information, not legal advice.
Sources
- City of Osaka: tokku minpaku new applications end 29 May 2026
- City of Osaka: ryokan ordinance amendment consultation, facility and complaint counts
- Cabinet Office: special-zone minpaku vs ordinary minpaku rules
- Osaka Prefecture: minpaku type comparison sheet
- LiVEMAX Osaka monthly mansion listings and Tennoji listing fee breakdown
- Oakhouse Osaka share house averages via Go! Go! Nihon
- Japan Tourism Agency minpaku portal
Real estate advisor at Arealty Japan, specialising in helping foreign residents navigate the Tokyo and Osaka rental markets. Lucy has guided hundreds of international renters — from Working Holiday visa holders to corporate relocations — through Japan’s apartment application process. Her writing draws on firsthand experience with landlord screening, guarantor companies, and foreigner-friendly listings across all 23 Tokyo wards and major Kansai cities.
