Tokyo is one of the most livable cities in the world for professionals — reliable transit, low crime, world-class infrastructure, and a food scene that makes every neighborhood feel like a discovery. But if you're planning to stay for a month or more, navigating the housing market as a foreigner can feel like its own full-time job.
Traditional Japanese rental contracts come with a long list of requirements that trip up international residents: key money (a non-refundable "gift" payment to the landlord), a Japanese guarantor, months of paperwork, and leases that typically run a minimum of two years. For professionals on assignment, remote workers relocating temporarily, or expats still figuring out which neighborhood suits them, that kind of commitment doesn't make sense.
The good news is that a growing category of furnished apartment platforms in Tokyo has emerged specifically to solve this problem — offering flexible monthly terms, English support, and move-in-ready units that skip the traditional barriers entirely. As The Japan Times has reported, a 2016 government survey found that 40% of foreign residents in Japan had been rejected for rental housing, with key money, guarantor requirements, and language barriers among the most commonly cited obstacles..
Here's a look at six platforms worth knowing about if you're planning an extended stay.
1. Blueground
Type: Global furnished apartment operator | Tokyo presence: Active across multiple neighborhoods including Ebisu, Meguro, Minato, and Shibuya
Blueground is one of the most recognized names in the global furnished apartment space, operating in dozens of cities worldwide and now well established in Tokyo. Their units are professionally designed, include premium furnishings, fast Wi-Fi, and smart home features, and are available for stays starting at 30 days. Pricing is dynamic and displayed on their website, though final rates vary by duration and move-in date. They cater to a corporate and executive audience and are particularly strong for professionals arriving with company relocation support. English-speaking client experience teams and an in-app support system are standard. Expect pricing at the higher end of the furnished apartment market.
Good for: Corporate relocations, executives, professionals with employer housing support.
2. Anyplace
Type: Remote-work-ready furnished apartment platform | Tokyo presence: curated inventory across Shibuya, Shinjuku, Meguro, and Minato
Anyplace offers furnished apartments in Tokyo for stays of 30 days or longer, with units set up for both living and working from day one. Each apartment comes move-in ready with an equipped home office, gigabit Wi-Fi, all utilities included, and no landlord to deal with.
Available across well-connected neighborhoods including Shibuya, Shinjuku, Meguro, and Minato, the platform is designed for residents who want to book online, move in on their own schedule, and extend or end their stay without a traditional lease.
For people searching for monthly furnished apartments in Tokyo that include a proper workspace rather than just a desk in the corner, Anyplace is one of the more straightforward options to book.
Good for: Remote workers, digital nomads, software engineers, expats, and long-stay professionals who prioritize work-ready infrastructure.
3. Hmlet Japan
Type: Furnished apartment provider with community focus | Tokyo presence: Multiple neighborhoods including Shinjuku, Shibuya, Harajuku, Asakusa, Bunkyo, and Shinagawa
Hmlet Japan offers fully furnished apartments across Tokyo with contracts ranging from one month to two years. Their process is fully online — contracts, payments by credit card, no Japanese bank account required, and no key money or guarantor. Utilities and internet are included in the monthly fee. What sets Hmlet apart from some competitors is their community layer: they organize monthly events and cultural experiences for residents, which appeals to expats and newcomers who want a social dimension alongside their housing. Properties are professionally designed with bilingual staff support available throughout the stay.
Good for: Expats, foreign professionals, and long-stay residents who want community-oriented living alongside a flexible furnished apartment.
4. Sakura House
Type: Tokyo-based housing provider for international residents | Tokyo presence: 100+ locations across the 23 wards, plus select Kyoto properties
Sakura House has been providing housing exclusively for non-Japanese residents since 1992, making them one of the longest-running foreigner-friendly housing providers in the city. They offer a range of options including private furnished apartments, share houses, and guest houses, all with all-inclusive monthly pricing that covers utilities, internet, and basic furnishings. No deposit, no key money, no guarantor required — and their Shinjuku office is open 365 days a year for in-person support. The 1,000-plus room inventory across more than 100 locations means availability is generally strong. Pricing is among the more accessible on this list, making them a practical option for those on tighter budgets or longer stays.
Good for: International students, interns, budget-conscious professionals, and anyone prioritizing foreigner-friendly processes and established local support.
5. At Inn
Type: Monthly furnished apartment provider | Tokyo presence: Central Tokyo neighborhoods
At Inn offers monthly furnished apartments in Tokyo aimed at international residents and business travelers who need flexible, move-in-ready accommodation without the complexity of a traditional Japanese lease. Units come furnished with basic appliances, internet included, and no guarantor or key money required. Their offering is more straightforward and less design-forward than platforms like Blueground or Anyplace, but for residents prioritizing value, location, and simplicity over premium finishes, they represent a practical mid-range option. English support is available, and monthly terms keep commitment low.
Good for: Business travelers, short-to-mid-term international residents, and professionals who want a no-frills, flexible furnished option in central Tokyo.
6. MetroResidences
Type: Global furnished apartment platform | Tokyo presence: Active with 384+ listings across Tokyo neighborhoods
MetroResidences operates across Singapore, Tokyo, Sydney, and other global cities, positioning itself as a furnished apartment solution for business travelers and professionals. Their Tokyo inventory is substantial — over 384 listings as of 2025 — with instant booking confirmation, flexible cancellation policies, and pricing that spans a wide range depending on size and location. Stays are bookable from one month, and most units include utilities and internet. Their platform is designed for corporate clients, with over 500 global companies in their client base. The booking experience is fully online, and pricing is visible upfront.
Good for: Corporate housing managers, business travelers, and professionals whose companies use managed housing platforms for international assignments.
What to Think About Before You Commit
Beyond the platform itself, a few practical points are worth understanding before signing anything.
Minimum stay matters. Most furnished apartment platforms in Tokyo require at least 30 days. Some require 60 or 90 days minimum for certain units. If your timeline is uncertain, check the extension policy before booking.
What "all-inclusive" actually covers varies. Some platforms bundle utilities, internet, and cleaning. Others charge separately for some of these. Reading the fee breakdown before comparing monthly prices across platforms will save you surprises.
Location relative to your work or commute. Tokyo's transit network is exceptional, but neighborhoods vary considerably in character and convenience depending on where you're spending your time. Ebisu and Minato suit professionals close to Shibuya business clusters; Bunkyo and Hongo work well for university-adjacent stays; Shinjuku offers access to everything. Most platforms let you filter by neighborhood, so it's worth thinking about this before browsing.
Visa and registration. If you need to register your address with local authorities in Japan — which many mid-to-long-term residents do — confirm that your chosen platform allows official residency registration. Several on this list explicitly support this; others may not.
The Bottom Line
Tokyo's furnished apartment market has matured significantly over the past few years, driven largely by demand from international professionals, remote workers, and expats who need something more flexible than a traditional lease but more livable than a hotel. The six platforms above represent different positioning and price points, from global corporate operators to long-established foreigner-specific providers. Whether you're arriving for a three-month project or settling in for the better part of a year, there's a practical option here for most situations.
