How to find affordable, furnished monthly apartments in Tokyo [2026 latest]

Looking for a monthly apartment in Tokyo? Who is it suitable for and when?

Monthly apartments in Tokyo are accommodations that come furnished with furniture and appliances and can be rented on a monthly basis. The basic structure of monthly apartments and the detailed differences between them and regular rentals or hotels are explained in the article "What are Monthly Apartments? Costs, Advantages, and Disadvantages," so here we will focus on the points you should keep in mind when actually searching for one in Tokyo.

With prices and utility costs expected to remain high in 2026, demand for fixed-rate housing that includes utilities is increasing, as more people prioritize predictable payments. In Tokyo, where there are many properties, prices vary greatly depending on the area and distance from the station, so the key is to search according to your needs, such as "I want to live now, for a short period, and with minimal belongings."

Who is a monthly apartment suitable for?

Monthly apartments are a viable option for people like the following:

Average cost of monthly apartments in Tokyo | Breakdown of initial costs and monthly fees

The cost of a monthly apartment in Tokyo is divided into "initial costs" and "monthly costs." A key feature is that the initial costs are lower compared to regular rentals, making it easier to rent for short periods. First, let's look at the overall picture in the table. You can find a more detailed breakdown of the costs when renting a monthly apartment for one month in the article that explains the average cost and breakdown of monthly apartment rentals for one month .

A complete comparison of the cost breakdown.

Here's a comparison of typical rentals, monthly apartments, and furnished apartments from Cross House in terms of cost:

*1 The above is a general guideline as of 2026. Monthly apartment costs vary depending on the property, area, and time of year, so please check with each property for actual prices. The initial cost of 30,000 yen for Cross House's furnished apartments is the price when a campaign is applied (normally 50,000 yen). Campaign details, application conditions, and duration may change. Please contact us for the latest initial costs.
*2 For individual contracts, an initial guarantee fee and monthly guarantee fees will be charged separately to the guarantee company (the amount will vary depending on the guarantee company used).

The decision is based on a three-stage total cost: move-in, monthly, and move-out.

When comparing costs, it's important to consider the "total amount," which includes not only the initial move-in costs but also monthly payments and move-out fees. The shorter the stay, the larger the move-out fees will be in the total cost. Using Cross House's furnished apartments as an example, the costs incurred from move-in to move-out can be broken down into three stages as follows. We have not hidden any amounts, and for items with a range, we have honestly stated that "it varies depending on the property and contract."

*3 While there are no common area maintenance fees for furnished apartments, a monthly safety support fee of 1,500 yen (tax included) will be charged. For individual contracts, in addition to the above, an initial guarantee fee and monthly guarantee fees to the guarantee company will be charged separately (the amount will vary depending on the guarantee company used).

The key point is that the cancellation processing fee (55,000 yen, tax included), which is always incurred when moving out, is presented as a fixed amount in advance. Because the amount is fixed, you can get an estimate of the total cost, including "move-in + monthly + move-out" fees, before signing the contract. On the other hand, cleaning fees and restoration fees upon moving out vary depending on the property and contract, so be sure to check before applying to avoid being surprised by unexpected expenses later.

How much is the monthly fee? What is included in the cost?

A key feature of monthly apartment rentals is that the monthly fee is often presented as an "all-inclusive price," which includes not only rent but also utilities and common area fees. This makes monthly payments predictable and allows you to live without worrying about fluctuations in utility costs.

For furnished apartments offered by Cross House, the basic monthly cost is the "rent (from 50,000 yen)" plus a "peace of mind support fee of 1,500 yen (tax included/month, covers housing troubles, etc.)." There are no common area fees for furnished apartments, but you will need to contract for water, electricity, and gas yourself. For those who are unsure about the contract procedures, we offer a service where our partner companies handle the contracting of utilities, as well as a "utility-inclusive plan" where you can use electricity, gas, and water together for 15,000 yen per month. For a breakdown of the initial costs of furnished rentals, please also refer to our article explaining the initial costs of furnished apartments .

For those who are moving to Tokyo for the first time and want to know in advance how much their monthly expenses will be, it would be reassuring to check not only the rent but also the breakdown of these monthly expenses.

Tips for renting a monthly apartment in Tokyo at a low price

Even within Tokyo, costs can vary greatly depending on your choice. If you want to rent cheaply, keeping the following three points in mind will help you avoid unnecessary expenses.

1. Choose a property that requires no initial costs.

For short-term stays, initial costs have a significant impact on the total cost. Choosing a property that doesn't require a security deposit, key money, or brokerage fees can make a difference of hundreds of thousands of yen. Properties with fixed initial costs offer peace of mind as it makes it easier to predict expenses.

2. Choose a furnished apartment to eliminate the need to buy additional items.

Buying furniture and appliances for a short-term stay means incurring disposal costs when you move out. Choosing a property that comes furnished with a bed, refrigerator, washing machine, microwave, and air conditioner eliminates these expenses entirely. The ease of moving in with just one suitcase is also an important point for living cheaply. To determine if furnished rentals are right for you, it's helpful to check out articles that explain the advantages and disadvantages of furnished rentals to see if they suit you.

3. Lower your rent by moving to an area one or two stations away.

In Tokyo, even along the same train line, rent prices drop significantly just a few stations away from major stations in the city center. For those who want to keep costs down while maintaining easy access to the city center, the following area selection strategies are effective.

Cross House operates furnished apartments in multiple areas, primarily in Tokyo. To find out what kind of rooms you can choose for the same budget, it's recommended to narrow down your options by area and price range.

Flexible contract period | You can stay for as little as one month, and it's easy to extend or move out.

One of the biggest advantages of monthly apartments is that you can adjust the contract period to suit your lifestyle. Even in situations where plans are prone to change, such as moving to a new city, changing jobs, or studying abroad, you can rent for only the period you need.

Starting from as short as one month, extensions are easily negotiable.

Cross House accommodations are available for a minimum of one month, and early termination is permitted. Since rent is charged for up to one month after the termination notice is given, it's best to apply about a month before your desired departure date. There are no penalties for early termination, making it easy to start even for those whose length of stay is unpredictable.

Cross House's unique strength: If it doesn't suit you, you can move to a different property for free.

It's not uncommon for people to feel after actually living in a place that they "would prefer to be closer to work," "want to try a different area," or "want to change the type of room." With typical monthly apartments, you have to pay the initial fees and moving expenses twice each time you move to a new property. To reduce this burden of moving, Cross House makes it free to move between properties it manages. This is a system unique to Cross House that you won't find in typical rentals or monthly apartments.

In short, you can try it out for a month, extend it if you like it, or move to a different property free of charge if it doesn't suit you. For those living in Tokyo for the first time, being able to reassess the location and suitability of the room, which can only be determined by actually living there, without incurring significant financial burden, provides great peace of mind. Please note that in the case of individual contracts, a re-screening by the guarantee company will be required at the new location, and the initial guarantee fee may be charged again. We will inform you of the applicable conditions in advance, so please contact us if you have any questions.

Discuss contract period and transfers between properties.

The option of a furnished apartment from Crosshouse.

Cross House's furnished apartments directly address the need for short-term, furnished, and budget-friendly living in Tokyo. With fully private studio and 1K rooms, including exclusive use of bathrooms and kitchens, it's a practical option for those looking for monthly rentals.

Reasons why Cross House is chosen

Cross House is a real estate management company established in 2007, operating housing in 11 prefectures, primarily in Tokyo, with the number of rooms expanding every month. The cumulative number of users has exceeded 50,000, and the majority of residents are foreign nationals. Customer support is available in multiple languages, including Japanese, English, Chinese, and Korean, and contracts can be completed online, allowing you to prepare your housing even from overseas before arriving in Japan. We have a system in place to make it easy for those living in Tokyo for the first time or those who are worried about language barriers to consult with us.

If you want to reduce your privacy or lower costs

For those who want to reduce costs further, there are options such as shared apartments (SA-XROSS series) where you can keep your private room but share bathrooms and kitchens to lower rent, or share houses with a shared living room. You can check the cost of share houses in our article explaining the breakdown and market rates of initial costs for share houses , and compare them with furnished apartments to help you make an informed decision. You can choose a room type that suits your budget and lifestyle, so if you're unsure, just tell Cross House your requirements and we'll help you find the perfect room.

Frequently Asked Questions | Monthly Apartments in Tokyo

How much are the initial costs for a monthly rental apartment in Tokyo?

Many properties do not require a security deposit, key money, or brokerage fees, and unlike typical rentals, the costs are rarely in the hundreds of thousands of yen. The amount varies depending on the property. For example, with Cross House's furnished apartments, the initial cost is 30,000 yen during the campaign (normally 50,000 yen), and there is no security deposit, key money, or brokerage fee. Depending on the property and contract, there may be additional charges such as cleaning fees upon moving out or key replacement fees, so it is recommended to check the total cost.

Besides the initial costs, are there any other fees that will be incurred when moving out?

Depending on the property and contract details, additional charges may apply for cleaning and restoration costs upon vacating, key replacement fees, fire insurance and guarantee-related costs, and cancellation administrative fees. The availability and amount of these charges vary depending on the property and contract, so please check before applying. Cross House's cancellation administrative fee for furnished apartments is a fixed rate of 55,000 yen (including tax).

What's the difference between a monthly rental apartment and a regular apartment?

Regular apartments (standard rentals) typically have a two-year contract, require initial costs of several hundred thousand yen including a security deposit and key money, and tenants are responsible for providing their own furniture and appliances. Monthly apartments, on the other hand, can be rented on a monthly basis, come furnished with appliances, and have lower initial costs, making them suitable for short-term stays or temporary housing.

Can I really borrow it for just one month?

Yes. Cross House accommodations are available for a minimum stay of one month. Early termination is possible, and there are no penalties for early termination. Since rent will be charged for one month from the date of termination notice, it is recommended to apply about one month before your desired move-out date.

What is included in the monthly fee for a monthly apartment?

Depending on the property, utilities and common area fees are often included in the rent as an "all-inclusive price." Cross House's furnished apartments are basically priced at rent (from 50,000 yen) plus a safety support fee of 1,500 yen (tax included/month), and you will need to contract for water, electricity, and gas yourself. You can also choose a plan that includes contract assistance or utilities (15,000 yen/month).

If I live there for a while and it doesn't suit me, can I move to a different property?

Yes, you can move. If you move between properties managed by Cross House, you can move without paying the cancellation fee at your previous property or the initial costs at your new property. We also support moves across prefectures and changes in room type. However, for individual contracts, a re-screening by the guarantee company at your new location may be required, and you may be charged the initial guarantee fee again, so please contact us for detailed application conditions.

Can foreign nationals rent a monthly apartment in Tokyo?

Yes, you can rent a place. Cross House has many foreign residents and provides support in Japanese, English, Chinese, and Korean. They also accept online contracts and applications from overseas, so you can prepare your accommodation even before arriving in Japan.

Can I sign a contract without viewing the property?

Yes, you can. Cross House offers online contracts and online viewings. Even if you live far away or overseas, you can choose a room and complete the contract before coming to Japan. You can choose while checking photos and information about the facilities, so it's easy even for first-time renters.

Try asking for advice about things you don't understand.

Summary | If you're looking for short-term, furnished accommodation in Tokyo

Monthly apartments in Tokyo come furnished and can be rented for as little as one month, offering a convenient way to live with minimal initial costs. When choosing an apartment, it's important to consider not only the low initial cost and clear monthly fees, but also the total cost including move-in, monthly payments, and move-out. Even shifting your location just a few stations away from the city center can help you find a more comfortable room within the same budget.

If you're looking for a short-term, furnished apartment in Tokyo that's affordable, Cross House can help. Initial costs are ¥30,000 (campaign price, normally ¥50,000), with no security deposit or key money. You can rent from just one month, and the entire process, including contracting, can be completed online. We also have a system in place where you can move to another property we manage free of charge if it doesn't suit you. Please feel free to contact us with any questions regarding costs or availability.

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This article is supervised by the operating team of Cross House, a real estate management company that manages rental housing for foreigners and students in 11 prefectures (established in 2007, with over 50,000 cumulative users). Rates and contract terms are based on information as of 2026. Please inquire for campaign details and the latest vacancy information.