Do you need a phone number and a bank account to rent an apartment in Japan? A strange triangle relationships

Strange triangle relationships

On many social media sites, you can read various stories about the difficulties people face when searching for an apartment after arriving in Japan. If you come to Japan as an international student or on a working holiday, and your school or company does not provide a dormitory, your first priority will be to find a place to live. However, this strange love triangle is a constant source of worry: you cannot rent an apartment without a phone number or bank account, you cannot open an account without an address or phone number, and you cannot sign a mobile phone contract (or there are only a limited number of carriers you can sign up with) without an address or bank account.

Solution 1: Apply for a prepaid SIM card

First, apply for a prepaid SIM card for tourists at the airport or electronics store and get a Japanese phone number. Many real estate agencies allow you to add bank account information within one month or accept credit card payments, so we recommend signing a rental contract first, registering as a resident, and then opening a bank account with your new address and phone number. Once you have an address and a bank account, you can sign a contract with a regular telecommunications company (usually prepaid SIMs are expensive, so we recommend signing a contract with a regular telecommunications company). After you get your new phone number, go to the bank and change your phone number.

Solution 2: Move into a short-term rental property first

It's convenient to have a mobile phone and bank account in advance, but the question is what to do about housing until you find a property. You can also move into a short-term rental property (weekly or monthly) first. Short-term rental property contracts are flexible, and there are many properties that welcome foreigners. Find a property where you can register as a resident, and after registering as a resident, open a mobile phone number and bank account, find a property you like in Japan, sign a contract, and move in. After moving to your new home, change the address information for your telecommunications company and bank.

A solution for a new rental experience: Mooovin

Either way, you will need to find a temporary solution and then change your personal information, which is a hassle. It would be great if you could find a property before you enter the country... For those of you who are in this situation, Mooovin , a rental site for foreigners, offers a new rental experience.

Mooovin is a new rental portal site for foreigners , and its biggest feature is that " all properties are foreigner-friendly ." It saves you the trouble of checking whether a property accepts foreigners on general rental sites. In addition, since all procedures are done online , you can view the properties posted, apply, and sign a contract anytime, anywhere.

Normally, you need a guarantor when signing a rental contract, but if you use Mooovin, you will automatically get a guarantor company service, so you can rent a room without a guarantor. Payment is by credit card , so you can sign a contract even if you don't have a bank account. In addition, we also provide interpretation services when signing the contract and life support after moving in , so you can live in Japan with peace of mind.

If you can't find the property you want on the site, please contact us via the " Property Request " form or direct message us on Facebook or Instagram and we will try our best to find a suitable property.

If you are about to start your life in Japan and still have not solved the problem of renting, try Mooovin. You will enjoy a new and convenient rental experience!

Mooovin - New Moving Experience https://mooovin.jp/en
(Available in Japanese, Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, English, and Vietnamese)

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*This article is written based on actual experiences, but please note that it is not possible to cover all cases due to the wide range of regulations set by local governments and real estate companies.