About Foreigner-Friendly Rentals in Osaka
Approx. 380,000Foreign residents in Osaka Prefecture (2nd in Japan)
+12.5%Year-on-year growth (highest among the top 5 prefectures)
Approx. 7.7%Share of Osaka City residents (highest of any designated city)
Osaka Prefecture is home to approximately 380,000 foreign residents, making it second only to Tokyo nationwide and the largest foreign community in the Kansai region. Its year-on-year growth rate of 12.5% is the highest among Japan's top five prefectures, and Osaka City alone accounts for around 210,000 residents (about 7.7% of the city's population) — the highest of any government-designated city in both number and share.
Source: Immigration Services Agency of Japan, "Number of Foreign Residents in Japan"
Best-Estate.jp is a rental site dedicated to foreign residents, available in seven languages: Japanese, English, Chinese (Simplified and Traditional), Korean, Vietnamese and Portuguese. We list properties across major areas including Umeda, Namba, Shin-Osaka, Honmachi, Tsuruhashi, Juso, Tennoji and Esaka, and GTN (Global Trust Networks) supports you all the way — from arranging a guarantor company to signing your contract remotely before you arrive in Japan.
Rent Prices in Osaka (Guide for Foreigner-Friendly Rentals)
Rent for foreigner-friendly rentals in Osaka Prefecture varies by area as follows.
| Layout | Central | Inner suburbs | Outer suburbs |
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| 1R / 1K | ¥75,000–95,000 | ¥55,000–70,000 | ¥45,000–60,000 |
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| 1LDK | ¥110,000–150,000 | ¥80,000–110,000 | ¥65,000–90,000 |
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| 2LDK | ¥160,000–220,000 | ¥110,000–140,000 | ¥90,000–120,000 |
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| 3LDK | ¥220,000–300,000 | ¥140,000–180,000 | ¥110,000–150,000 |
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Figures are a guide only. Actual rent varies with building age, distance from the station and facilities.
Search central Osaka by ward
Search the inner suburbs by ward
Search the outer suburbs by city
8 Osaka Areas Popular with Foreign Residents
UmedaThe central hub where the main terminals meet
Kansai's principal terminal, where JR Osaka Station, the Hankyu and Hanshin Umeda stations and the Midosuji, Tanimachi and Yotsubashi subway lines all converge. Many global companies have their head or branch offices here, including at Grand Front Osaka, and access to English-speaking clinics and international schools is excellent.
NambaThe heart of tourism and retail
A gateway to Kansai International Airport served by the Midosuji, Yotsubashi and Sennichimae subway lines plus the Kintetsu and Nankai railways. Many residents here work in inbound tourism and the service industry.
Shin-OsakaShinkansen access to the whole country
A Tokaido Shinkansen stop and a favourite with frequent business travellers. Popular with researchers and consultants who travel abroad often, and close to the head offices of major companies such as Keyence.
HonmachiOsaka's business centre
An office district where the Midosuji, Yotsubashi and Chuo subway lines intersect. Home to many expatriates working in pharmaceuticals, trading and finance, including at Takeda Pharmaceutical.
TsuruhashiOsaka's Koreatown
The centre of the Zainichi Korean and newer Korean communities. Korean grocery stores and Korean-language services are plentiful, making it a popular base for residents from Korea.
JusoA Hankyu three-line hub at lower rent
The junction of the Hankyu Kobe, Takarazuka and Kyoto lines. Just three minutes from Umeda, yet rent runs 20–30% below Umeda levels — popular with value-conscious singles and couples.
Tennoji & AbenoThe southern sub-centre
A residential district served by JR, subway and Kintetsu lines, and home to Abeno Harukas and Tennoji Park. It is also close to the Osaka Metropolitan University medical campus, making it popular with international students and researchers.
EsakaThe gateway to IT and foreign firms in Hokusetsu
Ten minutes from Umeda on the Midosuji Line, with a strong cluster of IT and foreign-affiliated companies. Access to the Osaka University Suita campus and Kansai University is also good.
Major Train Lines in Osaka
Osaka's transport network combines the Osaka Metro subway — chiefly the Midosuji, Tanimachi, Yotsubashi, Chuo and Sennichimae lines — with private railways such as the JR Osaka Loop Line, JR Kyoto and Kobe lines, Hankyu Railway (Kobe, Takarazuka and Kyoto lines), Hanshin Electric Railway, Keihan Electric Railway, Kintetsu and the Nankai Line. Wherever you live in the city or its outskirts, you can usually choose between several lines.
The lines most often chosen by foreign residents are the three below.
Midosuji Line (Umeda, Shin-Osaka, Honmachi, Namba, Tennoji)
Hankyu Kobe & Takarazuka lines (Hokusetsu area)
Nankai Main Line (access to Kansai International Airport)
You can check the nearest station and line for each property on its detail page.
Rental Property Types for Foreign Residents
Rental housing in Japan comes in four types, and the best choice depends on how long you are staying, your budget and the services you need. BEST-ESTATE.JP lists only properties whose owners welcome foreign tenants, whichever type you choose.
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Standard rental
The most common type of apartment or mansion. Furniture and appliances are not provided, so you will need to buy everything yourself. Contracts usually run for two years.
Advantages
- The widest choice of areas and layouts, with the most listings
- Excellent value if you plan to stay long term
Disadvantages
- Initial costs such as deposit and key money can be high
- A joint guarantor or guarantor company is usually required
- Buying furniture and appliances takes time and money
Furnished rental
Properties that come with the essentials already installed — bed, desk, refrigerator, washing machine and so on. The appeal is being able to start your new life with nothing but a suitcase.
Advantages
- No cost or hassle of buying furniture
- Electricity, gas, water and internet are often included in the rent
- Short contracts (from one month) suit sudden changes of plan
Disadvantages
- Monthly rent is 1.3–1.5 times higher than a standard rental
- Little freedom to choose your own interior
Share house
You have your own private bedroom but share the living room, kitchen and bathroom with other residents. Popular with younger people and students looking for international exchange.
Advantages
- Low initial costs — many properties have no deposit or key money
- Furnished, with utilities and Wi-Fi often included in the rent
- An easy way to build a multinational community
Disadvantages
- Privacy is harder to protect
- You need to adapt to shared living, including rules for common areas
Serviced apartment
Premium rentals with hotel-style services. Cleaning, a concierge and a fitness gym are often available, and they are used mainly by corporate expatriates.
Advantages
- High-quality furniture and services
- Hotel comfort combined with the privacy of a home
- Highly flexible contract terms
Disadvantages
- Expensive — typically ¥150,000–300,000 per month
Details may vary depending on the property and contract terms.
Documents and Initial Costs for a Rental Contract
When a foreign national signs a rental contract in Japan, the two things to prepare in advance are initial costs of four to six months' rent and the required documents, including your residence card. Check the breakdown and the document list below so that your contract goes smoothly.
Breakdown of Initial Costs (example for a property renting at ¥80,000)
Estimated total initial cost
Approx. ¥158,000–458,000
For a property renting at ¥80,000 per month
| Item | Guide | Example (rent ¥80,000) |
|---|
| Deposit (shikikin)Held as security for repairs; partly refunded when you move out. | 0–1 month's rent (tax exempt) | ¥0–80,000 |
|---|
| Key money (reikin)A gratuity to the landlord; not refunded. | 0–1 month's rent (tax exempt) | ¥0–80,000 |
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| Agency feeThe agent's commission; not refunded. | 1 month's rent + tax | ¥88,000 |
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| Advance rentPro-rated rent for your move-in month plus the following month; not refunded. | 0–1 month's rent (tax exempt) | ¥0–80,000 |
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| Guarantor feeThe guarantor company's fee; not refunded. | 0.5–1 month's rent (tax exempt) | ¥40,000–80,000 |
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| Fire insuranceCompulsory insurance; not refunded. | ¥15,000–20,000 (tax exempt) | ¥15,000–20,000 |
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| Lock replacementA security measure; not refunded. | ¥15,000–30,000 | ¥15,000–30,000 |
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Deposit and key money may each run to two months for luxury or pet-friendly properties. The figures above assume a rent of ¥80,000. Agency fees may differ depending on the agent and the contract terms.
Required Documents
Documents required from all foreign nationals
- PassportAs proof of identity
- Residence cardAs proof of lawful residence
- Certificate of employmentIssued by your employer
- Proof of incomeFor example, three months of payslips
- Japanese bank accountFor rent payments by direct debit
For foreign nationals already working in Japan.
Additional documents for students
- Student ID
- Admission letter
- Proof of tuition payment
- Proof of financial support from a relative
- Scholarship award certificate (if applicable)
Other items to prepare
- Personal seal (inkan / hanko)Needed to stamp the contract; a signature is sometimes accepted instead
- Japanese mobile phone numberAs an emergency contact
- Emergency contactName, address and phone number of a family member, friend or colleague living in Japan
Rules on translations
- Notarised translations are recommended for important documents
- Some agents accept English versions
- Remember to include translation fees in your initial costs
Who Pays for Restoration on Move-Out
Understanding who bears the cost of restoring the property is important if you want to avoid trouble when you move out. The Civil Code revision of April 2020 made it explicit that tenants are not liable for normal wear and tear or deterioration over time.
Paid by the landlord
Marks and stains that arise from ordinary living (deterioration over time)
For example: sun-faded wallpaper, dents in the floor from furniture
Paid by the tenant
Damage or stains caused deliberately or through carelessness
For example: cigarette tar stains, nail holes in walls, drink stains
Liability is judged according to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism's "Guidelines on Restoration Disputes". If you are unsure, refer to these guidelines.
BEST-ESTATE.JP explains every required document in seven languages (Japanese, English, Chinese Simplified and Traditional, Korean, Vietnamese and Portuguese), so you can complete the process with confidence even if your Japanese is limited.
Three Solutions If You Have No Joint Guarantor
For foreign nationals with no relatives in Japan, finding a joint guarantor is one of the biggest hurdles. There are three main solutions.
What is a joint guarantor?
Under a lease, a joint guarantor is a person who bears the same liability as the tenant if the tenant fails to meet their contractual obligations, such as paying rent or repairing the building. It is a system defined in the Civil Code.
Scope of liability (all of the following)
- Unpaid rent
- Common service and management fees
- Renewal fees
- Restoration costs
- Damages (for equipment broken deliberately or through negligence)
- Penalties for breach of contract
A joint guarantor differs from an ordinary guarantor: the landlord or management company may demand payment directly from the joint guarantor before approaching the tenant.
1
Use a guarantor companyGuarantor Company
This is now the most common route. For a set fee, a guarantor company takes on the role of your joint guarantor. In recent years the great majority of properties require a guarantor company even for Japanese tenants. Many of these companies are experienced in screening foreign applicants, which makes this a realistic option.
- Cost guide: 0.5–1 month's rent in the first year (¥40,000–80,000 on a rent of ¥80,000), then an annual renewal fee of around ¥10,000
- Screening criteria: based on your residence status, income, employer and contact details
GTN (Global Trust Networks), which operates BEST-ESTATE.JP, has specialised in supporting foreign residents for 19 years and has assisted more than 700,000 people in total. It offers support in up to 25 languages and handles roughly 110,000 guarantee contracts a year.
2
Choose UR rental housingUR Urban Renaissance Agency
Public rental housing managed by the Urban Renaissance Agency. Its main advantage is that no key money, agency fee, renewal fee or joint guarantor is required. Foreign nationals can sign on the same terms as Japanese tenants.
Advantages
- Lower initial costs — only a two-month deposit
- Openly welcoming to foreign tenants
Disadvantages
- Allocated first come, first served, with few vacancies in popular areas
- Many units are more than a 10-minute walk from the station, and some buildings are older
Income requirement: for a single applicant, monthly income of at least four times the rent, or savings of at least 100 times the rent.
3
Look for properties that need no guarantor
They are limited in number, but some landlords require neither a joint guarantor nor a guarantor company. Agents specialising in foreign residents often hold listings of this kind.
- Characteristics: rent may be set slightly higher than for comparable properties
- Recommended if: you are worried about failing screening, want to avoid guarantor fees, or have just arrived in Japan with no income history here
BEST-ESTATE.JP lets you search all three options on a single site. If you need help, contact the GTN team through our property request form.
Frequently Asked Questions About Foreigner-Friendly Rentals in Osaka
How can a foreigner rent a room in Osaka without a guarantor?
In Osaka, using a guarantor company is usually the smoothest option. Most listings on Best-Estate.jp can be covered by a GTN (Global Trust Networks) guarantee, so screening can proceed even if you have no relatives in Japan. UR rental housing is the next option to consider (the income standard is monthly income of at least four times the rent), followed by properties that require no guarantor at all.
How do I search for a property near a specific station such as Umeda or Namba?
On Best-Estate.jp you select a ward or city first, then check the nearest station in the "Access" section of each property page. Use the links below to go from a station to the matching ward or city.
If you already know the station or line you want, you can name it directly in our property request form.
Which is easier to live in for foreigners, Osaka or Tokyo?
On cost, Osaka wins. A 1K apartment runs ¥100,000–130,000 in central Tokyo against ¥70,000–90,000 in Osaka — roughly 30% cheaper. Living costs in general are lower too, and the city is known for its food culture and down-to-earth prices. Tokyo, on the other hand, has more English-speaking clinics, international schools and foreign-affiliated companies. Weigh up your work and your budget when deciding.
Are there furnished rental properties in Osaka?
Yes. Best-Estate.jp lists furnished properties mainly within Osaka City, with rent typically ¥60,000–100,000 for a 1K and ¥90,000–140,000 for a 1LDK. They are popular with short-staying researchers and expatriates, and let you start living from your first day in Japan. Contact us through the property request form for details.
Are there real estate agents in Osaka who provide service in English?
GTN (Global Trust Networks), which operates Best-Estate.jp, provides support in seven languages including English, Chinese (Simplified and Traditional), Korean, Vietnamese and Portuguese. We can assist in your own language from the first enquiry through to signing. In Osaka we also have an office in Honmachi, Chuo-ku (immediately outside Exit 13 of Sakaisuji-Hommachi Station on the Sakaisuji Line), where face-to-face consultations are welcome.
I want to attend a university such as Osaka University or Kansai University. Which areas do you recommend?
Recommended areas by campus are as follows.
| University | Campus | Recommended areas |
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| Osaka University | Suita, Toyonaka | Suita and Toyonaka (Esaka, Senri-Chuo, Hotarugaike, Ishibashi-handai-mae) |
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| Kansai University | Senriyama | Suita (Kandai-mae, Esaka) |
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| Kindai University | Higashiosaka | Higashiosaka (Nagase, Yaenosato) |
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| Osaka Metropolitan University | Morinomiya, Abeno, Sugimotocho | Joto-ku, Abeno-ku and Sumiyoshi-ku |
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| Ritsumeikan University | Ibaraki | Ibaraki (Minami-Ibaraki, Senrioka) |
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Where do I register my change of address in Osaka?
You must register your residence at the ward or city office for your new address within 14 days of moving in, and your new address will be written on the back of your residence card. Osaka City offers municipal consultations for foreign residents at each ward office and at the Citizens' Consultation Office in Osaka City Hall, available in five languages: English, Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese and Filipino.
Foreigner-Friendly Rentals in Osaka by Property Type
Foreigner-Friendly Rentals in Osaka by Popular Condition
