How to find housing in Japan while on a working holiday

Chapter 1 of 5

When moving abroad, finding stable housing is naturally going to be a priority for most people. In Japan, it can be a source of stress for newcomers who don’t know where to start.

In this guide, we’ll walk through all that you know about finding your home sweet home for your Japan working holiday! As working holiday makers ourselves on the pvtistes team (to Japan and elsewhere), everything we write is from personal experience.

Short term housing for your arrival

Before you board your plane to Japan, you need to make sure that you have somewhere to sleep for at least your first few nights or weeks.

The types of accommodation that you are most familiar with are hotels and Airbnb. Prices for hotels vary significantly, but generally start at ¥15,000 per night in a normal hotel, or ¥9,000 in a “business hotel”. Even though the latter are called business hotels, they are open to all guests, not just business travellers. Their smaller rooms offer an economical and no-frills experience.

Airbnb is a possibility as well, but make sure to confirm that your host is properly licensed and registered with municipal authorities. Since Japanese regulations are strict with regards to Airbnb, you don’t want to find yourself staying in a home outside of legal parameters.

For an even cheaper option, stay at a youth hostel. Japan has a large selection of hostels, some starting at just ¥3,500. They are a great way to meet people from all over the world and get tips from seasoned travellers. There is usually a communal kitchen where you can prepare simple meals.

Unique Japanese short term stays

Japan offers some other short term accommodation that we don’t see much of (or at all) in the West. Here are a few of them that you can consider, starting with the most affordable.

¥ Capsule hotels

This has become iconic in recent years. You sleep inside a human-sized capsule, of which there are many stacked on top of one another in a long corridor. There is a curtain or door to each capsule for privacy. If you’re not claustrophobic and willing to pay between ¥4,000 and ¥8,500, then it could be a very unique experience.

¥ Love hotels

Love hotels are designed for romantic encounters, or young couples living with their parents who are looking for some privacy. While many guests do go in pairs, there is certainly no rule against booking a room just for yourself. The decor is often uniquely themed. Prices are between ¥3,000 and ¥10,000.

¥ Manga kissa and internet cafes

Internet cafes are open 24 hours a day. Every booth comes with a computer, headphones, video games, and gaming chair. You can order drinks and even bring outside food. There may also be basic dishes for sale at the reception. The toilets and showers are shared. Manga kissa are similar (but for manga rather than gaming) and have specials for bookings from midnight to 5 am, for just ¥1,500.

Unsurprisingly, neither option is going to be very conducive to a good night’s sleep.

¥¥ Minshuku

Minshuku are most often situated in the countryside or near the ocean. You will live in the host’s home and typically have access to futons and tatami, onsen, as well as breakfast and dinner in the common space. They cost between ¥7,000 and ¥13,000 per night. You can find minshuku on the Japanese Inn Group.

¥¥¥ Machiya

Most numerous in Kyoto, machiya are the former homes of shop owners. The front facade opens to what would be the shop, and the back houses the private living quarters of the family. These are popular among travellers who want to experience a traditional Japanese home without breaking the bank. You have the home to yourself, and prices start at ¥13,000.

¥¥¥¥ Ryokans

Ryokans are similar traditional experiences to machiya, except that they also include breakfast and dinner. It is considered a more upscale experience, and so the average price is around ¥30,000 per person per night. Registered ryokans can be found on ryokan.or.jp.