💬 Tokyo Forum

Welcome to Tokyo! First off, forget traditional real estate sites like Suumo or Homes—they almost exclusively deal with 2-year leases requiring guarantors, agency fees, and key money. For a 4-month stay, you'll want to look specifically at monthly apartment providers or sharehouse companies. Platforms like Oakhouse, Sakura House, Fontana, and MetroResidences specialize in medium-term expat stays where no guarantor, key money, or Japanese credit card is needed. Expect to pay around ¥110,000 to ¥180,000 per month depending on the size and location, but that includes utilities, furniture, and Wi-Fi. As for neighborhoods, Kichijoji and Shimokitazawa are fantastic, lively spots with great food and coffee cultures, but short-term furnished inventory right in those stations can be competitive. If you struggle to find options there, check out nearby stations along the Chuo Line like Nakano or Koenji. They offer a very similar bohemian/musician vibe, tons of vintage shops, excellent dining, and quick 10-minute train connections into Shinjuku. My personal recommendation for a remote worker is to prioritize proximity to the Chuo Line or Yamanote Line so you can easily jump around the city. When I first did a 3-month stay, I booked through Oakhouse in Nakano and the process was super smooth—just uploaded my passport, paid upfront via credit card, and picked up the key on arrival day!