What is a furnished apartment?
A furnished apartment is a rental property where essential household items such as a bed, refrigerator, and washing machine are already provided in the room. The biggest advantage is that tenants do not need to purchase or bring in their own furniture and appliances, making it easy to start living there from day one, even with just a suitcase.
Typical rental properties are rented out as "vacant (unfurnished)" units, meaning tenants need to spend time and money furnishing them with furniture and appliances before moving in. Furnished apartments eliminate this need, making them a popular choice for short-term stays, first-time solo living, and those arriving in Japan from overseas who need accommodation immediately. They are often found in single-person apartments such as studios and 1K layouts.
The included amenities and rent structure vary widely from property to property. First, understand "what is included and what costs are covered" to make it easier to decide on a place to live.
Examples of installed equipment
The amenities included in furnished apartments vary from property to property. Even among properties advertised as "furnished," some only include appliances, while others only include furniture. Therefore, it is important to check the list of amenities before signing a contract. Common amenities include the following:
- bed
- desk/chair
- Storage and Curtains
- air conditioner
- refrigerator
- microwave oven
- washing machine
- tv set
- Lighting fixtures
Cross House's furnished apartments, while varying by property, generally include a bed, air conditioner, washing machine, refrigerator, microwave, desk, chair, storage, curtains, and television. Some amenities, such as sofas, may vary from property to property, so it's best to check in advance if there are any specific amenities you're interested in.
Please note that in furnished apartments, tenants are generally responsible for contracting for electricity, gas, and water services themselves. Cross House offers services to handle these contracts on your behalf, as well as monthly plans that bundle electricity, gas, and water services.
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Differences between standard rentals, furnished rentals, and monthly rentals
Furnished apartments offer a different way of living than regular rental apartments or monthly apartments. The main differences between them are summarized in the table below. Please note that conditions vary depending on the property and contract, so use this as a general guideline.
| item | Regular rental | Furnished apartment rental | Monthly apartment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Furniture and Home Appliances | Basically none (you have to provide it yourself) | Yes (details vary depending on the property) | can be |
| Estimated contract period | Most are renewed every two years. | A wide range of options from one month to long-term. | Short-term (a few days to a few months) |
| Concept of initial costs | Security deposit, key money, and brokerage fees are often required. | It varies greatly depending on the property. | Initial costs are relatively low, but daily rent tends to be on the higher side. |
| Utility expenses | Individual contracts for residents | Varies depending on the property. | Often included in the rent |
| Suitable people | People who live in a place for a long period of time | For those who want to minimize preparation time and those staying for medium to short periods. | People staying for a short period of time, from a few days to a few weeks. |
Generally speaking, if you plan to live in the same place for a long period, a regular rental is a good option; for stays of a few days to a few weeks, a monthly apartment is suitable; and for something in between, where you want to minimize preparation effort while living flexibly on a monthly basis, a furnished apartment is a good choice. Initial costs vary greatly depending on the property, so be sure to check each one individually. For information on security deposits and key money, please also refer to the advantages, disadvantages, and points to note regarding rental properties without security deposits or key money .
Advantages of furnished apartments
Choosing a furnished apartment offers three main advantages:
It reduces the burden of preparations when moving in.
When you sign a new lease and move in, the cost of furnishing your apartment with furniture and appliances can be a significant burden. It's not uncommon for a complete set of items, including a bed, refrigerator, washing machine, and microwave, to cost tens of thousands to over a hundred thousand yen. A furnished apartment significantly reduces these purchase costs and the hassle of choosing the right items.
The hassle of moving is minimal.
Moving large furniture and appliances requires comparing quotes from moving companies and coordinating schedules. If you're installing a new air conditioner, you'll also need to be present for the installation. If furniture and appliances are already in place, you can avoid much of this work. With fewer belongings, you can start living in your new home simply by tidying up your personal belongings.
You don't need to dispose of furniture and appliances when you move out.
Since the furnished furniture and appliances are the landlord's property, you can leave them behind when you move out. Disposing of large furniture and appliances can be time-consuming and expensive, so this lightens the burden for people returning to their family home or moving to a new residence. This flexibility is especially advantageous for those planning to move in the short term.
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Disadvantages of furnished apartments
While there are advantages, there are also some points to be aware of beforehand. Be sure to check them before signing the contract.
Choosing the design and model of furniture and home appliances can be difficult.
In most cases, tenants cannot choose the color, size, or function of the furniture and appliances provided. This may be disappointing for people who are particular about their interior design or who want to use specific manufacturers or models. Since the provided items are the property of the landlord, tenants cannot dispose of or replace them on their own.
The provided items often have been used before.
Except for newly built or brand-new properties, it's common for the included furniture and appliances to have been used by the previous tenant. Even if they've been cleaned and maintained, if you're concerned about using items that someone else has used, it's a good idea to check the condition of the equipment during a viewing or online tour.
In some cases, added value may be reflected in the rent.
Furnished apartments are considered an added value, and their rent may be slightly higher than unfurnished apartments with similar conditions. However, some rental companies that manage a large number of properties can keep management costs per property down, resulting in lower rents than the market average. It's recommended to compare the "difference in rent" with the "cost of furnishing your own apartment" over your expected tenancy period before making a decision.
People who are suited to furnished apartments
Considering the advantages and disadvantages discussed so far, furnished apartments are suitable for the following types of people:
People who want to keep initial expenses down when moving in
This is suitable for people who want to reduce the cost of purchasing furniture and appliances, and those who want to reduce the expenses and hassle of moving. The saved budget can be used for other expenses in your new life. It is also an easy choice for people who are unsure what to prepare when they start living alone for the first time. To get a better sense of the overall costs of living alone, it is helpful to check the breakdown of expenses for university students living alone , as well as the advantages and disadvantages of living alone , when making your plans.
People who are considering moving in the medium to short term.
This is also suitable for people whose living situation is somewhat fixed, such as those relocating for work, going to school, or on a working holiday. Since moving in and out is easy, it makes it easier to choose accommodation with your next move in mind.
People who prioritize convenience over interior design
This is ideal for people who prioritize the convenience of being able to move in immediately over the design of furniture and appliances. For those who don't want the hassle of choosing their own amenities, a fully furnished room is a convenient option. For guidance on choosing a property , refer to the guide on selecting furnished apartments , and for information on the actual living experience in furnished apartments, refer to the article on living in a furnished apartment .
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Furnished apartments in Cross House
Cross House is a real estate management company that operates rental properties in 11 prefectures, primarily in Tokyo. The furnished apartments it manages are mainly one-room and 1K type apartments with lockable private rooms and private bathrooms, making them suitable for single living.
In terms of costs, there is no security deposit, key money, or brokerage fee. Initial costs, which are normally 50,000 yen, are reduced to 30,000 yen during the campaign. Monthly rent starts from 50,000 yen, and there are no common area fees or management fees. However, there is an additional monthly fee of 1,500 yen (tax included) for peace of mind support that handles housing troubles and services. Electricity, gas, and water are generally contracted by the tenant themselves, but a service to handle the contracts on your behalf or a monthly plan that allows you to use them all together is also available. *Campaign details, conditions, and duration may change. Please inquire for the latest initial costs.
In addition, there may be other fees depending on the contract, such as a cancellation fee upon moving out, or a guarantee fee to a guarantee company in the case of an individual contract. Fire insurance and renewal fees also vary depending on the property and contract, so please confirm the amount individually at the time of application. We ensure that all costs are clearly stated and clarified in advance.
Crosshouse allows you to complete the contract online and accepts applications from overseas. If you find that the property doesn't suit you after living there, you can move between properties free of charge, even across prefectures, and change room types. You can rent for a minimum of one month, and move-in is possible as early as 7 days after application. For detailed information on the move-in procedure and points to note when signing the contract, please refer to our "Move-in Procedure and Points to Note When Signing a Contract for Furnished Apartments" section .
FAQ
What is a furnished apartment?
This refers to rental housing where furniture and appliances such as beds, refrigerators, and washing machines are already provided in the room. Tenants do not need to buy furniture and appliances, making it easy to start living there from day one, even with minimal belongings.
What amenities are included?
While it varies depending on the property, generally, furnished apartments include a bed, air conditioner, refrigerator, washing machine, microwave, desk, chair, storage, curtains, and television. Some amenities, such as sofas, may vary from property to property, so it's best to check the details before signing a contract.
What are the differences between this and a regular rental property?
Regular rental properties are typically rented out unfurnished, meaning tenants incur the cost and effort of furnishing them with furniture and appliances before moving in. Furnished apartments eliminate this need and often offer flexible monthly contracts, which is the main difference.
Are there any disadvantages?
Some drawbacks include limited choices in furniture and appliance design and model, the fact that furnished items often show signs of wear, and the possibility of slightly higher rent compared to unfurnished properties with similar conditions. It's recommended to compare costs based on your expected length of stay before making a decision.
How is this different from a monthly rental apartment?
Monthly apartments are primarily for short-term stays of a few days to a few weeks, and while utilities are often included in the rent, the daily rate tends to be higher. Furnished apartments, on the other hand, are available for a wide range of periods, from monthly to long-term, and are suitable for those who want to settle down and live somewhere permanently.
Are utilities included in the rent?
It varies depending on the property. In furnished apartments, it is generally the tenant's responsibility to contract for electricity, gas, and water. Cross House offers a service to handle the contracts for you, as well as a monthly plan that bundles electricity, gas, and water.
How much are the initial costs?
It varies greatly depending on the property. Cross House's furnished apartments have no security deposit, key money, or brokerage fee, and the initial costs, which are normally 50,000 yen, are currently 30,000 yen (applicable conditions may vary depending on the time of year). In addition, there may be other fees that will be incurred depending on the contract, such as cancellation processing fees and guarantee fees for individual contracts, so please check the amount when applying.
Who is this suitable for?
This type of housing is suitable for people who want to minimize initial expenses and the hassle of moving, those considering short-term or medium-term relocation due to job transfers, further education, or working holidays, and those who prioritize convenience over interior design. It's also an easy choice for those living alone for the first time.
Can I rent a furnished apartment for a short period?
It depends on the property. Cross House's furnished apartments can be rented for a minimum of one month, and move-in is possible as early as 7 days after application. You can move between properties free of charge, even across prefectures, and you can also change room types.
summary
A furnished apartment is a rental property that comes pre-furnished with furniture and appliances such as a bed, refrigerator, and washing machine. This reduces the hassle of preparation and moving in, and eliminates the need to dispose of furniture and appliances upon moving out. However, there are some drawbacks, such as limited choice in the design of the furnishings and the possibility of the added value being reflected in the rent.
In 2026, there will continue to be a demand for "ready-to-move-in housing" due to people coming to Japan from overseas and those moving within Japan. For those who want to minimize the hassle of preparation and live flexibly on a monthly basis, furnished apartments are a strong option. The contents of the furnishings and the breakdown of costs vary from property to property, so be sure to check each property you are interested in individually to determine if it suits your lifestyle.
This article is supervised by the operations team of Cross House, a real estate management company that operates rental properties in 11 prefectures, primarily in Tokyo (as of July 2026). Please note that the listed fees and conditions may change; for the latest information, please check the individual property pages or contact our inquiry desk.
