Japan Guide - Accommodation: Vacation Rentals

A restored traditional town house (machiya) in Kyoto

Vacation rentals, also known as holiday rentals, are furnished houses or apartments that can be rented by tourists on a temporary basis, sometimes as short as one night. They include a wide range of properties from modern apartments in the heart of Shinjuku to traditional, restored machiya town houses in Kyoto's Gion District. Vacation rentals make an attractive alternative to hotels, especially for larger groups, families or those who seek a more local, everyday life experience.

In addition to the amenities found at hotels, such as beds, showers and toilets, vacation rentals also typically include a kitchen, a washing machine and a living room. Many also supply basic household items such as cooking utensils, dishes, spices, soap and occasionally bicycles. However, unlike at a hotel, you will also need to take care of chores such as grocery shopping and garbage disposal.

Bedroom with Japanese style futon beds in a modern style house

Vacation rentals are a burgeoning industry in Japan. The majority of rental properties are found in Tokyo, Kyoto and Niseko. While some are individually owned and operated, others are managed by companies that may have several locations in a city. Many of them cater exclusively to foreign guests and often provide an English speaking contact to check you in, orient you to the neighborhood and provide you with information on sightseeing spots and local tours.

There is a lot of variation between different properties, and both traditional Japanese style and Western style accommodations are available. Vacation rentals typically sleep between 2-4 adults, but larger properties are also available. As expected, prices vary a lot depending on the type and location of the property, but they tend to start from around 10,000 to 15,000 yen per night for two guests. Most properties have a minimum nights stay, usually from 3-5 nights. A cleaning fee is also usually charged.

Modern kitchen and living space

Japan Guide - Before you go: Entering Japan

Below is a basic introduction to the Japanese immigration system. Please contact your closest Japanese embassy or consulate outside Japan or an immigration bureau inside Japan for official advice.

Entering Japan

All foreigners, including foreign residents, get fingerprinted and photographed upon entering Japan as a measure aimed at preventing terrorism. Excluded from this procedure are persons under the age of 16 and a few special groups, such as diplomats and visiting dignitaries.

All foreigners receive a status of residence when entering Japan. There are more than twenty statuses of residence, including "temporary visitor" for tourists, and a range of statuses for students, workers and relatives of Japanese nationals and residents.

Tourists and Business Travelers (Temporary Visitors)

If you are a citizen of one of the over 50 countries with which Japan has a "general visa exemption arrangement", you need only a valid passport to enter Japan as a "temporary visitor". Otherwise, you need to obtain a visa before entering the country. Temporary visitors from most countries are allowed to stay for up to 90 days.

If you are a citizen of Austria, Germany, Ireland, Liechtenstein, Mexico, Switzerland or the United Kingdom, you have the possibility to extend your stay to a total of up to six months. You still initially enter Japan on a 90 day permit, but can then apply for an extension at an immigration bureau in Japan.

Temporary visitors are not allowed to engage in any paid activities. However, short term studies at Japanese language schools are permitted.

All foreign tourists in Japan are required to carry their passports with them at all times.

Longer Stays for the Wealthy

If you are a citizen of one of the over 50 countries with which Japan has a "general visa exemption arrangement" and have savings of over 30 million yen, you and your spouse are eligible to stay in Japan for up to one year for the purpose of sightseeing or recreation. You may not engage in paid activities. A visa has to be obtained before traveling to Japan.

Working in Japan

Foreigners, who wish to work in Japan, need to get a work visa from a Japanese embassy or consulate outside of Japan in order to enter the country on a status of residence permitting work.

There are over a dozen such statuses of residence, each allowing the holder to work only in a specific professional field, for example, journalism, arts, research, education, engineering, entertainment, business management, international services, etc. If you change jobs while you are in Japan and your new job falls into a different professional field (e.g. from education to engineering), you will need to change your status of residence.

A university degree or considerable professional experience in the applicable field is required to qualify for most working visa types. Many also require you to have a prospective employer as a sponsor. Residence permission is granted in periods between 4 months and 5 years and is extendable.

Studying in Japan

Foreigners, who wish to study in Japan (except for short term studies at language schools), need to get a student visa at a Japanese embassy or consulate outside of Japan in order to enter the country on a status of residence that permits long term studies.

Sponsorship from an educational institution in Japan and proof of sufficient funds to cover all your expenses during your stay are required to qualify for a student visa. Residence permission is granted in periods of between 3 months and 4 years and 3 months and is extendable.

Students are not allowed to engage in any paid activities, unless they get permission from the immigration office. Even then, students may work only a set maximum number of hours per week.

Spouses and Dependents

Foreigners, who are married to a Japanese national or to a permanent resident of Japan (see below), can obtain a spouse visa, which allows them to engage in any paid activity in Japan. Residence permission is granted in periods of 6 months or 1, 3 or 5 years and is extendable.

Foreigners, who are residing in Japan but are not permanent residents, can apply for a dependent visa for their spouse and children. Residence permission is granted in periods of between 3 months and 5 years and is extendable. Dependents are not allowed to engage in any paid activities, unless they get permission from the immigration office. Even then, dependents may work only a set maximum number of hours per week.

Working Holidays

This is a special visa type that allows some paid activity for citizens of Australia, Canada, Denmark, Germany, France, Ireland, Korea, New Zealand, the United Kingdom and a few other countries between the ages of 18 and 30. Consult the working holiday visa page for more details.

Residence Card

Staying in Japan

Inside Japan, most immigration related matters, such as extending residence permission, changing status of residence or obtaining a re-entry permit, are handled by the Immigration Bureau (Nyukoku Kanrikyoku), which has branches across the country.

Residence Card

All new foreign residents are issued a residence card upon initially entering Japan at Narita, Haneda, Kansai or Chubu Airports. New residents arriving through different ports can get their cards at their municipal offices.

The residence card is an important document required for opening a bank account, obtaining a cell phone, converting a drivers license and similar activities. It stores the holder's personal information, including the current address, the status of residence and period of stay. Foreign residents are required to carry their residence card with them at all times.

Extending residence permission

Most statuses of residence allow you to stay in Japan for a period between three months and five years. If you wish to stay longer, you must apply for an extension at an immigration bureau inside Japan before the expiry date of your current residence permission.

The application process is relatively simple, provided that you still fulfill the conditions for the specific status of residence. It typically takes a couple of days or weeks for the application to be processed, and you are allowed to remain in Japan during that time even if your previous residence permission expires in the meantime.

Changing status of residence

It is possible to change your status of residence (e.g. from temporary visitor to instructor or from student to engineer) at an immigration bureau inside Japan. You will have to provide similar documentation as you would have to when applying at an embassy or consulate outside of Japan.

Re-entry permits

Foreign residents, who wish to temporarily leave Japan for longer than a year, need to get a re-entry permit, otherwise, they lose their status of residence. Re-entry permits can be obtained at immigration offices in Japan. For absences of less than one year, re-entry permits are not required.

Permanent residence

Foreign residents who have shown good conduct and have sufficient assets or ability to make an independent living, can be granted permanent residence if they reside in Japan for a certain number of consecutive years. For highly-skilled professionals and spouses of Japanese nationals, the minimum amount of years is typically one to five years, while for others it is typically ten years. Permanent residence status is indefinite and allows for any paid activity.

Naturalization

Foreigners, who have resided in Japan for at least five consecutive years (less if married to a Japanese national), have shown good conduct, have never plotted against the Japanese government, have sufficient assets or ability to make an independent living and are willing to renounce any other citizenship held, can be granted Japanese citizenship.

Japan Guide - Before you go: Luggage

Luggage

It is strongly recommended to pack lightly when traveling around Japan. Most trains do not provide space for bulky luggage, and even though the accessibility situation at stations has improved considerably over recent years, some platforms are still not equipped with escalators or elevators or you might have to make a detour to get to one. Traveling light also avoids reliance on large sized coin lockers, which are less readily available than smaller sized coin lockers at many stations.

Luggage Services

Namba Hands-Free Center  A convenient baggage storage service, 3min walk from Namba Station in Osaka, operated by a friendly hotel. 500JPY per day per piece. Drop your luggage before shopping in Osaka or traveling to Kyoto, Nara and Kobe.

Luggage on transportation

On trains

There is little room for large suitcases on urban and long-distance trains especially during rush hours. Some exceptions are airport trains such as the Narita Express and Haruka, and a slowly increasing number of shinkansen in Eastern Japan, which have designated storage space for large luggage.

Overhead shelves on shinkansen trains are about 40cm high and 60cm deep and cannot accommodate large items. There is usually space for two to three large suitcases behind the last row of seats in each car on most long distance trains. Furthermore, on many shinkansen trains the leg room is large enough to place a suitcase in front of you, although this may not be the most comfortable solution.

According to JR regulations, each passenger may bring up to two pieces of luggage onto trains, not including smaller bags. Each piece of luggage may not weight more than 30kg and its three dimensions (length, width and depth) may not add up to more than 250cm, while its length may not exceed 200cm.

Most trains do not have storage space as the Haruka has (left); space behind last row of train seats (right)

On buses

Most airport and highway buses have separate compartments for large pieces of luggage, but may enforce a maximum of one or two pieces per person. In addition, smaller bags can be carried onto the bus. On city buses, there is no designated space for luggage, and it would be cumbersome to board them with large items, especially during the busy times of the day.

On airplanes

The luggage policy on domestic flights differs by the airlines. Most airlines allow their passengers to bring a reasonable amount of check-in and carry-on luggage for free, but some of the new low-cost carriers have very strict luggage rules and charge large fees for check-in luggage.

Taxis

Most taxis are able to carry multiple, large suitcases in their trunks and can be a convenient way to avoid uncomfortable walks, train or bus rides to one's hotel.

Rental Cars

Outside of the large cities, rental cars are a convenient way to free oneself from the hassle of carrying around bags and searching for storage options.

Interior of a shinkansen car

Luggage storage

Luggage storage counters can be found at airports and usually charge between 500 and 1000 yen per piece and day, depending on the size of the item. Some larger train stations have manned storage counters too and typically charge about the same for luggage handling. Unlike at airports where luggage can be stored over multiple days, the storage counters at stations often require same-day pick-up.

Coin lockers come in various sizes and can be found at virtually every train station and at the entrances to some tourist attractions, but are not always available in large formats. Below are the three most common coin locker types (typical sizes are given as height x width x depth):

Small  approx. 35cm x 34cm x 57cm  (13in x 13in x 22in)  by far the most common size, found in large numbers at virtually all stations Medium  approx. 57cm x 34cm x 57cm  (22in x 13in x 22in)  available in moderate numbers at major stations Large  approx. 117cm x 34cm x 57cm  (44in x 13in x 22in)  available in small numbers at major stations

The cost of coin lockers is based on calendar days (midnight to midnight) and is typically 300 yen for small lockers, 400 yen for medium lockers and 500-600 yen for large lockers per calendar day. In other words, if you use a small locker overnight, you will have to pay an additional 300 yen when picking up your luggage the following day. Lockers are emptied by station staff after three days.

To use a coin locker, 1) find an empty one, 2) put in your luggage, 3) insert the coins (100 yen coins only), 4) close the door and turn the key and 5) take the key with you. Always keep some 100 yen coins with you, if you are a frequent user of coin lockers. In recent years, there has been an increase in coin lockers that can be paid with IC cards, such as Suica and Pasmo.

Coin lockers that can be used with IC cards

Luggage delivery

Door-to-door delivery services (takuhaibin) can be a comfortable alternative to carrying around luggage. Deliveries can be made nationwide to/from airports, convenience stores, hotels, service centers and private homes. Next-day delivery is the usual case, but over very large distances and in very remote areas deliveries can take up to three days. It is possible to specify the date and time frame that you want your luggage to be delivered. Read more about takuhaibin services.

Baggage delivery services are also offered at some popular tourist spots, such as:

• Kyoto 
  For less than 1000 yen per piece, same-day delivery of luggage is possible between the luggage counter of Kyoto Station and hotels across Kyoto, as well as between hotels in Kyoto.
• Tokyo 
  For around 1500 yen per piece, same-day delivery of luggage is possible between the Sagawa luggage counter of Tokyo Station (near the Nihonbashi Exit) and hotels across Tokyo and from Tokyo Station to Haneda Airport.
• Hakone 
  For between 700 and 1000 yen per piece, same-day delivery of luggage is possible between Hakone-Yumoto Station and hotels around Hakone.
• Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route 
  For between 1200 and 1700 yen per piece, same-day delivery of luggage is possible between Toyama Station, Tateyama Station, Shinano-Omachi Station and several hotels located along the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route.
• Kiso Valley 
  For 500 yen per piece, same-day delivery of luggage is possible between Tsumago and Magome for those who intend to walk along the Old Nakasendo between the two towns.

Delivery service counters at Kansai Airport

Japan Guide - Before you go: When to travel?

The tables list average daytime high and nighttime low temperatures and average percentages of sunny and rainy days for selected cities. A rainy day is defined as a day on which at least 1 mm of rain falls, while a sunny day is defined as a day on which the sun shines at least 40 percent during daytime.

(Source: Japan Meteorological Agency)

January

City	Average Daytime High	Average Nighttime Low	Rainy/Snowy Days early month late month		Sunny Days early month late month
Sapporo	-1 C (30 F)	-8 C (18 F)	60%	60%	40%	35%
Tokyo	10 C (50 F)	2 C (36 F)	15%	15%	75%	70%
Takayama	3 C (37 F)	-5 C (23 F)	50%	40%	30%	40%
Osaka	9 C (48 F)	3 C (37 F)	20%	20%	60%	55%
Fukuoka	10 C (50 F)	3 C (37 F)	25%	30%	40%	35%
Naha	19 C (66 F)	14 C (57 F)	35%	35%	35%	30%

New Year is one of Japan's three major travel seasons with intensive domestic and international travel activity. Many shops, restaurants and tourist attractions are closed for at least one day between December 29 and January 4. Read more about visiting Japan during New Year.

The remainder of January is a good time for visiting Japan, as the weather is usually sunny and dry and sightseeing spots are not crowded. Only in northern Japan and along the Sea of Japan coast, there is lots of snowfall, and conditions are good for winter sports. The downside of a visit in winter are the relatively short days (sunset is around 5pm in Tokyo) and the vegetation's barren state.

February

City	Average Daytime High	Average Nighttime Low	Rainy/Snowy Days early month late month		Sunny Days early month late month
Sapporo	0 C (32 F)	-7 C (19 F)	55%	60%	45%	45%
Tokyo	10 C (50 F)	2 C (36 F)	15%	25%	70%	65%
Takayama	4 C (39 F)	-5 C (23 F)	45%	45%	45%	45%
Osaka	9 C (48 F)	3 C (37 F)	15%	25%	60%	55%
Fukuoka	11 C (52 F)	4 C (39 F)	25%	30%	55%	45%
Naha	19 C (66 F)	14 C (57 F)	35%	40%	30%	35%

Like January, February is a good time for visiting Japan as the weather is usually sunny and dry and sightseeing spots are not crowded. The downside of a visit in winter are the relatively short days (sunset is around 5:30pm in Tokyo) and the vegetation's barren state.

Northern Japan and the Sea of Japan coast receive lots of snowfall. At the peak of winter, February tends to be the best time for winter sports and viewing winter sceneries, such as the drift ice off Hokkaido and the snow-covered farm houses of Shirakawago.

March

City	Average Daytime High	Average Nighttime Low	Rainy/Snowy Days early month late month		Sunny Days early month late month
Sapporo	4 C (39 F)	-4 C (25 F)	50%	40%	55%	50%
Tokyo	13 C (55 F)	5 C (41 F)	25%	35%	60%	55%
Takayama	9 C (48 F)	-2 C (28 F)	45%	45%	55%	50%
Osaka	13 C (55 F)	5 C (41 F)	30%	35%	60%	55%
Fukuoka	14 C (57 F)	6 C (43 F)	35%	35%	50%	50%
Naha	21 C (70 F)	16 C (61 F)	35%	40%	40%	30%

Early flowering plants and trees, such as plum trees, deliver the first signs of spring, while the weather is getting noticeably milder. Towards the end of March the cherry blossom season starts in certain regions, while in northern Japan conditions are still good for winter sports. Domestic travel activity increases in the second half of March due to spring school holidays.

April

City	Average Daytime High	Average Nighttime Low	Rainy/Snowy Days early month late month		Sunny Days early month late month
Sapporo	11 C (52 F)	3 C (37 F)	30%	30%	55%	50%
Tokyo	18 C (64 F)	11 C (52 F)	35%	35%	55%	55%
Takayama	17 C (63 F)	3 C (37 F)	40%	35%	55%	55%
Osaka	20 C (68 F)	11 C (52 F)	35%	30%	60%	60%
Fukuoka	19 C (66 F)	11 C (52 F)	35%	35%	55%	55%
Naha	24 C (75 F)	19 C (66 F)	40%	35%	35%	45%

Besides November, April is often considered the best time to visit Japan because the cherry blossoms are in full bloom in most regions of the country and the weather is pleasantly mild. Domestic travel activity is increased in early April due to spring school holidays, in late April due to the start of the Golden Week and during most of the rest of the month due the cherry blossom season.

May

City	Average Daytime High	Average Nighttime Low	Rainy/Snowy Days early month late month		Sunny Days early month late month
Sapporo	17 C (63 F)	8 C (46 F)	30%	30%	55%	50%
Tokyo	23 C (73 F)	15 C (59 F)	30%	35%	50%	50%
Takayama	22 C (72 F)	9 C (48 F)	35%	35%	55%	55%
Osaka	24 C (75 F)	15 C (59 F)	35%	30%	60%	60%
Fukuoka	24 C (75 F)	15 C (59 F)	30%	30%	55%	60%
Naha	26 C (79 F)	22 C (72 F)	30%	40%	45%	40%

Golden Week, one of Japan's busiest travel seasons, takes place in the end of April and beginning of May and can be the cause of various travel related concerns.

However, the remainder of May is one of the best times for visiting Japan, as the vegetation has become lush, the temperatures are still comfortable and tourists spots tend to be pleasantly uncrowded. In Hokkaido, the progress of spring is delayed by about one month compared to Tokyo. At the other end of the country, in Okinawa, the rainy season (tsuyu) typically lasts from early May to mid June.

June

City	Average Daytime High	Average Nighttime Low	Rainy/Snowy Days early month late month		Sunny Days early month late month
Sapporo	21 C (70 F)	12 C (54 F)	25%	20%	55%	50%
Tokyo	25 C (77 F)	19 C (66 F)	35%	45%	45%	25%
Takayama	26 C (79 F)	15 C (59 F)	30%	45%	55%	30%
Osaka	27 C (81 F)	20 C (68 F)	30%	45%	55%	35%
Fukuoka	27 C (81 F)	19 C (66 F)	25%	50%	55%	35%
Naha	29 C (84 F)	25 C (77 F)	45%	25%	40%	60%

From the beginning of June, the rainy season (tsuyu) visits most parts of Japan except Hokkaido. While it does not rain every day, the weather tends to be overcast and dreary. The duration and intensity of the rainy season can vary quite strongly from year to year.

Hot spring resorts like Hakone and the wooded temple mountain Koyasan are some places that can be quite attractive in rainy weather. Hokkaido is an attractive destination in June as it is least affected by the rainy season. Also, the weather in Okinawa takes a dramatic turn to the better after the end of the rainy season there in late June.

July

City	Average Daytime High	Average Nighttime Low	Rainy/Snowy Days early month late month		Sunny Days early month late month
Sapporo	25 C (77 F)	17 C (63 F)	25%	25%	40%	45%
Tokyo	29 C (84 F)	23 C (73 F)	35%	30%	30%	40%
Takayama	29 C (84 F)	19 C (66 F)	55%	40%	35%	50%
Osaka	31 C (88 F)	24 C (75 F)	40%	25%	45%	60%
Fukuoka	31 C (88 F)	24 C (75 F)	40%	30%	40%	60%
Naha	31 C (88 F)	26 C (79 F)	25%	30%	80%	80%

The rainy season (tsuyu) typically ends in the first half of July. It is hot and humid in most of Japan, and just standing outdoors can make you sweat. The conditions are more comfortable in higher elevations and in Hokkaido, a highly popular destination among outdoor lovers during the summer months.

Many local festivals and fireworks are held. Mount Fuji is opened for climbing. Cormorant fishing can be observed. It is also a very good time of the year for beach holidays in Okinawa. With the summer school holidays from late July through August, domestic travel activity increases considerably.

August

City	Average Daytime High	Average Nighttime Low	Rainy/Snowy Days early month late month		Sunny Days early month late month
Sapporo	26 C (79 F)	19 C (66 F)	25%	30%	50%	50%
Tokyo	31 C (88 F)	24 C (75 F)	25%	25%	55%	50%
Takayama	31 C (88 F)	20 C (68 F)	35%	35%	60%	60%
Osaka	33 C (91 F)	25 C (77 F)	20%	25%	70%	70%
Fukuoka	32 C (90 F)	25 C (77 F)	25%	30%	65%	60%
Naha	31 C (88 F)	26 C (79 F)	40%	35%	70%	75%

August is hot and humid in most of Japan. The conditions are more comfortable in higher elevations and in Hokkaido, a highly popular destination among outdoor lovers during the summer months. Many local festivals and fireworks are held in August. Travel activity is high during the entire month due to summer school holidays, but is especially intensive during the Obon week in mid August.

September

City	Average Daytime High	Average Nighttime Low	Rainy/Snowy Days early month late month		Sunny Days early month late month
Sapporo	22 C (72 F)	14 C (57 F)	30%	35%	50%	55%
Tokyo	27 C (81 F)	21 C (70 F)	35%	40%	40%	35%
Takayama	26 C (79 F)	16 C (61 F)	40%	40%	45%	45%
Osaka	29 C (84 F)	21 C (70 F)	30%	35%	60%	50%
Fukuoka	28 C (82 F)	21 C (70 F)	35%	30%	55%	55%
Naha	30 C (86 F)	25 C (77 F)	35%	40%	70%	65%

The typhoon season reaches its peak in August and September. Typhoons usually hit the coasts of Okinawa, Kyushu and Shikoku and cause strong rain and wind in wide parts or all of Japan for about two days. Luckily, typhoons are often followed by perfectly clear weather. The weather in September can still be quite hot and humid, but the crowds of August have mostly disappeared.

October

City	Average Daytime High	Average Nighttime Low	Rainy/Snowy Days early month late month		Sunny Days early month late month
Sapporo	16 C (62 F)	7 C (45 F)	35%	40%	60%	50%
Tokyo	22 C (72 F)	15 C (59 F)	35%	30%	40%	55%
Takayama	20 C (68 F)	9 C (48 F)	35%	30%	45%	55%
Osaka	23 C (73 F)	15 C (59 F)	30%	25%	55%	65%
Fukuoka	23 C (73 F)	15 C (59 F)	20%	20%	60%	65%
Naha	28 C (82 F)	23 C (73 F)	25%	25%	65%	65%

October is one of the most pleasant months for traveling in Japan as the weather remains warm, but is not hot and humid anymore. Trees begin turning colors in the northern regions and higher elevations.

November

City	Average Daytime High	Average Nighttime Low	Rainy/Snowy Days early month late month		Sunny Days early month late month
Sapporo	8 C (46 F)	1 C (34 F)	45%	45%	40%	35%
Tokyo	17 C (63 F)	10 C (50 F)	25%	20%	55%	60%
Takayama	13 C (55 F)	2 C (36 F)	35%	35%	45%	40%
Osaka	17 C (63 F)	10 C (50 F)	20%	20%	60%	60%
Fukuoka	18 C (64 F)	10 C (50 F)	30%	25%	55%	50%
Naha	24 C (75 F)	20 C (68 F)	25%	30%	55%	45%

November is one of the best times to visit Japan, as the weather is relatively dry and mild, and the autumn colors are spectacular in many parts of the country. Travel activity tends to be low except around popular autumn leaf spots.

December

City	Average Daytime High	Average Nighttime Low	Rainy/Snowy Days early month late month		Sunny Days early month late month
Sapporo	2 C (36 F)	-4 C (25 F)	50%	50%	35%	35%
Tokyo	12 C (54 F)	5 C (41 F)	15%	10%	65%	75%
Takayama	6 C (43 F)	-2 C (28 F)	40%	40%	35%	35%
Osaka	12 C (54 F)	5 C (41 F)	20%	15%	65%	65%
Fukuoka	13 C (55 F)	5 C (41 F)	30%	25%	45%	45%
Naha	21 C (70 F)	16 C (61 F)	25%	30%	45%	40%

December is a good month for traveling thanks to generally dry weather conditions. Domestic travel activity remains low during the first half of December until the beginning of winter school holidays around December 23. The downsides of a visit in winter are the relatively short days (sunset is around 4:30pm in Tokyo) and the barren state of the vegetation. From around December 29 some tourist attractions close down for the New Year holidays. The ski season starts in December.