Apartment viewing checklist in Japan: what to check in 30 minutes

Quick conclusion

A viewing is your one chance to catch problems that photos hide. The highest-value checks take under a minute each: mobile signal in every room, mold smell in the closets, water pressure, the gas type, and the washing machine space. Bring your phone, a measuring tape, and this list - and ask for the total move-in cost in writing before you leave.

Inside the room: the one-minute checks

• Mobile signal in every room. Stand in the bathroom and the back of the bedroom. Concrete buildings can kill reception, and you cannot fix this later.
• Mold and moisture. Open every closet and smell. Look at the bathroom ceiling and window frames. North-facing rooms and ground floors need extra attention.
• Water pressure. Turn on the shower and kitchen tap. Weak pressure is a daily annoyance you will notice for years.
• Sunlight and direction. South-facing (南向き) is prized for a reason: laundry dries and winter heating costs drop.
• Noise. Knock on the wall to the neighboring unit - a hollow sound suggests thin walls. Pause and listen for road or train noise with the windows closed and open.
• Outlets and layout. Count outlets per room and imagine your furniture. Photograph everything for later comparison.

Measurements that decide whether your appliances fit

Also confirm whether the room uses city gas or propane - propane can raise gas bills noticeably - and whether the stove is gas or IH, since that decides what cookware and setup you need on day one. Utility contracts themselves are covered in our utilities setup guide.

The building tells you about your neighbors

• Garbage station. Clean and organized means the building's rules work. Overflowing bags on a non-collection day is the single most honest signal about neighbors and management.
• Mailboxes. Overflowing flyers suggest vacancies or absent management.
• Bicycle parking and hallways. Personal items dumped in shared spaces hint at weak management.

The area: do one night walk

Walk from the station at the time you would actually come home. Check lighting, the real walking time (listing minutes assume 80 meters per minute with no hills or waiting at lights), late-night noise from restaurants or highways, and where the nearest supermarket, drugstore, and clinic are.

Questions to ask the agent before you leave

• Can I have the total move-in cost estimate in writing? (Compare it against typical initial costs.)
• Does the landlord accept foreign applicants, and which guarantor company is designated?
• Why did the previous tenant move out, and how long was the room vacant?
• How do I request repairs, and is there an emergency contact for water or lock trouble?

If the answers are clear and the room passes your checks, move fast - good rooms go in days. Have your application documents ready so you can apply the same day.