How Much Does It Cost to Move In Together in Japan? A Phase-by-Phase Checklist
Kona4 min readTable of contents
"How much do we need to save before moving in together?" is one of those questions that's hard to answer without specifics. The vague target of "maybe a million yen?" floats around, but what actually gets paid, and when? Let's break it down by category and timeline so you know exactly what to prepare.
The bottom line: 5–7 months' rent plus ¥300,000–500,000 for furnishing
Moving in together in Japan typically costs 4.75–5.55 months' rent for the lease contract, about ¥100,000 for movers, and ¥280,000–530,000 for furniture and appliances. For a ¥100,000/month apartment, expect a total of roughly ¥900,000–1,200,000.
The good news: zero-deposit units (敷金ゼロ) are now the majority in the Tokyo metro area, and you don't pay everything at once. Understanding the timeline takes the fear out of the number.
Cost breakdown: three categories
Costs fall into three buckets: lease contract fees, moving costs, and furnishing. Here's the breakdown assuming ¥100,000/month rent.
| Item | Estimated cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Deposit (敷金) | ¥100,000 (1 month) | National average 1.00 months. Partially refundable |
| Key money (礼金) | ¥75,000 (0.75 months) | National average 0.75 months. Non-refundable |
| Agent fee (仲介手数料) | ¥50,000–100,000 | Legal max: 1 month + tax |
| First month's rent | ¥100,000 | Pro-rated if moving mid-month |
| Insurance + guarantor fee | ¥30,000–50,000 | Guarantor company: 0.5–1 month |
| Lock change + cleaning | ¥20,000–30,000 | Varies by property |
| Lease subtotal | ~¥475,000–555,000 | 4.75–5.55 months' rent |
| Moving costs (2-person, off-peak) | ~¥103,000 | SUUMO 2025 average |
| Furniture (bed, sofa, storage) | ~¥244,000 | Recruit Bridal Research 2023 |
| Appliances (fridge, washer, microwave) | ~¥288,000 | Same survey |
| Grand total | ~¥900,000–1,200,000 | For ¥100,000/month rent |
Source: SUUMO cost guide / SUUMO moving costs 2025 / Recruit Bridal Research Institute "Newlywed Life Survey 2023" (PDF)
Zero-deposit units are now the market majority
According to LIFULL HOME'S 2025 survey, most units under ¥100,000/month in the Tokyo metro area now come with zero deposit. Zero key-money units are also on the rise.
Source: LIFULL HOME'S 2025 Deposit/Key Money Trends Survey
That means choosing the right property can eliminate ¥175,000 (deposit + key money) entirely. Agent fees are also negotiable — many agencies charge 0.5 months instead of the full month.
Simply choosing a zero-deposit, zero-key-money property cuts ¥150,000–200,000 off your move-in costs.
Priority order for savings:
- Find a zero-deposit/zero-key-money property (saves up to ¥175,000)
- Use an agency that charges 0.5 months' fee (saves ~¥50,000)
- Move during off-peak months (May–August) (saves ~¥30,000 vs. peak season)
- Start with essentials only — buy furniture gradually after you see how you actually use the space
Payment timeline: when does the money leave?
The anxiety isn't just "how much" — it's "when." Here's the whole timeline in one table.
| Phase | Main payments | Approx. amount |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Contract signing (1 month before) | Deposit, key money, first month's rent, agent fee, insurance, guarantor fee | ¥400,000–550,000 |
| 2. Pre-move prep (2 weeks to 1 day before) | Moving company, packing materials, disposal fees | ¥100,000–130,000 |
| 3. Moving day to first week | Mover surcharges (stairs, AC install), curtains, gifts for neighbors (~¥1,000 × 2–4 households) | ¥10,000–30,000 |
| 4. First month after move-in | Furniture and appliance deliveries, Wi-Fi installation (¥10,000–20,000), NHK license fee (terrestrial: ¥2,200 per two months), household supplies | ¥300,000–550,000 |
Phase 1 is the big one — most landlords require the full amount on signing day. The sneaky item is curtains: you can't buy them until the floor plan is final, so they tend to become a day-of scramble. Some movers also expect payment in cash on the day, so have it ready.
You don't need ¥1,000,000 on day one
Phase 1 (the lease contract) is the only point where you need ~¥500,000 ready. Furniture and appliances come in Phase 4 and can be purchased gradually. Save ¥500,000 as your move-in fund, then cover the rest from subsequent paychecks.
How to split costs as a couple
Letting one person shoulder everything breeds resentment. Set the rules before you sign the lease.
| Pattern | Best for |
|---|---|
| 50/50 split | Similar incomes, want simplicity |
| Income ratio (e.g., 60:40) | Significant income gap |
| Category-based (one covers rent, other covers furnishing) | Playing to each person's strengths |
If unsure, go with income ratio. It keeps both people's lifestyles roughly equal and prevents the lower earner from being stretched.
Wondering how couples in Japan handle money before moving in together? Survey data on splitting vs. treating on dates gives you a sense of the norms.
For managing day-to-day shared expenses after you've moved in, see our guide on how couples split living costs fairly.
Important
Verbal agreements about money easily turn into "that's not what we agreed" arguments. Even a quick note in your phone — who pays what, how much — prevents disputes later. A shared expense tracker keeps everything transparent.
FAQ
Q. How much does it cost to start living together in Japan?
For a ¥100,000/month apartment, expect ¥900,000–1,200,000 total: lease contract fees (¥475,000–555,000), moving costs (~¥103,000), and furniture/appliances (¥280,000–530,000). Zero-deposit properties (63.3% of Tokyo-area listings) and off-peak moving can reduce this by ¥200,000–300,000.
Q. How should couples split move-in costs?
The most common patterns are 50/50, income ratio, or category-based splitting. Many couples opt for 50/50, but income-ratio splits tend to create less friction when there's an earnings gap. Record the agreed amounts somewhere — even a shared phone note prevents misunderstandings.
Wrapping up
Moving in together costs roughly 5–7 months' rent plus furnishing — but you don't pay it all at once. The lease contract (~¥500,000) is the one big lump sum; everything else flows in over the first month. Focus on finding a zero-deposit property, move in the off-season, and buy furniture gradually. Most importantly, agree on who pays what before you sign anything.
