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Renting an Apartment in Hiroshima as a Foreigner

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Formal guide · updated June 11, 2026

Renting an Apartment in Hiroshima as a Foreigner

A formal rental guide for foreign residents in Hiroshima: how to prepare, what fees and documents may appear, how guarantors work, what to inspect, and how to move in smoothly.

Quick note: This guide is practical orientation, not legal, medical, or immigration advice. For deadlines, eligibility, documents, fees, office hours, and emergencies, use the official source links below.

Understand the rental flow

A typical rental path is search, viewing, application, screening, contract explanation, initial payment, key handover, utility setup, move-in, address registration, and garbage-rule confirmation. The order can shift, but skipping checks early can become expensive later.

Documents and screening

Rental screening may consider identity, residence status, income or scholarship, workplace or school, emergency contact, guarantor or guarantee company, and planned household members. Prepare documents in advance and ask your agent what is needed before viewing many apartments.

  • Residence card and passport.
  • Employment, school, or income documents.
  • Emergency contact in Japan if available.
  • Phone number and email.
  • Approximate move-in date and budget.
  • Documents for other household members or pets if relevant.

Fees you may see

Japanese rental contracts can include deposit, key money, agent fee, guarantee company fee, fire insurance, lock exchange, cleaning fee, renewal fee, and management fee. Not every contract includes every fee. Ask for a written estimate before committing and check what is refundable.

Before signing

Check commute, noise, sunlight, mold, storage, internet availability, bike parking, garbage station, disaster risk, nearest clinic, nearest supermarket, and whether foreign-language support exists. Photograph existing damage at move-in and keep messages with your agent or landlord organized.

Move-in tasks

After key handover, set up utilities, confirm garbage days, register your address at the correct ward office, update school/employer/bank details, and introduce yourself to building rules. If gas opening requires an appointment, book it before your first cooking or bathing day.

Common mistakes

Avoid emotional decisions under time pressure.

  • Signing without seeing the full initial cost.
  • Ignoring guarantor or guarantee-company conditions.
  • Not checking internet installation.
  • Forgetting that address registration follows the actual residence.
  • Treating garbage rules as optional building etiquette instead of a daily requirement.

Related HiroshimaHub pages

Official sources

Official sources used

Last checked: June 11, 2026. Always confirm office hours, eligibility, fees, and required documents on the official page before visiting.

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