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Find Cheap Tokyo Stays: Short-Term Rental Apartments under $35/day

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Staying in Tokyo for more than a week?

Hotels and Airbnb can become expensive very quickly, especially once service fees, cleaning costs, and limited space are taken into account.　

At the same time, renting a regular apartment in Japan usually requires long-term contracts, deposits, guarantors, and Japanese paperwork — which makes it impractical for short or mid-term stays.

This page introduces furnished apartment options in Tokyo designed specifically for foreigners staying from a few weeks to a few months.

・No long-term contract
・Fully furnished
・Foreigners welcome
・Move-in ready

These options are often used by local travelers, workers, and people temporarily relocating to Japan who need a practical place to live without committing to a long-term lease.

Most apartments come fully furnished and ready to move in, with flexible contract terms and simplified procedures. In many cases, no guarantor is required, and the application process can be completed online.　

Prices typically start from around ¥3,000–¥5,000 per day, depending on location, length of stay, and room type.

Below, you’ll find an overview of short-term apartment options, how they compare to hotels and Airbnb, and where to look when searching for a place to stay in Tokyo.

Note: Some links in this article are affiliate links, which help us keep providing free content. Thank you for your support!

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Why Short-Term Rental Apartments are Perfect for Temporary Visitors

Avoid Hotel Booking Rush

Bookings are less competitive than Airbnb or hotels, even in central Tokyo because these apartments are not well known by visitors.

Fully Equipped Kitchen

Basically, furniture and appliances are provided, and there is a kitchen so you can cook your own meals.

High-Speed wifi

Most facilities include Wi-Fi in the rent, but some also offer mobile Wi-Fi for an additional fee.

Lower Costs

The minimum stay is 7 days, but the cost per night is low. Although you will have to pay cleaning fees, the overall cost can be kept low.

Find Shrot-Term Stays From $20/day in Tokyo

Ready to explore furnished apartments for rent in Central Tokyo?
Goodroom offers furnished rentals starting from two weeks, providing more space and flexibility than hotels, without the long commitment of monthly leases.

Hotel room with Single bed

Weekly Stay at Asakusa

  • Access: 5min-Walk from Sta.
  • Asakusabashi Sta.
  • Taito Ward
  • Min stay: 14 days~
$ 20 /day
👉 Check availability

Weekly Stay at Funabori

  • Access: 5min-Walk from Sta.
  • Funabori Sta.
  • Edogawa Ward
  • Min stay: 14 days~
$ 33 /day
👉 Check availability
room with Single/Semi-double bed (Non-smoking)

Weekly Stay at Minato

  • Access: 15min-Walk from Sta.
  • Hiroo Sta.
  • Minato Ward
  • Min stay: 14 days~
$ 44 /day
👉 Check availability

Used by travelers and remote workers staying 2–8 weeks in Tokyo.

More short-term rentals here!!

Affordable Fully Furnished Apartments Starting from 1 month

Xross House offers fully furnished rooms with No Key Money, No Deposite and No Agent fee in central Tokyo starting from just ¥38,000 ($253~) per month.

In addition, Free Room Transfer Service allows residents to move to a different property or room even after moving in without additional initial fees.

Over 3,500 rooms in prime locations like Shinjuku, Shibuya, and Yokohama, trusted by over 100,000 inquiries and fully foreigner-friendly.

Ideal stay length
From 1 month

Key benefits
Low inital costs
Free relocation

Western-style room(2nd floor with loft)

$253/month

  • 10.9 ㎡ with loft
  • 11 min walk from Sta.
  • 22 min to Ikebukuro Sta.
  • Bed, desk, chair, curtains, A/C
  • TV, refrigerator, washing machine, microwave
Furnished western-style room

$453/month

  • 15.1 ㎡
  • 9 min walk from Sta.
  • 12 min to Shinjyuku Sta.
  • Bed, desk, chair, curtains, A/C
  • TV, refrigerator, washing machine, microwave

Fully furnished house from ￥38k/mo($253~) ↓↓

Find furnished house here!!

How to Fill Out the Inquiry Form

Note: The landing page is in Japanese, so using Google Translate could be useful! You can complete the inquiry form in English without any problem.

Mid-Term Rentals in Tokyo: Weekly/Monthly Apartments vs Share Houses

Planning to stay in Tokyo for three months or longer? While weekly apartments work well for shorter visits, extended stays open up additional housing options that can offer better value and social connections.

1-4 Weeks

Weekly Apartments

Perfect for tourists and short business trips. Fully furnished with maximum flexibility and no paperwork hassles.th a bold idea to revolutionize the industry.

1-3 Months

Monthly Apartments

Better rates for extended stays while maintaining furnished convenience. Ideal for language students and internships.

3+ Months

Share Houses

3+ Months: Share Houses

Social, affordable living with flexible terms. Meet international residents while reducing costs significantly.

Why Choose Share House for Longer Stays?

  • Build friendships with international community
  • Lower monthly costs than individual apartments
  • Furnished rooms with shared common areas
  • No guarantor or key money required
  • Perfect for working holiday visa holders
Find Your Tokyo Share House
Members gather in the living room of the share house

Top 3 Most Affordable Areas to Stay in Tokyo

Finding budget-friendly accommodation in Tokyo doesn’t mean sacrificing convenience. These areas offer excellent value while maintaining good access to central Tokyo, making them perfect for cost-conscious short-term visitors.　

#1 Nerima Area

Major Stations: Nerima, Shakujii-Koen, Nakamurabashi

Nerima offers one of the cheap areas for furnished apartments in Tokyo. If you’re comparing Tokyo apartments by price and furnishings, Nerima stands out for combining residential calm with surprisingly short commute times to Ikebukuro and Shinjuku.

#2 Edogawa Area

Major Stations: Nishi-Kasai, Hirai, Mizue

Spacious apartments perfect for groups or longer stays. Near Tokyo Disneyland and with direct access to Narita Airport. Great for families and visitors planning day trips outside central Tokyo.

#3 Adachi Area

Major Stations: Kitasenju, Nishiarai, Ayase

Tokyo’s most budget-friendly option with improving transportation links. Authentic local atmosphere with excellent value for money. Ideal for extended stays and budget-conscious digital nomads.

See More Affordable Areas

How Much Does It Cost to Rent an Apartment in Tokyo? (Budget Breakdown)

Understanding Tokyo’s accommodation costs helps you make informed decisions for your stay. Weekly apartments offer substantial savings compared to hotels, especially for visits longer than one week. The longer your stay, the more you save per month.

Average Saving

60%

Compared to business hotels for monthly stays

Agent Fee

￥0

No agenet fee required for furnished apartments

Days Minimum

7

Most flexible weekly apartment booking terms

Tips for Finding Cheap Short-Term Apartments in Tokyo

Finding an affordable short-term apartment in Tokyo may seem challenging, but with the right approach, it’s surprisingly doable—even on a budget under $35 per day. Here are some practical, proven tips to help you secure the best deal.

Focus on Weekly or Monthly Rentals Instead of Nightly Stays

Hotels and Airbnb listings often charge premium nightly rates, especially in central Tokyo. In contrast, weekly and monthly apartments offer significantly lower per-day costs because utilities and management fees are bundled into longer stays.
If you’re staying for more than 7 days, weekly apartments are almost always cheaper than booking night by night.

Look Beyond Central Tokyo Neighborhoods

Areas like Shinjuku, Shibuya, and Ginza are convenient—but expensive.
Instead, target neighborhoods 15–30 minutes from major hubs by train. These areas still offer excellent access while dramatically reducing rent.

Affordable areas often include:
・Residential districts with direct train lines to central Tokyo
・Neighborhoods popular with students and long-term residents
・Areas near local (non-touristy) stations

Choose Furnished Apartments to Avoid Hidden Costs

Unfurnished apartments may look cheaper at first glance, but furniture, appliances, and setup costs add up quickly.
Short-term furnished apartments typically include:
・Bed, desk, and storage
・Kitchen appliances
・Wi-Fi and utilities

This all-in-one pricing makes budgeting predictable and avoids surprise expenses.

Always Check What’s Included in the Price

Before booking, confirm whether the price includes:
・Utilities (electricity, water, gas)
・Internet
・Cleaning or move-out fees

An apartment advertised at a low daily rate may end up costing more if fees are excluded. Always compare total stay cost, not just the headline price.

Think Like a Local, Not a Tourist

The cheapest short-term apartments in Tokyo aren’t always the most visible.
By choosing residential areas, longer stays, furnished units, and local-focused platforms, you’ll unlock prices that most tourists never see.
With the right strategy, staying in Tokyo for under $35 per day isn’t a compromise—it’s a smart move.

Ready to Expore Short-Term Rental Apartments in Tokyo?

Short-term furnished rooms can be a smart way to cut costs while enjoying a comfortable stay in the city.
If you’re looking for a flexible option that balances price, convenience, and local living, weekly rentals are worth exploring.

Explore affordable room rentals under $35/day here!

Author

HK Avatar
HK holds a Japanese national license of real estate brokerage and property management. He has extensive experience in creating support systems for foreign residents, combining social media, multilingual websites, and online contracting tools to deliver one-stop services tailored to international clients.