Aside from furnished properties and monthly apartments, it's quite common for Japanese rentals to lack essential items from the start — light fixtures, curtains, a kitchen stove, and the like. Since this often differs from what's customary back home, it's important to check at the viewing stage what's already installed and what you'll need to provide yourself. The difference from furnished properties is covered in a separate article as well.
- Light fixtures aren't installed in many rentals, and you'll need to buy and install them yourself after moving in.
- Curtains and curtain rails are sometimes pre-installed and sometimes something you need to provide yourself, depending on the property.
- A kitchen stove is sometimes pre-installed and sometimes not, and you also need to check whether it's gas or electric.
- An air conditioner is generally pre-installed, though in rare cases a room may not have one.
- It's reassuring to confirm with the real estate agency at the viewing what counts as "equipment" (setsubi) and what is a "leftover item" (zanchibutsu).
Lighting is often something you need to provide yourself
Many Japanese rentals only come with the wiring fixture on the ceiling for attaching a light (a hikkake shīringu, or hook-type ceiling receptacle) — the light fixture itself is something you need to buy and install yourself. Sometimes you'll be told you can use a light left behind by the previous tenant as a "leftover item" (zanchibutsu), but since this isn't officially equipment, the landlord generally has no obligation to repair it if it breaks. Confirm at the viewing whether the lighting counts as equipment or a leftover item. Many light fixtures that can be installed without tools are sold as well, so it's reassuring to buy one in advance so you're not stuck without light on your first day.
Whether curtains and curtain rails are provided
Many properties already have a curtain rail installed, but the curtains themselves are generally something the tenant provides. Since window sizes differ by room, measuring before you move in lets you put up curtains right after moving in. For both security and privacy from outside, it's recommended to have curtains ready for your first day.
Checking the kitchen stove
For kitchens, some properties come with a gas stove or an electric (IH) cooktop already installed, while others have no stove at all, requiring you to provide one yourself. In properties without an installed stove in particular, you'll need to either buy a freestanding stove separately or arrange with a gas company to have a built-in stove installed. Always check before signing whether kitchen equipment is included and what type it is — gas or electric.
Air conditioners, water heaters, and other equipment
Air conditioners, water heaters, washstands, and toilets come pre-installed in most rental properties from the start. That said, in older properties in particular, a room without an air conditioner installed does occasionally exist, so it's reassuring to check at the viewing. Pre-installed equipment is generally something the landlord or management company will repair if it breaks, which is treated differently from an appliance you bought yourself. For the washing machine space too, generally only the water supply and drainage fittings are provided, and the washing machine itself is something you provide yourself, so it's worth checking this as well.
What to check at the viewing
At the viewing, checking with the agency item by item whether something in the room counts as "equipment" or a "leftover item" helps you avoid trouble after moving in. If it's equipment, you can request a repair if it breaks; if it's a leftover item, it's up to you whether to use or dispose of it, and if it breaks, that's generally not the landlord's responsibility. The contract and the important matters explanation document often include a list of equipment as well, so check that too.
Frequently asked questions
Does every rental come with light fixtures?
In many properties, the light fixture itself isn't included, and the tenant needs to buy and install it. Generally only the wiring fixture is installed.
What should I do if a property has no stove?
You can either buy a freestanding stove or consult a gas company about having a built-in stove installed. Check this before signing the contract.
What's the difference between a "leftover item" and "equipment"?
Equipment is something the landlord or management company will repair if it breaks, while a leftover item is something left by a previous tenant, and its repair generally isn't the landlord's responsibility.
Summary
Aside from furnished properties, Japanese rentals sometimes don't come with lighting, curtains, or a stove. Checking at the viewing stage what counts as equipment and what you'll need to provide yourself lets you start your new life without a last-minute scramble after moving in.