Many people who come to Japan on a Working Holiday visa quickly realize that finding an apartment is much harder than expected.

We often hear questions like:

“Can I rent an apartment in Japan with a Working Holiday visa?”

“Most real estate agencies told me it’s difficult. Is that true?”

“My visa is only one year — will landlords reject my application?”

If you are on a Working Holiday visa, you are definitely not alone in facing this problem.

Today, we want to explain the real situation and how it actually works.

1. Why Many Agencies Avoid Working Holiday Applications

In reality, many real estate agencies in Japan prefer not to handle Working Holiday applicants.

The main reason is that the approval process can be more complicated.

From a landlord or management company’s perspective, they may worry about:

• The short visa duration (usually 1 year)
• Whether the tenant has stable income in Japan
• Whether the tenant plans to stay long term

Because of these concerns, some agencies simply tell clients:

“It’s difficult.”

In many cases, it’s not that renting is impossible.

It’s just that the agency does not want to spend time finding properties that accept Working Holiday tenants.

2. The Good News: It Is Absolutely Possible

The truth is:

Working Holiday visa holders can rent apartments in Japan.

However, the key is:

Choosing the right property and management company.

Some buildings are more flexible about visa types, while others have stricter screening policies.

With the right experience, it is usually possible to find properties where Working Holiday tenants can pass screening successfully.

3. The Biggest Concern: Your Visa Is Only One Year

Many Working Holiday residents worry about this:

“My visa is only one year. Will landlords reject me?”

In reality, the visa length itself is not always the biggest issue.

Management companies usually focus more on:

• Whether you can pay rent reliably
• Whether you have sufficient savings
• Whether you have a job or income plan

Many Working Holiday tenants successfully rent apartments by showing:

• Bank balance certificates
• Savings from their home country
• A job contract or part-time work

With proper explanation during the application process, approval is often possible.

4. Why Experience Matters When Searching for Working Holiday Apartments

This is where working with the right real estate agency becomes extremely important.

Not every agent is familiar with the screening logic used by management companies.

An experienced agent can:

• Identify properties more likely to accept Working Holiday tenants
• Explain your situation clearly during the screening process
• Prepare the application in a way that improves approval chances

Without this knowledge, many applications are rejected simply because the property was not suitable in the first place.

5. Our Experience With Working Holiday Clients

At Mitsumaru Real Estate, we have helped many Working Holiday residents find apartments in Tokyo.

Because we regularly work with international tenants, we understand:

• Which management companies are more flexible
• Which buildings accept shorter visa durations
• How to prepare applications that pass screening

Many of our Working Holiday clients successfully rent apartments for 6 months to 1 year, even with a one-year visa.

With the right preparation, the process is usually much smoother than many people expect.

6. What Helps Working Holiday Applicants Get Approved

Based on our experience, several factors can significantly improve approval chances.

Savings

Many Working Holiday residents show bank balance certificates from their home country.

This helps demonstrate the ability to pay rent.

Clear plans in Japan

Explaining whether you plan to work part-time, travel, or stay long term can help management companies understand your situation.

Emergency contact in Japan

Some properties require an emergency contact who lives in Japan.

Choosing the right property

This is often the most important factor.

Some buildings simply do not accept short-term visa holders, while others are much more flexible.

7. Final Answer: Can You Rent With a Working Holiday Visa?

The short answer is:

Yes — it is possible.

Even if your visa is only one year, you can still rent an apartment in Japan.

The key is:

✔ Finding the right property
✔ Preparing the application properly
✔ Working with an agent experienced with international tenants

With the right support, many Working Holiday residents successfully find housing in Tokyo.

Need Help Finding an Apartment in Tokyo?

If you are in Japan on a Working Holiday visa and having difficulty finding an apartment, we may be able to help.

At Mitsumaru Real Estate, we regularly assist international residents with:

• Apartment search in Tokyo
• Working Holiday applications
• Screening preparation
• Contract explanation in English

Even if other agencies told you it is difficult, feel free to contact us!