One of the most common questions foreign tenants ask after signing a rental contract in Japan is:

“I already paid the initial move-in cost — so when is my next rent due?”
“And how exactly do I pay it?”

This guide will walk you through how rent payments work in Japan after you move in.

1. Your Initial Payment Usually Covers the First 2 months's Rent 

In most cases, your initial move-in cost already includes:

• Prorated rent for the month you move in

• Full rent for the following month

  
  

Example:

If your move-in date is March 20, your initial payment typically includes:

• Rent from March 20–31 (prorated)

• Full rent for April

  
  

This means your next rent payment is usually due at the end of April for May rent.

This is because rent in Japan is generally paid in advance.

2. Rent Is Usually Paid Through a Guarantee Company

In Japan, rent payments are commonly managed by a rent guarantee company (保証会社).

There are two main payment methods:

Option 1: Automatic Bank Withdrawal (Most Common)

If you registered a Japanese bank account when signing your contract:

• Rent will be automatically withdrawn each month

• Most withdrawals happen around the 27th of each month

• If it falls on a weekend or holiday, it will be processed on the next business day

✅ Tip: Deposit your rent a few days in advance to avoid issues.

Option 2: Convenience Store Payment (If You Don’t Have a Bank Account Yet)

If you didn’t have a Japanese bank account at the time of signing — that’s completely normal.

After moving in, the guarantee company will usually send a letter to your address with:

• Bank account registration forms

• Convenience store payment slips

You can use these slips to pay your rent at any convenience store until your bank account is set up.

3. When Does Automatic Withdrawal Start?

Bank account registration typically takes about one month to become active.

Example:

• Register your bank account in April

• Automatic withdrawal may not start in April

• It will usually begin from late May (for June rent)

During this transition period, paying at a convenience store is completely normal.

4. What Happens If You Miss a Payment?

If rent is not paid on time, the following may occur:

• Reminder from the guarantee company

• Late payment fees

• Impact on your credit history in Japan

If delays continue, it may also affect:

• Contract renewal

• Future rental applications

For this reason, automatic bank withdrawal is highly recommended.

5. Important Detail Many Tenants Overlook

Many tenants only deposit Rent and Maintenance fee

However, automatic withdrawal often also includes:

• Monthly guarantee company fee

• Transaction handling fee (usually a few hundred yen)

  
  

⚠️ Even being short by 1 yen can cause the payment to fail.

We recommend keeping a slightly higher balance in your account.

6. If You Missed a Payment — Don’t Panic

Missing one payment is not uncommon, especially for first-time tenants in Japan.

Simply:

• Contact the guarantee company and Follow their instructions

  
  

Most companies that work with foreign tenants offer Multilingual support

Alternative payment methods may include:

• Convenience store payment

• SMS payment links

• Bank transfer

  
  

As long as you pay promptly, it usually won’t cause serious issues.

7. Two Important Dates to Confirm

After signing your contract, make sure you confirm:

• Your monthly withdrawal date

• Your next rent payment date

If you’re unsure, your real estate agent or property management company can help.