Furnishing Your First Apartment in Japan on a Budget
Updated: 2026-08-24
Quick answer
Hi, I'm Miya! Here's the honest starting point: most rental apartments in Japan come completely unfurnished, so on move-in day you may be looking at bare floors, no fridge, and no light fixtures. That feels overwhelming, but you don't need to buy everything new or all at once.
The cheapest path is a mix: recycle (second-hand) shops and marketplace apps for big items, large home-furnishing stores for affordable new basics, and 100-yen shops for the small stuff. Start with the four things that make a place livable — somewhere to sleep, a fridge, a washer, and curtains — and add the rest slowly.
Start with the essentials
Before you shop for anything pretty, cover the basics. A bed or a futon set to sleep on, a refrigerator to store food, a washing machine (many buildings expect you to bring your own), and curtains so you have privacy from day one. In summer or winter, a fan or a small heater jumps up the list fast.
Check what your apartment already includes. Some units come with an air conditioner and ceiling light fixtures; others don't, and a room with no light fixture on the first night is a common surprise. If you're unsure, ask your agent or check the listing so you can buy a light before dark on moving day.
Recycle shops and marketplace apps
Recycle shops (リサイクルショップ) are second-hand stores that sell used furniture and appliances, often cleaned and in good shape. They're my favorite for a fridge, a washer, or a microwave without paying new-item money, and many will arrange delivery for larger pieces.
Second-hand marketplace apps are the other big win. People moving out sell beds, desks, and appliances cheaply, and you can filter for your area to find things nearby. Some listings are pickup-only, so it helps to have a friend with a car or to check whether the seller offers shipping. Always look at photos and condition notes carefully before you commit.
Home stores and 100-yen shops
For affordable new items, large home-furnishing stores carry beds, shelves, curtains, kitchenware, and small appliances at reasonable prices, and their staff can usually arrange delivery for bigger purchases. I'd keep store types generic here — shop around, because ranges and prices vary.
For everything small, 100-yen shops are a lifesaver: dishes, cutlery, storage boxes, cleaning supplies, hangers, and simple kitchen tools. You can furnish a whole kitchen drawer for the price of one restaurant meal. It's the easiest way to fill the gaps without stretching your budget.
Delivery and disposal, made simple
Large items usually can't go home in a taxi, so plan delivery. Stores and many sellers offer scheduled drop-off, and delivery-scheduling apps let you pick a date and time window that fits your day. Measure your doorway, hallway, and elevator first — a fridge that won't fit through the door is a sad afternoon.
Disposing of old appliances has its own rules. Under Japan's home-appliance recycling system (家電リサイクル), items like fridges, washers, TVs, and air conditioners can't just be left out as regular trash; you pay a recycling fee and arrange collection through the retailer or your municipality. For other bulky furniture, most cities require a paid oversized-waste (粗大ごみ) pickup you book in advance. It's worth knowing this before you buy, so you're not stuck later.
Being connected unlocks the cheapest options
Here's the quiet thread running through all of this: the marketplace apps where second-hand furniture is cheapest, and the delivery-scheduling apps that get it to your door, almost all ask for a Japanese phone number when you register. Your number is how they verify your account and how a seller or driver reaches you.
So getting a local mobile line early is really the first piece of furniture. Once your number is active, the whole budget-friendly world — used-item apps, delivery windows, recycle-shop notifications — opens up. Set up your phone first, and everything else in your empty apartment gets a lot easier to fill. You've got this!
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