New in Tokyo: HOMES Asakusa & HOMES Kagurazaka — 5 Questions to Ask Before You Rent a Furnished Apartment

Hi there! I'm part of the marketing team at HOMES JAPAN, writing in from Japan 🙌🏻

Some good news first: we've just opened two new locations in Tokyo — HOMES Asakusa and HOMES Kagurazaka.

So in this post, I'll walk you through both places, and along the way answer the questions people ask us most when they're trying to find a clean, good-quality furnished apartment in Tokyo. Five questions, straight answers. Let's go!

QUESTION 01

What should I check first when looking for a clean, well-kept apartment in Tokyo?

My honest first filter: how much of the room can you actually see before you sign? A handful of listing photos rarely tells you how big a room really feels or how the space flows — and if you're apartment-hunting from overseas, flying in for a viewing usually isn't an option.

At HOMES JAPAN, you can look around the inside of the rooms with 360° photos, so you get a proper sense of the layout before you move in. Every room also comes fully furnished, so there's nothing to buy on arrival.

Room size and bed size — check the square meters and whether it's a single or double bed.

The basic appliances — washing machine, fridge, microwave. You'll use these every single day.

What the rent covers — utilities, Wi-Fi and so on. Always ask before you compare prices.

A bright, spotless bathroom at HOMES Kagurazaka — exactly what you want to see before you sign

Microwave, kettle and stove are already set up, so you can cook from day one

QUESTION 02

What's HOMES Asakusa like?

A little local detail first: HOMES Asakusa is actually in Kuramae, in Taito-ku — the neighborhood right next to Asakusa. Senso-ji and the main sightseeing streets are within walking distance, but the streets around the building are calm, full of small leather workshops, pottery studios and independent cafés. The Sumida River walkway is close by too, which makes for a really nice evening stroll 🌉

Getting around

About a 3-minute walk to Kuramae Station (Toei Oedo Line)

The Toei Asakusa Line runs to both Haneda and Narita airports without a transfer

Roughly 20 min to Tokyo Station, 30 min to Shinjuku, 40 min to Shibuya

Room types

From 1K studios to 1LDK and 2LDK units (25.76–57.66㎡). Solo stayers usually go for a 1K; couples and families tend to pick a 1LDK or 2LDK so there's a separate living room.

A 1LDK at HOMES Asakusa, with the bedroom tucked away from the living space

Warm wood floors and a comfy sofa — easy to settle in for a month or more

QUESTION 03

And HOMES Kagurazaka?

HOMES Kagurazaka is in Suido, Bunkyo-ku. It's an area known for its publishing houses, so there are bookshops and cafés everywhere you look. The stone-paved lanes of Kagurazaka and the Koishikawa Korakuen garden are both nearby. If you'd rather live somewhere calm than in the middle of the nightlife, this one's for you 🍃

Getting around

5-minute walk to Edogawabashi Station (Tokyo Metro Yurakucho Line)

15-minute walk to Iidabashi Station (JR Chuo-Sobu Line)

Direct trains to Ikebukuro and Ginza, no transfers

Room types

Every room is a 42.54㎡ studio for 1–2 people. That's spacious for a studio in Tokyo — there's room for a double bed, a proper desk and bar stools, which makes it a great fit if you're working remotely and staying a while.

A 42.54㎡ studio at HOMES Kagurazaka — roomy by Tokyo standards

A wide counter that works for cooking, eating, or a quick work session

QUESTION 04

Which of the two is the better fit for me?

Here's the quick way to decide 👇

HOMES Asakusa (Kuramae)

• Best for: a stay that's part trip, part life; couples and families
• Rooms: 1K to 2LDK, 25.76–57.66㎡
• Neighborhood: workshops and cafés, sightseeing on foot
• Getting around: direct trains to both airports

HOMES Kagurazaka

• Best for: longer stays and remote work
• Rooms: studios, 42.54㎡
• Neighborhood: bookshops, cafés, quiet lanes
• Getting around: direct trains to Ikebukuro and Ginza

Small bonus: rooms at both locations come with a projector — perfect for a movie night in 🎬

HOMES Asakusa: kitchen and living area in one easy flow

QUESTION 05

I'm not Japanese — won't renting be complicated?

If you've ever tried renting in Japan as a foreigner, you probably know the usual roadblocks: a Japanese guarantor, a local bank account, and a pile of move-in fees. We've taken most of those out of the picture.

✔️ No guarantor needed

✔️ No Japanese bank account needed

✔️ You can apply from overseas

✔️ ¥0 key money (reikin, the non-refundable "thank-you" payment to landlords) and ¥0 agency fee

✔️ Contracts from 1 month up to 12 months

✔️ The longer you stay, the lower the monthly rent

The process is simple, too: apply → screening → contract → move in. And you can talk to us in English, from your first question all the way through to life after move-in, so it's an easy start even if it's your first time in Japan :)

So, Asakusa or Kagurazaka?

If you're planning to spend a month or more in Tokyo, it really comes down to this: Asakusa if you want sightseeing on your doorstep and an easy airport run, Kagurazaka if you want a calm base for a longer stay.

You can check room types, rates and current availability for each location below 👇 And if you have any questions, just drop them in the comments!

See HOMES Asakusa See HOMES Kagurazaka