Moving to Japan with pets: reality check before apartment hunting

As rental agents working with foreign residents in Japan, we often meet people who are surprised by how complicated apartment hunting becomes when they move with pets.

And one of the hardest cases is not just “moving with a pet.”

It is moving with 1 dog + 1 cat.

Many newcomers see “pet-friendly” on a listing and assume it means pets are generally accepted. In reality, pet conditions in Japan are often much more specific.

A “pet-friendly” apartment may still mean:

• only one pet allowed
• small dog only
• cat not accepted
• pets allowed only under a certain weight
• extra deposit or cleaning fee required
• landlord approval needed for each pet
• pet allowed in the building, but not always in every unit

So the real challenge is not simply finding a pet-friendly apartment.

It is finding a landlord or management company that is comfortable with this full situation:

foreigner + new arrival + dog + cat + possibly no Japanese rental history.

That combination can reduce available options very quickly.

From our experience helping renters, these are the questions people should ask before applying:

1. Are both dogs and cats accepted?
2. Is more than one pet allowed?
3. Is there a dog weight limit?
4. Does the landlord approve each pet individually?
5. Are there extra deposits, cleaning fees, or restoration costs?
6. Will pets affect the screening process?
7. Is the apartment layout actually comfortable for two pets?
8. Are the pet rules written clearly in the contract?

One thing many people do not expect: cats are not always easier than dogs. Some apartments listed as pet-friendly only accept small dogs, while cats may still be rejected because of concerns about scratches, odor, or wall/floor damage.

Another important point is timing. If someone is moving to Japan with both a dog and a cat, it is usually better to start the housing search earlier than usual. The number of suitable listings is smaller, and each application may require more confirmation with the landlord.

For anyone who has moved to Japan with pets:

What was the hardest part of the rental process?
Was it finding listings, getting landlord approval, dealing with extra fees, or passing screening as a foreign resident?
Did you find more flexibility outside central Tokyo or Osaka?

We are asking because many foreign renters only discover these conditions after they arrive in Japan, when their options are already limited. Real experiences would help others prepare better before they move.