What You’ll Learn
- Actual price ranges by room size and neighborhood
- Full cost breakdown — what the monthly fee includes and what it doesn’t
- One-time fees at move-in
- How Nagoya compares to Tokyo and Osaka
- How to calculate the real total cost before committing
Understanding the cost of a monthly apartment in Nagoya requires looking beyond the headline rent figure. This article gives you a complete breakdown — including what is typically included, what is not, and how to calculate the real total before signing.
Rent by Room Size (Nagoya, 2026 Estimates)
All figures include utilities unless noted. Prices vary by neighborhood, building age, and operator.
| Room Type | Size | Nagoya (Central) | Nagoya (Residential) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1K | 18–25 m² | ¥90,000–¥130,000 | ¥70,000–¥100,000 |
| 1DK | 28–35 m² | ¥110,000–¥160,000 | ¥90,000–¥130,000 |
| 1LDK | 35–50 m² | ¥130,000–¥180,000 | ¥100,000–¥150,000 |
| 2LDK | 50–70 m² | ¥180,000–¥280,000 | ¥150,000–¥220,000 |
Central: Nagoya Station area, Sakae, Marunouchi
Residential: Chikusa, Kanayama, Yagoto, Ozone
Rent by Neighborhood (Studio/1K)
| Neighborhood | Monthly Cost (Studio) | Transit to Nagoya Station |
|---|---|---|
| Nagoya Station (walking) | ¥100,000–¥130,000 | 0–15 min walk |
| Sakae / Fushimi | ¥90,000–¥120,000 | 5 min subway |
| Kanayama | ¥80,000–¥110,000 | 8 min subway |
| Chikusa / Imaike | ¥75,000–¥100,000 | 12 min subway |
| Honjo / Nakamura-koen | ¥70,000–¥90,000 | 5 min subway (west) |
| Ozone / Sakurayama | ¥65,000–¥85,000 | 15–20 min subway |
What Is Typically Included in the Monthly Fee
Most monthly apartments in Nagoya include the following:
Utilities:
– Electricity (there may be a usage cap — ask about overage charges)
– Gas
– Water
– Internet / Wi-Fi (check whether it is fiber-optic or mobile router)
Furniture and appliances:
– Air conditioner (heating + cooling)
– Refrigerator, washing machine, microwave, TV
– Bed and mattress
– Desk, chair, wardrobe, shelving
– Curtains and window coverings
– Lighting fixtures
What is NOT included (check before booking):
– Bedsheets, duvet, and pillow (sometimes available for rental)
– Cooking utensils and dishes
– Hangers and storage accessories
– Hair dryer (sometimes provided, often not)
– Parking (additional ¥10,000–¥30,000/month if needed)
One-Time Fees at Move-In
In addition to the first month’s rent, expect to pay these at booking:
| Fee | Typical Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Cleaning fee (清掃費) | ¥5,000–¥30,000 | Paid once; covers professional cleaning after your stay |
| Insurance (住宅保険) | ¥1,000–¥2,000/month | Sometimes bundled into the rent |
What you will NOT pay:
– Key money (礼金) — this is a Japanese rental tradition, not applicable to monthly apartments
– Security deposit (敷金) — no deposit required
– Real estate agent fee (仲介手数料) — not applicable when booking directly
The total upfront cost is typically: first month rent + cleaning fee + insurance. For a ¥100,000/month studio, this is approximately ¥115,000–¥120,000 all-in.
How to Calculate the Real Total Cost
Use this formula to compare properties accurately:
Total cost = (Daily rate × Number of days) + Cleaning fee + Insurance
Always compare properties on a utilities-included, total-cost basis. A ¥90,000 apartment without utilities can cost ¥108,000 once electricity, gas, and water are added — more than a ¥105,000 utilities-included apartment.
Example comparison (30-day stay):
| Property | Listed Rent | Utilities | Cleaning | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Property A | ¥90,000 | Not included (+¥18,000) | ¥10,000 | ¥118,000 |
| Property B | ¥105,000 | Included | ¥10,000 | ¥115,000 |
Property B is cheaper despite the higher listed rent.
How Nagoya Compares to Tokyo and Osaka
Nagoya is substantially cheaper than Japan’s two largest cities for monthly apartments:
| City | Studio Monthly Apartment (Central, Utilities Incl.) |
|---|---|
| Tokyo (central) | ¥150,000–¥250,000 |
| Osaka (Umeda/Namba) | ¥120,000–¥180,000 |
| Nagoya (central) | ¥90,000–¥130,000 |
For a 3-month corporate assignment, the savings compared to Tokyo can exceed ¥150,000–¥300,000 per employee.
Peak Season Price Increases
Monthly apartment prices in Nagoya fluctuate with demand:
| Season | Demand | Price Effect |
|---|---|---|
| March–April (corporate relocation season) | Very high | +15–30% |
| August (summer, factory shutdowns) | Moderate | +5–15% |
| December–January (year-end, New Year) | Moderate-high | +10–20% |
| May–June, October–November | Low | Standard rates or discounts |
If your assignment timing is flexible, May–June and October–November offer the best availability and pricing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Is there a cheaper option than monthly apartments for a 1-month stay in Nagoya?
A. For 1 month or longer, monthly apartments are typically the cheapest fully-furnished option. Business hotels cost ¥50,000–¥100,000 more per month. Guesthouses (ゲストハウス) can be slightly cheaper but are shared-room arrangements. Regular apartments are cheaper per month but require key money, deposit, and furniture — making the true 1-month cost much higher.
Q. Are utilities really included? What if I use a lot of electricity in summer?
A. Most monthly apartments include utilities but may have an upper usage limit (a cap on monthly kWh or cubic meters). If you exceed this, you pay the overage. Ask the operator: “Is there a utility usage cap, and what is the overage charge?” Properties in older buildings sometimes use shared utility metering, which removes this concern.
Q. Can I negotiate the price?
A. For stays of 2 months or more, a modest discount (5–10%) is sometimes possible, especially if you book outside peak season. Corporate accounts often receive automatic rate adjustments. It is always worth asking directly.
Q. Does the cleaning fee change based on how clean I leave the apartment?
A. No. The cleaning fee is fixed and paid at booking. It covers standard professional cleaning after your stay. If you cause significant damage beyond normal wear, an additional charge may apply — but normal use does not result in additional fees.
Q. What is the cheapest monthly apartment currently available in Nagoya?
A. The most affordable monthly apartments in Nagoya (residential areas, utilities included) start at approximately ¥65,000–¥70,000 per month for a studio. These are typically in neighborhoods like Ozone or Nakamura-koen, 15–20 minutes by subway from central Nagoya.
Summary
When budgeting for a monthly apartment in Nagoya:
- Studio, central: ¥90,000–¥130,000/month (utilities included)
- Studio, residential: ¥65,000–¥100,000/month (utilities included)
- One-time fees: Cleaning fee (¥5,000–¥30,000) + insurance (~¥1,500/month)
- No key money, no deposit, no agent fees
- Always compare on a utilities-included basis — listed rent alone is misleading
Nagoya is 30–40% cheaper than Tokyo for equivalent monthly apartments. For companies and individuals seeking quality housing at a reasonable cost, Nagoya offers an excellent value proposition.
