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Finding a home doesn’t have to be a pain. Foreigner-friendly OUCHI.com can help

8 Comments
By Ben K, grape Japan

Searching for a rental in Japan can be stressful for anyone, but things are often harder for foreigners. To begin with, for many, there's a language barrier. Most real estate offices here only have materials written in Japanese and the agents themselves may be unable to help you in English (or another language). There's also the fact that many properties are unwilling to rent to foreigners, so it may take several attempts to find a solution, which can be a painful process.

OUCHI.com Shinjuku

Operated by Housecom Corporation, OUCHI.com, (ouchi お家 meaning "home" in Japanese) is a newly launched venture specifically tailored to foreigners.

The service is available in five languages: Japanese, English, Chinese, German, and French, with plans to expand the languages supported in the future. In addition, Ouchi.com will be able to introduce you to rooms that were previously difficult for foreigners to rent due to their nationality, thereby opening up more options and increasing the chances of a happy solution.

Two plans are available: the Basic Plan and the Global Support Plan, to meet the needs of both first-time and experienced foreign residents.

Basic Plan

This plan is recommended for foreign nationals who have a long-term visa (working visa, working holiday visa, permanent resident visa, etc.) valid for 6 months or longer, who have a lot of experience in Japan, and who are fluent in Japanese.

Global Support Plan

This plan is recommended for those who are coming to Japan for the first time, those who are worried about communicating in Japanese, and those who want to avoid the troublesome procedures usually associated with renting property.

Address: 3F Kirin Building, 3-36-2 Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 160-0022

Access: 1-minute walk from Shinjuku Station on JR Yamanote Line

Opening hours: 10:00 to 18:30

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8 Comments
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There's also the fact that many properties are unwilling to rent to foreigners, so it may take several attempts to find a solution, which can be a painful process.

That is putting it mildly. Well, they might find you a spot but it may not be the one you truly want. Good luck, and it's 2021 now.

7 ( +7 / -0 )

Not even a phone number on the website.

5 ( +6 / -1 )

I don't think I'll use the service. The name indicates it might be a painful experience.

4 ( +5 / -1 )

What a typical cheesy bad Japanese site invented by a roller skater wanna B IT professional.

No phone numbers anywhere, just lots of forms to fill out.

3 ( +4 / -1 )

Housecom Corporation, OUCHI.com

No phone on the website and nothing about pricing.

A search on internet will give the phone number of Housecom, the parent company

3 ( +3 / -0 )

The site seems to be dedicated to the sport of soccer, not housing.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

I see. Ouchi.com is not located at Ouchi.com. Why would you name your company after a domain name that you do not own?

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Here for more than twenty years, and fortunately, I have never had to open the door of a real estate agency.

-3 ( +0 / -3 )

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