Nakano
One of the strongest wards for zero-key-money inventory, combined with fast access to Shinjuku (5 minutes via the Chuo Rapid Line) — a practical pick for renters prioritizing both savings and central access.
Tokyo, Tokyo
Looking for a no key money apartment in Tokyo? Key money (礼金, reikin) is a non-refundable "thank you" payment to the landlord — typically 1–2 months' rent — with no Western equivalent and no protective purpose for the tenant. Skipping it is one of the most effective ways to cut your move-in cost without sacrificing location or quality.
Reikin is separate from the security deposit (敷金, shikikin), which is refundable and serves a different purpose — covering potential damage or unpaid rent. A typical Tokyo move-in without either waived can run 4–6 months' rent upfront; eliminating reikin alone removes 1–2 months of that from your initial cost.
For the full breakdown — which Tokyo wards have the most zero-key-money inventory, how building age affects your odds, and how UR Housing guarantees zero key money on every unit — read our complete Tokyo no key money guide.
Search now and reduce your move-in cost without compromising on location.
1–2 months' rent
Typical key money saved
Nakano, Suginami, Bunkyo, Toshima, Koto
Wards with most zero-key-money inventory
12,356
Listing available
12,356 apartments found
2LDK
¥259,000
Nishi Nippori 5 Chome, Arakawa-ku, Tokyo
Nishinippori Stations — 4 min walk
1LDK
¥207,000
Hongo 3 Chome, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo
Hongousanchoume Stations — 4 min walk
1R
¥116,000
Toyomachi 6 Chome, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo
Nakanobu Stations — 2 min walk
1K
¥134,000
Morishita 2 Chome, Koto-ku, Tokyo
Morishita Stations — 3 min walk
2LDK
¥362,000
Nihonbashi Kobune-cho, Chuo-ku, Tokyo
Ningyouchou Stations — 5 min walk
2LDK
¥251,000
Nihonbashi Bakurocho 1 Chome, Chuo-ku, Tokyo
Bakurochou Stations — 2 min walk
1DK
¥187,000
Nihonbashi Odenmacho, Chuo-ku, Tokyo
Kodemmacho Stations — 2 min walk
1R
¥141,000
Higashitabata 1 Chome, Kita-ku, Tokyo
Tabata Stations — 4 min walk
1DK
¥181,000
Koenji North 4 Chome, Suginami-ku, Tokyo
Koenji Stations — 6 min walk
1K
¥170,000
Minamishinagawa 6 Chome, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo
Aomono Yokochou Stations — 8 min walk
1K
¥153,000
Kiba 5 Chome, Koto-ku, Tokyo
Kiba Stations — 0 min walk
1K
¥147,000
Higashikanda 1 Chome, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo
Bakurochou Stations — 2 min walk
Key money (礼金, reikin) is a non-refundable payment to the landlord, separate from the security deposit (敷金, shikikin). Where the deposit protects the landlord against damage or unpaid rent and is refundable, reikin serves no protective function — it's a cultural "thank you" payment with roots in Japan's post-war housing shortage, typically equal to 1–2 months' rent.
Zero-key-money inventory isn't evenly spread across Tokyo. Outer and mid-range wards — Nakano, Suginami, Bunkyo, Toshima, and Koto — show meaningfully more zero-key-money listings than Shibuya or Minato, and buildings constructed after 2005 are more likely to waive the fee entirely. UR Housing (government-affiliated) charges zero key money on every property without exception, making it a reliable option if upfront cost is your main constraint.
Want the full ward-by-ward breakdown and search strategy? Read our complete Tokyo no key money guide.
One of the strongest wards for zero-key-money inventory, combined with fast access to Shinjuku (5 minutes via the Chuo Rapid Line) — a practical pick for renters prioritizing both savings and central access.
Covering Koenji, Asagaya, and Ogikubo along the JR Chuo Line, Suginami shows consistently good zero-key-money availability alongside a quieter, more residential character.
Home to the University of Tokyo area (Hongo) and genuinely underpriced for its central-adjacent position — a good match for renters who want value without moving far from the city center.
Covering Ikebukuro and surrounding areas, with direct access to multiple train lines and solid zero-key-money availability relative to the inner wards.
An eastern ward with growing zero-key-money inventory and reasonable access to central Tokyo — a practical option for budget-conscious renters willing to trade some centrality for savings.
Every listing shows key money status upfront — no surprise fees discovered partway through the application.
We help you stack savings — filtering for both zero key money and zero deposit (敷金なし) to bring total move-in cost down significantly from the standard 4–6 months' rent.
Most no-key-money listings accept a guarantor company instead of a personal Japanese guarantor — a fixed one-time fee instead of a personal connection you may not have.
We walk through every line item — reikin, shikikin, agency fee, guarantor fee — in English before you sign, so "no key money" doesn't come with confusing fine print elsewhere.
Too many options to compare? Tell us your budget, move-in date, and preferred area — our team will shortlist foreigner-friendly apartments that actually fit your needs.
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