Tokyo Short-Term Rental: Start-Up Costs
Everything you need to budget — and where to invest wisely
The most common concern for new operators is: 'How much do I actually need?' Costs vary significantly by area and property size — and underestimating them creates cash flow problems.
For a standard studio apartment in Tokyo, total start-up costs typically fall between ¥1,800,000 and ¥2,500,000.
This article breaks down every cost category with real data and shows how to optimize spending without sacrificing quality.
Start-Up Cost Breakdown
Property Acquisition Costs
Security deposit, key money, agency fee, advance rent, fire insurance, and guarantor fees. Short-term rental-approved properties typically carry higher deposit requirements.
Estimate: 6–8 months' rent (approx. ¥800,000–¥1,000,000)
Furniture, Appliances & Equipment
Bed, TV, refrigerator, washing machine, microwave, curtains, lighting, kitchen supplies. Durability and design quality both matter.
Estimate: ¥400,000–¥700,000
Interior Design & Décor
Accent wallpaper, decorative elements, area rugs, art. This directly influences listing click-through rates and first-impression reviews.
Estimate: ¥100,000–¥200,000
Permit Filing & Fire Safety Equipment
Documentation preparation, smoke detectors, emergency lighting installation. Costs vary significantly based on building structure.
Estimate: ¥200,000–¥400,000
Photography & Listing Launch Costs
Professional listing photography, cleaning kit setup, initial OTA listing creation fees.
Estimate: ¥100,000–¥150,000
Total Start-Up Cost Simulation
| 項目 | 金額 |
|---|---|
| Property Acquisition Costs | approx. ¥900,000 |
| Furniture, Appliances & Interior | approx. ¥600,000 |
| Permits & Fire Safety Equipment | approx. ¥300,000 |
| Other (Photography & Reserve) | approx. ¥100,000 |
Total Estimate: approx. ¥1,900,000Total Estimate: approx. ¥1,900,000 | |
※ Based on a Shinjuku-area studio (1K/25㎡) with ¥120,000/month rent.
Payback Period Simulation
想定条件
Projected monthly net profit: approx. ¥100,000
初期投資
Initial investment: ¥1,900,000
※ Based on maintaining stable RevPAR and efficient operations.
3 Ways to Keep Start-Up Costs Down
※ Cutting corners on interior quality tends to delay the payback period — it is rarely a genuine saving.
Common Mistakes
- Underestimating start-up costs
- Delays in permit acquisition
- Underestimating cleaning cost structures
Capital Requirements
Varies by property and area.
Summary: Invest in the Right Places
Tokyo short-term rentals require meaningful upfront investment, but strategically distinguishing where to invest versus where to cut enables fast payback. StayJP provides end-to-end support for cost-efficient launch planning.