Guest Houses

Foreigners in Japan renting apartments on their own often face discrimination from real estate agents and or landlords who refuse to rent to foreigners. Some agents will explain to foreigners directly that it is difficult to rent to them. Finding a guarantor is also difficult for many foreigners. Sometimes referred to as "Gaijin Houses" (meaning Foreign persons' house), Guest Houses come in a variety of shapes and sizes. They are designed to provide short-term accommodation at reasonable prices with a minimum of hassle. Usually aimed at foreign visitors they are becoming increasingly popular with young Japanese seeking to break with the tradition of living with parents until, and sometimes after, marriage.