Serviced apartments are commonplace in various parts of the world. These flats are almost like hotels in the sense that you can comfortably start your stay as soon as you move in. Although such apartments are still relatively rare in Japan, they’re thought to become more available as the 2020 Tokyo Olympics draw near. Do a little research and you’ll be able to find a few in larger cities.

Once you’ve found a serviced apartment that you like, make sure you put your name down for it. There’s not much to worry about regarding service in Japan as it’s usually of a very high standard. You might not have the most engaging conversations with your neighbors, but that’s because the Japanese are often shy and reserved. If your stay is temporary, you won’t be living next door to them for very long anyway.

You can check the interior of some locations on the internet. Looking at the layout is helpful too, but getting a feel for the flat via photos is always worthwhile. Pictures can still be deceiving, so you should search for a place that has a website explaining its facilities in detail.