If you’re coming to Japan on business and are looking for temporary accommodation, you probably already have a rough idea of where you’re going to stay. People usually enjoy living closer to their workplace, so you should search in that area for a flat that has a supermarket or convenience store nearby. In addition to being open around the clock, Japanese convenience stores generally offer an ATM and other helpful services as well. Having one nearby will significantly boost livability.

If your visit is short and you’re not proficient in Japanese, you might want to consider staying in an apartment with a landlord who is multilingual. You’ll find that people in the city can often communicate in English, but this certainly isn’t the case in the countryside. You might also feel at ease living in areas with restaurants run by expats or spots that remind you of home.

For short stays, you’ll be able to get by as long as you have the bare necessities. If you’re okay with minor surprises, it’s possible to rent an apartment before even leaving your home country. If you do this, your first visit to the property will be on the day you move in. So you might find some minor surprises that you couldn’t tell from the internet, such as poor sound insulation. If such little things don’t bother you, this is an easy way to find great deals.