Hello, I’m a new incoming JET and I just received my placement and learned that I’ll be in a new apartment. While I’m a little happy about that, I’m also a bit worried because the pictures I’ve been sent are of a completely empty apartment and I was told I’ll have to furnish the place myself.
I was wondering if anyone has any tips on how to get furniture in Japan. Do any services deliver? I don’t have a car so I’m a bit worried about how I’ll actually go get furniture. Any information is useful and I’d greatly appreciate it! Thank you so much.
If it helps, I’ll be in Ishikawa prefecture, so if anyone has any info on that area that would be helpful too!
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Hey there. I wasn’t placed in Ishikawa but am a former JET who was also initially placed in an empty apartment, too.
Short answer is, yes, you can get most furnitures delivered to your apartment. But it can also depend on what type of apartment and what floor you’ll be in. Of course, you’ll want things that can fit through your door but tbh most furnitures arrive disassembled so it shouldn’t be that much of a problem. Some places may charge you extra delivery fee if you live on the third floor or higher with no elevators, which sadly is the case with most older apartments.
You can check out places like IKEA, Nitori, Cainz (places I’ve used personally to buy my stuff) or other online stores that offer deliveries. You might not have enough money in the beginning to buy everything at once (which was my case) so you can start small by maybe buying the essentials at first, like a refrigerator or bed.
Edit: Another option is reaching out to other JETs in your area. Someone may offer to provide a car and help you around with buying stuff or willing to sell their old stuff (if you don’t mind second hand).
I went with Amazon since I didn’t really know how much Japanese I needed for everything else and was far away from a lot of big companies. I didn’t get anything too big (a sleeper couch) but they delivered right to my door. You can pay cash at Lawson, 7/11, etc for certain items or use a card. Also if you get Paypay and register your my number card you can use that for purchases online as well if you want to spread the purchases out. I would get the bare minimum first to make things comfortable and add what you want later on, as you might have to get rid of it all when you leave too (so keep that in mind) I tried to get multifunctional furniture too so I didn’t have as many items to buy. Also double check if your school will provide anything before you arrive and always log on to the JET pages as another ALT might be willing to give you something to lessen the hassle.
Nitori is more expensive but you get actual furniture that isn’t an amazon special. Highly recommend, better than ikea, they deliver. Recycle shops are good for second-hand shelving units and wood furniture, but I’m picky about buying a second-hand sofa.
Don’t overlook Hard Off and Second Street! Both are second hand stores and the quality of stuff there is really good!
Everywhere delivers don’t worry! Many people don’t have cars so it’s a common service. Will cost extra though. Nitori, ikea, Amazon and second hand stores are great
Amazon.jp, Nitori, and Viva Home were the best when I first moved into my unfurnished apartment. Of course Amazon delivers and Nitori/Viva home have delivery service as well.
Second Street is your friend
Amazon delivers and it’s something you’re likely already familiar with.
Btw, surely they are least give you a futon and some plates and cutlery and a fridge? Wtf? I have a fridge I’m not using if you’re anywhere close to ishikawa.
Nitori, Amazon, Ikea and Rakuten all deliver.
You can do cash on delivery, conbini pay, and some even send you an invoice AFTER you’ve received it.
It’s really convenient and you can schedule the time for delivery too.
If you’re furnishing it yourself, pack a cheap tape measure. That way as soon as you arrive you can figure out the dimensions and order things.
For appliances and some furniture, it can be good to check second hand stores like Off House and Second Street. Depending on how far they are from your apartment, a lot of them offer delivery within a certain radius for large items.
Second hand stores, mercari, or buy new. The most important appliances would be the stove (if it doesn’t come with it), the fridge, the washer machine, a table and chair and if you want…a bed (though I get by with futon). I had to furnish my apartment, didn’t even come with lights hah. Luckily i have a former JET turned full time teacher that was able to help me set up by driving. If not you will need to get it delivered. I would bring around $5K if you need to furnish it yourself. This will cover all your first month expenses until you get paid. My predecesor who’s apartment I couldn’t take sold me his washer and table/chair for cheap. The fridge I got from a second hand store. Curtains and lights from a home store, and stove from one too. Microwave/oven/grill from Amazon.
HI FRIEND I ALREADY DM’D YOU but within Nanao we know a few second hand stores and our area leaders have cars and we can help you get settled!!! Please reach back out I’ve been looking for you forEVER!!!
FWIW: You can find good deals on fridge/washer/stove combos at places like Nitori, Muji, and electornic stores like Yamada Denki. Might even be cheaper to buy them bundled than buying them individually secondhand.
I’m in a different area, so it’ll probably vary for you, but there are a decent range of options. Second hand stores like 2nd Street or Hard off, sayonara sales on Facebook (you may or may not have one for your area, but if you do it can be a great way to watch for items you want), and even just reasonably priced stuff new from stores like Nitori or Ikea. I don’t know if you’re in contact with any current Ishikawa folks, but if you aren’t my friend is in Ishikawa (Nomi) and I could put you in contact with her. Just shoot me a DM if you’re interested 👍
There’s a lot to be said for minimalism.
Being in Ishikawa doesn’t really help because you could be in the city or the countryside. I’m assuming they have Nitori and Daiso there, but whether it’s close or prohibitively far from your apartment is another thing entirely.
You should get a small budget from you BOE or town.
I’m in Ishikawa as well. I also had a completely empty apartment. I used 2nd Street, DCM, Daiso, Nitori, Plant 3, and Amazon to furnish. This was before I got a car so I had to ask a lot of ALTs for help and rides. Ask around and others can help you. Your supervisor should help with the initial set up though, like washer and refrigerator
Oh wait, starts with M? Won’t say it incase you’re worried about privacy. I thought you were in Nomi?
We purchased an air conditioning unit from a recycle shop since the apartment did not come furnished with it. Ordered bed in a box from Amazon.jp.