Equipping an apartment or house with furnishings can be challenging enough in a new country, especially when you don't speak the language well. But what if you're only going to be in Japan for a finite amount of time? Suppose you are studying at a year-long language program, or coming as a short-term teacher, artist, or model, or just simply don't want to commit to buying too much? Well, new rental options abound that can make outfitting your abode quite easy.
Home Electronics
Take home electronics, for example. Even if your apartment is provided by your employer or school, you still might have to fill it with the basic necessities for life in Japan, such as a refrigerator, washer, television set, and microwave oven. Purchasing all of these items new, even at a discount retailer, can sometimes run over 120,000-150,000 yen, even if you buy the absolute cheapest brands you can find. Then, you have to worry about selling/getting rid of the goods when you leave! Buying secondhand can be cheaper, but finding recycle shops in rural locations can be a challenge, and buying from other foreigners makes shipping your new purchases across Tokyo or Japan another consideration. What's a confused gaijin to do?
Well, one very smart plan is to take a look at Toshiba's Techno Network 'kaden rental service' - which offers a four-piece 'set' - TV, fridge, washer, and microwave - from 38,000 yen a year for a three-year contract. A one-year monthly contract starts at 7,665 yen per month (all maintenance included). All the products are brand new Toshiba goods, and shipping/collection at the end of the contract is also free. Call 03-5818-7875 for details, or check out the following website: http://www.toshiba.co.jp/tcn/pack/index_j.htm (Japanese only). An English description can be found here (watch out for the price error!): http://www.cfsd.org.uk/PSS/Home_appliances_pay_per_use.htm
Baby Goods
Are you expecting a new baby while in Japan? Well, many Japanese people make use of rental services for baby goods, particularly expensive ones used for only a few months (such as cribs/cots, baby carriages, car seats, and other items). A number of services exist for this around Japan, and the best place to get catalogs/information is at your local maternity clinic or hospital.
Alternatively, check out http://www.ibaby.co.jp (click on the magazine cover, Japanese only) to see Aiiku Baby's lineup of rental goods. This company does free delivery/retreival within Kanto, and will also replace a broken/damaged item for free during your contract. A basic baby cot/crib, for example, can be had for as little as 7,900 yen for an entire year, and a Combi reclining stroller for 10,080 yen for six months. This is a great service if you lack storage space, want to save money, or plan on being in Japan for only a short while (2-3 years).
Other Deals
Finally, you can rent just about anything else in Japan, too.
Nihon My Rental (0120-750-081) rents travel goods, outdoor products, and baby goods nationwide (including camping gear and large suitcases). If you're thinking about trying out a new instrument but don't want to commit to a purchase yet, give Music Lease (0120-381-808) a call. You can choose between new and used instruments for rent, and can also purchase the instrument midway through the contract. An alto-saxaphone, for example, runs about 4,300 yen/month. Finally, look at Duskin's website for renting just about everything, or call 0120-100-100. They maintain a network of retail locations, and you can reserve items over the Internet for rental periods as short as 24 hours. See their website at http://www.kasite.net (Japanese only).
If you know where to look, you can find surprisingly good deals on a whole range of rental products in Japan - a solution that can both fit your budget, time frame, and storage needs.
By Wendy J. Imura. Copyright 2005.