Your guide to finding the best places to furnish your new home in the city, no matter your budget.
Moving to Japan is an exciting adventure, but it can be overwhelming with so much to organise—finding the right apartment, deciding where to live, and setting up your living space.
If you’re still in the process of searching for an apartment, Omakase Helper offers tailored services to help you find the perfect home. We can search for houses and apartments in Tokyo, Kanagawa, Chiba, Saitama and Ibaraki. Tell us your specifications and we’ll send you some options, and arrange for you to tour the apartment with an English speaking interpreter. We’ve arranged pet friendly apartments, soundproof rooms for practising music, small shops and high-end houses. If you’re interested in finding a new apartment in Japan, fill out our contact form.
Once you’ve secured your place, it’s time to turn your new apartment into a home—and that means finding the right furniture!
Some people move to Tokyo (or elsewhere) on a small budget, here for perhaps their first job in the working world. Others may come on an expat package with a high budget for furniture. Choosing the right furniture can transform even the smallest of Tokyo apartments into a cozy sanctuary. This blog will introduce furniture shop recommendations for all budgets.
Bargain hunting: where to find affordable furniture
Tokyo can be an expensive city, but that doesn’t mean furnishing your apartment has to be. If you’re looking to save some money or enjoy the thrill of bargain hunting, there are plenty of stores and secondhand shops that offer quality furniture at reasonable prices.
Nitori
Nitori offers affordable, stylish, and functional furniture perfect for small spaces. You’ll find everything from beds and sofas to kitchenware and home decor. They even sell fake Christmas trees of all sizes! You can search for the store closest to you in English here https://www.nitori.co.jp/en/shop/. It’s kind of like IKEA but Japanese, so you can find anything you might need for the house here. Personally I bought a bunk bed from there which got shipped and assembled by the workers – nice and easy.
Sayonara Sales
Expats moving out of Tokyo often sell their lightly-used furniture at a discount through online platforms like Craigslist or Facebook groups. This is a great way to find secondhand deals on high-quality items. There is often a lot of competition for these items as there are re-sellers who pounce on every item, but you might get lucky. Check out Facebook groups such as:
- Mottainai Japan
- Tokyo Sayonara Sales (the original)
- Sayonara Sale
- Tokyo Sayonara Sale☑
- Japan Kids Items Recycling
Recycle Shops
Japan has an extensive secondhand market, and recycle shops like Hard Off and 2nd STREET often sell pre-loved furniture at a fraction of the original cost. Some of my favourites are:
- Super Second Street in Miyahara
- BOOKOFF SUPER BAZAAR 409gou Kawasaki Minatocho Store
- BOOKOFF SUPER BAZAAR Omiya Stellar Town Store
- Ekogarejji Adachishikahamaten
- Nishi-waseda Recycle Action Center
- Tokyo Recycle Ace
IKEA
A well-known name worldwide, IKEA has several stores in Japan. You can see all their locations here https://www.ikea.com/jp/ja/stores/.
It’s perfect for cheap yet sleek furniture that you can style to fit any space. If you go to the store in Tachikawa, it’s right next to Showa Kinen Park, which is a lovely green space where you could spend half a day before shopping.
Home Centres
Stores like CAINZ, Komeri, and Kohnan are popular home centres in Japan. While they focus on home improvement tools and materials, they also offer affordable, practical furniture options like shelves, desks, and storage solutions—ideal for those furnishing their apartment on a budget. I’ve bought the soft foam floor padding from the home centre, as well as plants, a rug and some storage.
Mid-Range furniture options
For those with a bit more to spend, there are several mid-budget options that offer higher-quality materials and stylish designs, perfect for long-term use or if you’re looking to upgrade your living space.
Muji
Famous for its minimalist designs and eco-conscious philosophy, Muji offers sleek, well-crafted furniture that blends seamlessly into almost any interior style. While slightly more expensive than Nitori, Muji’s furniture is known for its durability and aesthetic appeal. It has a European style and everything is known to be good quality. For example, I bought sheets both from Muji and a home centre, and Muji’s were the more comfortable and superior. You can see a list of their store locations here https://www.muji.com/storelocator/?c=jp&lang=EN&header=gl.
Francfranc
If you prefer something more stylish, Francfranc offers trendy, chic furniture with a modern edge. This is a great place to shop for colourful and unique pieces that can add a fun flair to your home. Here is a list of their store locations https://francfranc.com/apps/stores?srsltid=AfmBOoq0N9HolbIgCNkDVthUx8VceRIXzAcSBSCBEZOh1B8jLK6kGxI1.
Tokyo Interior
Tokyo Interior is known for its wide range of contemporary furniture styles, from minimalist to more out-there. This store offers great value for quality and is ideal for those who want variety and style without going too high-end. You can see a list of their stores here https://www.tokyointerior.co.jp/store/.
ACTUS
Like Muji, ACTUS sells Scandinavian-inspired furniture. Their furniture is usually both stylish and functional, making it a great choice for those wanting a modern, cozy vibe without breaking the bank. Here are a list of their stores: https://www.actus-interior.com/shop/
High-End furniture: for when you’re ready to splurge
For those who are ready to invest in their living space, Tokyo has no shortage of luxury furniture stores offering designer pieces and custom-made furniture that can transform your apartment into a high-end haven.
IDC Otsuka
One popular high-end furniture store in Japan is IDC Otsuka. IDC Otsuka carries high-end, imported designer furniture from Europe and the US. You can browse all their products online at https://www.idc-otsuka.jp.
BoConcept
A Danish brand known for its sleek, contemporary furniture. BoConcept’s pieces are elegant, functional, and perfect for anyone who wants to create a sophisticated, urban living space. Here is their collection https://www.boconcept.com/ja-jp/?srsltid=AfmBOorGLggw-sgFBCdQ3jyyP9svkQilPuUMKa9EJe-zpZLfLBy8yqrH.
Conde House
Specialising in beautiful wood furniture, Conde House offers timeless, elegant designs perfect for those who appreciate craftsmanship. Their furniture tends to be on the higher end but is built to last. You can find their store in Minato-ku, where many wealthy families live. You can also check their website here https://condehouse.co.jp.
Time & Style
This luxury furniture store focuses on Japanese craftsmanship and modern aesthetics. If you’re after one-of-a-kind, artisanal pieces that fuse traditional and contemporary design, Time & Style is the place to shop. They have a few showrooms in Tokyo where you can check out their furniture https://www.timeandstyle.com/showrooms.
Through all the stores on this list, you should be able to furnish your new Tokyo apartment just the way you like it. And if you haven’t found your ideal place yet, don’t forget to check out Omakase Helper’s apartment hunting services. With our support, you’ll be able to navigate the Tokyo housing market without worrying about Japanese language, as we provide English assistance from A to Z, for no extra fee.
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