Long-form, honest answers — grouped by what you're trying to figure out. If yours isn't here, write to us.
予約
Booking
Browse listings, message the host with any questions, and request to book through Sumizy. Hosts respond within 24 hours on average. Once a host accepts, your card is charged and Sumizy holds the payment in escrow until 24 hours after move-in — so you're protected if anything's off.
Yes — every listing has a Contact host button. Sumizy auto-translates messages between English, Japanese, Chinese, and Korean, so language is rarely an issue. Most hosts are happy to do a video walkthrough on request, which we recommend for stays over one month.
Every host is ID-checked, every address is verified against Japan's national registry, and every listing must comply with Japan's Minpaku (short-term) or Tokutei (medium-term) housing licenses. Photos are reviewed by the Sumizy team before a listing goes live.
支払いと手数料
Payments & fees
Pricing is set in JPY by the host. You can pay with international credit card (Visa, Mastercard, Amex, JCB), wire transfer, or cryptocurrency (USDC). Sumizy converts at the live mid-market rate with no FX markup. Stays under 30 days are charged in full at booking; longer stays are billed monthly.
Sumizy charges a 12% service fee on top of the host's price, shown clearly at checkout. The host's price already includes furniture, wifi, and utilities — those are not extra. There are no broker fees, no key money, and no guarantor fees on Sumizy.
Hosts choose one of three policies — Flexible, Moderate, or Strict — shown on each listing. Sumizy itself adds a no-questions-asked 48-hour grace period after booking, regardless of the host's choice.
滞在・シェアハウス
Stays & sharehouses
Apartments are private — your own kitchen, bathroom, entrance. Sharehouses give you a private bedroom and shared kitchen/lounge/bath. Sharehouses are 30–50% cheaper at the same neighborhood, and they're how most newcomers meet people in their first month.
Every Sumizy listing is fully furnished — bed, linens, kitchenware, wifi, washing machine, often a desk. You arrive with a suitcase and start working the next morning.
Each listing sets its own minimum — typically 7 nights for short-stay-licensed (Minpaku) units, 30 nights for medium-stay (Tokutei) units. Both are common; filter by length on the directory page.
ビザと書類
Visas & paperwork
Tokutei (medium-stay) listings let you register your address at the local ward office, which is what you need for a long-term visa, bank account, or phone contract. Minpaku (short-stay) listings cannot be used for address registration — they're treated as hotel stays for legal purposes.
Yes, and we have a dedicated set of listings tagged for nomad-visa holders. Most are six-month-leasable Tokutei units in Tenjin, Daimyo, Yakuin or Hakata, with strong wifi and a desk.
No. Sumizy is one of the few platforms in Japan where guarantors are never required. We replace them with a refundable deposit (typically one month) and a small insurance premium (¥3,000–¥5,000 depending on the unit).
入居
Move-in
Most Sumizy units use a smart lock — you get a one-time entry code in your booking email, valid from your check-in time. Older units have a key lockbox at the door; the combination is in your email too. Either way, no in-person handover unless you specifically ask for one.
Default check-in is 15:00 JST. Many hosts offer earlier access if the unit is empty the night before — just message after booking. If your flight lands early, we recommend lockbox storage at Hakata or Fukuoka Airport for ~¥800/day.
Bed + linens, kitchenware (pots, pans, plates, cutlery), towels, hair dryer, washing machine, wifi router, basic toiletries. Listings note any extras (desk, projector, vinyl player). Toilet paper and dish soap are included for the first week — restock after that.
退去
Move-out
Monthly leases require 30 days' written notice through the Sumizy dashboard. Shorter stays don't require notice — your contract end date is binding. If you need to leave earlier than the contract end date on a monthly lease, you'll forfeit the deposit but no additional penalty.
Cleaning is included in your total at booking — no surprise fee on the way out. You're expected to leave the unit in 'tidy guest' condition (trash out, dishes washed); professional cleaning handles the rest.
Within 7 business days of move-out, assuming no damage. We refund to the same payment method you used at booking. The host has 48 hours after checkout to report damage, after which the deposit is automatically released.
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