Decorating Your Japanese Apartment With Care

So, you’ve finally landed that Japanese apartment—congratulations! Now comes the tricky part: making it feel like home without violating the lease or angering your landlord. Japanese rental agreements tend to be strict, often prohibiting things like nails in the wall, painting, or any major modifications. But don’t worry—you can still add personality and comfort without losing your deposit. Here’s how.

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1. Command Hooks and Adhesive Strips: Your Best Friends

Most Japanese leases explicitly ban drilling holes in the walls, which means no nails, no screws, no permanent damage. But there’s a loophole: adhesive hooks and strips (like 3M Command Hooks or Japanese brands like Nitori and Daiso’s removable wall hooks).

✔ Uses: Hang artwork, mirrors, lightweight shelves, and even curtain rods.
✔ Tip: Look for hooks designed for the specific weight of your item to avoid disaster in the middle of the night.

For heavier items, Japan has “Kabe ni Yasashii” (壁にやさしい) hooks—wall-friendly hooks that can handle more weight without leaving marks.

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2. Stylish Washi Tape & Removable Wallpaper

If your apartment’s walls are a soulless shade of beige (and they probably are), you don’t have to suffer in silence.

✔ Washi Tape: This Japanese invention is a lifesaver for renters. Use it to create designs, frame posters, or even make temporary wallpaper.
✔ Removable Wallpaper & Wall Stickers: Many Japanese home stores sell “hikkoshi no toki ni hajikeru” (引っ越しの時にはがせる, removable when moving out) wallpaper. No damage, no residue.
✔ Tip: Test a small piece first, especially on older walls where the finish might come off when removed.

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3. Tension Rods: Instant Storage & Curtains

Tension rods, or “tsuppari bō” (つっぱり棒), are the unsung heroes of Japanese rental life. These expandable rods require no drilling and can hold everything from curtains to hanging storage solutions.

✔ Uses:

• Hang lightweight shelves or baskets in small kitchens.
• Create a privacy curtain or doorway curtain (noren).
• Use in closets to add extra storage.
  ✔ Tip: If using in the bathroom, get a rust-proof version.

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4. Floor-Friendly Rugs & Mats

Japanese apartments often have hardwood, tile, or tatami flooring, and landlords expect them to stay pristine. A rug does more than just add style—it protects the floor, dampens noise, and keeps your feet warm in winter.

✔ For tatami rooms: Use “tatami covers” instead of heavy rugs to avoid damaging the fragile straw mats.
✔ For hardwood floors: Get “anti-slip rug pads” to prevent shifting and scratches.

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5. Multi-Functional Furniture (Because Space is a Luxury)

Since Japanese apartments tend to be small, furniture should work twice as hard.

✔ Ideas:

• Foldable tables and chairs for flexibility.
• Storage ottomans that double as seating.
• “Kagikake shuunou” (壁掛け収納, wall-hanging storage) that attaches to doors instead of walls.
  ✔ Tip: Nitori and Muji have great renter-friendly options that fit small spaces.

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6. Ceiling & Window Decorations

If walls are off-limits, why not decorate your ceiling and windows instead?

✔ Ceiling hooks: Hang lightweight plants, mobiles, or lanterns. Use removable hooks so there’s no damage.
✔ Window decals & frosted film: These add privacy and style, especially if your apartment faces a busy street.

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7. Lighting: Escape the Overhead Fluorescent Horror

Many Japanese apartments come with zero built-in light fixtures, forcing you to buy your own. If you don’t love the standard fluorescent options, try these instead:

✔ Floor & table lamps: Add warm lighting without wiring hassles.
✔ Battery-powered LED strips: Great for under cabinets or mood lighting.
✔ Smart bulbs: Control brightness and color with an app—no drilling needed!

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8. Greenery & Indoor Plants

Plants instantly make a place feel like home. Luckily, Japan has amazing plant shops and 100-yen stores that sell affordable greenery.

✔ Best plants for Japanese apartments:

• Pothos (Golden Ivy) – Nearly impossible to kill.
• Sansevieria (Snake Plant) – Great for air purification.
• Lucky Bamboo – Fits in small spaces and brings good fortune (so they say).

✔ Tip: If your apartment gets little sunlight, go for low-light plants or fake plants (some fakes from Daiso and Seria are surprisingly good!).

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9. Shoji & Noren: Traditional Meets Functional

Want a Japanese touch that’s also practical?

✔ Noren (のれん): These fabric dividers hang in doorways, adding privacy and style without damaging walls.
✔ Shoji-style room dividers: Portable, elegant, and renter-friendly.
✔ Tip: Daiso, Loft, and Tokyu Hands have affordable options in various patterns.

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10. Small Touches That Make a Big Difference

Sometimes, it’s the little things that make a place feel like home.

✔ Scent diffusers & candles – Japan has fire safety rules, so check if open flames are allowed. Otherwise, try reed diffusers or essential oil humidifiers.
✔ Throw pillows & blankets – Adds color without breaking any rules.
✔ Magnetic strips or pegboards – If your kitchen or entryway has metal surfaces, use magnetic organizers instead of drilling hooks.

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Final Thoughts: Make It Yours (Without Losing Your Deposit)

Decorating a Japanese apartment without violating your lease is a fun challenge—think of it like an interior design puzzle. By using removable, damage-free solutions, you can personalize your space without stress.

Now, go forth and make your apartment feel like home! What kind of theme or style are you thinking for your space? 😊

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