Average Rent for an Apartment in Asahikawa

As part of our series on Asahikawa real estate, we present our research on the types of apartments in Asahikawa, and the average rent for an Asahikawa apartment.

Asahikawa stands as the second largest city in Hokkaido. The population of Asahikawa as of 2024 is 320,436. This is a considerably large population, when comparing with the other cities and towns in Hokkaido. To accommodate this population, there are plenty of apartments for rent in Asahikawa.

We can introduce you to local Asahikawa real estate agents that can help you rent an apartment. To find an apartment for rent in Asahikawa, contact us.

Average Asahikawa Apartment Rental Prices

We have conducted some research about Asahikawa housing, and found that the average rent for an apartment in Asahikawa is ¥53,337 (or about $360 USD, as of late 2024).

This “average” price has been calculated based on a combination of all rental listings, including very difffert sizes, locations, etc. This article will provide the details to help you understand the prices for Asahikawa apartments, and what to look for when considering costs. As with any other city, the specific qualities of a particular property influence the rent fpr that apartment.

Asahikawa Apartments for Rent

An important factor that determines the rental price of an apartment in Asahikawa is the apartment size.

Apartments in Asahikawa (as with all apartments in Japan) use the “LDK” system, which means “living room, dining room, kitchen,” preceded by a number that indicates the number of bedrooms. “1LDK” is a common size for an apartment in Asahikawa, which means the unit is composed of one bedroom, a living room, a kitchen, and a dining area. 2LDK means a two bedroom apartment in Asahikawa.

There are smaller types of apartments too, that may not include a living room, a dining room, or a kitchen. An exception to the LDK system is a 1R apartment, which means a “one-room apartment”. This kind of unit is often called a studio apartment in western countries, where there is a single room with some kitchen amenities, and a separate bathroom.

Between 1LDK and 1R, there are 1DK, 1LK, and 1K rooms. These are also self-explanatory, where 1DK means there is a dining room, kitchen space, and a bedroom. There is no clear difference between 1DK and 1LK, since the total number of rooms are the same. 1K is a studio apartment with a separated kitchen area.

In Asahikawa, having an understanding of this basic system will give you an idea of the size of an apartment.

One thing to keep in mind is that the size/structure of an apartment is not always an indication of the desirability of the property. For most renters in Asahikawa, a spacious apartment is preferable. However, it is possible to have a large apartment that is still considered low quality, as it might be an older building, inconveniently far from the station, or lacking features such as air conditioning (known as “aircon” in Japan). Similarly, some smaller apartments are located in more convenient locations in the city, and could be more popular than larger units located farther away. All of these factors influence Asahikawa rental prices.

Average Rent for a Studio Apartment in Asahikawa

1R apartments in Asahikawa rent for about ¥43,100 ($290 USD) per month.

As described above in the details about Asahikawa apartment sizes, a 1R (and 1DK, 1LK, 1K) apartment is most likely going to be a small unit. Studio apartments in Asahikawa are about 18m² (or 200 sq ft).

If you don not need much space, the price for a 1DK apartment in Asahikawa would be about 20% less than the average apartment in Asahikawa.

Average Rent for a One Bedroom Apartment in Asahikawa

There are many Asahikawa one bedroom apartments open for rent. In our research, 1LDK apartments was the most common type of apartment unit in Asahikawa.

For a one bedroom apartment in Asahikawa, the average rent is ¥50,400 (or approximately $342 USD).

As there are so many one bedroom apartments in Asahikawa, you should assume you will find them in a range of sizes, with a different quality of living depending on the individual unit. An Asahikawa 1LDK might be bigger than 18m², maybe 20 to 30m² (as big as 300 to 350 sq ft).

Due to various changes in the demographics and lifestyle choices in Japan, more Japanese are living alone, thus developers have produced a lot of 1LDK apartments. Most single people live in 1LDKs. Managed rental apartments for business travelers to Asahikawa would typically be designed for single occupancy. Many university students in Asahikawa will also choose to live in their own apartment.

For comparison to other cities, the average rent for a 1LDK in Sapporo is ¥48,567, which is lower than Asahikawa rent for an 1LDK. Asahikawa is a smaller city, has a declining population, and there are fewer opportunities for work. However, the cost for housing in Asahikawa is higher than Sapporo. One reason that could explain this is that Sapporo has a larger supply of available housing, and thus a lower price.

The average rent for a 1LDK unit in Asahikawa is quite similar to the overall average rent in Asahikawa. This could mean that 1LDK units are the “average” type of apartment in Asahikawa.

Average Rent for a Two Bedroom Apartment in Asahikawa

Another popular choice for an apartment is a 2LDK in Asahikawa. Two-bedroom apartments in Asahikawa are a better fit for families, or people that need an extra room (like an office, guest room, etc).

The standard rent for a two bedroom apartment in Asahikawa (2LDK) is ¥59,700 (or $405 USD, as of 2024). A two bedroom rental would be considerably bigger than most apartments, maybe 45 to 55m² (500 to 600 sq ft).

Average Rent for a Three Bedroom Apartment in Asahikawa

A considerably larger unit would be a three-bedroom apartment in Asahikawa. The average rent for a 3LDK apartment in Asahikawa is ¥69,000 (or $469 USD as of 2024).

The rent for a 3LDK apartment in Asahikawa is approximately 30% higher than the average rent in Asahikawa. In turn, the size of the apartment is much bigger, with an area of approximately 50 to 80m² (or 600 to 900 sq ft) or larger.

There are not nearly as many 3LDKs in Asahikawa; there are only about 24% as many 3LDKs in Asahikawa as there are 1 LDKs. You should expect fewer choices for three bedroom units.

Houses for Rent in Asahikawa

Some people might want to rent a stand-alone house (or detached house) in Asahikawa. Single family homes in Asahikawa might make it possible for renters to have a dog, a garden, or a yard for exercise or where children can play.

Renting detached homes in Hokkaido (and Japan in general) is not common. Apartments are the first choice for people when seeking a home to rent, but some detached homes for rent in Asahikawa do exist.

If you are looking to rent a house in Asahikawa for an extended stay (one year contract and beyond), contact us and we can introduce you to an Asahikawa agent that may be able to help you find local houses for rent.

Rent in Asahikawa Depends on Many Factors

As a general rule, the location and quality of an apartment in Asahikawa impacts its monthly rent, sometimes more than the size. A unit in a very accessible, high-end neighborhood can sometimes be twice as expensive as a unit the same size in a less popular location. As the Japanese are notorious for being willing to pay a premium for new construction, a very nice unit that is a few years old could be much less expensive than a brand new one (this is true for condominiums or houses in Asahikawa, but also for apartments).

There is a long list of factors that influence the average rent for an apartment. Location (in general) is an important factor. As always, proximity to public transportation will affect the price of rent. The inclusion of parking could easily increase rent by 10 to 20% (even for the same unit, in the same building).

Your individual tastes and personal requirements will most likely be the biggest determinant for how much it costs to rent an apartment in the city of Asahikawa.

Real Estate Agents in Asahikawa

We specialize in making personalized, one-to-one introductions to real estate agents in Hokkaido.

As Asahikawa is a smaller city, and less popular with foreigners than Sapporo, a good agent that speaks your language would be very helpful as you try to rent an apartment in Asahikawa, and to make appointments to see individual properties.

If you’re interested in buying a house in Asahikawa, or in available land for sale in the Asahikawa area, you can contact us and we will introduce you to prescreened Asahikawa real estate brokers that speak your language.

Our service is free to you.

We work for you, not the real estate companies.

We provide person-to-person introductions to prescreened agents that help you sell, buy, lease, or rent property in Hokkaido. We search our custom database to connect you to real estate professionals that speak your language, address your needs and are available now to help you find what you want.

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For More Information:

— Recent data on Housing Prices in Asahikawa
— Information about Land for Sale in Asahikawa
— Current detail on the Asahikawa Population Statistics (by year)
— Find Lawyers in Hokkaido
— Tax Offices in Sapporo
— Our Taxes in Japan page
— Buying Property in Hokkaido as a Foreigner
— The best Books about Real Estate in Japan