After moving to/in Japan, you might need to buy furniture. Here is a guide for where to buy affordable furniture, when to buy, etc that may help your new life!
Furniture Shopping
Furniture shopping is a quite big event both financially and physically.
Furniture Online Stores
You can go online to buy, or at least check what they have and the price of products. It saves much time!
How To Carry Furniture
Many of my friends from other countries don’t drive in Japan, so they get a trouble carrying them when they but furniture.
- Buy Online
- Use delivery service
- Rent a car + carry your own
How to Get Affordable Furniture in Japan
Who loves sales as same as me? If you get the same thing with cheaper price, it’s better, isnt it?
Sale & The Cheaper Season
When is the cheaper season to buy furniture in Japan?
March : Before The New Year Starts
I’d say, it’s around Spring (March) for someone who start a new life! April 1st is the beginning of school and job (if you join as soon as graduation) in Japan. A lot of people move before that.
The companies have campaigns like “Supporting New Life Sale” in March, normally.
New Year : Oshogatsu Sale
Or sometimes they have a sale in New Year’s. As you might know, we celebrate New Year instead of the holiday season in December in Japan. Some places have a special sale!
Find The Good Shop
Even though you know the sale season, it doesn’t mean that you can choose when to buy things, so this might be the easy way.
Affordable Furniture Store in Japan
Here are some shops that I’ve been.
Nitori
NITORI is a Japanese company where you can find furniture, kitchen stuff, gardening stuff, etc. It actually has their business named “Aki Home” in the USA. Also in China, Taiwan, Singapore, and Malaysia.
It’s a Japanese company, so their products are made for living in Japan, I think the size usually matches well. Also it fits the Japanese life style.
I like their kitchen stuff like plates, bowls, cups, mags, place mats etc. and laundry stuff. They have beauty products too!
- Nationwide
- Delivery Service
- Assemble Service
- Online
Ikea
Ikea is from Sweden, however I think it’s affordable and stylish. There are some stores in Japan.
Those are not from Japan, so some of them are quite big for a Japanese house. You should check the size if it fits in your place just in case, Also, there are many products which are heavy. Think how to bring them home, buy online, or use their delivery service. just check it out if needed.
What I often buy at Ikea are clips, plastic bags, flower vase, etc.
Also, don’t forget to check “Outlet sale” nearby the register!!
- Nationwide
- Delivery Service
- Assemble Service
- Online
Recycle Shop
Second hand shop is also an option! In Japan, we need to pay to throw away your furniture, a lot of people brings to recycle shops. It’s good for the environment, too.
Treasure Factory : Recycle Shop
I often go to their website to check for what they have there at store, They
- Nationwide
- Online Store
Ward / City running Recycle Center
Not many people know, even many of my Japanese friend don’t know that there are recycle shops run by ward / city / prefecture, or cooperate with them.
The system of how to buy, how much it costs, etc. might be different in each place, so you should google your region, or ask at city or ward hall.
More article of > Life in Japan
It’s a big thing to buy furniture, and i hope it helps you get your new life started well in Japan!
