First of all, let us clear confusion by first differentiating between some words. For non-Japanese people, when you say you are searching for apartment, it really means that you are searching for a long-term rental place. But for Japanese, such general term is called chintai (賃貸), or “rental”. There are two types of rental in Japan, apato (アパート), and manshon (マンション). As for the difference, apato is cheaper with lower quality, while manshon has higher quality with higher price on average. These are differences between apartment and mansion in Japan.
Apato (アパート)
Apato typically has 2-3 total floors and made of wood or lightweight steel materials. It is usually older building.
- Cheaper overall rent
- Less likely to attract moisture due to lightweight construction.
- Less sound-proof, noises are more likely to travel between walls. So if you prefer a silent place, manshon is better choice.
- Less secure due to lower security features like auto-locks or intercom. So if you value security more, manshon is better choice.
Manshon (マンション)
Manshon typically has more than 3 total floors and made of reinforced concrete or steel-framed materials.
- More earthquake and fire-resistant.
- Has better sound-insulation, so you will be less worried of being heard by your neighbors.
- Higher overall rent, so if you are tight on budget, it is better to rent an apato instead.
- Due to its insulation, moisture and mold might be a problem.
