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The moment you sign your first apartment lease in Japan, a short but expensive list appears: fridge, washing machine, and microwave. Nobody tells you this on the visa paperwork, but an empty 1K or studio apartment has none of these — not even a light bulb, in most cases — and you'll want all three running within your first week.
Shopping for each appliance separately at an electronics store means comparing specs in Japanese, arranging three separate deliveries, and often paying more in total than you need to. The better move — one that most long-term residents learn only after their first move — is buying a 3-piece starter set from a Rakuten appliance specialist, which bundles the fridge, washer, and microwave into a single order with a single delivery.
The catch is that once you start searching, the options multiply fast: new or used, which warranty length, which delivery area, which capacity. Because household appliances aren't a consumable you buy "by volume," this guide compares all seven sets the same way a shopper actually should: by total set price, cross-checked against warranty terms and delivery coverage. Prices and stock change, so always confirm the current listing before you order.
Quick picks by situation
- You want the lowest total cost, period → #1 Used 3-piece set — ¥27,500
- You live in Chiba Prefecture and want the cheapest local option → #2 Chiba self-delivery used bundle
- You want a newer unit with a warranty, not just the lowest price → #3 Used set, under 7 years old, 90-day warranty
- You're in Tokyo, Saitama, Chiba, or Kanagawa and want to choose your unit → #4 Choose-your-own used set (Kanto area)
- You want a warrantied used set with flexible delivery scheduling → #5 90-day warranty set — from ¥32,800
- You'd rather skip used appliances but keep the budget reasonable → #6 New budget 3-piece set — ¥62,000
- You want new, recognizable-brand appliances → #7 Iris Ohyama new 3-piece set (Rakuten's #1-ranked bundle)
If you only remember two: pick #1 for the lowest possible move-in cost, or pick #7 if you'd rather pay more up front for new, branded appliances.
Types of starter appliance sets
- Used appliance sets: Sold by reuse/resale shops that test and clean every unit before listing it. The biggest cost saver of the bunch, and the most common choice among students and first-time movers
- New appliance sets: Unused units with a full manufacturer warranty. More expensive than used, but you get a clean slate and typically a longer warranty window
- Sets with installation included: The seller handles carrying the fridge and washing machine into your apartment and hooking them up. Worth it if you don't want to deal with a heavy appliance and a narrow stairwell on your own
- Region-limited delivery sets: Often free delivery and setup if your address is inside the seller's service area — but no coverage (or extra fees) if you're outside it
- Extended sets (4- or 5-piece): The same 3-piece core plus a rice cooker, vacuum, or other small appliance, for movers who want to check more boxes in one order
How to compare sets before you buy
- Compare by total set price — Unlike a consumable you buy "by volume," a 3-piece appliance set is best compared on its bundled total, not a per-item price
- Decide new vs. used first — If minimizing upfront cost matters most, start with used listings. If you'd rather have unused appliances with a full warranty, filter to new
- Check the size fits a solo apartment — For one person, a 100–150L fridge and a 5–6kg washing machine is the standard fit
- Check the warranty length — Used appliances typically carry a 90- to 180-day warranty. Longer is better, but usually costs a bit more
- Confirm your address is inside the delivery/setup area — Outside the listed area, you may face extra fees or need to arrange your own delivery
- Read the reviews — Extremely cheap used sets sometimes carry complaints about scratches or noisy operation. A higher review count is a useful signal either way
The 7 best starter appliance sets
Prices and specs below are reference values pulled from each Rakuten Ichiba listing. All seven of these are sold through Rakuten Ichiba appliance specialty shops, which ship to any registered address in Japan — the same way they would for a Japanese resident.
1. Used 3-piece appliance set (fridge + washing machine + microwave) — the lowest total price of the seven
A budget-focused used appliance bundle built for solo movers.
Fridge, washing machine, and microwave together for a total of ¥27,500 — the lowest combined price in this comparison.
A strong fit if you want to minimize move-in costs, or if you're on a short-term assignment and don't want to tie up much budget in appliances you'll eventually resell or discard.
- Included: Fridge + washing machine + microwave (3-piece set)
- Condition: Used / choose from several models and ages
- Total set price: ¥27,500
2. Value-brand budget used appliance bundle (fridge / washer / microwave) — Chiba Prefecture self-delivery area only
A used appliance set delivered directly by the seller within Chiba Prefecture.
Fridge, washing machine, and microwave as a "seller's choice" 3-piece set for a total from ¥27,800, with free delivery inside the covered area.
A good fit if your new address is inside the service area and price is your top priority.
- Included: Fridge + washing machine + microwave (seller's-choice 3-piece set)
- Condition: Used / Chiba Prefecture self-delivery, free shipping
- Total set price: from ¥27,800
3. Used 3-piece appliance set, under 7 years old, 90-day warranty, choice of capacity — best balance of age and warranty
A used set limited to units manufactured within the last 7 years, so you skip the oldest stock.
Fridge, washing machine, and microwave together for a total from ¥28,000, backed by a 90-day warranty, with a choice between domestic and overseas-brand units at different capacities.
A solid fit if you want more than just the cheapest price — specifically, a newer unit and a warranty you can actually use.
- Included: Fridge + washing machine + microwave (choice of capacity)
- Condition: Used / under 7 years old, 90-day warranty, free shipping and setup
- Total set price: from ¥28,000
4. Choose-your-own used 3-piece set — fridge + washing machine + microwave — Tokyo, Saitama, Chiba, and Kanagawa only
A pick-your-own used appliance set available only in the greater Tokyo (Kanto) area.
Fridge, washing machine, and microwave as a compact reuse bundle for a total from ¥29,150, with free delivery and free setup inside the covered prefectures.
A good fit if your new apartment is in Tokyo, Saitama, Chiba, or Kanagawa and you'd like to pick the specific unit rather than get a seller's-choice set.
- Included: Fridge + washing machine + microwave (compact appliance set)
- Condition: Used / Tokyo, Saitama, Chiba, Kanagawa only, free shipping and setup
- Total set price: from ¥29,150
Checking delivery-area restrictions and warranty terms across seven appliance bundles so you don't order a set that can't actually reach your apartment — if that saved you a refund headache, a coffee helps.
Buy us a coffee →5. Used 3-piece appliance set with 90-day warranty — flexible delivery scheduling
A used appliance set backed by a 90-day warranty.
Fridge, washing machine, and microwave together for a total from ¥32,800, with coupon discounts sometimes available on top.
Supports scheduled delivery dates, which makes it a popular choice for new transfers and shared apartments that need appliances ready on move-in day specifically.
- Included: Fridge + washing machine + microwave (3-piece set)
- Condition: Used / 90-day warranty, setup included, free shipping, scheduled delivery available
- Total set price: from ¥32,800
6. New starter appliance set (fridge + washing machine + microwave), budget single-person line — new appliances without the premium price
A new 3-piece set designed specifically for solo movers.
Fridge, washing machine, and microwave, all new, for a total of ¥62,000 — one of the more accessible prices among new sets.
A good fit if you'd rather avoid used appliances entirely but still want to keep the budget reasonable.
- Included: Fridge + washing machine + microwave (3-piece set)
- Condition: New / budget-friendly set built for one-person apartments
- Total set price: ¥62,000
7. New 3-piece appliance set — 133L fridge, 5kg washing machine, 17L microwave — Iris Ohyama (アイリスオーヤマ), Rakuten's #1-ranked set
A new 3-piece set from Iris Ohyama, a well-known household appliance brand in Japan.
A 133L fridge, 5kg washing machine, and 17L microwave together for a total from ¥66,800, with installation service available.
Ranked #1 in its category on Rakuten — a solid fit if you want the reassurance of new appliances from a recognizable brand.
- Included: 133L fridge + 5kg washing machine + 17L microwave (3-piece set)
- Condition: New / Iris Ohyama, installation service available, #1 in Rakuten ranking
- Total set price: from ¥66,800
If you're on a fixed-term assignment and don't want to resell appliances when you leave, renting is worth considering. And if you want your apartment to feel like more than a dorm room, a furniture option is below too.
- To rent new appliances and furniture as a subscription instead of buying → Rakuliers (ラクリアーズ): a subscription service that rents out new household appliances and furniture — useful if you want to keep upfront costs low on a fixed-term stay in Japan.
- To add a touch of style to your new apartment → CAGUUU (カグー): a Japanese furniture retailer with an upscale, design-forward catalog — a nice pairing once your core appliances are sorted and you want the rest of the room to match.
Quick-reference table
- Lowest total cost → #1 Used 3-piece set, ¥27,500
- Cheapest if you're in Chiba → #2 Chiba self-delivery bundle
- Best age/warranty balance → #3 Under-7-years, 90-day warranty set
- Choose-your-own, greater Tokyo area → #4 Kanto choose-your-own set
- Warrantied used set → #5 90-day warranty set, from ¥32,800
- New on a budget → #6 New budget set, ¥62,000
- New, recognizable brand → #7 Iris Ohyama new set, from ¥66,800
How to get the best deal
- Price it out separately first: Check what a fridge, washing machine, and microwave would cost bought individually, then compare that total against the bundled price
- Check both Rakuten and Amazon.co.jp: Which one is cheaper shifts with sales and coupon timing, so it's worth a quick cross-check before you commit
- Watch for Rakuten's periodic sale events and coupons: Stacking a coupon during a points campaign can meaningfully lower your effective price
- Confirm your delivery area in advance: Region-limited sets can carry extra delivery or setup fees — or be unavailable entirely — outside their listed coverage area
- Compare the all-in total, not just the headline price: A lower sticker price can end up costing more once shipping and setup fees are added
Things to check before you buy
- Always read the warranty terms on used units: Check the warranty length and exactly what it covers — most cover malfunctions, not pre-existing cosmetic wear
- Measure your space before you order: Confirm the entryway, stairwell, and elevator (if any) can actually fit a fridge and washing machine through them
- Check outlet and water hookup locations: Washing machines need a water supply and drain nearby; microwaves need an accessible outlet
- Some deliveries require you to be present: Confirm the scheduled delivery window and whether building access (like elevator reservations) needs to be arranged ahead of time
- Plan ahead for disposal: If you replace these appliances later or move out, Japan requires a small recycling fee to dispose of fridges and washing machines — worth knowing before you're mid-move
FAQ
Q. What's the cheapest way to furnish a first apartment in Japan?
Buying a fridge, washing machine, and microwave as a bundled set almost always costs less than buying each one separately, because resellers and retailers discount the combined price to move the whole set at once. Compare the total set price against what the same three items would cost individually before you decide.
Q. Should I buy new or used appliances as a newcomer to Japan?
If you want to minimize upfront cost — especially on a short-term contract or while you're still waiting on your first paycheck — a used set is the better choice. If you'd rather have clean, unused appliances with a full manufacturer warranty and plan to stay long-term, pay the premium for a new set.
Q. What fridge and washing machine size do I need for a one-person apartment?
For a solo resident, a fridge around 100–150 liters and a washing machine around 5–6kg capacity is the standard fit for a typical Japanese studio or 1K apartment. Choose a slightly larger washer if you plan to wash bedding at home instead of using a coin laundry.
Q. Do I need the installation (setup) service add-on?
Fridges and washing machines are heavy and awkward to carry up stairs or into a small elevator, so a set that includes delivery and installation is worth it for most first-time movers. Just confirm your address falls inside the seller's service area before you order.
Q. How long is the warranty on used appliance sets, and what's covered?
Most used sets come with a 90- to 180-day warranty covering malfunctions, not cosmetic wear. Longer warranty periods usually mean a slightly higher price, but give you more peace of mind in your first few months in a new country.
Q. Can I have these delivered to any address in Japan, including a share house or company housing?
Yes — Amazon.co.jp and Rakuten ship to any registered address in Japan, including share houses, corporate housing, and serviced apartments, the same as they would for any resident. Some used-appliance sellers restrict free delivery and setup to specific prefectures, so double-check the listed service area before checkout.
Q. Will Japanese appliances work with the plugs and voltage I'm used to from home?
Japan runs on 100V (50Hz in and around Tokyo, 60Hz in and around Osaka) with Type A two-flat-pin plugs — the same plug shape as the US and Canada, but lower voltage than most of the world's 220–240V. These starter sets are built for the Japanese market and plug straight into any standard outlet in your new apartment, so there's nothing to convert as long as you're staying in Japan.
Related reads
Final thoughts
- Lowest total cost → Used 3-piece set, ¥27,500
- Warrantied used set for peace of mind → 90-day warranty set, from ¥32,800
- New on a budget → New budget set, ¥62,000
- New, recognizable brand → Iris Ohyama new set, from ¥66,800
Furnishing an apartment from zero is one of the more draining parts of moving to a new country, but appliances don't have to be the part that drags it out. Since there's no "quantity" to compare like you would with a consumable — just total price, warranty, and delivery coverage — a few minutes of comparing listings is usually all it takes.
Pick the set that matches your budget and your move-in timeline, and you can have your kitchen and laundry fully running before your first week in Japan is over.
If this guide helped you
We write these guides for the exact moment you're sitting in an empty apartment with no idea where to start. If this saved you from a bad used-appliance deal, a coffee keeps them updated.
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Prices, specs, and stock availability change over time. Always confirm the current listing on Amazon.co.jp or Rakuten before you order.
This article contains affiliate links through the Amazon Associates Program and the Rakuten Affiliate Program. Purchases made through these links may earn us a commission, at no extra cost to you.