"Apartment" might not mean an apartment in Japanese

Updated: Mar 13

In Japan, there are two types of apartments. "アパート" sounds like apartment in English, but it is not always appropriate translation.

"アパート" often means Wooden Apartments

You may hear the term "アパート" in Japanese when you start to search where you live in Japan. It sounds like "apartments" in English, but those residences are not like typical apartments in English.
"アパート" in Japanese refers to typically a smaller residential building made by wooden framing, often one to two stories tall. These wooden buildings are usually lighter, less insulated and less soundproof than RC (reinforced concrete) type buildings, and more affordable to rent.

In Japan, this term "マンション" which are pronounced as "mansion" refers to larger, more robust buildings which are typically constructed with reinforced concrete or steel. They are generally more insulated against noise, have better durability, and offer greater stability and safety in various weather conditions and earthquakes. They often have multiple stories, with better amenities and higher rents compared to wooden apartments.
In other words, in Japan, anything from a luxurious home to a one-room type room is called an apartment. It will be helpful to keep this in mind when searching for a property.