1. Preparation Costs

One of the largest upfront expenses in short-term rental operations is furnishing and appliances. A practical estimate is JPY 500,000–600,000. Bedding sets average JPY 100,000, kitchen appliances JPY 200,000–300,000, and electronics such as TV and microwave another JPY 100,000–200,000. Small items like curtains also add variance.

2. Reverse Planning

Efficient setup requires reverse planning. Schedule deliveries and installations at least one week in advance and align them with the marketing launch date to avoid costly delays.

3. Case Study

In one case, a unit in a three-story apartment building was prepared for rental. Furniture delivery was on August 25 and installation completed by September 1. Clear sequencing of order, delivery, installation, and launch allowed operations to begin without delay.

4. Operational Impact

Any delay in setup equals lost rental income. Early selection of furnishings and pre-scheduled installation dates are essential to safeguard timely revenue.

5. Takeaway

Plan for JPY 500,000 in furnishing costs and use reverse scheduling to fix delivery and launch dates. Mapping tasks and enforcing deadlines ensures smooth startup and stable ongoing operations.