Prepare for the upfront costs:

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• Deposit (敷金): Often equating to a few months’ rent, it’s a security measure that’s refundable, subject to conditions but from my experiences there is now only fews owner who are asking for this

• Key Money (礼金): An upfront, non-refundable gesture to landlords, it’s a tradition that persists, albeit somewhat negotiable. From our perspective it's a very crazy tradition but in reality even if I sometimes see appartment without Key Money, in reality trust me, there are often not the best one.

• Agency Fees: up to a month’s rent, this fee is for the services of a real estate agent and in Japan, there is no way to negociate directly with the owner, so you better choose a good one ;)

• Cleaning Fee: When vacating the property, you'll be expected to leave it in clean condition. Some landlords charge a cleaning fee upfront to cover professional cleaning services after you move out, ensuring the apartment is pristine for the next tenant.

• Lock Change Fee: For security purposes, it's common practice to change the locks when tenants change. This fee ensures you're the only one with keys to your new home

• Guarantor Company Fee: If you don't have a local japanese to be your guarantor you will have to used a guarantor company, which is common for foreigners without local connections, expect to pay a fee for their service, typically 50-100% of a month's rent.

• Insurance: Renters are often required to purchase fire insurance and sometimes additional liability insurance, which can cost anywhere from ¥15,000 to ¥20,000 annually.

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A prudent budget should account for the deposit, key money, agency fees, cleaning and lock change fees, guarantor company services, and insurance. Collectively, these costs can amount to approximately 4 to 6 months' rent. For a standard apartment in Osaka, where monthly rent might range from ¥50,000 to ¥150,000 (approximately $370 to $1,100 or €340 to €1,000), you could anticipate initial expenses to be around ¥200,000 to ¥900,000 (roughly $1,480 to $6,650 or €1,360 to €6,100).

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When in France, it's usually one or two months of deposit plus the actual rent only, here in Japan and Osaka, as you can see it's an incredible commitment. 

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These figures serve as a general guide; actual costs will vary depending on the specific terms of your rental agreement and the current exchange rates. It’s vital to approach the rental process with a comprehensive budget plan, taking into account both the predictable and the potential unforeseen expenses to ensure a smooth transition into your new home or business premises in Osaka.