“A place where you can scream at 2 AM—yeah, it exists.”
That’s what Kenta Sato (pseudonym, 26) says with a laugh about his soundproof rental apartment in Tokyo. As a game streamer, he moved to this specialized housing six months ago.
The rent is ¥20,000 more per month than before—not cheap. Yet he insists, “Without this choice, I wouldn’t be where I am today.”
This article shares Kenta’s real experience to help you understand what living in a soundproof rental is actually like in Japan.
The Trigger | Having to End Streams at 10 PM#
Starting to Stream in a Regular Apartment#
Kenta began streaming during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. At the time, he lived in a 30-year-old wooden apartment building in Tokyo.
“I started as a hobby. But as my viewer count grew, I wanted to stream longer hours.”
In a wooden apartment, he had to be considerate of neighbors after 10 PM. When he toned down his voice, viewers commented that he “lacked energy” or “wasn’t exciting enough.”
The Day a Complaint Came#
One night around 11 PM while streaming, there was a knock on the wall. The next day, a complaint came through the management company: “Please be quiet at night.”
“Honestly, I felt crushed. I realized I was being a nuisance.”
Limiting streaming hours led to fewer viewers and less income.
“I can’t continue streaming like this.”
That realization pushed Kenta to decide on moving to a soundproof rental.
The One-Month Search for a Soundproof Rental#
Surprised by the Limited Options#
Kenta searched SUUMO and HOME’S for “soundproof” and “instrument-allowed” properties.
“I was shocked by how few options there were. Even in Tokyo, soundproof rentals are really limited.”
Nationwide, there are only about 287 soundproof rental properties. 78% are concentrated in the Kanto region, but that’s still far fewer than regular rentals.
Learning the Difference Between “Instrument-Allowed” and “Soundproof”#
[!WARNING] “Instrument-allowed” and “soundproof” are completely different. “Instrument-allowed” just means the landlord doesn’t prohibit playing—it doesn’t guarantee the building has soundproofing.
| Property Type | Soundproofing | 24-Hour Use | Price Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Instrument-Allowed | None to Low | Limited | Same as regular rentals |
| Soundproof | D-50 to 80 | Some allow 24/7 | 1.3-1.5x regular rent |
“I ultimately chose a soundproof apartment with 24-hour permission. For streamers, having no time restrictions is crucial.”
A Day in a Soundproof Rental | Streaming Until 2 AM#
Full-Power Streaming at Night#
“My main streaming hours are 9 PM to 2 AM. That was absolutely impossible before.”
Kenta’s typical weekday schedule:
| Time | Activity |
|---|---|
| 12:00 | Wake up |
| 14:00-18:00 | Video editing, SNS management |
| 18:00-21:00 | Dinner, stream preparation |
| 21:00-26:00 | Live streaming |
| 26:00-27:00 | Review, prepare for bed |
The Value of Being Able to Shout#
In game streaming, big reactions directly impact viewer satisfaction.
“Being able to shout ‘YES!’ when you win—that’s absolutely impossible in a regular apartment. But now I can scream at 2 AM at full volume. That’s the biggest value of a soundproof rental.”
Viewers have noticed too: “You seem so much more energetic lately!”
Audio Quality Improvement#
“In a regular room, the neighbor’s TV or cars outside would pick up in my microphone. Now it’s completely silent. Viewers told me my audio got much clearer.”
The Difference from Regular Rentals | By the Numbers#
Streaming Time and Income Changes#
| Item | Before Moving | After Moving |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly streaming hours | 60 hours | 120 hours |
| Available streaming time | 18:00-22:00 | No limits (24/7) |
| Monthly viewers | 30,000 | 60,000 |
| Monthly income (approx.) | ¥150,000 | ¥220,000 |
Streaming time doubled, viewers doubled, and income increased by about 1.5x.
How to Think About the Rent Difference#
“My old rent was ¥60,000, now it’s ¥80,000. That’s ¥20,000 more per month. Is that expensive?”
Kenta’s calculation:
- Income increase: +¥70,000
- Rent increase: +¥20,000
- Net result: +¥50,000 positive per month
“Living in a soundproof rental increased my streaming income. Even though rent is higher, the return exceeds it.”
The Resident Community#
Neighbors Are All Music/Streaming Professionals#
One unique aspect of soundproof rentals is that residents share similar backgrounds.
“In my building, there are musicians, streamers, and voice actors. My neighbor is a female singer—we just wave when we meet in the hallway, but it’s reassuring.”
Zero Noise Complaints#
In six months of living there, zero noise complaints.
“Everyone here ‘makes noise,’ so there’s mutual understanding. That’s an atmosphere you won’t find in regular apartments.”
Drawbacks of Soundproof Rentals#
Kenta also shared honest feedback about the downsides.
Limited Property Options#
“This is the biggest drawback. There wasn’t a property in my preferred area, so I ended up far from the nearest station.”
Soundproof rentals have limited supply, with popular properties having over 6,000 people on waiting lists.
High Initial Costs#
“Two months deposit, one month key money, one month agency fee… Initial costs were about ¥400,000.”
For ¥80,000 rent, initial costs of ¥500,000-600,000 are typical—higher than regular rentals.
Layout Constraints#
“Because of the soundproof room, the living area is smaller. It’s a bit cramped to have friends over for gaming.”
Advice for Streamers Looking for Soundproof Rentals#
Confirm “24-Hour OK” First#
“Even soundproof rentals sometimes have time restrictions. Streamers should confirm 24-hour permission first.”
Test Noise During Viewing#
“When viewing a property, actually speak loudly. Have someone with you check how much can be heard outside.”
Register for Waiting Lists#
“Popular properties rarely have openings. Even if you can’t move in immediately, registering for waiting lists means you’ll be contacted when space opens.”
Contacting specialized soundproof rental companies like Livran or Musision directly is recommended.
Summary | A Soundproof Rental Is a Streamer’s “Weapon”#
Streaming Activity Changes
- Streaming hours doubled (60→120 hours/month)
- No time limits, can stream until 2 AM
- Improved audio quality, higher viewer satisfaction
Income Changes
- Viewers doubled
- Monthly income increased ~1.5x
- Returns far exceed the rent increase
Mental Changes
- Freed from guilt of “being a nuisance”
- Improved focus on streaming
- Sense of security from resident community
A soundproof rental isn’t just “housing.” It’s a “weapon” for streamers.
If you’re struggling with streaming hours or noise concerns, consider it as an option. Even with higher rent, the returns might be worth it.
Related Articles#
- [Rent Prices]: Soundproof Rental Prices in Japan【2025 Latest】
- [Pros & Cons]: Soundproof Rental Advantages and Disadvantages
- [For Streamers]: How to Choose a Soundproof Rental for Streamers
- [Property Viewing]: Soundproof Rental Viewing Checklist