“What if I buy a soundproof booth and it doesn’t fit in my room?” “What if the soundproofing isn’t good enough? Reselling it is such a hassle…”
A soundproof room is a “super” expensive purchase, costing at least 500,000 yen, often over 1 million yen. You can test drive a car, but did you know you can also “Test Live” (Rent) a soundproof room?
Recently, major Japanese manufacturers like Yamaha and Kawai have been expanding their “Soundproof Room Rental Services.” Before you make a purchase decision, let’s explore this smart option to “Rent” first, covering costs and key points.
The Break-Even Point: Rent vs. Buy#
First, let’s organize the financial pros and cons of renting.
Benefit of Renting: Overwhelmingly Low Initial Cost#
The biggest attraction is the low initial hurdle.
- Buying: Requires 500k - 1.5M JPY upfront. Often needs a loan.
- Renting: Starts from the mid-10,000 JPY range per month.
“I might get transferred,” “I don’t know if I’ll keep playing,” “I’m worried about neighbor complaints.” In these cases, renting—which you can return anytime—is the ultimate risk hedge.
Downside of Renting: Total Cost Can Be Higher#
On the other hand, if you rent for too long, you might end up paying more than the purchase price.
- Many services have a “Maximum Rental Period” or a line where the “Total Payment exceeds the list price”.
- Also, Shipping and Assembly fees (several tens of thousands of yen) are almost always charged separately.
The correct strategy is to treat it as a “Trial Period,” or choose a plan that lets you “Buy it if you like it” (applying rental fees to the purchase).
Comparison of the Big Two Rental Services#
When it comes to reliable soundproof room rentals in Japan, there are essentially two main players.
Yamaha “OtoRent”#
The official service provided by Yamaha, the No.1 market share holder. The biggest feature of this service is that it works like a “Residual Value Loan,” where your rental payments count towards the future purchase price, rather than just being “money down the drain.”
The Decisive Difference from “Bulk Purchase”: With a regular purchase, you can’t return it even if you think, “It felt too cramped” or “It wasn’t as quiet as I expected” after installation. You are forced to make a no-return decision of 1 million yen.
OtoRent, on the other hand, is a “Purchase contract with a trial period”: “Live with it, and if you like it, pay the rest and own it. If not, just return it.”
The total payment might be slightly higher than a bulk purchase due to fees, but if you consider it an insurance premium to avoid the “risk of failing a 1 million yen purchase,” it is a very rational choice. It’s obvious which decision is easier to make.
Target: Popular models like Yamaha Avitecs Cefine NS.
Pricing: From mid-10,000 JPY/month for a 0.8 tatami size (excluding shipping/assembly). Available from 12 months minimum.
Kawai “Soundproof Room Rental”#
Piano maker Kawai offers a similar service.
- Target: Kawai Nasal Light Type etc.
- Features:
- Offers rental plans for Used Units, which can be cheaper.
- Like Yamaha, purchase (buyout) is possible if you like it.
- Strong lineup of sizes that fit upright pianos (2.0 tatami and up).
Selection Tip: Choose the manufacturer based on the instrument you play (Piano vs. Wind) and your room size. Also, some Shimamura Music stores offer short-term rentals and in-store trials. For more details, check out Why Shimamura Music is the Best Place to Try Soundproof Rooms.
The “Hourly Studio” Smart Alternative#
“I don’t have space at home,” “I only practice on weekends.” For you, rather than a monthly rental, “Borrowing only when needed (Sharing)” is a great option.
However, do not overlook the “Travel Effort” and “Transport Costs.”
Monthly Rental vs. Studio Visits: Which is Cheaper?#
Let’s compare with a simple calculation.
- Home Rental: 15,000 JPY/month (Unlimited use)
- Studio: 1,500 JPY/visit (1,000 JPY fee + 500 JPY transport)
In this case, if you practice more than 10 times a month, home rental becomes cheaper and saves travel time. Conversely, if you only practice heavily once a week (about 4 times a month), the cost is overwhelmingly lower with a studio.
For those who simply cannot install a soundproof room in their apartment, a studio is undoubtedly the best option that gives you access to a pro-spec environment (Dr-50 or higher), even with the travel cost.
Music Studios & Piano Practice Rooms#
- Market Rate: Approx. 500 - 2,000 JPY per hour.
- Pros: Practice in a pro-spec environment (Dr-50+). Access to grand pianos.
- Cons: Competition for reservations.
Karaoke Boxes (Instrument Friendly)#
- Market Rate: 300 - 1,000 JPY per hour (Free time options available).
- Note: Many places prohibit instruments. Soundproofing is inferior to studios, so don’t expect perfect silence.
Summary: When in Doubt, “Rent” First#
The scariest thing about installing a soundproof room is finding out “It’s so oppressive I can’t live in my room” after it’s built. You can’t imagine the presence of a “Giant Box” just from catalog dimensions.
- Rent with the intention of keeping it for “6 months to 1 year”.
- Physically feel the room size, soundproofing performance, and impact on your life.
- If it’s good, “Buy it out” with the residual value and keep it forever.
This is the failure-proof way to buy a soundproof room. Instead of the binary choice of “Buy” or “Give Up,” please consider the third option: “Try it first.”
Related Articles#
- [Product]: Yamaha Avitecs Cefine NS Complete Guide
- [Product]: Kawai Nasal Complete Guide
- [Comparison]: Yamaha Avitecs vs. Kawai Nasal: 2025 Product Comparison
- [Basics]: Soundproof Room Price Guide: New vs. Used vs. Rental
- [Practical]: Check Floor Load and Delivery Route Before Installing