As many of you probably know, I often go on trips across Japan. From big cities like Tokyo, to small mountain towns like Shibu Onsen. During these trips I stay in a wide variety of accommodation types such as luxury hotels and traditional ryokan. But there is one more type of accommodation I often recommend to people who are visiting big cities like Tokyo, and that is an apartment style hotel. And the one I used the most by far is Dash Living Japan
I first started using Dash Living in Japan in 2022, at a time when the company operated under the name In the Hood. After the merger with Dash Living, I continued staying with them and built a long term connection with both the brand and several team members. Most of my stays took place in Tokyo, with a focus on short stays, though the experience always felt closer to daily living than to hotel use.
Dash Living offers furnished apartments and shared living options across Japan, with the main focus on Tokyo and one location in Kyoto. The concept sits between a hotel and a long term rental. It suits travelers who want privacy, space, and a sense of local life.
For me, one of the strongest points of Dash Living lies in its location choices. The apartments sit inside real residential areas rather than tourist zones. I stayed in several Tokyo neighborhoods, including Nihonbashi, Yushima, and Ueno. Each stay created a different daily rhythm and helped me connect with the surrounding area.
Some of my best memories from my trips are just me wandering the streets around my accommodation, discovering shops and restaurants I never would have found otherwise. Meeting locals and getting in touch with the vibe of each neighbourhood was one of the things I was most looking forward to.
Apartment living changes the travel experience. Grocery shopping, quiet mornings on the balcony, and evening walks become part of the routine. This feeling never appears in standard hotel rooms. For me, Dash Living made Tokyo feel familiar rather than temporary, and I am sure it will make the same for you.
Each apartment included furniture, a kitchen, Wi Fi, and household basics. Short stays still allowed a proper daily routine. Cooking meals, storing luggage easily, and having separate living space mattered more than expected. A balcony added real value for me and became a place to pause after busy days in the city.
Dash Living presents its service as all inclusive, which is absolutely amazing if you are looking for a place that you can rent long term without worrying about the minor details. Utilities, internet, linens, and support stayed consistent across properties, and maintenance requests felt simple and direct. I feel that this structure removed common rental stress points many people feel.
Another great thing is that Dash Living promotes a simple signup process. No key money, no guarantor, no agent fee that you need to worry about. This approach works well for travelers who stay longer than a few nights but do not want long legal steps.
Tokyo listings allow monthly stays and nightly stays, depending on the building. This flexibility supports different travel styles, including work stays, corporate housing, student accommodation, and extended visits.
Dash Living fits travelers who want space, privacy, and a local routine during time in Japan. Apartments allow daily life to continue in a natural way, even during short stays. After years of use, the service remained consistent and reliable and I am happy to recommend it to anyone, especially those of you who want to be more familiar with Tokyo and those of you who value independence and neighborhood life.
