Discover 8 Unique Rental Services in Japan You Didn’t Know Existed
In the past, "renting" in Japan mostly referred to borrowing physical items like cars or DVDs. Today, the concept has broadened to include renting people, experiences, and even comfort. As Japan grapples with an aging population, an increase in single-person households, and rising feelings of loneliness, more people are looking for ways to connect. We’ve now entered a time when even emotional support can be rented.
This article introduces 8 unique and real rental services in Japan, all backed by official sources. We only feature services with verified websites to ensure the information is reliable and accurate. You might catch yourself thinking, “You can rent that?” or “Who would use this?” Get ready to explore the fascinating and sometimes unexpected world of Japan’s rental culture.
Ranking of Popular Rental Services
- Ossan Rental (Rent-a-Middle-Aged Man)
- Family Romance (Rental Family Services)
- Daikou no Niwa (Stand-in Attendance Services)
- PLAN TO TOKYO (Custom Date Planning)
- STARLINK Rental (by Typeblue)
- Rentio (Home Appliance and Camera Rentals)
- World Library (Children’s Picture Book Rentals)
- Rental Theater Actors (yakusharental.com)
1. Ossan Rental
Source: Ossan Rental Homepage
Launched in 2013, Ossan Rental is exactly what it sounds like—a service that lets you rent a middle-aged man by the hour. It was created by Yosuke Ishii, who previously worked in the advertising industry. Noticing that middle-aged men often lacked spaces where their experience and calm demeanor could be valued, he started the service as something of a joke. But it quickly went viral on social media and was widely covered by TV and magazines.
While it was initially used for fun, more serious requests began to emerge—such as seeking life advice or having someone accompany them on sightseeing trips. Today, registered "ossan" are available across Japan, and the service is used for a variety of personal and social needs.
Service offerings: Conversation, sightseeing companionship, life advice, casual chats at cafés, theater outings, and more—tailored to the client's request.
Cost: 1,000 yen per hour (plus actual transportation costs).
Recommended for: Young people interested in hearing stories from older generations, or solo travelers looking for company and conversation.
2. Family Romance (Rental Family Services)
Source: Family Romance Homepage
Family Romance was founded in 2010 by Yuichi Ishii, who aimed to provide a sense of connection and emotional support to those experiencing loneliness or social isolation. The service offers actors who play roles such as family members, friends, bosses, or coworkers—creating personalized "pseudo-relationships" for a variety of client needs.
Over time, the service gained attention both in Japan and internationally. It was featured in a special segment on NHK and became the subject of a Netflix documentary. While it has sparked debate, Family Romance continues to expand as a new service model that responds to diverse emotional and social relationship needs.
Service offerings: Professional actors can be hired to play roles like a boyfriend, mother, or even a guest at weddings or funerals—tailored to the client's request.
Cost: Varies by service and duration; custom quote required.
Recommended for: Those who need someone to fill in as a family member or acquaintance at formal events, or people seeking emotional support through temporary companionship.
3. Daikou no Niwa (Stand-in Attendance Services)
Source: Daikou no Niwa Homepage
Daikou no Niwa is a specialized proxy attendance service that began operating in earnest around 2018, primarily in the Tokyo area. It was created in response to a growing demand among busy professionals and people with family commitments who often face situations where they feel obligated to attend events but wish they could skip them. Inspired by the founder’s personal experience, the service quickly gained attention for its flexible support in situations like weddings, workplace events, and school meetings, eventually expanding its recognition nationwide.
Service offerings: Stand-ins for weddings, meetings, parent-teacher conferences, formal apologies, and more. Clients can request specific clothing, behavior, and relationship roles in advance.
Cost: From 6,000 yen per event (varies depending on the request)
Recommended for: Those who can't attend important events due to work, or people who find social situations difficult to manage.
4. PLAN TO TOKYO (Custom Date Planning)
Source: PLAN TO TOKYO Homepage
PLAN TO TOKYO is a custom date planning service founded in 2019. It was created to help people who struggle to come up with the perfect plan for important moments like proposals, anniversaries, or first dates. The service quickly gained popularity through word of mouth on social media and blogs, and has been featured in women’s magazines. Today, it handles hundreds of consultations each year.
Service offerings: Comprehensive date planning including restaurant selection, route planning, surprise coordination, gift purchasing, and even on-the-day support—tailored to each client’s needs.
Cost: 3,000 - 10,000 yen (varies depending on the plan and options)
Recommended for: Anyone who wants to create a special day for their partner, especially those who aren’t confident in planning surprises.
5. STARLINK Rental (by Typeblue)
Source: Typeblue Homepage
Typeblue launched its STARLINK terminal rental service in 2022, following the introduction of SpaceX’s satellite internet service “Starlink” in Japan. The service was created to meet the growing need for short-term internet access in areas with unstable connectivity, such as remote mountain regions, islands, and outdoor events. Usage has been steadily increasing, especially among outdoor enthusiasts and for emergency response situations.
Service offerings: Short-term rental of Starlink terminals, including shipping, setup support, and a return kit—all bundled into one convenient package.
Cost: From 5,800 yen for a 2-day, 1-night rental (shipping not included)
Recommended for: People working in areas with weak infrastructure, or those needing reliable internet for outdoor events, camping, or van life.
6. Rentio (Home Appliance and Camera Rentals)
Source: Rentio Homepage
Rentio launched in 2015 with the concept of “try before you buy” and quickly grew in popularity. By meeting the demand to test expensive products—like cameras, vacuum cleaners, and kitchen appliances—before committing to a purchase, Rentio gained support for its user-friendly website and fast shipping. Today, it is one of Japan’s largest home appliance rental platforms with a broad user base.
Service offerings: A wide range of appliances and gadgets available for rent, including DSLR cameras, robot vacuums, beauty devices, and steam ovens—many with same-day shipping.
Cost: Pricing ranges from around 500 yen per item to approximately 6,000 yen per month, depending on the product.
Recommended for: People considering the purchase of high-priced items or those who need appliances temporarily for events or travel.
7. World Library (Children’s Picture Book Rentals)
Source: World Library Homepage
World Library was founded in 2014 with the goal of enriching children’s reading experiences from a global perspective. The service translates high-quality picture books from around the world into Japanese and delivers them to families on a subscription basis. This model quickly gained attention as a convenient and educational option for busy parents. Today, the service is also being introduced in kindergartens and nursery schools, earning strong trust from educators.
Service offerings: One carefully selected translated picture book is delivered each month, based on a monthly theme. Damaged or soiled books can be replaced under their guarantee policy.
Cost: 1,300 yen per month (tax included)
Recommended for: Parents interested in global culture or language education, and families who want to expose young children to a wide variety of picture books.
8. Rental Theater Actors
Source: Yakusharental Homepage
Launched in 2016, yakusharental.com is a unique service where professional actors—experienced in theater production and acting instruction—are dispatched to assist with events and creative projects. The service supports a wide range of needs, including proposal setups, surprise pranks, corporate promotions, and even film productions. It gained popularity through social media and YouTube, with demand continuing to grow.
Service offerings: Performance support by trained actors for various setups, including one-on-one surprises and multi-actor skit formats tailored to specific scenarios.
Cost: From 7,000 yen per actor (varies based on time and project details)
Recommended for: Anyone looking to create a memorable surprise, or event organizers who want to add humor, drama, or emotional impact to their occasion.
Conclusion
Exploring these unique services—ones that rent out not just “things,” but human connection, emotional comfort, and experiences—offers a deeper look into modern Japanese society and its evolving needs.
- Looking to ease loneliness: Ossan Rental
- Struggling with social roles or appearances: Family Romance, Daikou no Niwa
- Want to handle formal events with care: PLAN TO TOKYO, yakusharental.com
- Looking to learn or test something new: STARLINK Rental, Rentio, World Library (Picture Book Rental)
Behind these services lies a cultural shift—one that values connection and experience over ownership. Many of these rental offerings were born from a desire to ease loneliness and uncertainty, providing people with meaningful ways to connect with others and enrich their lives.
For example, Ossan Rental creates a space where the life experiences of middle-aged men can be shared through conversation. PLAN TO TOKYO helps transform someone’s special day into a beautiful memory. STARLINK Rental addresses gaps in internet access, while Rentio offers a way to avoid regret by trying high-priced products before purchasing.
Each of these services is carefully designed to support modern-day needs and aspirations. They reflect Japan’s unique cultural background, combined with a subtle attentiveness to others’ emotions and challenges. Together, they offer new perspectives and possibilities—not only to people in Japan, but to those abroad as well.
In Japan, renting can offer more than just a product—it provides access to human warmth, learning, and unforgettable moments. Whether you're seeking an extraordinary experience, educational value, or emotional support, you're bound to find a rental service that perfectly fits your lifestyle.
