Homestead Harmony: Mastering Clean Homes and a Simple Life
In the bustling life of modern Japan, balancing work, family, and personal time can be quite a challenge. Many families are discovering the convenience and peace of mind that come with professional housekeeping, cooking, and nanny services.
Whether you’re a busy professional, a parent juggling multiple responsibilities, or simply someone who values a pristine living environment, these housekeeping services can help simplify your life and give you time back for the things you love most. Let’s explore how these services are transforming Japanese households, making life easier, and bringing harmony to busy lives.
As a former housekeeper during my college years, I can speak from experience that a focused and dedicated cleaner is well worth it. Especially in Japan where a high level of service and hospitality is valued, hired help is a reliable way to free up some time so you can focus on the things that matter most to you.
Please note that the following companies have not advertised services in English – we are simply providing information for English-speakers as a convenience. If you can’t speak Japanese, please reach out to a friend or translator for assistance.
All service area and price listings were accurate at the time of posting. Please refer to the provider website for the most up-to-date information.
1. Iegoto Pasona
Iegoto’s services include household chores, baby and kid sitters, senior support, grocery shopping, and house cleaning either one time or repeated regularly. They offer affordable household services that don’t cost more on weekends or holidays.
Service areas: Tokyo, Kanagawa, Chiba, Saitama
Prices: 4,400 yen / hour and up (before transport costs)
2. Sunju
For those looking for a housekeeper specific to their area or region, Sunju makes it easy to filter by location. They offer basic housekeeping services at a variety of a different rates, as well as a cooking agency that will provide nutritious food for your entire family. Their housekeeping gift certificates make it easy to gift this service to a loved one who may not want to purchase this service themselves.
House cleaning service areas: Okinawa, Hiroshima
Additional services areas: Fukuoka, Okayama
Prices: Starting at ¥2,739/hour for a first week trial rate
3. 30 Min.
Per the name, this 30-minute housekeeping service can be applied to any room regularly, once a week for a quick cleanup using the tools you have in your home. They also offer 60-180 minute services if you need multiple rooms cleaned. The rate for each service varies depending on frequency and room size. Their key storage service is convenient for those going out of town who still wish their home to be serviced.
Service areas: Tokyo
Prices: 2,750 yen/30 minutes and up (lower price available for 1.5hr)
4. Shitsuji
Shitsuji offers three types of services: home concierge, office concierge, and creative concierge. Their home concierge does personal services such as cleaning rooms, organizing, childcare, senior support, etc. Their office concierge for businesses will design a new work style according to the corporate working environment, including preparing lunch, planning events, coordinating office interiors, and regular cleaning. Lastly, the creative concierge can help with event planning, interior furniture coordination, personal training, creative marketing and social media production, and personal branding as well as a few other services.
Service areas: Tokyo, Kanagawwa
Price: Home concierge starting at ¥17,600/mo: 1staff person for 3 hours
5. R-Maid
R-Maid provides numerous different types of support services including housekeeping, cooking, working mothers, and senior support. Their premium support options allow for more personalized plans and special requests. They aim to free up time in your life for the things you love by doing the cooking, cleaning, or service for you.
Service areas: Tokyo, Kanagawa, Saitama
Price: Starting at 36,080 yen/month for 2 hours sessions, 4 times a month
6. Mammy Mate
Mammy Mate was created to give a peace of mind to people who are too busy to do housework but are worried about asking someone else to do it for them. Their heartfelt intentions while doing housekeeping services make sure your home is cleaned to the highest quality with great care. Their typical service lasts 3 hours but varies depending on frequency and request.
Service areas: Tokyo, Kanagawa, Chiba, Saitama
Price: Starting at 2,500 yen/hour (for 4x per month with a 6-month contract)
7. Japan Maid Service
Cleaning, organizing, laundry, drycleaning, shopping, cooking, meal prep, check-ins for older people, airing out akiyas, and more. Self-described as the lowest priced services in the industry.
Service areas:
Hokkaido (centered around Sapporo)
Tohoku (centered around Sendai, Miyagi Prefecture)
Kanto (Tokyo, Kanagawa, Chiba, Saitama)
Chubu (Aichi, Gifu, Mie, Shizuoka)
Kinki (Osaka, Hyogo, Nara, Kyoto)
Kyushu (Fukuoka) Okinawa (centered around Naha)
Price: ~6,000 yen/2 hours and up
BUT LOOK AT THESE SNAPS OF THEIR MEAL PREP SERVICES, TOO. I think I’m gonna cry. *want*
8. Duskin / Merry Maids
The services offered include Regular Housekeeping Service, One-time Housekeeping Help, Maternity Mama Support Plan, Baby Support Plan, Telecommuting Support Plan, Return-to-Work Support Plan for Childcare Leave (Housework Assistance), Storage and Organization, Desired Cleaning Service, Part-by-Part Cleaning Service, Clean and Organizing Your Life, Return-to-Work Support Plan for Parental Leave (Tidying Up), Cleaning Service for Bathroom and Kitchen, Selectable Flat-Rate Cleaning Service, Full Room Cleaning Service, Welcome Baby Support Plan, Gran Service, Vacant House Inspection Service, and Refrigerator Cleaning.
Service areas:
Japan-wide, possibly with the most comprehensive national coverage of any housecleaning service.
Price: ~7,700 yen and up
9. Osouji Honpon
O-souji 「大掃除／おおそうじ」 literally means “big clean.” This term is used to describe big cleaning efforts or “deep-cleans” that happen, sometimes on an annual basis such as at the end of the calendar year or at the end of the school year. Osouji Honpon’s shining services are their big packages, which can include full-house cleaning, kitchen fan, bathroom fan, aircon, and even resurface coatings for kitchen counters, bathroom sink, toilet bowls, etc.
Service Areas:
All 47 Prefectures. Check their Shop list.
Price: ¥39,600 and up for apartments, ¥77,000 and up for detached houses (big cleaning session).
Enjoy a clean home and save time with a maid service in Japan.
I personally just signed up with Duskin. While they haven’t started yet, I’ll be sure to update this article later with my experience and impressions. So if you are on the fence, check back later. In the mean time, I hope you get what you need to create a clean, happy, healthy home environment that supports you in your Japan lifestyle!
