Once they've settled in Fukuoka and received their first gas bill, many friends from Hong Kong and Taiwan react the same way: "Why is gas so expensive in Japan?"
In fact, it isn't necessarily a problem with how much you use; it may well be because the place you're renting uses a different type of gas. In Japanese rentals, gas comes in two main types: city gas (toshi gasu, 都市ガス) and LP gas (propane gas, プロパンガス). Today, let's talk about the real price difference between the two, as well as some common misconceptions.
The key question: is there really a big difference in rates?
To be frank: LP gas (liquefied petroleum gas) is indeed more expensive than city gas.
- The price gap: In my practical experience, for the same usage, LP gas rates are at least 50% higher.
- The reason: City gas is like tap water: it is delivered through underground pipes and supplied by large companies (such as Saibu Gas), so prices are relatively stable. LP gas, on the other hand, is supplied by gas companies that deliver cylinders to the building by hand. Because of the costs of manual handling, vehicle transport and equipment maintenance, each gas company sets its own prices. In Fukuoka, some small LP gas companies even charge twice as much as city gas.
💡 A common misconception among friends from Hong Kong: where do the gas cylinders go?
When I mention "gas cylinders" to clients from Hong Kong, many immediately picture the LPG canisters kept under the hob in older Hong Kong buildings, and worry that they'll take up space or be unsafe.
But the reality in Fukuoka (and most of Japan) is:
- Centrally managed: Even with LP gas, the cylinders are stored neatly in an outdoor space on the ground floor of the building (central management), and the gas is piped to each flat.
- Nothing for you to do: The gas company regularly sends someone to check and replace them. You'll never see a gas cylinder in your home; the only time you'll notice it exists is when the gas bill arrives at the end of the month.
How can you tell? Does looking at the balcony help?
Some online guides say you can tell by "checking whether there's a gas cylinder on the balcony", but for apartment buildings (manshon, マンション) in Fukuoka this trick isn't very reliable. That's because most buildings keep the cylinders together behind the building on the ground floor or in a hidden open space, so you often can't tell from the balcony.
In the Fukuoka rental market, properties with city gas are actually in the minority: in my experience only about 20–30% of the market. Most ordinary apartment buildings use LP gas to save on development costs. So the most accurate way is still to ask the agent directly.
Renting advice: which should you choose?
LP gas may be more expensive, but does that mean you should only rent places with city gas? It depends on your lifestyle:
- If you mostly eat out: You usually eat out and only use gas for bathing. The price difference may then be just one or two thousand yen a month, so there's no need to give up a place you love over such a small gap.
- If you're a keen cook: If you cook every day and make soups, or have a large household or take long showers, I'd suggest prioritising city gas, because the more you use, the bigger the advantage. ※ Note that properties with city gas really are scarce.
- A rare bonus: Some properties are all-electric (ōru denka, オール電化), using electricity for both cooking and hot water, and there are very few of them on the rental market. If you happen to come across an all-electric property that fits your budget, you're genuinely lucky, and it's worth giving it priority.
Summary
Renting isn't just about whether a place looks nice; the devil is in the details of the quote and your living costs. If you're still unsure about your rental budget in Fukuoka or about gas rates, feel free to get in touch with me any time. I hope my local experience can help you avoid unnecessary detours.