If you want to start a business without making your home address public, this guide is for you.
We’ve carefully selected virtual offices available for under ¥1,000 per month — and surprisingly, some options are even available for ¥0!
This article covers corporate registration eligibility, phone number availability, and company background information, making it ideal for anyone who wants to avoid unreliable operators.
- Ultra-Low-Cost Virtual Offices
- What Is Corporate Registration?
- Sole Proprietor vs. Corporation
- Is a Virtual Office Legal?
- Summary
Ultra-Low-Cost Virtual Offices
① PocketOffice
- From ¥980/month (¥1,078 incl. tax) for a Shibuya business address
- Corporate registration available
- Fully online application process
- Mail arrival notifications via LINE
- Unwanted direct mail discarded free of charge
- Staff on-site and meeting rooms available
② Kyoto Suzaku Studio
Annual membership fee: ¥6,000 (equivalent to ¥500/month).
- Corporate registration supported
- Phone number included at no extra cost
- Mail forwarding available
- Operated by a nonprofit association
③ Virtual Office 1
- ¥880/month + postage for corporate registration
- Four mail forwardings per month included
- Business addresses in Shibuya and Chiyoda
- LINE mail notifications
- Certified mail proxy receipt available
④ METS Office
- Plans starting from ¥270/month
- Operates exclusively in company-owned buildings
- No deposit, key money, annual fee, or cancellation fee
- Minimum 3-month contract
- Customizable pricing based on selected services
⑤ GMO Office Support
Address-only plan from ¥660/month (¥330 for the first year).
- Operated by the GMO Internet Group
- Locations in major Japanese cities
- Corporate registration plans from ¥1,650/month
- Bank account support available
- Startup support tools included
⑥ DMM Virtual Office
- Prime Tokyo locations at affordable rates
- From ¥660/month
- Locations nationwide including Ginza, Shibuya, Osaka, Fukuoka, Sapporo
- Operated by DMM Group
⑦ Resonance
- Corporate registration from ¥990/month
- Locations in central Tokyo wards
- Staff on-site at all locations
- Mail forwarding plans available
- Business support services offered
What Is Corporate Registration?
A corporation is an organization legally recognized with rights and obligations similar to an individual.
Corporate registration is the legal process of registering company information — such as company name, address, representative, and capital — with the Legal Affairs Bureau.
Once registered, anyone can obtain official company records, increasing transparency and credibility.
Sole Proprietor vs. Corporation
The key difference is liability.
- Sole Proprietor: Personally liable for all debts and obligations.
- Corporation: The company itself bears responsibility (separate legal entity).
Incorporation often improves credibility and financing opportunities.
Is a Virtual Office Legal?
Virtual offices are not illegal, but some industries may not be eligible to use them for registration.
Summary
Choose Based on Both Price and Reliability
Choosing solely on price may lead to issues such as inability to register, poor mail handling, or unclear operations.
In this article, we focused on virtual offices under ¥1,000 per month while evaluating:
- Clear operating company
- Corporate registration support
- Practical usability (mail, phone, etc.)
If chosen wisely, a virtual office allows you to start your business safely while minimizing costs.
Thank you for reading.
— JP
