What is 'shikibiki' in western Japan? The deposit you don't get back
Common in the Kansai and Kyushu regions, 'shikibiki' is a fixed, non-refundable portion of your deposit. Here's how it works and what to watch for at move-out.
更新: 2026-06-13
If you rented in western Japan, your move-out statement may list a "shikibiki" deduction. Shikibiki is a long-standing custom, common in the Kansai and Kyushu regions, where a fixed amount of your security deposit is simply not returned — clean unit or not, that portion is gone from the start.
So unlike an ordinary deposit, where you get back whatever isn't spent on restoration, shikibiki is agreed up front as non-refundable. Keeping the place spotless won't get it back.
The real thing to watch is double-charging. Because shikibiki effectively prepays move-out costs, adding a full separate bill for wallpaper replacement or cleaning on top of it can amount to charging twice. Clear tenant-fault damage may still be billed separately, but ordinary wear — furniture dents, sun fading — should not be.
Use the checker below to see how far any add-on charge sits from a normal range.