Accommodation in Japan
As in many over-populated countries, accommodation in Japan is very expensive. The bigger the city, the fiercer the competition and the smaller the living quarters. Japanese rooms are measured in tatami mat units (jous), with one jou equalling 1 by 0.5 meters.
The average room is around six jous. If you are offered company accommodation in Japan it might be a good idea to take it, even if it might seem very expensive. This will give you time to work out where, and how, you would like to live and also give you some needed time to save for the moving in costs: you will be required to pay a damages deposit (around one month’s rent, refundable, although hardly ever in full), a 'key money' gift to the landlord (usually about two months’ rent) and two months’ rent in advance. In order to apply for a flat/house you will need to provide your gaijin card, hanko (an official stamp with your name in characters), income statement and a guarantor, usually your employer. The more luxurious the accommodation, the more key money and the more damages deposit you will be expected to pay.
The average room is around six jous. If you are offered company accommodation in Japan it might be a good idea to take it, even if it might seem very expensive. This will give you time to work out where, and how, you would like to live and also give you some needed time to save for the moving in costs: you will be required to pay a damages deposit (around one month’s rent, refundable, although hardly ever in full), a 'key money' gift to the landlord (usually about two months’ rent) and two months’ rent in advance. In order to apply for a flat/house you will need to provide your gaijin card, hanko (an official stamp with your name in characters), income statement and a guarantor, usually your employer. The more luxurious the accommodation, the more key money and the more damages deposit you will be expected to pay.
Another popular option is the gaijin house – shared accommodation in large houses. The set-up at these houses varies from house to house, but usually it is inhabited by young expats and Japanese people who aren’t in Japan long-term and want to save some money on rent. In some gaijin houses the rooms are mini flatlets, with their own bathrooms, while in most others you will have your own room but will share a kitchen, bathroom and living areas with the other inhabitants.
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