Accommodation in Tokyo

As can be expected from such a big, overpopulated city, accommodation comes at a premium in Tokyo. Many single expats living in Japan for a year or two opt to live in shared housing, commonly referred to as gaijin (foreigner) houses, where living areas, kitchens and bathrooms are shared by all the residents. This will be cheaper than renting an apartment and also has the added benefits of shorter notice periods and no initial costs.

If you want your own accommodation in Tokyo you will need to be prepared to pay out quite a large sum upfront: a damages deposit (partially refundable), key money (non-refundable, a gift to the landlord) and a month to two months’ rent in advance. This can add up to anything from three to seven months’ rent in one payment.

 

Added to this, you will need to provide a guarantor (usually your employer) as well as your income statement, hanko (official name seal), passport and gaijin card (alien registration card). Always use an estate agent and make sure to inspect every aspect of the flats you are shown before making a decision: pay particular attention to the condition of the tatami mats (if you are in traditional Japanese housing), the toilet, bathroom and the kitchen.

You also need to inspect the wall thickness to make sure that you will not become too familiar with your neighbours! Where to live will generally depend on your budget and your commute to work: there aren’t really any bad areas in Tokyo by most expat standards. Even areas considered by Japanese to be very dodgy are extremely safe and pleasant by expat standards!