How to stay in Japan

Some people are surprised when they hear that yes, you can home stay in Japan! Although Japanese houses are comparably smaller to those overseas, there are plenty of families who want to host students or travelers from abroad, and there are more and more every year! We recommend a home stay for anyone wishing to know or see more of Japan.

Homestaying in Japan is the way to go if you...
○Want to experience Japanese culture and customs
○Want to improve your Japanese ability
○Want to make friends and connections in Japan
○Want to travel Japan and see the sights
○Want to see what it’s like to live in Japan

Houses, Apartments and … Mansions?
The further you go away from big city centers in Japan, the more houses you see. Likewise, in bigger cities the majority of people live in apartments or "mansion" (condominiums) as seen below.

Getting the Most Out of Your Home Stay Experience
★For those planning to study in Japan
For those planning to study abroad, be aware that a home stay is especially useful to newcomers to Japan, as you can get to know Japanese people and their customs while improving your hearing skills. It's generally a good idea to spend the first 1 to 2 months in a home stay. After that, you can move into an apartment or dormitory and start living on your own.
*Be aware that it can be difficult to find accommodations in Japan, so it's a good idea to start your search soon after arriving in Japan, while you are homestaying. If you want to find a good place, plan on giving yourself 1 to 2 months.

★For those planning to travel Japan
Home stays are not just for people studying abroad _ you can stay any period of time, even from one night. Each island, each prefecture, each city in Japan has its own "feel", accent and/or dialect, as well as famous dishes and delicacies. Rather than relying on a guidebook while staying at a western-style hotel, why not ask the natives for directions to the best restaurants, tourist spots and out of the way attractions?

A guest house in Japan is a kind of lodging, a bit like a cross between an apartment and bed and breakfast. Guest houses are generally for stays up to a year and are cheaper than a hotel, often useful people for short term stays, or while searching for an apartment. Many guest houses have free Internet access and other shared facilities.

Usual Features of Guest Houses:
○No reikin (key money), finder's fee, guarantor or contract renewal fees required
○The shikikin （deposit） is generally 10,000 _ 30,000 yen and is refundable
○Water, electricity, Internet and other utilities are included in the rent (some guest houses are separate)
○Minimum stay is generally 1 week to 1 month (some places allow a minimum stay of 1 night)
○Kitchen area, showers and bathrooms are shared (some guest houses have coin-operated showers)
○Cutlery, bedding and other items are generally furnished
○The rent is affordable when compared to apartments or hotels

A Guest House is the way to go if you...
○Need a temporary place to stay while you find an apartment or other place to live
○Want to save money
○Want to meet and make friends with people from around the world

Guest House Price Estimates
* Single Room (for 1 person)
Rent: \40,000 - \130,000 yen/month * Prices vary according to location in Japan
Deposit: \10,000 - \30,000

* Dorm Style/Shared Room
Rent: \35,000 - \55,000 yen/month * Prices vary according to location in Japan
Deposit: \10,000 - \30,000

Getting the Most Out of Your Guest House Experience
It can be very difficult to find an apartment in Japan immediately after arrival. Guest houses are highly recommended because you can live there while you hunt for an apartment.
* Again, remember that finding a good apartment in Japan is not easy, so plan on starting your search soon after you arrive. You will probably want to give yourself 1 to 2 months to search while staying at the guest house.

A youth hostel is a cheap alternative to a hotel or guest house. Facilities are usually shared, with single-sex or shared "barrack style" rooms. Originally started in Germany in the early 1900’s, youth hostels are now located all over the world with several networks such as "Youth Hostelling International" (YHI) that give discounts for members. In Japan alone there are more than 300 youth hostels, with rates averaging \3000 a night (\4500 for 2 meals included). Japan's rates are a little high when compared to overseas, but are still quite low when compared to a hotel or other lodging.

A Youth Hostel is the way to go…
○If you are travelling alone.
○If you want to travel around Japan.
○If you want to stay overnight for money than a hotel.

Getting the Most Out of Your Youth Hostel Experience
★For those planning to travel Japan
Youth Hostels are great for people wishing to travel Japan. Before you come to Japan, considering becoming a registered member. You can register at almost any youth hostel in your home country or online. With your members’ you can stay at over 4000 youth hostels in 80 countries around the world, often at a discounted price.

A weekly or monthly rental condominium is, as the name suggests, a small apartment that can be rented for short periods of time for a generally reasonable price, considering the freedom and space it allows. There are many kinds of weekly or monthly "mansions" (as they say in Japanese) -- some large chains, some privately owned, some located in hotels _ recently, they have become quite popular with Japanese, as well as foreign tourists.

Usual Features of a Weekly or Monthly Rental Apartment
○No reikin (key money), or finder's fee required
○The shikikin （deposit） is generally 10,000 _ 30,000 yen
○Water, electricity, Internet and other utilities are included in the rent (some guest houses are separate)
○Minimum stay is generally 1 week to 1 month (some places allow a minimum stay of 1 night)
○Cutlery, bedding and other items are generally furnished
○The rent is affordable when compared to hotels

A Weekly or Monthly is the way to go if you...
○Need a temporary place to stay while you find an apartment or other place to live
○Want a little more space to yourself or the freedom of your own apartment

Weekly/Monthly Rental Apartment Price Estimates
Rent: \10,000 - \150,000 yen/month * Prices vary according to location in Japan
Deposit: \10,000 - \30,000

Getting the Most Out of Your Weekly or Monthly Rental Apartment
★For those planning to study or attend on-the-job training in Japan
It can be very difficult to find an apartment in Japan immediately after arrival. Weekly or Monthly Rental Apartments are highly recommended because you can live there while you hunt for an apartment.
* Again, remember that finding a good apartment in Japan is not easy, so plan on starting your search soon after you arrive. You will probably want to give yourself 1 to 2 months to search while staying at your Weekly or Monthly.

Due to several factors, it can be difficult to find a landlord willing to rent to foreigners. Some of these reasons can be argued as legitimate (such as in cases when the person can speak little to no Japanese), but sadly, some landlords choose to discriminate against foreign people to avoid any kind of foreseeable "trouble", and can be a source of frustration to many people living or studying in Japan. However, the good news is that things have been changing in recent years, with the number of landlords willing to rent to anyone regardless of nationality is increasing. It may take some time to find a place, but don't worry _ something will come up!

Usual Features of an Apartment or Condominium
○Reikin (key money), and/or a finder's fee is required
○Shikikin （deposit） is required
○General Service Charges and Administrative Fees are required
○In almost all cases, the next month's rent must be paid in advance
○You may be required to purchase insurance

An Apartment or Condo Might be for you if you…
○Plan on staying in Japan long-term for study abroad or work
○Want more space to yourself or the freedom of your own apartment

Apartment/Condominium Price Estimates
* Amount needed at the time of renting the apartment:
(Example for an apartment with a \100,000/month rent)
・ Finder's Fee: 2 month's rent or \200,000 yen
・ Deposit: 2 month's rent or \200,000 yen
・ General Service Charges and Administrative Fees: \10,000 to \20,000 yen/month
・ Insurance: \20,000 yen/2 years
・ 1 month's rent: \100,000 yen
In other words, please be aware that it generally costs a lot of money to rent an apartment. Please be prepared!

Getting the most out of your apartment or condominium
★For those planning to study or attend on-the-job training in Japan
It can be very difficult to find an apartment in Japan immediately after arrival. Other accommodation is highly recommended because you can live there while you hunt for an apartment.
* Again, remember that finding a good apartment in Japan is not easy, so plan on starting your search soon after you arrive. You will probably want to give yourself 1 to 2 months to search while staying at your accommodation of choice.