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ACCOMMODATION IN JAPAN

Finding a room in Japan.....If you are thinking of studying in Japan, anywhere in Japan, you need to learn a few words:

Yachin: rent. Can range from low to insane as anywhere.
Hoshoukin: deposit. Made up of:
- shikikin: key money. Something you give to the landlord when entering as a deposit and (theoretically) is returned to you when you leave.
- reikin: "thank you" money. A present given to the landlord for being so generous as to let you into their property and charge you extortionate rent for the pleasure.

The "hoshoukin" can reach 6 months rent - it depends on the location. If you are trying to find an apartment in a popular area of Tokyo, for example Shinjuku or Ginza, then you will find yourself paying hundreds of thousands of Yen in advance. You invariably never see it again. The "reikin" as well varies with the location and the quality of the property - if you have a fantastic apartment in Akasaka, or a huge house in the center of Kyoto, you will find yourself donating several thousand dollars to your landlord for the honor.

Of course other areas are cheaper, but as a guide you can expect to pay three months in advance (up to 6 months in Tokyo) and never see the money again. For short term students, this is virtually impossible to cope with. Hotels and hostels are usually too expensive for a two or three month stay, and you can forget paying three months deposit for a one month stay. However, long-term students often find that if they are sure they will be here for a full year, it is possible to rent an apartment - the hoshoukin in Okazaki is usually about 3 months rent, and if two or three people get together, they can rent an apartment for themselves. This works out at about the same price as living in Yamasa-owned accommodation, or slightly cheaper - but you have find an apartment and arrange the contract etc.

The rent itself is usually FROM 60,000 to 70,000 yen per month and up for a matchbox in Tokyo or any other major city. In Okazaki, it tends to be from about 40,000 Yen for a 1DK apartment. (1DK - a one room apartment - DK stands for dining/kitchen meaning that you have one room with everything in it and usually a toilet and shower, much like the Yamasa Villas 3 and 4).

So, when you are planning your trip to Japan, remember that there may be a lot of hidden expenses. Just because a school offers you a really low-price course, you may find yourself paying in other ways.

See:

http://www.yamasa.org/acjs/english/accommodation.html

for details of our accommodation.