Long-Term Student Advice
 

Hi!

I'm heading to Tokyo in January for 5.5 months of studying law at Temple University Japan (I'm a law student at Rutgers). I've been to Japan before, but I only spent a few days in Tokyo - most of my time was in Kyoto.

I am currently trying to find living accomodations, and I'm seeking recommendations. Places like the Mori Apartments and Oakwood are out of my price range (at 500,000 - 1,100,000 yen a month), but places like Monthly Chintai and LeoPalace21 (whose site my limited Japanese can't read) are more in the range of what I'm looking for (150,000 - 220,000 yen/month).

I'm not sure though, and I'm having trouble finding other places in that price range. I would prefer to live alone - I currently have an apartment and live alone, which is why I'm not really interested in the guest houses or dorms. Temple Law Japan is located in minato-ku, about 5 minutes from Azubu juuban station, and I would prefer to find housing in that area.

(Also, if anyone has any suggestions on things to do, I'm looking for that as well.)

Thank you!

(Oh, the last time I was in Tokyo, I stayed at Ryokan Asakusa Shigetsu, which was quite nice - although they locked the doors at 10PM and had to give us "lousy kids" the access code for the alarm.)

I would (and did) sacrifice some individual freedom and stay either with a Japanese host family or at a normal Japanese student hall of residence. Or, and this might be the best choice, share an apartment with a few Japanese students. I`ve done all three in the 90`s and while there were frustrating moments it`s worthwhile and let`s you experience Japanese customs and culture first hand. Everything in a society like Japan is based on a web of relationships and learning to live in it, so might be a good investment in your future.

I had a friend who stayed in a serviced flat right across the street from the front entrance of the Grand Hyatt Roppongi (and hence walking distance to your school). I don't remember the name, but it was about a block away from the Mori apartments, quite acceptable, and I am sure it was cheaper. Darn....with a search you can probably find it. Alternatively, you can take an Oakwood place for two weeks, arrive early, and search on arrival, although it is a bit riskier.

mosburger - I did that for a short while (and I lived with Japanese students in college, also). I'm at the point where I generally don't like living with others - although I totally agree that at the point I did it, it was a good experience.

On the other hand, I did learn that eating at mosburger was a bad experience - I believe I had the "roosu katsu." That wasn't very tasty at all.

RichardInSF: We have housing for two weeks, although my father would rather I have everything arranged for before I go. I think it's a little easier to have it all arranged because I can't see it being simple to find housing while taking classes. I'm going to look for that place, though. Thanks!

I think it might also be a good idea - I could stay at Oakwood and maybe ask them for help. It's not like they wouldn't be getting my money anyway...

That was your fatal mistake. Never, ever eat roosu katsu at a place called "Mosburger." May I recommend Tonki, Maisen, Houraya, or even Katsukura for that.

Now, for your problem, may I recommend you contact my slumlord friend, Morris Ostrow. And I'm only half-kidding. He knows the lay of the land when it comes to flophouses and temporary housing for those not on a corporate budget.

Living alone as a student would be considered quite odd in Japan, if my experience serves me right. This is just because your student days are when you build up lifelong relationships for future use in all NE Asian countries. Isn`t that the main reason why you are going to Japan? O-tsukare-sama = "we have suffered together" , now that`s one important greeting in Japan. ;)

As for that chain, better stick to the spicy burgers and hot dogs. Katsu-don is something you cook at home or have at the neighbourhood greasy spoon.

You know, I have a female friend with a very large family whose last name is Ostrow. But the only people she's ever met with that name are relatives...hmm...

Our Japanese companions thought that watching us eat that was the funniest thing ever. We didn't trust them the rest of the time.
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Mosburger - yeah, I think it is, as for college students. From what I gathered from the returning law students, they much rather prefered to live alone - I think mainly because it's an American Law school, and most are used to that way.

One of these links will get you what you are looking for during the short time you are in Japan. No guarantor is the key to a successful search for a non-Japanese renting here and for anyone living for less than a two year period.

http://www.tokyoapt.com/

http://www.tokyoapartments.jp/

http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2207.html

Have a look at those links and also be sure to keep my e-mail handy for questions offline and after you arrive. You can reach me initially through PM on FT.

I live here, work in the area you describe, know the TUJ people in fact, and any FTer in need is always welcome to contact for info and a cold beer or several. :)

Mike

In that price range you should have no problems finding a comfortable place. I'm currently paying 160,000/month for a two-room apartment - fairly central Tokyo location - nice neighbourhood - 20 year old building but recently rennovated. The negative points are that my place was totally unfurnished (which might not be suitable in this case) and I had to pay several months up-front for various deposits (some are non-refundable and others are theoretically-refundable but I'm expecting a tough negotiation when the time comes to leave).

If you rent through LeoPalace or Tokyo-weekly-mansion you will avoid the non-refundable deposits and the essential furnishings are included (fridge, TV, bed, microwave oven, etc.).

Mr. Pickles' friend looks like a very good place to start a search. And he seems to be in the right neighbourhood for your school... so perhaps the following information is redundant, but here goes anyway.

The following companies are listed in order of price (cheapest first). Price increases and quality improves as you go down the list.

(1) Tokyo Room Info
http://www.tokyoroominfo.com/index.htm
[email protected]

This company manages several apartment buildings, mainly in the East of Tokyo. The company is run by an Austrian guy called Anton Scherer. He can help you in English:

I rented an apartment from this outfit many years ago when I was here in a semi-legal limbo (I had to wait a couple of months for the official approval of my resident status). It was ideal for me at that time, because I could make all the arrangements before arriving in Japan, lack of visa was not a problem and it was cheap.

My experience is that I found Anton to be a straight-shooter and the apartment was fine, if somewhat old. There was only one month's deposit to pay (which was refunded in full after I left) and the apartment was equipped with the essential furnishings - in a rather chaotic mix of styles (rather like my rooms at college).

However, I feel I should mention that I have a couple of friends (English teachers, renting very cheap apartments) who are less enamoured of this company. My friends say that the company is slow to perform repairs and they suspect that Anton has entered their apartments without prior request to check that they're keeping the place OK.

(2) Sakura House
http://www.sakura-house.com/

This company is best known for the cheap and cheerful Sakura Hotel in Jinbocho (quite clean and pleasant when I stayed there many years ago).

However, they also rent a variety of accommodation - including some two-room apartments which might suit you. Their website is completely in English and allows you to see exactly what accommodations are available now. They can handle inquiries in English.

(3) Burex Serviced Apartments
http://www.bureau.co.jp/en/index.html

This company manages several serviced apartments and serviced office spaces in central Tokyo. They seem to be more modern and "stylish" than Sakura or Anton's places. (The furniture actually seems to have been bought in the same store - probably equivalent to IKEA - but it all matches).

Again - the site is all in English and they are used to dealing with foreign clients.

mjm, do you know that serviced apartment place that I mentioned, it's literally across the street -- the one that runs into the main drag with the elevated shuto -- from the entrance to the GH? It's right next to a Chinese restaurant and the entrance looks at that rock sculpture thingie the GH has erected.

The places I've been looking at have been:

Monthly Chintai - http://www.monthlychintai.com
Leopalace 21 - http://www.leopalace21.com
Sakura House (already linked to)
PAL - http://www.fudosan.yoursnet.com
Wave - http://www.eg-wave.com

How far are the Shinigawa and Hamamatsucho area B-sites from TUJ, if you don't mind me asking? I mean, the main areas I've been looking in have been Azabu Juuban, Roppongi, Higashi Azabu.

To/from TUJ:

Hiroo, Shinagawa, anything in and around Shiba Koen, any part of Azabu, especially Minami Azabu and Moto-Azabu, Hamamatsucho, DAimon, are all very fine. Short bike ride, easy walk, or if absolutely pouring not enough to get disastorously wet (although a taxi may be more to your liking in a typhoon).

Richard, It is Roppongi Court Annex by Asahi Homes.

Morris also has a website: http://www.cheaphousingtokyo.com/

Another question - if the apartment doesn't provide free internet, how does one get net access?

YahooBB is one option.

http://www.bbapply.com/

Another which I prefer is NTT's B-Flets service.

http://www.ntt-east.co.jp/product_e/05/index.html

The cost of getting a phone line is Japan is dramatically cheaper than even a few years ago so I would inquire of potential landlords whether a contract for a line can be set up directly by the tenant with the phone company or whether you will be using a line running through a PBX for the building. Most likely they will ask that you make arrangements for your own line. Easy as calling NTT and making an appointment.

Mike