1. School Dormitory
(1) School Dormitory: Some schools have dormitories, while some only introduce private lodgings to foreign students. Please contact your school or university office for lodgings if you have difficulty in finding one after your arrival in Japan.
(2) Student Dormitory: There are student dormitories which are run by the state, a self-government body or a private organization, but the number is few. The dormitory’s rent is cheap, but there are certain requirements for those who want to stay there.
(3) Public Housing: There are places which are run by a public organization where foreigner can apply for accommodation. However, a foreigner who has been residing in that prefecture for a certain term, and those who have family living in the same prefecture can apply for such accommodation. However, in areas where public transportation facilities are convenient, it will be quite competitive to get one. Please contact with your prefecture Metropolitan Houseing Bureau for details.
(4) Company Dormitory: The Association for Cooperation and Promotion of Support for Foreign Students acts in cooperation with Japanese companies to accept foreign students in company dormitories. Application is made through a university.
2. Kinds of Private-run lodgings
(1) Apartment: These lodgings are usually two-storied wooden buildings. There are kitchen and shared toilet but generally no bathroom.
(2) Mansion: These lodgings are usually ferroconcrete buildings. The building is normally more than three-stories high. Besides a kitchen, each room is also furnished with a toilet and a bathroom. The higher the floor you, the more rent you have to pay.
(3) Single House: One or two-storied houses with a small yard, a kitchen, a toilet, and a bathroom.
(4) Room: Renting one of the rooms of the landlord's house. The tenant uses the kitchen, the restroom and the toilet that the landlord uses. The renting conditions vary from landlord to a landlord.
(5) Home Stay: Staying at a Japanese home as a member of a Japanese family. Many apply for the home stay in order to understand Japanese culture and customs, but the number of host families accepting foreign students is very limited. |
