Living information for students

Renting Japanese apartments have some unique system. Please learn the following knowledge and housing terminology before contacting a real estate company.

In addition to monthly rent, following fee will be required to be paid upon initiation of the lease.  Shikikin or deposit is required for most apartment lease contracts and is usually equal to one or two months’ rent. Your landlord is required to return your deposit to you when you vacate the property, after deducting for cleaning costs and any damage beyond normal wear and tear.  Reikin or gratuity money (or called key money) is refundable payment to your landlord. It is often same price with Shikikin. (equal to one or two months’ rent)  Agent fee is paid to the real estate company as commission. Industry standard requires one month’s rent. In total, you might need to prepare at least six months’ rent upfront. To rent apartments, you need to go through a long process with a real estate company by yourself. Also, rooms are basically not furnished. Though, if you are looking for complete privacy with independent lifestyle, this might be a good choice for you.

敷金(Shiki-kin) rental deposit 礼金(Rei-kin) gratuity money / key money TIPS...It will be useful to take photos of your room before moving in. They will be proofs of weather damages of the room were made by you or not, to get more of your shikikin back later.

When renting an apartment in Japan, you will be asked to provide the contact details and signature of a Rentai Hoshounin or a joint guarantor. A joint guarantor is a co-signer who takes legal responsibility in case the tenant defaults on payment of rent or damages. They must be over 20 years of age and a Japanese citizen with regular income (T For being a guarantor is a huge responsibility, arranging a guarantor is perhaps the most difficult part of all the housing process.

There are lots of companies provide rent guarantor services. One of those provides the service in English and many other different languages. (Global Trust Service: Trust Net 21) House Terminology 連帯保証人(Rentai- hoshonin) a joint guarantor How to Subscribe to the System https://www.students.k eio.ac.jp/en/sfc/life/intl- student/files/a1505972040900.pdf Global Trust Service: Trust Net 21 https://www.gtn.co.jp/en/business/rent- warranty/tenant/#tenant02

House Terminology 坪(tsubo) measurement unit of 3.3 m2 畳(jo) measurement unit of 1.65 m2 To describe the size of a room, 3 measurement units can be used.  m2,tsubo (about 3.3m2) jō (about 1.65m2, or 0.5 tsubo) “Jo” is often used term more than others. One jo size is equivalent of one tatami mat. The following is the list of acronyms used in floor maps.

Type of Room Term Explanation Storage 1SLDK 1LDK with a storage https://static.wixstatic.com/media/undefined

It is getting less, but there are still some apartments have traditional Japanese-style rooms called washitsu, 和室. The floor is covered with tatami mats (woven straw) usually comes with sliding doors, called fusuma, made of wooden frames and thick, opaque paper. 和室(Wa-shitsu) traditional Japanese- style rooms

There are several English-speaking realtors near Shonandai Station as listed below. Some of their websites are available only in Japanese, but they have staff members who will be able to assist you in English.

If you want to obtain apartment information from the realtors listed below, please fill in the "Request Form for Housing Referral" in Appendix A. And send it to the SFC Student Life section via email. SFC Student Life section will forward the request form to all of the realtors below, and you will be contacted by realtors if there are apartments that satisfy your specifications. Alternatively, you may also contact realtors directly. https://static.wixstatic.com/media/undefined

Shared House / Guest House Besides living in a privately rented apartment or a dormitory, a shared house is another option to consider. Living in a shared house will provide you with the opportunity to widen your circle of friends. Shared houses are ideal who desires a sense of community at home. Several people (not necessarily students) live together in a same house and share common areas such as a kitchen, a living room and bathrooms while an individual can enjoy a private living space. Some shared houses have women-only properties available as well. In terms of cost, shared houses typically have lower initial and monthly fees compared to regular rental apartments. They do not usually require high deposits, key money and/or other initial fees. Also, they are mostly furnished. Plus, the costs for gas/electricity/water/internet will be shared by all residents and regulated by the management, so you do not have to apply for those services separately. In most cases you do not need a guarantor, but some emergency contacts in Japan instead. Please note that there is always the possibility of problems arising from sharing common spaces like the kitchen or living room with strangers.

https://static.wixstatic.com/media/undefined Please inform yourself of all housing possibilities, and choose our accommodation wisely.

https://static.wixstatic.com/media/undefined The first thing you need to do is to find out if you are responsible for paying your own utility bills. It is uncommon, but some landlords pay the utilities themselves and include the cost in the rent. If your landlord handles the utilities, you should find everything working when you move into your apartment. If he/she does not, you will need to make arrangements to get service and pay the bills by yourself. Gas There are two common types of gas used in Japan. One is natural gas (city gas or toshi gas), and the other is propane gas (LP gas). When you move into a new place, find out which type of gas is used and call the gas company (again, you should get the information from your realtor). At the scheduled time, the company will send an employee who will check and then activate your gas lines, for which you must be present. If you live in Fujisawa City, City Gas (toshi gas) is provided by Tokyo Gas. Please keep in mind that not using gas properly is very dangerous. If you notice the smell of gas, turn off the heat and open your windows. Please call the gas company immediately at the exclusive phone number for reporting gas leakages. Water You will have water service the moment you move in, but you will have to call the local water company to open a billing account. Contact your local water company office when you start using water and also if there is any trouble with the service such as not having running water. You must notify them of the date when you wish to start using water. Your realtor will give you the corresponding telephone number or you can call the number written on the right column. *It is safe to drink directly from tap water in Japan. https://static.wixstatic.com/media/undefined https://static.wixstatic.com/media/undefined https://static.wixstatic.com/media/undefined If a circuit shorts or you use more electricity than the electrical capacity of your residence, the circuit breaker will trip and your electricity supply will be cut automatically. If this happens, reduce the number of electrical appliances you are using before resetting the circuit breaker. Find out the electrical capacity of your residence and try not to use too much electricity at one time. In case of emergency or difficulties, call the electricity company using the phone number written on your electricity bill. Make sure to keep your bills and receipts for reference. Electronics from your home country may require voltage and plug adapters. Electrical voltage in Japan is 100 volts – 50/60 Hz AC. 50 Hz is common in eastern Japan, including the Yokohama and Fujisawa area, and 60 Hz in the west. The 10 Hz frequency difference does not affect most electrical devices, but you may want to check when it comes to valuable items like computers or cameras. Japanese outlets and plugs come in the two-pronged, North American style, but only in the non-polarized form (prongs are equal sizes). Some North American plugs may require adapters because of this.

After receiving a calculation notice, electricity, gas, and water bills will be sent to your home. You can pay them and other fees at convenience stores, banks, and post offices. Hand the clerk your bill and the amount due in cash and your payment will be processed. You can pay in the same way at your utility companies’ offices. Please note that if you are behind in your utility payments, the service may be discontinued. Alternatively, you can arrange for payment via direct debit (ginkō kōza hikiotoshi) from your bank account. Application forms for this service will be sent to you shortly after opening your utility accounts or you can ask each business operator for details. If you do so, the money will automatically be deducted from your account when the bill is due. To stop your utility services when you leave Japan, notify each of the companies at least one month before you move out of your apartment. You also have to make arrangements if you are moving to another place within Japan. The electric and gas companies will send representatives to shut off your service and issue your final bill. The water company will send you your final bill and close your account. To learn how to read the bill, please refer to the TEPCO’s website page for an electricity bill. How to Read your "Electricity Bill" https://www.tepco.co.jp/ en/ep/payment/notifications-e.html 銀行口座引き落とし (ginkō kōza hikiotoshi) Direct debit

Having a phone number is mandatory to live in Japan. First of all, you are not able to open a bank account, rent an apartment, or go job hunting without one. However, you do not need to own a landline as long as you have a reachable phone number at your mobile phone / smartphone. If you want to install a landline in Japan, a telephone subscription right needs to be bought or rented from NTT East. This landline fee costs 36,000 JPY (without tax) plus monthly fee.

Due to past criminal abuse of prepaid phones, phone sellers are required to verify the identity and place of residence of their customers. Typical proof can be in the form of your Residence Card or Certificate of Residence (jumin-hyō). Prepaid phones start around 2,000 JPY. Credit, which is used for outgoing calls, email, internet etc. depending on what features your phone supports, must be purchased in advance. At Softbank, for example, you can choose between 3,000 JPY or 5,000 JPY prepaid cards. Whichever you choose, the card will expire after 60 days and not all prepaid phones support mobile internet. Phone numbers remain active as long as you have valid credit in your account, but will expire after three months to a year without use. Credit can be bought at cell phone stores, convenience stores or online, and is typically valid for 60 days from activation. https://static.wixstatic.com/media/undefined

It is vital for students to set up a reliable internet connection for online learning environment. There are mainly 4 ways to set up internet at your home. Fiber-to-the-Home (FTTH or Fiber Optics) Speed: Fiber optic (FITH) is the fastest and most popular option for home internet connection in Japan. It is able to output 1Gbps. Stability is also quite strong. Installation: If the hardware is not already installed in your apartment building, you will need to have permission from the property owner to have a line installed. Cost: Because internet is unbundled in Japan, you need to pay monthly fee to 2 different companies; 1. The physical line providers such as NTT east, au, and softbank (~5,000 JPY) 2. Internet Service Provider (ISP) (~700 JPY) There is also a one-time set-up cost for fiber optic. The average set- up cost is about 6,000 JPY but can be as high as 20,000 JPY or more. Cancellation fee: You will usually be signing a one- to two-year contract when you sign up for fiber optic. If you cancel the contract in the middle of the term, you may need to pay a penalty fee. How long it takes: two to four weeks.

It connects to the internet via your cable TV line. This option is not as fast as FITH and it also requires installation. Cost: monthly fee (~6,500 JPY) One-time set-up fee for contract handling fee (~3,000 JPY) One-time installation fee (~5,000 JPY) ファイバー(hikari-faiba) fiber-to-the-Home Fiber Optic Line Provider Companies NTT East https://www.ntt- east.co.jp/en/ Au Hikari https://www.au.com/eng lish/internet/ Softbank https://www.softbank.jp/ en/internet/ ISP Companies Asahi Net https://asahi-net.jp/en/ Broadband Rakuten Premium https://faq-e.gol.com/ Spin Net https://www.spinnet.jp/i ndexe.html Cable Television J:COM https://www.jcom.co.jp/ english/ Also, when you leave the apartment, you need to pay contract cancellation fee (~3,500 JPY) plus removal construction fee (~2,000 JPY)

For mobile Wi-Fi, called Pocket Wi-Fi, even though your speed may be a little slower, its big advantage is that it does not require cable installation. Contracts tend to be simpler and shorter, and a portable Wi-Fi also gives you access to internet on the move. Cost: monthly fee (~2,726 JPY) administrative fee (~3,240 JPY) Cancellation fee: You will usually be signing a two to three-year contract when you sign up for a mobile router. If you cancel the contract in the middle of the term, you need to pay a penalty fee. Data limt: There’s limit of data. Please check the contract.Battery: you have to carry around the battery which lasts up to 10 hours. These will require a credit card for payment.

As well as a mobile router, a home non-cabled router does not need a line construction. It may have stronger signal than a mobile router and it can also reach a wider range. The router itself is larger and often not portable. Please note that the speed may be limited during peak network hours. Cost: Almost same with a mobile routerData limit: Please check the contract. These will require a credit card for paymen UQ communications https://www.uqwimax.jp /english/ Asahi Net https://asahi- net.jp/en/service/mobile /wimax2plus/ UQ communications https://www.uqwimax.jp /english/ Asahi Net https://asahi- net.jp/en/service/mobile /wimax2plus/

First of all, it is important to know that most accommodations in Japan will come unfurnished. Even if there is already a small kitchen unit in most apartments, you may need to buy everything from light bulbs and curtains to your own desk, chair and bed. Furnishing an apartment can be difficult at first for this reason, especially for those coming to Japan for the first time. Moreover, most of the online shops (like Amazon, Rakuten, etc.) are either only available in Japanese or only accept credit cards for payments if you buy furniture. Please refer to the following list of places to find furniture, from budget to higher-priced, for your new Japanese home. https://static.wixstatic.com/media/undefined Recycle Shops – Second-Hand Stores Japanese second-hand stores are known as “Recycle shops” and can be found in almost every city and are good to buy hefty appliances like fridges, washing machines and microwave ovens. Some will have a sign saying “リサイクル” (Recycle) and there are also franchise recycle shops too like “HARD-OFF’ (primarily electronics and musical instruments) and its sister branch, “BOOK OFF” (books, CDs, DVDs, games).

We strongly recommend you secure large furniture to the wall as Japan is an earthquake-prone country. As you are not allowed to put holes into the walls of your room, special earthquake equipment such as braces which fit between the ceiling and the top of shelving units is suggested (Please check the spring of the brace regularly). https://static.wixstatic.com/media/undefined Every furniture shop / DYI shop sells earthquake safety items. Please ask store staff for

Like in every other country, moving means a lot of organization. First, you have to decide if you wish to use a moving company or take the challenge to move everything by yourself. When using a company, the cheapest times of the year to move are June, October and November. In contrast, you should try to avoid moving in March, April, July, August and the Golden Week, because these are the times when everyone is moving because of company transfers and holidays. Also, some people prefer to move on the weekend so they can unpack before going back to work on Monday. As a result, Fridays and weekends tend to be significantly more expensive and you can get discounts for moving on weekdays. Another way to save money is to move in the afternoon, because a lot of moves finish around 2 or 3 p.m., so if the company can get an extra job in during the day, they will lower the price. Even if it is time-consuming, you should get multiple estimates. If you mention in front of the company’s agent that you are getting multiple estimates, companies are likely to take that into account in their quotes. Often you can also get a discount if you are willing to take used boxes. Tips to Make Your Moving Cheap • Choose off- season (June, Oc., Nov.) • Weekdays • Afternoon • Multiple estimates • Take used boxes How to Find a Moving Company Moving companies in Japan offer all kind of services from full-service movers where a team of professionals will pack and unpack every single item you own, to customer-assisted moves which have an incredible variety of options, so everyone can find a financially friendly way to move ones’ belongings to another place. Kuroneko Yamato This company offers an all-around service in English and has special discounts for single-moving. Nippon Express (Nittsu) Nittsu is one of the biggest moving companies. They also offer services for international moving. Sakai Moving Service As a unique feature, Sakai provides customers free 10 mins service after arrival. They will be able to take orders such as: Installinglighting Hangingcurtains Installingearthquakesafetyequipment Cleaning Relocatingfurnitures Settingupelectricalappliances Cabling

Procedures to Update Residential Address When you decide to move out, there are plenty of things you have to take care of before and after your actual moving date. •Apartment Contract If you are living in a private apartment, you should give notice to the landlord at least one month prior to moving out depending on your contract. If you fail to contact them early enough or if you caused major damage to your apartment, the deposit (shikikin) you paid may not be refunded. •Cancel Utility Services (Gas, Water, and Electricity) You also have to notify the gas, water, electric power company and the waterworks bureau of the moving-out date and ask the settlement of the account. If you are moving within Japan, tell them the new address at the same time so that they can start your utility services for your new apartment. Official Registration If you change your address within the same municipality, you only need to notify your municipality of the change of address. Bring your residence card, my number card, and your new address. If you move to a different municipality, your current municipality will issue you a “Move out Certificate (転出届, tenshutsu todoke)”. You need to bring it to your new municipal office and report your moving in (転入届, tennyu todoke) within 14 days after you have settled in a residence at a new address in the municipality. Also, return your NHI card to the municipal office that issued it, and visit the NHI counter at the municipal office of your new residence within 14 days of moving in order to complete the enrollment procedure. For your pension, visit the Pension Division counter at the new municipal office. Bring your pension book and personal seal. Fill out the form for a change of address. There is no procedure in a municipal office of your old address. If you leave Japan, fill out the “Application for the Lump-Sum Withdrawal Payments form” and send it along with your blue pension book, residence card, and a photocopy of your passport to the Japan Pension Service. You can get pension refund. What to Bring to Your Municipal Office of Your Old Address •Residence Card •My Number Card •Your seal (if any) •New Address •NHI card What to Bring to Your Municipal Office of Your New Address • •Move out Certificate • •Residence Card • •My Number Card • •Your seal (if any) • •New Address • •Pension book 転出届 (tenshutsu todoke) moving out form 転入届 (tennyu todoke) moving in form Bank Bring your bank card, bank book, and official documents (seal and residence card) to the bank. Visit a counter to change your address. Contact your credit card company as well. Mail The post office redirects your mails for up to one year ,but the forwarding address must be in Japan Fill out the form (転居届, tenkyo todoke) at your local post office to complete it online.