Housing
There are many different housing options on Japan, depending on how long you intend to stay. Locating a hotel for short-term stay is a relatively simple matter, but searching for permanent housing is more complex and involved.
Short-Term
Ryokan are Japanese style bed-and-breakfasts. The building is usually a traditional Japanese house with tatami mat floors and furniture intended for people to use while sitting on the floor. You are provided with a Japanese robe called a yukata and Japanese meals are served in the room. These are considered upscale establishments and are usually expensive. Most foreign guests only stay at a ryokan for one night to get the experience before leaving. For those interested in staying at a traditional accommodation like a ryokan, find more information on the Japanese Guest Houses website.
Youth hostels are also available in Japan. They are clean and cheap, but not always conveniently located. Visit the Japan Youth Hostels website to make a reservation as far in advance as possible if you plan to stay at a youth hostel, as the rooms fill up quickly.
Temples may also allow tourists and travelers to stay overnight. Temple lodgings are called shukubo and you will want to be certain that your temple of choice allows patrons before you settle in. Visit the Koyasan website for more information.
Western-style hotels offer Western-style rooms and facilities. These hotels can be affordable or very luxurious.
Business hotels may be advertised as Western-style, but in reality they are more like the hotel equivalent of a modern Japanese efficiency apartment: small and cramped with minimal facilities. These hotels are numerous and affordable but not practical for families.
Long-Term
Renting a home or apartment is the most common option for long-term residents. Unless you stay at a facility specially established for foreign residents, sometimes called a foreign guesthouse (found through agencies such as J&F Plaza and Sakura House), you are going to need a lot of money up front. Although it may be called a deposit or key money, you will probably not get most or any of it back – meaning that you will not want to switch apartments frequently. Carefully consider your location and budget when choosing a home. For an explanation of common housing issues that you may encounter, visit the Century21 Housing Issues web page. This website also features information on the different neighborhoods of Tokyo and properties available. Other helpful apartment-searching sites include Japan Home Search, Ken Corporation, Plaza Homes, Ltd. , and Housing Japan.
Company provided housing is the way to go if you work for a large company that offers this option. These types of accommodations can be anything from five-star serviced hotel rooms, to stand alone houses, to high-rise apartments.
Homestays are also a great opportunity, if you can find one. Unfortunately, it’s difficult to find a homestay in Japan, especially for male travelers. Sometimes embarking on a homestay can lead to an unintended part-time language teaching job if the homestay family has small children. Some parents invite foreigners into their home in order to help broaden their children’s horizons.
Buying a home in Japan is an extremely difficult endeavor, due to realtors not wanting to work with foreigners and owners not wanting to sell property to foreigners. You will most likely need the assistance of a Japanese person who is capable of translating and who has a lot of time to put in. Expect to invest significant time looking at homes and doing research on areas. Unfortunately, there is a shortage of English websites for people interested in purchasing real estate. One site that provides information on the process and lists properties is Housing Japan. For questions about how to obtain a loan and who is legally eligible to own property in Japan, visit Japan Reference.
LIVING IN JAPAN