The Yamasa Institute A dvisors'  C atalog

(1) Living Expenses/Costs

Okazaki is inexpensive by Japanese standards. Our students report an average cost of living of about 50000 yen including power/gas/water, food and other living expenses. For some students the figure is as low as 30000 yen/month. However please advise students to have more. In particular, short course students tend to spend more per month than longer term students. For example it is unlikely that a student studying for 6 weeks would buy a 10kg bag of rice, a student enrolling in the AIJP for 6 months though would find it economically worth while. As a result the average cost of living for short course students tends to be higher. The price of housing compared to size is particularly cheap - maybe half that of Tokyo and without the commutes. For housing prices please go to the accommodation section.

(2) Credit Cards

The most widely accepted credit card in Japan is VISA. Mastercard is widely accepted in stores and restuarants but it is harder to find banks in Japan that will provide cashing services for mastercards than it is for visa. If a student has a mastercard only, please advise them to also use traveller's checks. Please be aware that many smaller stores and restaurants will not take credit cards issued outside of Japan and many only accept cash.

The main problem encountered by students is that their credit cards are not usually accepted by Japanese ATM machines, especially ones located at banks. The Japanese ATM machines usually only accept cards issued in Japan. However, post offices all over Japan have installed international ATM's which accept nearly all foreign issued credit and debit cards. There is a post office an 8 minute walk from Yamasa's campus. Cards which have the cirrus or plus sign on them, as well as VISA, Mastercard, Diners Club, American Express should work in these machines.

(3) Bank Accounts for students

Only students who are on a long-term visas in Japan, such as a student visa, working holiday visa, etc, are able to open bank accounts in Japan. A student coming on a tourist visa will not be able to open an account in Japan. It can take 2-3 weeks for applicants who come to Japan on a student visa to open an account as they have to wait for their alien registration card to be processed by City Hall in Okazaki. Students coming on a tourist visa for any period of time should bring a credit card and/or travellers checks, and a small amount of cash.

(4) Health Care and Insurance

Students with the Student visa qualify for Japanese national health insurance. Please click here to read through the Health Insurance files.

(5) Personal Safety/Security

Japan is a very safe country, although mega cities like Tokyo are experiencing increasing levels of crime. As a small regional city Okazaki has avoided these problems and is exceptionally safe. Many doors aren't locked, it is safe to walk alone at night, all neighbors tend to know each other and participate in local associations - which means that 'neighborhood watch' style schemes actually work. In addition all of our housing has good external lighting, the new Student Village has electronic locks preventing unauthorized access and a 24 hour a day resident manager.

(6) Food, Drink, Vegetarians

No matter where the students are; on campus, or in our student housing, they are NEVER more than 500 meters from shops (usually less). The local area has many places to eat and is well served by affordable supermarkets including Seiyu, Feel News and Jusco shopping mall. Most students cook for themselves, though some prefer the microwave/restuarant/fast-food options. The one area not adequately covered is vegetarians. Most vegetarian students report that they can't find suitable/enjoyable restaurants for regular meals and need to cook for themselves.

(7) Smoking/Alcohol

The legal age for purchasing tobacco products is 18 and alcohol is 20. About 25% of the students smoke. At the moment the only smoking areas are the lobby of the Yamasa II building and outside Aoi Hall, and all other floors in the Yamasa II building are non-smoking. Alcoholic beverages may only be consumed in Aoi Hall during social events. Cigarettes and alcohol can easily be purchased from local shops (including convenience stores such as Circle K) or vending machines. Higher quality items such as wine are more usually available in large supermarkets or specialist outlets but tend to be more expensive than many other countries. These are also within walking/bicycle distance.

(8) Postal Mail

Receiving Postal Mail: Students will have their own letterboxes at their accommodation (apartment/village). However it is usually better to advise them to have postal mail sent to them via the Institute. This is usually faster as (a) we have an internal mail system that lets students know when they have received mail or the mail is delivered to their on-campus letter box, (b) their housing allocation or preference may change and (c) many letters posted to student housing addresses end up arriving at the Institute anyway. For couriers/registered mail, it is always best to use the institute as staff will be available to sign the proof of delivery documentation.
Address is:
"Name of Student"
The Yamasa Institute,
1-2-1 Hanehigashi-machi,
Okazaki-shi, Aichi-ken,
JAPAN 444-0832.

Sending Postal Mail: There are 2 post offices within easy walking distance. One is close to the campus (8 minute walk) and so is convenient during the lunch break. The second is the main Okazaki post office which is closer to the accommodation and offers late night/after hours services. The is also a post box about 100 meters from the Yamasa II building for students who already have the right stamps.

(9) Email/Internet Access

All student have FREE, untimed and unmonitored access to email and the internet. For details on the actual infrastructure please see the connectivity section below.

(10) Internet Connectivity

Yamasa attracts a lot of students with good science/technology backgrounds and they may ask you for detailed information about our 'Connectivity Infrastructure'. For more details click here. Students who want internet connection in their room should choose the Student Village accommodation as this has connection points in every room. It tends to be costly and time-consuming to have a phone line and internet connection installed in an apartment and this is only possible for students on long term visas who have a bank account.

(11) Fax access

Receiving Faxes: Students can receive faxes via +81-564-55-8113 and these will be distributed to them via our internal mail system - the same system used for incoming postal mail.

Sending Faxes: Students can send faxes either from the Student Services office or from the International Office in Aoi Hall. Other services such as printing and scanning are also available. Charges available on request. Please ask your clients to check with Student Services Office when they arrive.

(12) International telephones

Japan's public telephone system is irritating because international calls can only be made from certain designated 'International' telephones. Students living in the student village have a telephone in their room and so they don't need to worry about this problem. Students living at the other residences use designated phones or cellular phones. There is one international phone located at Yamasa Villa 4 and another in the lobby of the Yamasa II building. These telephones only accept special pre-paid telephone cards. These are usually purchased from vending machines - one is located in the lobby of the Yamasa II building.

(13) Cellular

Students with visa period longer than 90 days can obtain cellular phones. The cellular phones can be cheaper to use when dialling internationally than most pay-phones. Yamasa assists with the rental. If a student thinks they will need a cellular phone, it is best to advise them to also prepare a visa credit card if they don't already have one. All cell phones will be able to receive calls from inside and outside of Japan for free.

www.yamasa.org Advisors' Catalog

©1997-2006 The Yamasa Institute, 1-2-1 Hanehigashimachi, Okazaki, Aichi, Japan 444-0832
Tel: +81 (0)564 558111 Fax: +81 (0)564 558113