Overview
Have you already thought about where you will stay in Japan? The room you live in has a major impact on whether your Japanese study will be successful. Some international students in Japan cannot afford high rent, and end up living in unsatisfactory rooms while having to commute for long periods by crowded train, subway, or bus. If your place of stay is unsuitable and requires a lot of time for commuting or contract procedures, and you cannot live comfortably without spending too much money, you may feel that studying Japanese becomes difficult.
YAMASA has many student residences, all carefully managed by full-time residence staff. It is also possible to choose your room. For details about each residence, including facilities, floor plans, maps, and photos, please see the linked pages.
Residence Facilities
Map
Accommodation in Japan
If the rent is high, the facilities are below standard, or the commute is long, daily life becomes a burden. In order to concentrate on study, you need a comfortable and satisfying place to live. In large cities such as Tokyo, commuting times of 45 to 90 minutes are considered normal. However, for students, long commutes are neither practical nor desirable.
It is difficult for international students to find a good room, and most real estate agencies require a Japanese guarantor. Many schools in Japan, including universities, do not provide sufficient dormitories for international students, and instead leave individuals to arrange accommodation through real estate agencies.
Rent is also an important issue. At most real estate agencies, there are initial costs equal to three to six months’ rent, called “deposit/key money,” and these are not refunded even after you move out. For example, if you plan to study abroad for six months, you may end up paying the equivalent of more than nine months’ rent in total. Rental contracts and non-refundable deposits make moving very difficult and expensive.
According to the Japan Student Services Organization, international students in Tokyo and Osaka spend between 123,500 yen and 168,800 yen per year on commuting.
YAMASA Residences
In contrast, YAMASA offers school-operated residences within walking distance of the school. In addition, the residences are managed by the school office, so students can ask for help whenever necessary. The residences are furnished and equipped with appliances, and include one-room apartments, 2DK and 3DK apartments, and the Student Village with 50 rooms.
YAMASA residences are located in quiet and safe residential neighborhoods, with shops, restaurants, and other facilities nearby. Every room is at least twice as large as similar rooms in Tokyo or Osaka. There is also no need to spend money on transportation to attend classes.