Need sufficient info on living in Japan for a year with a friend, please.

[JDubG]

Hey everyone,

In about another year or so, me and a friend are going to be taking a year trip to Japan. Both of us are going to pay 50/50 on apartment, etc. This way we will not be broke. I was wondering if anyone here could give me a rough estimate of how much an apartment would be (maybe the cheapest one :-) ) cost of internet connection (cable), tv, etc.

I would really appreciate it if someone could fill me in between gaps instead of me searching hours on hotel costs, etc. Any help would be greatly appreciated!

- JDubG

[Akakubisan]

Take a look at this location, it might give you some of the information you need.

http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2200.html

[Mike Cash]

Will you be working on this trip? If so, have you made arrangements for a visa? Your original post doesn't make it clear if you intend to come on a tourist visa or something else. If a tourist visa, forget about staying a year.

[Faustianideals]

More info please.

[JDubG]

Will you be working on this trip?

Probably not. Most likely no. I have not also made any arrangements for visa. Please fill me in, thank you!

[Tateishi]

Where will you be staying? Because that will greatly determine the cost. You can always get a working holiday visa, doesn't require you to work, allows you to work parttime if you like, and you can stay a year.

[JDubG]

Where will you be staying?

I have no idea right now, that is why I was asking for good price apartments. Not too expensive :-)

You can always get a working holiday visa, doesn't require you to work, allows you to work parttime if you like, and you can stay a year.

That sounds like a good idea. How would I apply for a holiday visa?

[jet_dee]

Working Holiday is for Australians, Canadians and one other country only. Doesn't apply for americans. The longest you can stay on a tourist visa should be from 3 months to 6 months. On a　work visa you can stay for up to a year but you need to have someone ready to sponsor you within Japan, and that usually means a boss.

Haha. You think you will be able find cheap apartments in Tokyo? I went to a doctor's house yesterday, he is in his sixties and yet is still poor because his house cost so much! You should look into English teaching, you will have a tough job with Nova or Aeon but are given an apartment by the company.

[King of Tokyo]

Working Holiday is for Australians, Canadians and one other country only. Doesn't apply for americans.

Heh Heh Alllriiiight. Take that Americans.
:smoke:

How much will it cost? Alot. If you want to go for a year, I suggest divising a better plan. Renting an apartment is not only expensive, it's difficult.

[Tateishi]

Well here in Fukuoka, my foreign apartment cost me 60000yen a month, including utilities and everything. It's only 60000yen because I didn't have to pay key money and stuff, if you're only staying for a year, look into companies like LeoPalace21 or something similar company that deals with renting apartments to Foreigners. My friends apartment cost her 45 000 yen/month, but she had to pay key money and so forth, which sometimes adds upto about 6 months worth of rent.

[cicatriz esp]

Well here in Fukuoka, my foreign apartment cost me 60000yen a month, including utilities and everything. It's only 60000yen because I didn't have to pay key money and stuff, if you're only staying for a year, look into companies like LeoPalace21 or something similar company that deals with renting apartments to Foreigners. My friends apartment cost her 45 000 yen/month, but she had to pay key money and so forth, which sometimes adds upto about 6 months worth of rent.

Wow, those prices are incredibly cheap. 60000 yen is less than 600 dollars. I'm assuming apartments are more in Tokyo or Osaka?

[Tateishi]

60000yen for a one room apartment don't forget, Thats one room to sleep, eat, and do any other activities. Of course you get a seperate bath and toilet. Awfully small, but good enough for a year.

[Lacan]

Working Holiday is for Australians, Canadians and one other country only.
The other country is France

[Mike Cash]

I don't think many real estate agents are going to be overly thrilled to have a couple of 18 year old foreigners on tourist visas attempting to rent an apartment.

The question of a guarantor, among others, looms large.