Job Discussion Forums

nightsintodreams · Joined: 18 May 2010 Posts: 558

Sorry, I must have been half asleep while reading it.

I wouldn't worry, Berlitz will help you with almost everything, including registration at city hall, finding an apartment and getting a phone sorted. They'll probably even put you in a furnished apartment to make things easier for you.

If you really have to do it by yourself then I recommend Leo Palace. They're cheeap, come furnished with even a TV, internet is free and ready to go from day one and they have English speaking customer support.

jtea · Joined: 22 Apr 2014 Posts: 69

aynnej · Posted: Fri Apr 25, 2014 3:18 am Post subject:

You might want to consider a guesthouse at first, if they're available in your area. Not nearly as comfortable as having your own place (usually shared kitchen/bathroom), but it'll give you a chance to get the lay of the land. I stayed in a guesthouse for my first five months, which gave me time to understand commuting patterns, costs, how far I was willing to be from a train station, etc. Then I found a 1K that worked for me for the next three years.

Of course, if you're only staying a year, the Leo Palace route would be simplest. Japanese apartments usually don't come with anything, so you'd have to buy your appliances (even the fridge). Places that cater to foreigners (like Leo Palace) are often lower quality and cost more, but you don't have to buy a bunch of stuff that you have to then get rid of a short 1-year contract later.

nightsintodreams · Joined: 18 May 2010 Posts: 558

SunShan · Joined: 28 Mar 2013 Posts: 107

Internet

I recently moved to Japan first time. You might want to consider getting 'pocket wifi' here, which is a small phone sized (but slightly bulkier) device you carry around with you. You can get them on a 2 week trial - just to make sure the signal is decent in your apartment & local commutes, before committing to a contract. Very handy if you're bringing a smart phone and/or tablet with you as you can use anywhere - at work, Google maps is very handy when finding places like the local City Hall. Mine is great - can Skype easily from apartment (and other areas), use multiple devices at one time.

Drawbacks: I have found it doesn't work well in a couple of places. It's an added cost if you want/your company require you to get a phone.

Apartments

Leopalace apartments are excellent for first-timers as they are modern, have all electric appliances, and come with internet (though you have to buy a router as it just comes with a LAN cable). They also have a phone number to call English-speaking staff for problems such as the internet not working.

All my colleagues were happy in their Leopalace, just not about being charged 20,000-30,000 yen a month more than the actual rent charge. You won't have this issue though as your company isn't involved.

A few colleagues opted for guesthouses which are convenient as you're just committed one month at a time. It's a great option because it gives you time to get to know your local area & commutes so you can choose a location.

As someone mentioned before, location is very important! On the walk from my station to apartment there is/are: Supermarket, 100 yen shop, many Izakayas and other restaurants, drinking bars, karaoke, DVD rental shop, very good second-hand book store (Book Off), Western fast food restaurants - McD's & KFC - though Japanese cuisine is truly fantastic, I've found times where I just fancy a burger/haven't got time to sit down in etc.

It's nice to have a decent local nightlife (if that's your thing) as the transport finishes around midnight, so you have to go home from other areas (or stay out until 5-6am until trains start again). Locally you can carry on eating & drinking until, for example, 2am, then just walk home.

Some apartments don't require any key money or deposit. I guess, more importantly, some don't require a guarantor (though I think you said your company will do this). In my area I can get a larger apartment with separate kitchen, bedroom & living room for about 43,000 yen a month - though it doesn't come with appliances, internet etc. It's also old (which for Japanese means maybe just 30 years). It doesn't require any key money or deposit - something maybe to consider.

It may be worth considering an apartment with a video link (common here) for people who 'ring you bell' (so to speak). Most avoid answering for people they don't know as it could be the dreaded TV license man. Ignored at all costs and you don't pay any costs. If you answer, either speak Dutch backwards with Tourette's mannerisms, or beat him efficiently but quietly and dispose of accordingly. At least, this is what I have been advised...

Bank

I used Citibank as all branches have English-speaking staff and it was easy to set-up. They even issued my ATM card there & then whilst I chose a PIN number. They don't charge for ATM withdrawals in the first year - in Japan banks charge to withdraw, and it's more on weekends. However, not sure if this is true of all banks, but my ATM card was just that - not a VISA debit card like we'd have in the UK. This means it can be difficult to get something like a phone contract. I was looking at a smartphone contract, and it meant I had to use my UK bank card for payments. Obviously there's going to be a transaction charges and different rates of exchange.

It's a good idea to (hate to say this) 'Google translate' your full name so you can show the bank (or more importantly, City Hall) your name in Japanese Katakana (tap listen to hear your own name changed but somehow familiar).

Phones

Phones can be problematic here. You can't just go and get a pay-as-you-go SIM card like the UK (and pretty much every other Asian country). Likewise, you can't just get a SIM on a monthly rolling contract for your smartphone you brought with you. From what I can gather, you either get a crap flip-phone for about 3,000 yen a month on a pre-paid monthly system - you pay your bill (as with utilities) at the local convenience store, or you enter into a 2-year contract for a smartphone at around 7,000 yen a month.

Although, I heard recently there is a SIM vending machine at Narita airport offering the following SIM only deals:

http://www.so-net.ne.jp/prepaid/en/index.html

Bureaucracy

Be prepared to spend ages here filling out many forms (which will be scrutinized for mistakes) for getting your citizen card to registering at the DVD store.

100 yen shops

I think the most popular chain is called 'The DAISO'. These are brilliant. Much better than UK £1 shops in both variety and quality. You can buy many essentials for starting-up, such as household stuff like coat hangers, kitchen utensils, plates etc.; stationary, and stickers for students (if you've got kids' classes; and much more.

Can't think of anything else. Hope you enjoy your time here!

mitsui · Joined: 10 Jun 2007 Posts: 1562 Location: Kawasaki

New people here want to save money, which I understand but being too cheap is not good.
For example, I started with an apato that just cost 60,000 but it wasn`t good in some ways. For example, the ktchen sink only had hot water.
In the summer I could care less, but in the winter, it was kind of annoying.

Leo Palace has that advantage. Having to buy everything is a real pain when you start working here.

move · Joined: 30 May 2009 Posts: 132

I would go for a guesthouse rather than Leo Palace. Leo Palace isn't cheap, has thin walls, uncomfortable furniture, one-burner "kitchen" and 30,000 yen cleaning fee when you move out. Guest house may be just as much as an apartment but it will give you time to figure out where you want to live and what features you want in an apartment. Personally speaking, I wanted a concrete building (not wood) so it would be quieter, and a decent size kitchen.

rxk22 · Joined: 19 May 2010 Posts: 1629

I second the guestohouse. It will give you a base to look around and see what you like. While Leo Palace will have a contract. Also, not worth it imho, as it is just more expensive while not offering much to offset the costs.

Get a guesthouse for a month or so. Spend a day off a week going to different stations, walk around, go to the grocery stores and see if you like them. Also check out places that have your hobbies. I do martial arts, and lift, so I like being near both kinds of gyms.

HLJHLJ · Joined: 06 Oct 2009 Posts: 1218 Location: Ecuador

I banked with Shinsei, no Japanese needed, they also have an English phone and Internet service. They use 7/11 and JP post ATMs so it was very convenient. You also didn't need a hanko but you did need a phone number.

jtea · Joined: 22 Apr 2014 Posts: 69

aynnej · Posted: Fri Apr 25, 2014 4:11 pm Post subject:

kah5217 · Joined: 29 Sep 2012 Posts: 270 Location: Ibaraki

HLJHLJ · Joined: 06 Oct 2009 Posts: 1218 Location: Ecuador

Withdrawals were also free with Shinesi at their ATMs as well as at 7/11 and JP.

Your best bet for a phone is to buy a partially used contract off someone. Contracts are a minimum of 2 years, but you can resell them. As a lot of people leave Japan after 1 year, or want to upgrade before the 2 years are up, so you can usually find partially used contracts for sale, try craigslist. Generally speaking the stores don't do SIM only deals, and they will insist your phone won't work with their network, even if you can prove it will.