Job Discussion Forums

[Tre]

Hi All,

I am visiting Japan in October to look for a job teaching english. Can anyone tell me where I can go about finding some cheap accomadation that would be suitable to stay in while job hunting.

A youth hostel or something like that springs to mind but is there such a think in Japan? I need it to be in or as near as possible to Amanuma Sugimami Tokyo as my girlfriend is there.

I cannot stay with her as her tenancy does not allow it and I dont think she wants we with her full time at the moment.

Please can you give me some adea of prices and if I should book before I go or wait untill I arrive.

Many Thanks

Tre

[Glenski]

Just type gaijin house or guest house (plus Japan) into any Internet browser, and you'll come up with tons of hits. (Did you read the FAQ?)

Japan has a youth hostel organization, found equally easily.

http://www.youthhostel.or.jp
http://www.youthhokkaido.com

[JimDunlop2]

1) Economy Hotel New Koyo Inn. Price: Y2500 to 2700. Tel: 81+(0)3 38730343.

Ups: Cheap. International ex-pat ghetto. Meet all walks of life here -- some good, some bad, some definitely ugly... In any case, its well worth staying up some night(s) just to shoot the breeze...

Staff usually speaks passable - good English.

Downs: Near Nippori. In other words, nowhere near exciting places like Shinjuku or Roppongi...

3-tatami mat rooms. I.e. If you have lots of luggage... Good luck!

www.newkoyo.com

P.S. Cheapest place arount..... BUT.... reservations highly recommended/required.

2) Pick up a copy of the Tokyo Classifieds (I think that's what it's called). Plenty of places that offer rooms by the week, month, etc... at a reasonable, price. I found one operated by a Peruvian ex-pat in Nishi-Magome for a decent price.

3) Ryokans.... Got to a JNTO office (Welcome Inns reservation center) and get a referral to an inexpensive inn (usually Japanese-style, no meals included). But, there are several offices, one at Narita airport, and one in Ginza.

Disclaimer: I'm writing this at half-past midnight after having had no less than four beers, so if you need sober, detailed advice, please send me an e-mail.... My wife and I were in the same boat back in February, and would be glad to share anything we've learned from our experience... We landed at Narita, without a job, and without even a place to stay for the first night.... But we did it! Yatta!

Gambatte!

P.S. If you can avoid it, youth hotels tend to be over-booked well in advance, and even when you can get a place, my experience has been that they speak little to no English, and there is generally a curfew of 10pm or so.