Job Discussion Forums

avahanian · Joined: 19 Jan 2003 Posts: 123

Hi all,

I'm interested in checking out the job market in Tokyo area, and am thinking about spending a month there.

Would you recommend staying in a guest house (rather than a hotel or renting a flat?)? I've found a company in Tokyo called Sakura House, are they any good?

Also, how much can one expect to pay for a guest house in Tokyo, not too far from the centre?

What I'm trying to find out is, if I do stay in a guest house near or in the centre and cook my own meals, how much would it cost me to live in Tokyo for a month?

many thanks

Glenski · Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 12844 Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN

Guest houses will run you 50,000 to 80,000 yen/month on average.
http://classifieds.japantoday.com/biz.asp?action=home&pid=80
http://www.tokyorental.com/
http://jafplaza.com/

Living costs would also include food (30,000 yen/month), and perhaps a cell phone (10,000 yen to install/start, plus 5000-8000 yen/month for basic service), and local transportation (10,000-15,000 yen/month pass).
Total so far would be 50,000-80,000
+
30,000
+
10,000 + 5000-8000
+
10,000-15,000
=
105,000 - 143,000 yen for the first month (plus any deposit, usually 25,000 yen for housing)
After that, per month would be 10,000 less because of phone setup.

Additional costs, of course, are up to you, but they would include dry cleaning, insurance, medical needs, snacks, sightseeing, entertainment, photocopying, etc.

Go here for some details on prices in Tokyo.
www.pricechecktokyo.com

avahanian · Joined: 19 Jan 2003 Posts: 123

HI Glenski,

Thanks for the very helpful figures. I've just realised now, that renting/sharing a flat in Tokyo for a month is not much more expensive than other major cities in the world....try sharing a flat in Milan Italy for example, you'll pay at least 400-500 Euro per month if not more.

unchi pants · Joined: 20 Dec 2003 Posts: 64

avahanian · Joined: 19 Jan 2003 Posts: 123

Gordon · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Posts: 5309 Location: Japan

avahanian · Joined: 19 Jan 2003 Posts: 123

Glenski · Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 12844 Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN

Gordon · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Posts: 5309 Location: Japan

Avahanian, you're right I am happy that there aren't a lot of backpacker teachers here driving down the wages. The high set up costs do have their advantages.

fion · Joined: 03 Feb 2003 Posts: 69 Location: tokyo

The key money and guarantor things are indeed a nonsense, which is why I'm still living in a gaijin house (in my third year in Japan!). I paid twenty thousand yen in deposit, which I expect to get back or know the reasons why. My rent including utilities is 64,500/month, not the cheapest possible but I don't mind paying it for a quiet place, as I had unbelievable problems with noise pollution from the street in my first (company) apartment here.
Transport is quite expensive, but you should look to get a lot of it refunded by employers. Even travel-to-interview expenses, well it's worth a try.
The major expense for most English teachers in Tokyo is beer money. It's your choice: if you don't drink, you can save. Is it worth it? You decide.
I'm not sure if I understood your original post correctly, but if you're thinking of coming to work in Japan for one month only, I have doubts about that. It takes at least a month to get your bearings, including filtering out the dodgy employers and finding the good companies to work for.
Good luck anyway!

avahanian · Joined: 19 Jan 2003 Posts: 123

avahanian · Joined: 19 Jan 2003 Posts: 123

Gordon · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Posts: 5309 Location: Japan

Glenski · Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 12844 Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN

avahanian · Joined: 19 Jan 2003 Posts: 123