Job Discussion Forums

wayne432 · Joined: 05 Jun 2008 Posts: 255

I've taken a look at gaijinpot already, but I was wondering if anyone could recommend any other legitimate websites for housing within Tokyo? Also, I'm not looking for anything uber-expensive, but around the normal english teacher salary range (so up to 6-70,000 yen).

markle · Joined: 17 Jan 2003 Posts: 1316 Location: Out of Japan

wayne432 · Joined: 05 Jun 2008 Posts: 255

ripslyme · Joined: 29 Jan 2005 Posts: 481 Location: Japan

If you can read Japanese, these sites may be helpful.

http://www.able.co.jp/
http://www.ur-net.go.jp/
http://www.apamanshop.com/
http://portal.erajapan.co.jp/
http://www.homes.co.jp/

southofreality · Joined: 12 Feb 2007 Posts: 579 Location: Tokyo

wayne432 · Joined: 05 Jun 2008 Posts: 255

Thanks, ripslyme. Do you happen to know if those sites mind renting out to foreigners?

markle · Joined: 17 Jan 2003 Posts: 1316 Location: Out of Japan

Apsara · Joined: 20 Sep 2005 Posts: 2142 Location: Tokyo, Japan

Have a look at Kimi information centre's apartment website- they all rent to foreigners and many don't require a guarantor.

www.kimiwillbe.com

ripslyme · Joined: 29 Jan 2005 Posts: 481 Location: Japan

Chris21 · Joined: 30 Apr 2006 Posts: 366 Location: Japan

Go with city-subsidized housing... you don't have to pay key money, and the apartments are usually bigger for less money. They have apartments for both lower- and higher-incomes (depending on what you are looking for, you have to bring a tax receipt and prove you make either below or above a certain income threshold). They are often called "UR", and you can see signs advertising them in most train stations.

Some might suggest that buildings are old and not in the city centre. While this is true in my case, the UR system is so wiidespread that there are all types of housing options, including newer buildings in the city's core.

One of the nice things about this place was not having to contribute to the yakuza-run system of key money. Of the five apartments I've had in Japan, my UR apartment is by far the best. Great location, big apartment, very affordable rent... no complaints at all.

anne_o · Joined: 30 Nov 2005 Posts: 172 Location: Tokyo

kimi worked for me....a lot of listings, wide variety of places and locations. i live with my bf who's japanese and we looked at places through japanese agencies as well.....what a pain!!
good luck!