Tokyo Apartments
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122)
Wed 2007/12/05 01:30
So what sort of rates can you be expecting to pay for rent in Tokyo and what sort of apartments are available?
Prices depends on which part of Tokyo you are looking at, size of apartment, distance from the nearest train station, how much daylight an apartment receives, which way the apartment is facing, whether the apartment is on the 2nd floor or higher etc etc.
This site will give you the average prices of rent in Tokyo which you can sort by area. A one room apartment in Minato-ku can cost 140,000 yen per month - or the lowest for a decent location in Chofu at 60,000 yen per month. Any lower than that and you are going to end up in the sticks or with a battered up apartment - or are very lucky.
If you want a decent sized apartment for 2 then you will want a 2LDK - the "2" is the number of rooms and the LDK is "Living Dining Kitchen." I recommend starting of having a look in the Setagaya area where the average price of a 2LDK is 180,000 yen. Remember that these are average prices.
Whats the average cost of rent like in your region?
What we are going to do now is to look at some videos of apartments available below and then look at the apartments that I have been living in since I moved to Tokyo.
Below: Typical apartment in Tokyo - this one in Azabu. Another apartment - in aoyama.
This first photo is where we first stayed at in Tokyo.
The rent was 100,000 yen per month for a 2K (Two rooms and Kitchen).
Location was in the middle of nowhere - Higashi Fushimi in West Tokyo.
Prices depends on which part of Tokyo you are looking at, size of apartment, distance from the nearest train station, how much daylight an apartment receives, which way the apartment is facing, whether the apartment is on the 2nd floor or higher etc etc.
This site will give you the average prices of rent in Tokyo which you can sort by area. A one room apartment in Minato-ku can cost 140,000 yen per month - or the lowest for a decent location in Chofu at 60,000 yen per month. Any lower than that and you are going to end up in the sticks or with a battered up apartment - or are very lucky.
If you want a decent sized apartment for 2 then you will want a 2LDK - the "2" is the number of rooms and the LDK is "Living Dining Kitchen." I recommend starting of having a look in the Setagaya area where the average price of a 2LDK is 180,000 yen. Remember that these are average prices.
Whats the average cost of rent like in your region?
What we are going to do now is to look at some videos of apartments available below and then look at the apartments that I have been living in since I moved to Tokyo.
Below: Typical apartment in Tokyo - this one in Azabu. Another apartment - in aoyama.
This first photo is where we first stayed at in Tokyo.
The rent was 100,000 yen per month for a 2K (Two rooms and Kitchen).
Location was in the middle of nowhere - Higashi Fushimi in West Tokyo.
Another pic of our first apartment in Higashi Fushimi.
Didnt have much space for a table so used the area meant for storing futons instead. This was a good idea because all that crap would be hidden away when the door was closed. This was also a rather bad idea because the flow of air was bad and sitting facing the inside of this cupboard just made me ill from time to time.
Didnt have much space for a table so used the area meant for storing futons instead. This was a good idea because all that crap would be hidden away when the door was closed. This was also a rather bad idea because the flow of air was bad and sitting facing the inside of this cupboard just made me ill from time to time.
The extra income from the new job at Amazon meant that we could move into Tokyo and upgrade the standard of living a bit. Rent jumped from 100,000 yen to about 175,000 yen for a 2LDK (two rooms, dining and kitchen).
Location was Higashi Matsubara - a few stops from Shibuya.
No macs around at this time - only 5 Windows machines.
Location was Higashi Matsubara - a few stops from Shibuya.
No macs around at this time - only 5 Windows machines.
Shot of the counter from the kitchen. Jimmy Choo in the background calling London ^^;
The counter kitchen in Higashi Matsubara - tiny ^^;
Then Amazon relocated us to Seattle for a while. Stayed in Harbor Steps downtown. Rent was 1800 USD for a huge living and decent sized bedroom. I was quite shocked at the amount of space we had after living in tiny dwellings in Tokyo.
After 5 months in Seattle, we moved back to Japan.
Amazon put us up in corporate housing for a few months while we looked for a permanent apartment.
The corp housing was Oakwood and rent was about 600,000 yen per month! Good thing Amazon was paying for everything - the apartments were serviced too with maids. Unfortunately they didn't look like the maids that we otaku are used too ^^;
Amazon put us up in corporate housing for a few months while we looked for a permanent apartment.
The corp housing was Oakwood and rent was about 600,000 yen per month! Good thing Amazon was paying for everything - the apartments were serviced too with maids. Unfortunately they didn't look like the maids that we otaku are used too ^^;
More of the corporate housing. Location was Azabu Jyuban.
Found a permanent apartment in Futago Tamagawa. We chose a terrace house this time - had both floors but as with all terrace houses, it was attached on either side to another house. The noise was terrible...
The rent for two rooms, two toilets, large living room and kitchen was 220,000 yen per month.
There was a riverbank nearby though which was rather nice. The worst thing about living in this area was the train. The Denen Toshi line is said to be the most packed line in Japan - even at 6am in the morning.
Then after about two weeks of moving in, we decide to buy a house - the noise helped with the decision. A few pics of the house which you may have seen - below this photo.
The rent for two rooms, two toilets, large living room and kitchen was 220,000 yen per month.
There was a riverbank nearby though which was rather nice. The worst thing about living in this area was the train. The Denen Toshi line is said to be the most packed line in Japan - even at 6am in the morning.
Then after about two weeks of moving in, we decide to buy a house - the noise helped with the decision. A few pics of the house which you may have seen - below this photo.
Dining area of our house. Much anime watching goes on in this room.
Our plasma has survived two international moves and has been alive for about 5 years now - who said that the plasma life span is short?
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Mon 04/16 01:14 comments (28)
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Thu 04/05 01:14 comments (97)
Apartments out here are fairly expensive. They also dont look nearly this nice and roomy.
(ID #65984) Posted on 2007/12/05 01:32
Your places always look amazing (it's the lighting isn't it ;), anyway I hope I'm able to afford apartments like this one day.
(ID #65985) Posted on 2007/12/05 01:41
McMaster Engineering Level I
I must say Im very envious of your home Danny! It's got that modern sleekness to it; clean and hardwood flooring. Of course, I've got hardwood flooring in my home, but it's an older home and the floors have probably suffered 50 years of abuse :p. On the other hand, I liked the one image of the small counter, but I'm more of a fan of islands for counters :3.
(ID #65986) Posted on 2007/12/05 01:43
I can honestly say I have never had the experience of living in an apartment. Immediatly upon moving out of my parents house, I bought a house. This makes financial sense if you have the down payment, as renting an apartment can be just as expensive, if not more so, than a house. I have a 2200sq. ft. house, 3 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, and a two car garage attached with a decent sized backyard. When I bought it three years ago it was $140k. Not bad, considering its around the corner from major freeways, schools, and shopping, plus its in a gated community. Save your money and buy!!
(ID #65987) Posted on 2007/12/05 01:43
Secretary
Easy to say when a house is $140k lol. Here a cheapo house in a bad neighborhood will still run you $400k and that' a good deal! I rent, it's $1400 a month, which for the area is quite reasonable.
(ID #400404) Posted on 2008/12/06 05:34
That's easy for you to say. Here such a house would cost $800k. Then again the price of houses is dropping partly because of the financial crisis and partly because they got so expensive that too few people can buy them and if there are more for sale than buyers...
(ID #401721) Posted on 2008/12/07 07:56
Excellent post - its great to see pics of various japanese apartments and the amount they cost. the 140,000 yen rent doesnt sound an awful lot different from the rates in Birmingham (UK) city center. How much bills go on top of that, on average? I would love to live in Tokyo at some point in my life, but due to recent developments, i guess im staying in the UK indefinately.
(ID #65989) Posted on 2007/12/05 01:48
marvin (Registered on 2006/12/25 00:54)
I didn't know you were related to Jimmy Choo?!?! (O.O)
(ID #65990) Posted on 2007/12/05 01:51
Web Developer/ウェブデベロッパー, Photographer/写真や
Some of the prices don't look half as bad as they seem to be... unless I'm reading the site wrongly ^^; Won't mind renting a place somewhere nearer to Yamamoto Line. Traveling from my friend's place in Toyoda was a killer ORZ
(ID #65992) Posted on 2007/12/05 02:15
Cool! Its good that you got a chance to experience living in lots of various places! I have so far only lived either at home or in student accommodation. To be fair the student accommodation hasn't been too bad! Maybe not as big as any of your places though :-p Was looking to buy a house next year, but there is something about apartments that is so appealing! Hmm..
(ID #65993) Posted on 2007/12/05 02:21
Chemical Engineer
Wow...i just move 3 times in my life and was shocking. I can't imagine the life, changing houses every time. I hope in your new house you found a place to call home. Greetings from Venezuela.
(ID #65994) Posted on 2007/12/05 02:25
The view from the Seattle place is very nice. I also assume apartments in front of graveyards are dirt cheap compared to others as with houses?
(ID #65995) Posted on 2007/12/05 02:27
Student
It would be impossible to live here with those kinds of rents since normal salaries go around 1000€ per month, the rents also varies from city to city, town to town but most people don't want a rent an apartment, instead they buy one. Here in my town a T3 apartment (three bedroom divisions, living room, kitchen and two bathrooms) goes around 150.000€ and it's really big.
(ID #65996) Posted on 2007/12/05 02:32
Wow Danny, nice apartments. Living expense in Calgary right now is going up as we speak. 2 roommates and I are renting a 4 bed room house for 1460 CND a month. It suppose to be close to 2000, since one of my roommate is dating landlord's daughter, so we got discount. rent alone is 462 a month, food is around 200 (not counting going out) usually 200 for utility and 75 for public transportation.
(ID #65997) Posted on 2007/12/05 02:37
Dropping computers, starting all over again at Journalism
I'm the only one who voted for cheap I guess. I mean, it's not exactly cheap, but comparing to rates in Japan and US... it's a breeze. My city is a small touristic point in Brazil. So we do get to know people from around the world sometimes. Japanese people are always surprized by two things: - Price of fruits, vegetables and meat; - Rent prices; Right now, I'm looking for a small apartment on the capital of the state I live now... bigger city, more oportunities, you know the drill. Not only we don't have all those extra costs to pay on the first month, it would already be too expensive to pay R$1200 for such an apartment. R$1200 is about 600USD. But I'm talking about a small 2 bedroom apartment here. Anyways, the only apartments that seemed attractive to me in Japan was those "for tourists only". None of those 1st moth taxes. But dunno what's the catch. :P Also... something I'm curious about, but I dunno if I'm being impolite to ask: Danny, are you still working on some job or just taking care of the blog right now? I'd love to live in Japan, but to be completely happy, it would be something like working or having a blog just like this... I know it's hard work, I know it's very very hard to create and maintain something like this, I know it's not for everyone, etc etc... but I can dream can't I? And I think I would be happier writing blog content rather than programming... :P
(ID #66000) Posted on 2007/12/05 03:04
Hotdog Repairman
My region is currently going thru a huge economic boom because of the oil & gas industry. Housing in particular has skyrocketed where the average price for a one family home is now about $402,000. This is already down $50,000 from the summer median price. Rent is also incredibly high because of lack of regulation. Can be around $1200-1600/month. It's no Tokyo, but would you be correct in stating you have to be well off to live comfortably here? You bet your booty buttocks baby!
(ID #66001) Posted on 2007/12/05 03:13
The range of renting is from US 800-2000 over here. The rent has gotten so high as of late resulting in much more becoming homeless because of it. You can find some pretty good location and price if you don't mind a roommate.
(ID #66003) Posted on 2007/12/05 03:22
IT specialist
thanks for this nice post danny. I gonna need an apartment for 1 and a half month next year... around october. What do you think of Sakurahouse? Any sugestions for other solutions to rent an app. without needing to pay deposit/guarantor etc. ? arigatou
(ID #66004) Posted on 2007/12/05 03:26
IT specialist
oh i forgot... i paid 1200$ for my app. A nice 4.5 room apartment a little bit outside from the city. 100m2 with a damn big balcony and a fireplace in the living room :) not bad huh?!
(ID #66005) Posted on 2007/12/05 03:29
Camera Operator. PV director/producer.
Tokyo and San Francisco seem to be equally expensive. 1000 USD for the simplest studio/ single bedroom. 700 USD if you share a flat or house full of students. Of course these are no where near the choice neighborhoods either.
(ID #66006) Posted on 2007/12/05 03:35
Those apartments are good enough for me, the 2LDK would be nice. Now, Danny, I've heard from many sources(including yourself)that many apartments don't allow foreigners that much, why is that? I'd love to stay and live in one of those, the first video was a good-looking apartment. About $1,000 a month for a 2LDK? (Correct me if I'm wrong)
(ID #66009) Posted on 2007/12/05 03:54
Web Design & Development
The first video would be about $1000 USD here and the second one would be about $800 USD. It's nearly impossible to find anything here below $700, but it is also equally impossible to find anything above $1200, regardless of extravagance.
(ID #66012) Posted on 2007/12/05 04:09
Wow, thats pretty steep, but I guess thats to be expected in Tokyo. The apartments that are really close to UCLA, for the most part, are expensive and relatively crap quality for the price. I'd say the average is $2400 for a 2bed 1bath, kitchen and dining. There are more expensive places that look a bit better. Finding parking is also a horrible issue around here. Hopefully I'll have enough money to buy my own house in Tokyo one day. Yours looks really nice btw.
(ID #66015) Posted on 2007/12/05 04:19
Motion Graphics Designer
the prices for apartment rentals in my region is pretty much affordable but ever since splitting from my gf, i couldn't afford the high end one that we lived in so i had to move out to a cheaper option, bleah ^^" on another note, are you serious that jimmy choo? lol. my ex loves his shoe designs. i heard he's gonna be back in malaysia to open his own store?
(ID #66019) Posted on 2007/12/05 05:02
You can't rent an apartment in my state unless you: a) Make a six-figure income. b) Have a full-time job and a roommate with a full-time job. c) Have a very generous, very rich, and very dead relative.
(ID #66020) Posted on 2007/12/05 05:08
Apartments around here pretty affordable, especially when compared to places up north. I mean, even the one I would consider high end (like ones in Midtown or Buckhead) are very cheap compared to lodgings in say for instance, Boston or Philadelphia. Living here is relatively inexpensive. Which is why everyone is moving here haha.
(ID #66021) Posted on 2007/12/05 05:27
If I could get a Tokyo sized apartment for about half of what I'm paying for my current place, I'd be a very happy person. I'm currently renting a two bedroom place for $400/mo that looks like a mansion when compared to the ones from the video. I don't even use the other bedroom, though I could probably set a table up and use it as dining. But I already use my living room for that (less table more PC desk) so... Honestly I don't need the space. But it's impossible to find single bedroom apartments in my area.
(ID #66022) Posted on 2007/12/05 05:43
Michael Andrews in Boston, MA, USA
I pay $1650/mo. (USD of course) for an 800 sq. ft. "corner studio" in Boston ("1LBK" I guess you would say. :) Moving to Tokyo would probably be more affordable at this rate...
These are the kinds of posts I love! Truly about living in Japan! Thanks dannychoo.com!!! :)
(ID #66025) Posted on 2007/12/05 06:08
That's a very nice house you have. The lighting makes it look even better, as well. But these apartment prices seem unreal to me. I'm living in Canada. We rent the top floor of a house. It's comparable in size to a 2 bedroom apartment. 2 bathrooms, plenty of storage space. We pay $800 a month, + utilities. My aunt has a three bedroom apartment, 1 bathroom, full living room, compressed kitchen and dining room. $650. Paying ¥220,000 a month seems, incredible compared to that. It makes me wonder, what is an average worker's wage in Japan?
(ID #66027) Posted on 2007/12/05 06:38
Danny: I've read somewhere on this site that you used to design shoes for you father and now with the reference to Jimmy Choo here would I be right to assume that Jimmy Choo is your father?
(ID #66029) Posted on 2007/12/05 07:02
Here comes a poor guy's report. ^ ^ currently i am living in a apartment with a friend, a dingy-looking 2dlk for 1000CNY(~$135) a month, about half hour subway to the downtown. Considering the avarage income(~ $500/month) in this place, the price is not cheap. @XSportSeeker Seems we have the similar story, hope your dream can come true. @Danny I like the lighting work of your apartment. BTW, can you embed the post-comment box into the blog view directly(maybe in a AJAX way), instead of opening a separated post-comment page? i think it could be easier for us to refer to something in the page when writing a message.
(ID #66030) Posted on 2007/12/05 07:57
Sergio C in Nome, Alaska
How did you manage to move your TV and not get it broken? We'll be moving soon and wouldn't mind some tips. Thanks.
(ID #66031) Posted on 2007/12/05 08:10
part time illustrationist, doll clothing seamstress
heehee my husband kept saying your house looks so big!
(ID #66032) Posted on 2007/12/05 08:20
working to pay for figures etc.
140,000 JPY being about 650 UK pounds, that isn't a huge amount more than a scruffy three room flat over a run down shop in the area I used to live. 1000 pounds a month isn't unusual, although it would get you a pretty good place, if you could afford it. Rental property is very hard to find in the UK, most of it being run by housing associations - great if you have three kids and don't mind living next door to a convicted criminal or two.
(ID #66034) Posted on 2007/12/05 08:53
QA Engineer, Postgraduate Student
I always heard Tokyo was one of the most expensive cities in the world. Well, I got that beat. I live in the Republic of Ireland, and I seem to be paying more for rent than your average apartment listed at 140,000 Yen. That is around 870 Euro. I pay 900 euro a month for a tiny apartment I share with my girlfriend. It has a good location (15 minutes walk from the city centre), and it's in tip-top shape... but the kitchen isn't even separate from the living room, so small it is! Dublin is a rip-off anyway... but God, I never imagined it was THIS BAD.
(ID #66037) Posted on 2007/12/05 10:54
Web Developer (i.e. Otaku)
Those prices don't sound bad. If there wasn't the language barrier I'd be out in a flash (I've heard my C# and SQL Server Otaku skills would be in great demand in Tokyo). FYI A 1 modest bed flat in Colchester, Essex, UK is about 94,000 Yen per month and you will probably have chavs for neighbours.
(ID #66038) Posted on 2007/12/05 11:09
haha, danny moving up in the world. good for you. one question, how big are the apartments and houses in sq. ft. so that i may get an idea of the sizes. one of my relatives is moving to japan in a months time.
(ID #66039) Posted on 2007/12/05 11:27
Hey I'm a lucky bastard...I live in a green area outside the capital in a little town reputated to house a great number of diplomatic people, eurocrats and members of our Royal family all in all a whealty place.....and I managed to find myself a 2LDK 65sq.m. with a small terrace and green view for converted...72.723 yen (450 euros)... but nevertheless the rents go ballistic here...I was damn lucky
(ID #66041) Posted on 2007/12/05 12:19
Lux in Arg
nice post for those thinking on how to fullfill their otaku dreams of living in Japan... anyway, what's the average salary for a full-time non qualified job? Just to have an idea on how japanese support themselves. And, in my Country, rents are usually 250 usd for a 2 rooms, 1 kitchen and 1 bathroom in a rather nice neighbourhood. Since the average salary for an 8hs job is 500 usd, things can get complicated u_u
(ID #66042) Posted on 2007/12/05 12:59
Pre-Enlisted NS(Army)-men
Depends on what you want in singapore though. Basic room rental costs varies from 200SGD(15,175Yen) to 600SGD(Around 37,000Yen), and an entire apartment/HDB flat rental ranges from 1600SGD(121,422Yen) to 3000SGD(227,624Yen) each month. Its not too bad I suppose.
(ID #66044) Posted on 2007/12/05 13:48
ひきこもり/Hikikomori. Suits my current state more than a 大学生/University Student. ^^
In Indonesia, most people owns their own home, housing is very affordable here. By the way, I've been meaning to ask, in Japan, there is this "LDK" terms, where "LDK" stands for Living Dining Kitchen, so, does that mean there is no bathroom and toilet?
(ID #66047) Posted on 2007/12/05 15:42
Yaisha in usa
I am curious about doing laundry in Japan. I know in anime you see a lot of people hanging undies out to dry on the balcony but do people go to laundrymats. Do any apartments have washer/dryer or do they have them in houses? Also, do people use dishwashers there?
(ID #66051) Posted on 2007/12/05 17:12
well i live in long beach, CA and i'm paying 700bucks a month for a single which is really expensive in L.A. a single it's just 400bucks
(ID #66062) Posted on 2007/12/05 20:24
I live in a pent house Condominium here in Canada toronto. This building looks like one of those new york chrylser buildings, and beside it are similar looking ones, also has rockafeller and Daniel's which is pretty nice too.. The penthouse was $500,000 to Buy and not rent. So it it pretty cheap. and the location is great, right in front is a mall with grocery store, and right beside it is at least 3 subway station entrance. I really want to move to japan and live my life there, but apprently, due to my Career choices (concept art designer/art directpr) I don't think I can make that come true. I will visit there someday and I will make sure i get to meet you.
(ID #66066) Posted on 2007/12/05 22:37
anime/cosplay events organizer
my family owns a house in the suburbs and a condominium unit in the financial city ^^ Danny, have you had a hard time looking for an apartment or a house in Tokyo? 'coz i have heard some landlords doesn't like gaijins (racists lol)
(ID #66070) Posted on 2007/12/06 01:09
Student
Some of the Apartments look really nice, especially the one in Seattle. I myself have to find a reasonably priced apartment soon so I can commute to the University I'm attending come January. However it's kinda tough looking for one that's close to the Uni, offers good deals on utilities covered, is safe and most importantly affordable for a college student. Le Sigh.
(ID #66085) Posted on 2007/12/06 03:38
the apartments here that I have come across so far doesn't have much of an asthetical look, mostly for convenient purpose.. I'm not good with the average rental rate here but I've heard that they've a fair cost unless you met a real demanding landlord.
(ID #66123) Posted on 2007/12/06 06:05
.NET/Web Developer
Rent prices here are pretty cheap compared to those in Japan. And I mean dirt cheap. We rented a 2 floor house (3 bedroom and 2 bathroom) and it was only P17k (around 50k yen when converted). But none of it comes even close to looking like the apartments in Japan. The apartments there looks great. Is it fully furnished or is it bare bones when you rent one? :D
(ID #66133) Posted on 2007/12/06 07:41
DCX001-Prototype
OK, 100% CONFIRMED. Jimmy Choo indeed is Danny Choo's Father. Despite the chronological of Date of Birth between Dato' Professor Jimmy Choo OBE & Danny Choo. (I won't disclose the details here as I fully RESPECT & ADMIRE Danny Choo)
(ID #66138) Posted on 2007/12/06 08:01
4th Year Business Economics Student
I live in one of the more expensive parts of Holland when it comes to house prices and rents. In my city you can rent a 3 bedroom house built in the '60s for about €600 per month. But there are more than enough houses and appartments in my city that cost a few thousand euros per month.
(ID #66150) Posted on 2007/12/06 09:51
Shasui in Norwich UK
house prices are stupidly high at the moment.... I myself am stuck in a rut.... I don't want to rent... yeh sure the lowest price to rent is £600... but I don't earn that kind of cash..... its a bitch I know but what can ya do....
(ID #66153) Posted on 2007/12/06 10:58
I know what you mean. I'm looking for a place, but in Kent a single room with shared kitchen and bathroom is roughly £450/month which is very pricey for we blue-collar workers. By the time I've got all my junk moved in with me, not only will the room be full, but so will the bathroom!
(ID #401644) Posted on 2008/12/07 05:48
In Malaysia, the prices really depending on locations. At the town where i stay, you can rent a spacious double story house between RM 500-1000 (USD 145-290). the location is like Nerima to Tokyo town. But if you were to pick someplace where it is more high end like Mont Kiara or Damansara Height (Where the expatriates are located), prices are ranging from RM 1000+++ for a studio apartment to RM 10k for a nice bungalow.
(ID #66164) Posted on 2007/12/06 14:08
housing in bangkok can be extremely expensive and demanding similar to many capitals in this world. it varies from lesser than US$100 to over US$3,000 depending on location close to the central city or business district. can't afford to rent there unless you get paid in US$ like foreign workers here. anyway, i just can't get past the fact that the world famous shoe designer Jimmy Choo is actually Danny Choo's father. i began to suspect this when Danny mentioned about shoe design as his hobby some time ago. wow! much admiration for the Choo family!
(ID #66172) Posted on 2007/12/06 14:56
CEO MIrai Inc
Bele, Yaisha Apartments typically dont come with washing machine, refrigerator or dryer. There are furnished apartments though but thats not the norm. Henry, I did before but have my own house now ^^ Benjamin, Toilet and bathroom is not mentioned because they are usually included. Lux, See this post http://www.dannychoo.com/blog_entry/eng/615/Work+in+Japan/ Qingy, Ah - me not good at sq feet - I think if you do a search you will find pages that do the converting. But lets say not to expect too much space. Sergio C, Lots of cardboard places on the front of the screen. Samp+, Its being developed now ^^ Squee, I guess he is ^^; skankywonders, Have a few topics on the subject here http://www.dannychoo.com/all/eng/japan/ Neko, Sakura house? There are places that dont need key money or guarantor. Contact me closer to the time of your arrival. XSportSeeker, Running my company but blogging at the same time. Rufus Shinra, They are indeed cheaper ^^
(ID #66213) Posted on 2007/12/07 02:01
The apartments aren't very big are they...
(ID #66225) Posted on 2007/12/07 03:02
JR. College Student
Housing prices are overinflated these days in the US. People are foreclosing right and left.
(ID #66263) Posted on 2007/12/07 08:21
itou
you honestly have way too much love and respect for yourself. where's the modesty? it makes me sick. all i feel when i read your site is how much you want to be japanese whilst you're not, how much you love yourself, and how japan's a strange country (most of it misleading btw). be honest, this dump of a site gets read only by people who dream of coming to japan but who aren't already here. only those are stupid enough to be fooled by your reckless and irresponsible writing. you see those people pointing at you when you wear that costume? they're laughing "at" you, you retard. kimochiwarui. grow up little boy. it's ok to be unnoticed sometimes. it makes me sick to have people like you talking about my country. keep fantasizing about japanese girls. you'll never have one.
(ID #66286) Posted on 2007/12/07 15:48
Medical Research and Design
Hey Itou. Your envy is showing, I mean your fly is open... no... I really mean your envy. Also, in case you didn't catch on he already has a wife. :) Your Country's base are belong to Danny Choo.
(ID #400364) Posted on 2008/12/06 04:37
Prices are freaking nuts here. Basically I can buy a cow shed in Sarasota or 450 acres in New Brunswick or Nova Scotia. Guess where I'm moving?
(ID #66307) Posted on 2007/12/07 23:26
Electro/Dance Musician, DJ
I was looking at apartments in Japan for me and my fiance. All I was thinking was that I need to win the lottery of life to every get one of these.
(ID #66426) Posted on 2007/12/09 09:03
Procrastinator, n00b blogger
Where I live, rental rates are rather uneven. I'm actually residing in the capital, and we usually pay less than 200$ monthly for an 70 sq/m apartment with 2 bedrooms, living/dining, kitchen, bathrom and balcony (in a zone where people usually pay a rent of 10$ per sq /m) because the complex's owner is a good friend of my mom. It's a really nice apartment, and the zone is one of the best of the city. However, rates go from 5$ per sq/m in the middle class/centric-regions of the city (small apartments, like 50 sq/m), to 30$ per sq/m in the more far-away/sub-urban zones (obscenely big apartements, like 300 sq/m and beyond). And there are exceptions, of course. In the financial area, which is in the middle of the city, rental rates can go from 20$ to 50$ per sq/m. Those are the rental rates here XD
(ID #69418) Posted on 2008/01/12 14:14
Oh nice! Another hate mail! This time right in the comments! LOL. Danny, do you get more hate mail than before? Or less? I remember reading two of your old posts about hate mails... they were fun! LOL. Hey Itou! Chill out man, in case u haven't noticed, this is HIS blog! He is SUPPOSED to write about himself here! :D LOL Danny, THANK YOU SO MUCH for these informative posts about apartments & living in Tokyo. Turns out I am moving to Tokyo after all... (failed at the Tokyo U research student thing, but the networkings I did for the research landed me this job!) Will manage a Japanese web company's expansion into the US. So... I hope to finally meet u when I get there.
(ID #155762) Posted on 2008/03/14 02:10
Jobless Student
Prices are pretty high, but it's nothing compared to Vancouver xD
(ID #167030) Posted on 2008/04/06 03:15
being a stormtrooper its a hard job....
ummm how much money is 1400 yen in usa dollars
(ID #168452) Posted on 2008/04/09 08:40
cscentrl (Registered on 2008/06/26 15:42)
Basically, and this is just a rough benchmark, divide the yen price by 100 & you get the dollar equivalent. 1400 yen is roughly 14 US dollars.
(ID #313060) Posted on 2008/09/25 15:31
Itou is a moron. Lol Danny keep doing what you are doing. Personally I love this site :) Well will be stationed at Japan soon so thanks for posting this, because i dont feel like sharing a barracks... (shivers) well nvm what Itou said hes probably an American guy who hates Japanese.
(ID #221378) Posted on 2008/06/25 12:26
cscentrl (Registered on 2008/06/26 15:42)
Very roomy & pretty reasonable.
(ID #313058) Posted on 2008/09/25 15:30
Programmer Trainee
I still live with family..so I don't know >_< And now I really believe I may need a really nice job if I want a nice home in Japan..
(ID #322180) Posted on 2008/10/04 00:24
Rents in Japan as a percent of salary can be quite reasonable. The corporate housing places are incredibly expensive, but then, like Danny, company usually pays all or most of it anyway. On the other end, if you don't mind slumming it to some degree, rent of a couple of hundred dollars a month is easily enough found.
(ID #356687) Posted on 2008/11/03 11:44
I can't find any price estimates for apartments in less main-stream cities. Like Nara, or Nikko or something...do you have any information on that? I'd really like to live in Nikko someday...
(ID #384593) Posted on 2008/11/25 10:35
Student.
I find Japanese homes/apartments to be so cute, and my style. Very clean and simple. But what I noticed was not much sunlight. Is that so no figures/posters get bleached? heheh
(ID #387456) Posted on 2008/11/27 11:24
Physical Therapist
Thanks for sharing! I think its amazing that you took pictures to show of your appartments back then...I couldnt show pics of the places i lived in until today. Rent in my area is pretty expensive since i live in the most crowded area of Germany.I live next to Düsseldorf,the captital of my state,Naturally all the prices here are quite high.I dont mind paying more tough. Im a citykid i am dead unhappy in more rural areas ^^ Im Living right now in a 2LDK
(ID #400075) Posted on 2008/12/05 23:09
Danny which one was your favorite so far?
(ID #400123) Posted on 2008/12/05 23:52
keroro platoon member
very nice interior danny lighting really is important wish I could afford a flat like that in the future...
(ID #400144) Posted on 2008/12/06 00:18
Medical Research and Design
Compared to what I pay, Japan apartments are expensive. I currently have what could be classified as a 2LDK (two rooms, livingroom, dining room, kitchen) Don't know if there's a 'b' for bathroom in those classifications hah. It's a semi-basement, isolated for sound, and they even painted the walls the color I wanted when I moved in. Costs me CDN$550 a month, about 5-10 minutes bus ride from Centre-Ville and urban Quebec City. It's a good place. One part false hardwood floor, the other part is granite tile.
(ID #400178) Posted on 2008/12/06 00:56
I still live at my parent house. He is proprietary so he doesn't pay rent but rent in my region are funny. From a part of the city to another you can see more than 50% of difference between rent.
(ID #400232) Posted on 2008/12/06 01:49
Kawaii Pink Stuffs FanGirl, Cat Lover, Otaku, MP3 Hunter, Matcha & Afternoon Milk Tea Addict.
Seems that apartment in Japan still cheaper than in Singapore ^^; since I'm not a singaporean, living in Singapore is quite expensive for me especially for house-rent & it's very rare to find 1 Room apartment here, so most of the time has to share 1 apartment of 3 rooms with some strangers... :( And even if u find 1 room apartment here, it will cost more than 60,000 yen or atleast 1200 SGD. Arghh I cant wait to get our own place with my hubby :( !!!
(ID #400233) Posted on 2008/12/06 01:53
Student
lol you think thats expensive... i rent a 1 bedroom apartment in the heart of southern california near my school and its 1500 USD a month, thats 138000 yen a month thank god that includes my internet and my electricity. i'd jump at living in japan since i could get something so much cheaper... maybe one day.
(ID #400343) Posted on 2008/12/06 04:00
lol. i thought i had read this before. any way buying a 2 bedroom + LHK (unfurnished) home around 2000sq ft costs about 28.2 million Japanese yen in a not so upmarket area. in upmarket areas its around the 40-50 million yen mark. hows that for an eye opener? rents typically come with a 1-5 million guarantee (refundable) plus around 1/4 to 1 million per month.
(ID #400358) Posted on 2008/12/06 04:23
Expensive appartmens here! But, Danny, you've settled the furniture and everything quite lovely! Everything looks in place and in so many apartments! How do you do it? ^-^
(ID #400376) Posted on 2008/12/06 04:58
Unemployed Dollfie enthusiast
I dunno how much apartments go for here as I've never looked. I've never liked the feel of flats and apartments, even if they are big, the feeling of being in such a building living with lots of other people makes me feel claustrophobic and overly cautious. I like living in a house.
(ID #400410) Posted on 2008/12/06 05:40
Initially, my response to the poll question was going to be "too expensive", but after looking at the prices you listed; the rent around here is acceptable. Around my neck of the woods, there aren't that many apartment complexes and of the complexes we do have, many are government assistance or equal opportunity complexes; so the rent can vary amongst each tenant. But, typically, rent that I have found does not exceed $750/month for a two-bedroom apartment with kitchen and dining. Now, when I was looking for places to live during college, prices ranged about $900-$1200/month. Fortunately, you always had roommates to split the rent.
(ID #400444) Posted on 2008/12/06 06:34
We don't really have apartments out here due to I live on farmland ^^I Next year I'll be moving out into an apartment near whatever college I transfer to.
(ID #400482) Posted on 2008/12/06 08:13
Apartments here are craaaap! and soo expensive. If we wanted any apartment nearly as nice as those, even the one bedroom would be about $2500-3000 a month! We were looking at 3 bedroom apartments and they are(for the nicer area) like $4500-5000USD a month again depending on which floor you want! TOO EXPENSIVE :(
(ID #400484) Posted on 2008/12/06 08:24
Gundam Pilot (in training)
wow those are some nice places Danny, and the hate itou has is obvious. you have money and live a happy life while itou is a very negative unhappy person. and now I'm wondering just how much hate mail you get, they are all just envious of your awesome job you worked hard to get. like the saying goes "if you don't have anything nice to say don't say anything at all"
(ID #400493) Posted on 2008/12/06 08:41
While it depends where you live, I would say the rates are reasonable in my area. My aunt is renting a 3-bedroom, 2-bath apartment with a kitchen and private washer/dryer yet with a relatively small dining and living room. Square footage I'm not sure but it's perfect for two to three people. She pays around $1,400 a month. We rented a sizable apartment though only a 2-bedroom, 2-bath, kitchen, small dining room with a nice living room but no private washer/dryer for only $1,350. There was a coin operated washer/dryer in the building which needed a punch in code to get in so it wasn't all that bad. Closer to the city though it gets a lot more expensive for a smaller space.
(ID #400499) Posted on 2008/12/06 08:53
I have never really rented a apartment, I live in a house that is 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, pool, formal lounge, lounge, laundry, kitchen etc. My house is on a canal so we have a water view and a jetty for a boat. It is not very long to get the boat to the ocean. It is also reasonable driving time to the city. The price of this house is about $1.4 million AUD. Apartments in the city can be expensive to rent or buy on average. There is one street that is beachfront which has houses on average for around $30-60 million AUD, land on this street starts at around $10 million AUD. There are many expensive areas.
(ID #400501) Posted on 2008/12/06 08:55
former Emperor of Britannia
Apartments here are acceptable ina certain sense. Wow corporate housing?! Danny really has kept me amazed for this month of December. Not to mention your place is very neat. XD
(ID #400517) Posted on 2008/12/06 09:06
security/3d graphic artist
more expensive since i' moved to a big city.. rent for a 2DLK was $500usd and went up to near 1000USD but after seeing what you get in tokyo for that much... scarry!
(ID #400562) Posted on 2008/12/06 09:51
uncreative (Registered on 2008/08/16 01:50)
60,000-100,000 1K in Tokyo would be nice. I'd like to avoid living in a neighboring ken due to transit times.
(ID #400630) Posted on 2008/12/06 10:59
IT engineer
I'm paying 98,000 for a 1K room. optical internet connection and utilities are all included ^^; what i like is it's less than 20mins direct trainline to where i work :D
(ID #400675) Posted on 2008/12/06 11:53
Software Quality Engineer
Wait-- Danny, I was just reading through some of the information about your home purchase. Some of those figures you quote seem kind of crazy. ¥3,000,000 for the real estate agent's fees? Could that be right!? If that's true, I would like to be a real estate agent!! I'll just sell 2 or 3 houses per year and take the rest of the year off!! Also-- ¥45,000,000 just for land? Wouldn't a person buy the land with the house already on it? While searching for houses online, I found several right on the edge of Tokyo (20-25 min commute to Shinjuku) for less than ¥40,000,000. I didn't see anything that said it costs extra for the land under the house... I am really curious-- I would like to know what I'm getting into since I am trying to re-locate to Japan within a year's time...
(ID #400689) Posted on 2008/12/06 12:07
I picked "great value" for the poll. Compared to big cities (like Tokyo), my apartment is a great value. But compared to the same size apartment in a different city (I live close to the "high rent district") it is moderate. I pay $680 (got a deal) on a garden level apartment (it's half-underground) that is 780 square feet (72 square meters). Eventually I'll put pictures up on my blog. I also pay a little over $100 for utilities (cable, cable internet, land-line phone, water, electric, and gas).
(ID #400696) Posted on 2008/12/06 12:11
I live in the Seattle area, so I guess you're somewhat familiar with the prices around here. My house is outside the city, but I'm thinking of selling and renting so I'll be closer to work/play... If only the housing bubble didn't burst, my house might be worth less than what I owe :o
(ID #400713) Posted on 2008/12/06 12:35
I'm wondering if I should feel ripped off now, my apartment is 250,000 yen a month, but I have underground parking for a car, and a space on the street for a scooter. But it's a One-room (not 1 bedroom, a studio). Hmmm...... Yeah overpriced Daikanyama! Yeah!
(ID #400719) Posted on 2008/12/06 12:43
Physiotherapist and Teacher
omg! i love ur places :) are soo nice, well, those are too expensive for my pocket, (all of them). I live sometimes alone and sometimes with my bf in a 3 rooms, kitchen apt and the value for rent is $250 USD, in colombian pesos is $500.000 (but we don't pay rent cause is ours), and for utilities I pay $200 USD (water, electricity, phone, cable, internet and gas).
(ID #400784) Posted on 2008/12/06 13:31
Physiotherapist and Teacher
i'll post some pics later too in my blog, in a week a think
(ID #400785) Posted on 2008/12/06 13:32
Student artist
Depends on the location
(ID #400842) Posted on 2008/12/06 14:35
mechanic
i pay 450 a month all bills paid, for a average looking apartment, duplex style....have the occasional noisy neighbors, and actually got the cute neighbor knocking on my door for some eggs for thanksgiving pies....
(ID #400883) Posted on 2008/12/06 15:00
Total rent is $3650 for 3 bedroom 2 bath. i pay $1150 not including utilities. the price is somewhat lower than other places around here because im in chinatown. similar places go for about 4500+ near by faneuil hall. 2 bed room units in my apt are about 2800-3000. all prices do not include underground parking which adds $250/mo. location isnt in the best parts of the town but its next door to school and close to the subway...
(ID #400936) Posted on 2008/12/06 15:54
sigh...why is the world making living so hard?
(ID #401036) Posted on 2008/12/06 18:07
I need to say amazing to your house it's the new standard of living. The lighting in your house are great it helps set the mood. And for my area of rent it's fair but depends on where you are living.
(ID #401132) Posted on 2008/12/06 20:00
Programmer, otaku, shinigami
My family have a few departaments to rent. The price, hmm, each one about $400 (monthy), ONLY the apartaments (no include other expenses, furnitures...) but are big anyway.
(ID #401246) Posted on 2008/12/06 22:19
These are numbers... I pay € 205 (all inclusive excepting electricity), that's about 24.000 Yen today. From my point of view I can't believe that your rates are just average. :D
(ID #401385) Posted on 2008/12/07 00:40
Student
We're struggling to pay. LOL This is the only space available in our place. ><
(ID #401579) Posted on 2008/12/07 04:07
I used to live in an apartment as a kid. The guy living in the apartment on top of us was a sailor and often away. When he was at home he spent most of his time at some girl's place. Below my room there was a storeroom for bikes. This meant no noise problems and nobody complained if I were too noisy. However I can't stand any other apartment that I have been in. You have to watch how much noise you make, but far worse, you have to listen to the noise made by other people. It's no fun wanting to sleep when the guy on top of you sounds like he started an elephant farm. At one time my brother (he had his own apartment at this time) invited the guy on top of him to enter his apartment so he could hear the noise level. He was amazed that he could hear his family having a conversation because it was not a loud conversation. I have decided not to live in an apartment of my own and have a plan on buying a house when I'm done studying next year. The plan includes how to finance it, which is quite interesting as I'm not born with a silver spoon. Apartments in my area are quite expensive. One of the reasons is that people living on social security are placed in an apartment and then the rest of us have to pay for it though taxes. If there is no free cheap apartments in a municipality, then the only choice is to find a non-cheap one. Because of this all renting apartments tend to be paid with tax money because people with jobs will not pay that price.... Needless to say there is a political movement aimed at removing benefits for people on social security. It's a sick system where you will lose money if you take a job (this is the case for uneducated people) >.<
(ID #401747) Posted on 2008/12/07 08:27
Apartments are always quite expensive.
(ID #402967) Posted on 2008/12/08 06:48
Missionary
interestingly enough, Tokyo rates and san diego rates are about the same... eerily close, in fact!!!
(ID #496486) Posted on 2009/02/21 02:51
Another Otaku Shoujo
wow ... living in tokyo is really expansive..
(ID #519449) Posted on 2009/03/13 05:18
im paying like $990 for a 3 bedroom house and its a rat hole. its falling down and the roof leaks. guess thats what you get for california living.
(ID #529174) Posted on 2009/03/21 12:00
waisting money on studying..
Very nice danny!! your house is just very nice!
(ID #551750) Posted on 2009/04/06 20:48
Otaku Programmer/Gamer/Artist/Photographer
WOAH Tokyo apartments are really nice and cozy ^_^ Here in Canada its all cramped and expensive but we provide a great deal of services >__< I still think its expensive kyaa~~
(ID #560026) Posted on 2009/04/12 22:29
trust me ... apartments in Canada are much MUCH better lol ! Tokyo apartments are small, you don't get much for your money. Danny's apartments look great but I can't say I or any of my friends had anything that nice in or around Tokyo. $$$
(ID #644701) Posted on 2009/06/15 01:07
I've been to Japan last November and I'm not used to tall buildings. We stayed at the YMCA our room is at the 5th floor and I couldn't help wondering about earthquakes! Japan is at the "Ring Of Fire" around the Pacific Ocean. Isn't it scary for the japanese?
(ID #608333) Posted on 2009/05/16 14:11
Great and insightful article. Can you recommend a site to view available accommodation, i'm planning a 5 month stay and would like a studio apartment to rent?
(ID #628668) Posted on 2009/06/01 05:41
My bad, just found the link in the article (pity it's all in japanese though).
(ID #642488) Posted on 2009/06/12 15:54
There are some companies like Sakura House & Oak House that have English Websites. Or you can check out a website like GaijinPot to find examples of apartment listings in English. But I'd recommend a guest house if you're just staying 5 months or so? It's definitely not luxury living but apartments are a hassle when it comes to deposits and key money and not really worth it for short term stay, in my opinion. However you can find some companies like (LeoPalace) that do short term rentals... it's always a gamble with these companies when it comes to the quality of the apartment though. I guess it really depends on how much you're willing to dish out per month... just be warry of the key money, it's evil.
(ID #644696) Posted on 2009/06/15 01:04
the Price range i've noticed in Toronto is about the same as I was paying in Tokyo but you get a lot more space and quality than the places in Tokyo. Also, UGH, the denentoshi Line. I lived there for a year... I hated going to Shibuya in the morning or coming home at night... you can't breathe it's so packed. It's also one of the more expensive places to live in the suburbs, I hear.
(ID #644693) Posted on 2009/06/15 00:59
Network Security Specialist
I stayed at Oakwood for awhile as well! (In Los Angeles) It was really nice...
(ID #662210) Posted on 2009/07/01 04:40
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