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Housing
The first step to your life as a student in Japan is to find a place to live. The market for accommodation in Japan is tough, and it is difficult to find the kind of housing you want.
Doshisha University does not provide dormitory accommodation for its privately financed international students, so whenever possible you should seek to secure accommodation yourself, in consultation with acquaintances living in the Kyoto area. If you are left with no choice but to look for accommodation after your arrival in Japan, please consult with the National Students Information Center, the company that provides accommodation placement services on behalf of the Student Services Department. Other sources of information on housing options include the University Co-op on campus and private real estate agents.
Please be mindful of the following matters when looking for accommodation.
(1) Doshisha University consists of two campuses: the Imadegawa Campus and the Kyotanabe Campus. Think about which campus your classes will be held before choosing your accommodation.
(2) Think about what kind of room space and facilities you can afford within your overall living budget.
(3) Housing costs vary considerably between different areas. Housing costs comprise both ongoing monthly expenses, and fees due when you first sign a contract.
(4) At the time of contract signing you will usually be required to provide a reservation fee, non-refundable key money, a bond, and an agency fee.
Ongoing monthly fees:
| Rent |
As a rule, rent for the following month is due in advance at the end of each month. |
| Common services charge |
Paid together with the rent to cover electricity, cleaning and other costs for the communal areas of your accommodation. |
Fees due upon signing the contract:
| Reservation fee (tetsukekin) |
An advance payment of part of the security bond, to reserve the property that you want. (This payment will not be refunded if you cancel the contract.) |
| Key money (reikin) |
A gratuity paid to the landlord when the contract is signed. |
| Bond (shikikin) |
A security deposit held by the landlord. It will be returned to you when the contract is terminated, minus any outstanding rent and expenses for repairing and cleaning the accommodation. |
| Agency fee (chukai tesuryo) |
If you found your accommodation through a real estate agent, you pay this fee to the agent. |
(5) Contract periods are from one to two years. If you wish to renew your contract, you will be liable for a renewal fee. Rent may also increase at the time of renewal.
(6) It is not common for furniture (desks, chairs, bookshelves etc.) to be provided: you must purchase such items yourself.
(7) No person other than the contracting party is allowed to live in the accommodation.
(8) You usually need a guarantor to sign a rental contract. Think in advance about who you could ask to be your guarantor. Regardless of whether or not you can find your own guarantor, we recommend that you make use of the support systems for finding accommodation.
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