think_too_mut Posted August 22, 2004 Report Share Posted August 22, 2004 >I think you'd be a fool now in Tokyo to pay a broker a month's rent and two month's key money... I don't know any Japanese friends or foreigners who've done this in the last four years. I know agencies do this, but those are not the best places to go shopping. I think even tokyo apartments website does not pull this anymore. I asked my Japanese teacher. She paid key money, agency fee and deposits. It's also normal for Japanese nationals. If one is lucky, "key money" can be one month only, not two. Places that do not ask for that have already calculated that amount into the rent, to be recouped over 24 months (that's how tenancy contracts are, some make it a year). And the price is higher or there is a problem that makes the unit undesirable. Unfortunatelly, in Japan there is no such thing as apartment hopping with 1 month (refundable) deposit as in the West. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted August 23, 2004 Report Share Posted August 23, 2004 There are lots of places around that don't require key money. The monthly rent is a little higher, though. I live in a nice, very central, but small place in Osaka. It's 70,000 a month plus utilities. 1 month's deposit, no key money. I believe the Japanese residents in my buliding pay around 60,000 a month, but they have to pay key money and a bigger deposit, etc. They also have to get their own furniture and washing machine, whereas everything was included with my apartment. These kind of no-key money places are aimed at foreigners/short termers, and are often advertised in the free gaijin magazines and newsletters. If you want to be as central in Tokyo as I am in Osaka (I live near Namba station) you would have to pay 90,000 or 10,000 for something of similar quality, according to my Tokyo friends. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted August 23, 2004 Report Share Posted August 23, 2004 WOW this is turning out to be a really useful thread tho we seem to be way off the original topic. Keep it coming....... Just to revert to my original question I have now booked a return ticket with Sing airlines to be on the safe side. If I find a job and a willing sponsor then I will have to leave the country anyway to get my work permit so I figured that was the best thing to do. I have no intention of seeking anything permanent in the way of apartments until I have secured employment, and I will have the income from a rented house in Ireland to set me up every month. So any more info is welcome. Only 31 days to go now it's getting very close..... Uniformguy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted August 23, 2004 Report Share Posted August 23, 2004 I got here too late to answer your original question, but I'll say now that you're wise to have bought a return ticket. Two things you will come to know about Japanese is that they (a) are massively paranoid about the dangers of the outside world, and ( they are incredibly anal and follow procedures exactly by the book, even when it's rediculous to do so. The result is that immigration people do not budge on anything. Right now they are checking everybody without a prior visa very thoroughly. The lineup snakes around Kansai airport like a big amusepark lineup. They will probably check your ticket, and unlike in other modern countries, there is no flexibility in Japan. Their immigration handbook says you need a return ticket, so you need a return ticket, even if you're staying at a 5 star hotel and have referees in Japan. I'm a legal resident, so I go through the same line as Japanese people, which is much faster. But I still got hassled about my alien registration card, because the name of my former employer, rather than my current employer, was written on the card. They phoned my current employer to verify I worked there before letting me back into the country, even though I'm on a three year work visa. Then at customs they weeded through every item in my luggage, looking for Thai dope and porno. Fun times! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the_numbers Posted August 23, 2004 Report Share Posted August 23, 2004 UNI: I was just going to chime in about having to leave anyway to get a work VISA. I think Seoul is usually the easy short hop, but perhaps you got a deal on the Silly-pore ticket Wish you the best with the transition. I say grab a furnished flat to start with, and you'll probably end up staying their awhile. However, be very leary of noise, which can be a massive problem in certain central parts of Tokyo. Again on the upfront cash thing: I know Japanese who live in Tokyo along the outskirts of Yamanote and pay 60-70,000Y with only a deposit and one month key money. NO brokers fee. BTW, I also know a Chinese American girl without a work permit who has a flat in Shibuya?! Anything's Possible.. the_numbers P.S. - Shop around, and be patient. Narita Immigration was a breeze a few weeks back. I don't know what Osaka_Attack means about increased checks and lines snaking??! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted August 24, 2004 Report Share Posted August 24, 2004 the_numbers said: I don't know what Osaka_Attack means about increased checks and lines snaking??! This was last Thursday. The line for foreign passport holders was very very long and was going very slowly...it looked like it would take an hour to clear. There were signs saying that due to the threat of terrorism there are increased checks these days. That was the lineup for non-residents. If you already have the work visa and re-entry permit like I do, then it's very easy because you've already been screened. Maybe Narita has many more immigration queues so it goes faster anyway? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted August 24, 2004 Report Share Posted August 24, 2004 Hi there numbers man just sent you a PM will be back in BKK on the 17 Sept. Will you be around then? Uniformguy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fiery Jack Posted August 24, 2004 Report Share Posted August 24, 2004 Osaka_Attack said: the_numbers said: I don't know what Osaka_Attack means about increased checks and lines snaking??! This was last Thursday. The line for foreign passport holders was very very long and was going very slowly... I arrived back in Japan mid-morning on a Monday at Osaka KIX airport 2 weeks ago and can confirm what Osaka-A claims: the queues for Jap Nationals/Re-entry Gaijin were minimal but the lines at the New Arrivals counters were pretty hefty and moving very slowly (gaggles of 5 or 6 dodgy-looking Phillipina/Thai hookers :hubba: with "entertainment" visas accompanied by a sole tattooed punch-permed sunglasses-toting even dodgier-looking Yakuza lowlife largely to blame ). Make sure you've got a good novel to read or your i-Pod strapped on, boss... I've moved apartment a few times inside Japan (various major cities) over the last 16 years. In my experience, more and more places are giving up on the pathetic, unreturnable key-money sketch. One drum I rented actually asked for a month's rent (about Y80,000) key money in the ad, but when I met the Jap owner he took a shine to me and said forget about it. (A tip there: when you go looking at properties with the estate agent, dress decently, be polite and have a shave, in case the owner appears to check you out or the estate agent's a spy for the owner (Japs are wary of gaijin, and if the estate agent blurts out you're a drongo or a bum (or have a beard or a pet or an ear-ring or visible tattoos, or are homosexual, or are clearly Iranian/Pakistani ) the owner will not want you renting his pad). ) I've always paid deposits (same back in the UK) but these are, in theory, mostly returnable ? depends whether the landlord is a cunt or not. :: I've had about 6 landlords in Japan: 5 ok (i. e. almost full deposit back ) vs. 1 twat (coincidentally (?) the only female owner... ) (kept all the deposit for spurious "repairs and cleaning" of an immaculately looked-after joint I'd only stayed in 6 months). Fucking old bag. But not bad odds of getting most of your lump-sum deposit back. As Osaka-san says too, free gaijin mags (you can usually pick them up in gaijin friendly bars (Irish pubs, British pubs etc...) are a good place to hunt for foreigner-friendly accommodation. Or go for a few pints in such places and get gassing with the local ex-pats who'll be able to advise you. Good luck. jack PS. Oh, one other small tip. Don't marry a Japanese woman. I did, and it ruined my life. :: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
.. Posted August 24, 2004 Report Share Posted August 24, 2004 "you're a drongo or a bum or have a beard or a pet or an ear-ring or visible tattoos, or are homosexual, or are clearly Iranian/Pakistani the owner will not want you renting his pad" Well fuck me Jack, but that pretty well describes you to a Tee. Well, OK, maybe not the Paki bit, and I assume that you are bi, but the rest... So do you live in a cardboard box under a freeway overpass or what LOL! :: :: :: (that enuff graemlins?) Cheers, SD Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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