Guesthouses, serviced apartments—and a whole lot more
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Azabu Court
Tucked away on the back streets of the posh Azabu neighborhood is one of the city’s best-kept secrets in serviced apartments: Azabu Court. This full-service home away from home has all the amenities to take the edge off that demanding business trip—free broadband, in-house concierge services and laundry/dry cleaning pick-up, to name a few. Rooms can be rented at daily, weekly or monthly rates, with sizes ranging from standard studio to two-bedroom suites. All units come equipped with kitchenettes, giving busy execs a place to whip up a quick meal or stash away a few cold ones.
With the Roppongi Hills entertainment and shopping mecca only a 15-minute stroll away, Azabu Court residents needn’t worry about last trains or taxis after a night on the town. The location is also home to expat-friendly spots like National Azabu Supermarket and the Tokyo Midtown complex. Homey, sophisticated and convenient, Azabu Court is the perfect serviced apartment for those who want to enjoy the best in creature comforts while staying in the thick of things.
4-5-39 Minami-Azabu, Minato-ku. Tel: 03-3446-8610. Nearest stn: Hiroo. www.azabucourt.com
Bamboo House
Ever since 1984, when few people knew what a “guesthouse” was, Bamboo House has been providing affordable rental accommodations in Tokyo. Company president Kyoko Jinnai didn’t originally plan to run a guesthouse business: she thought she was only helping her Western friends find places to stay in Tokyo that were comfortable and not too expensive. But even after her friends left Japan, the demand for guesthouses kept growing, and soon she found herself managing them at multiple locations throughout the city.
Bamboo House now has 13 guesthouse properties in charming, convenient areas like Nakano, Sasazuka, Nippori and Mejiro. Eight of these have Yamanote line locations—minus the typical Yamanote line rents. With short- and long -term leases on offer, Bamboo House is an appealing option for tourists and longer-term residents alike. Rooms are fully furnished and rents begin at ¥56,000 (per month), with no agency fee or key money required.
As a small company, Bamboo House is personal enough to respond quickly and flexibly to requests—a feature that can make life in Tokyo a lot more comfortable.
2-5-4 Nishi-Nippori, Arakawa-ku. Tel: 03-3805-3278. Open Mon-Sat 8:30am-6:30pm, closed Sun. Email: kyoko@bamboo-house.com. Nearest stn: Nippori. www.bamboo-house.com
Elite-Inn
Since 1974, Elite-Inn has been proud to offer comfortable and safe accommodations to guests from all over the world—guests who return home with great memories and a desire to come back and do it all again. Elite-Inn’s staff strive for an excellence in hospitality that extends well beyond the call of duty. Guests are greeted upon arrival, setting the tone for an experience that’s truly like a home away from home. Rooms are spacious and have their own kitchens, washers, dryers and high-speed internet access.
Situated in the heart of Tokyo, Elite-Inn offers an ideal environment for both living and, at its Executive facility, working. It’s located near Yushima Shrine in a quiet area whose plum trees have been eulogized for centuries. You’ll find traditional wooden Japanese houses—a real rarity in Tokyo—and a warm, hospitable atmosphere among the friendly locals. What’s more, Ueno Park, considered to be one of the city’s best spots for cherry blossom viewing, is just a two-minute walk away. And that’s just the start of it: Tokyo Festival Hall, the Western Art Museum, National Museum, Ueno Zoo and an international children’s library are all within easy walking distance, while Akihabara, the famous electronics district and ground zero of Japan’s otaku scene, is also nearby.
Elite-Inn Yushima: 3-28-1 Yushima, Bunkyo-ku. Elite-Inn Executive: 3-17-11 Yushima, Bunkyo-ku. Tel: 03-3836-0010. Email: yushima@tsunashima-bld.co.jp. Nearest stn: Yushima. www.elite-inn.net
Global Agents
Recently, a new type of accommodation has begun to spring up in Tokyo: the Social Apartment. These living quarters provide a higher level of quality than a guesthouse, coupled with a greater sense of community than you’d get in a standard apartment building. All units have luxury lounges which are shared with fellow residents; some have bar lounges complete with pool tables and dartboards, fitness rooms, and even rooftop balconies. The people living in Social Apartments seem more like family or friends than just roommates, making this a perfect home for expats lost in the jungle of Tokyo. They provide a great opportunity to expand your social network through interacting with a diverse group on a daily basis. At present, there are seven Social Apartment residences scattered throughout Tokyo; for detailed information on locations and availability, call the Social Apartment office directly or check out their comprehensive bilingual website.
4F Vilamoderna, 1-3-18 Shibuya, Shibuya-ku. Tel: 03-5485 7377. Open daily 9am-7pm. Email: info@global-agents.co.jp. Nearest stn: Shibuya. http://www.social-apartment.com/pages/en_home
Guesthouse Kase
It’s a well-known fact that rental apartments in Japan can be expensive. But what you might not know is that Guesthouse Kase provides low-priced accommodations in numerous locations throughout Tokyo. One of the reasons prices for single units are so high is because you’re paying for your own bathroom and kitchen, but the cost drops at Guesthouse Kase, where residents share facilities. Not only does everyone save money, people who live in guesthouses quickly form a tight-knit community, providing more of a family atmosphere than you’d ever get living alone.
Guesthouse Kase offers an easy-to-understand rental system, no initial costs, and a choice of many popular locations. Rooms come with a complete set of bedding, television and air conditioner, and microwave ovens and water heaters are allowed (note: exact appliances vary according to guesthouse). Free internet is also available in every room.
If you’re seeking comfortable living quarters which provide all your basics at a reasonable price, Guesthouse Kase is waiting for you.
88 Kase Bldg, 3-19-11 Shin-Yokohama, Kohoku-ku, Yokohama. Tel: 045-470-0082. Email: yousuke.tsushiro@kasegroup.co.jp. Nearest stn: Shin-Yokohama. http://www.kase0082.jp/index_en.htm
Hippo House
Those seeking an international experience will find it at Hippo House. The company’s modern guesthouses and dormitories welcome young people from all over the world to come live and communicate with each other. Hippo House strives to create a comfortable environment where residents can relax and enjoy sharing their cultures and traditions. All its facilities are clean, stylish, affordable and secure; units have auto-lock doors and security cameras, and some floors are women-only, for extra piece of mind. Hippo House has four locations in Saitama (totaling 222 units for 300 people) and one in Chiba (40 units for 45 people), with no deposits, key money, agent fees or guarantors required at any of them. Residents organize events and parties and there are frequent campaign specials, so come join in the fun.
3F Mitaka Bldg, 1-2-13 Minami Hon-cho, Minami-ku, Saitama. Tel: 0120-37-0844 (English, Chinese, Korean). Open daily 9:30am-6:30pm. Email: hippo@g-p-m.co.jp. Nearest stn: Minami-Urawa. http://www.hippo-house.com/en/
Interwhao
Whoever said rents were sky-high in Japan obviously never enjoyed a stay at an Interwhao guesthouse. With nearly one thousand rooms to choose from in Tokyo, Kanagawa, Saitama and Chiba, Interwhao sets a new standard, with monthly rents starting from ¥30,000 for single units (with kitchen), guesthouse-type or furnished rooms. Deposits, key money, renewal fees and guarantors aren’t required: just put down one month’s rent for the room, including the maintenance fee, and you’re essentially good to go. Not only is the living easy, residents regularly schedule fun events, creating ample opportunities to interact with each other. Interwhao is proud to have been providing safe and affordable accommodations for the last decade, and looks forward to meeting you.
26-1 Chigusadai, Aoba-ku, Yokohama. Tel: 045-979-0674. Email: info@interwhao.com. Nearest stn: Fujigaoka. http://www.interwhao.com/english/index.html
Oakhouse
Founded in 1992 to serve both foreign and Japanese clients, Oakhouse specializes in guesthouses and apartments, and has 1,500 rooms in 107 locations throughout Tokyo, Kanagawa and Saitama. Customers choose the location and room type that suit their needs, and there’s no deposit, key money or guarantor necessary. All that's required is a small application fee (between ¥5,000-¥20,000) and one month’s rent (including utility fees), with a minimum stay of one month. Overseas applications and payment by credit card are accepted.
The company’s guesthouses have shared common space (including a lounge, kitchen, toilets and showers), with both single bedrooms and dormitories available. Single rooms range from ¥50,000-¥70,000, with dormitory rooms starting at ¥38,000. All singles have air conditioners, a set of bedding, fridge and furniture, while dormitories have security lockers to guarantee piece of mind. Furnished apartments go for ¥79,000-¥100,000 per month, and all Oakhouse residences have free internet access.
These days, living at a guesthouse is becoming popular not only with students and people on working holidays, but also with Japanese and foreign business people. Living at an Oakhouse guesthouse gives residents the chance to interact with people from over 40 countries through events and parties.
Oakhouse has a multilingual information center in Ikebukuro that’s open seven days a week, and its website features seasonal campaigns, event information and residents' weblogs containing useful tips on guesthouse life and living in Tokyo.
4-8-3 Ikebukuro, Toshima-ku. Tel: 03-3981-0091. Open Mon-Fri 10am-8pm, Sat 10am-6pm, Sun noon-6pm. Email: info@oakhouse.jp. Nearest stn: Ikebukuro or Kita-Ikebukuro. www.oakhouse.jp/eng
MyStays Inn
Weekly Mansion Tokyo’s newly opened MyStays Inn apartments offer a luxurious option for stays from one night to long-term. Rooms are furnished, clean, high-quality and stylish, and Tokyo residents and tourists are welcome. With office desks and free Internet connection available, they’re also ideal for those who have come on job assignments.
At MyStays Inns, you don’t have to worry about a deposit, key money, guarantor or any of the other troublesome requirements associated with getting accommodation in Tokyo. Set your length of stay just as you would at a hotel. The pricing system has daily, weekly and monthly rates, which include a cleaning fee. Reservations can be made via the English-language website, and special prices are available when booking online.
Choose from MyStays Inn Asakusa-bashi, located in Asakusa—one of Tokyo’s most famous sightseeing spots—or MyStays Inn Kamata, which is close to Haneda Airport and Shinagawa station. Budget-type weekly mansions are also available.
Sanwa Bldg, 1-27-17 Hamamatsucho, Minato-ku. Tel: 03-3434-3939. Nearest stn: Daimon. www.wmt.co.jp/en/location/msi_asakusabashi, www.wmt.co.jp/en/location/msi_kamata
Sakura House
It’s been 18 years since Sakura House opened its first monthly guesthouse in Harajuku. Today, it handles nearly 2,000 rooms in more than 200 locations throughout Tokyo. In 2009 alone, more than 5,000 people from around the world stayed at a Sakura House residence, all of which offer furnished rooms and month-to-month rentals, with assistance available in English, French, Chinese and Korean. Rooms can also be reserved though the company’s website, which features up-to-date photos and videos of current accommodations; in fact, more than half of Sakura House residents reserve their rooms before coming to Japan.
Together with Sakura Hotels and Sakura Hostel, Sakura House organizes cultural events including tea ceremonies, noh workshops, kimono classes, sumo tours and sushi-making parties to give its customers opportunities to experience Japan and make international friends, including Japanese locals.
Recently, Sakura House opened a SOHO service at its Shinjuku headquarters for entrepreneurs on small budgets seeking to establish a base in Tokyo. Options include an office in Shinjuku, complete with bilingual telephone answering service, from only ¥47,250 a month.
2F Nishi-Shinjuku K-1 Bldg, 7-2-6 Nishi-Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku. Tel: 03-5330-5250. Open daily 8:50am-8pm. Nearest stn: Shinjuku. www.sakura-house.com
Space Design
So, why Space Design? As a leader in Japan’s serviced apartment and serviced office industry, they are set apart by their “4F” principle: Fast, Friendly, Fair and Flexible.
Space Design will respond to a guest’s inquiry within 24 hours. A dedicated team looks after guests from their arrival to departure, offering support in Chinese, English, Korean, Hindi and Spanish. The company focuses on international visitors, providing them with a friendly, welcoming environment for short to extended period stays. After ten years in the business, Space Design has amassed a plethora of information on sightseeing, hospitals, travel logistics, and more. Guests can access information via the company’s toll-free 24-hour Bureau Information Center.
Space Design will give clients the fairest offer they can, every single time. They make sure to work plans to meet your budget and offer preferred rates and services for employees or friends of repeat companies and/or guests. Individual and corporate leases are welcome, and office space without corporate registration can be rented out in most cases. Space Design makes the process of renting an apartment or office in Tokyo as flexible and as simple as possible. There are no cancellation fees up to the day before check-in, so ticket changes, sudden cancellations, etc. are no problem. Rates include everything from internet and utilities to cleaning fees; guests will never be surprised with unexpected charges.
Space Design are devoted to their guests and invite everyone to come and experience their higher standard of excellence. If you’re coming to Japan, need a small service office space, or are currently living in a hotel, please inquire with Space Design. They are here for you 24/7.
2-2-1 Uchisaiwaicho, Chiyoda-ku. Tel: 03-3502-7777, toll-free: 0120-710-677. Email bureau_sd@space-d.co.jp. 17 locations in Tokyo and Yokohama. www.space-d.co.jp/en
Weekly Mansion Tokyo
If you’ve been seeking an apartment in Tokyo, perhaps you’re familiar with Weekly Mansion Tokyo’s TV commercials, featuring furnished apartment hotel rooms. Weekly Mansion Tokyo has a variety of rooms on offer, from studios to family-size suites—whatever it takes to meet the customer’s needs. Long-term tourists are more than welcome, though Tokyo residents seeking to save money might also be pleasantly surprised. As with the slightly more luxurious MyStays Inns, Weekly Mansion Tokyo doesn’t require a deposit, key money or guarantor in order to secure accommodation. You determine your length of stay just as you would with a hotel, following a price system which has daily, weekly and monthly rates. Free internet connection is also included. Rooms are available in Tokyo, Chiba, Yokohama, Kawasaki, Osaka and Fukuoka, with special discounts given if reservations are made online.
Sanwa Bldg, 1-27-17 Hamamatsucho, Minato-ku. Tel: 03-3434-3939. Nearest stn: Daimon. www.wmt.co.jp/en
At Your Service
From real estate agents to renovation specialist
Century 21 / Smica Create
When you’ve had enough of renting and decide it’s time for your own home, Century 21 / Smica Create is the place to go for properties in the glamorous Minato, Shibuya, Shinagawa, Meguro, Ota and Setagaya wards. The central-Tokyo specialist covers the Yamanote, Hibiya, Toyoko, Den-en-Toshi and Meguro lines, with expertise in purchasing and listing realty.
Whether you’re looking for a new Azabu home, land in Nakameguro or just exploring the idea of a Tokyo estate search, Century 21 / Smica Create is a professional English service that can find properties and help secure mortgages.
Applying for a loan and dealing with the documents involved in property purchase in Japan can be overwhelming, even for those with permanent residency or Japanese spouses, but the company’s knowledge and experience takes the pain out of the process and gives discounts off base interest rates to boot.
They can also help with property management and other real estate services, whether it’s your home or a whole office building you’d like to lease. In short, for property or land deals in central Tokyo, Century 21 / Smica Create makes the whole process easier and more manageable.
1-26-9 Kami-Meguro, Meguro-ku. Contact Jason Foutch: jfoutch@c21-smica.com. Tel: 03-5720-1285 or 0120-21-9621 (toll-free). Nearest stn: Nakameguro. www.century21-tokyo.com; www.c21-smica.com; www.c21-smica.com/rent/index.html
Fontana
Fontana is a leading source of affordable housing solutions for both foreigners and Japanese. The friendly staff speak English, French, Korean, Portuguese and Japanese, and are ready to help guests find a convenient, comfortable place to live in central Tokyo. Be it a room in a guesthouse, a shared apartment or a private home, Fontana’s properties are always furnished, which makes for a pleasant and hassle-free stay. With guesthouses and apartments located all over the metropolis, it’s easy to find one that works best for you.
Locations include Nakano, Shinjuku, Shibuya, Roppongi, Ikebukuro, Hiroo and Azabu. Rent for private rooms in a guesthouse start from ¥55,000, plus a deposit of only ¥20,000 in the Nakano, Yutenji and Toritsu-Daigaku areas, with all utilities and internet included. If you’re looking for a private apartment, Fontana has units available in Nakano from ¥70,000, Shinjuku from ¥85,000, Shibuya from ¥120,000, Roppongi from ¥110,000, Ikebukuro from ¥80,000 or Hiroo from ¥85,000. No agency fees, key money or guarantors required—just choose which apartment you like and move in. It’s that easy!
Give Fontana a call, visit the website or drop by their office in Shin-Nakano.
1F Asahi Mansion, 3-31-5 Chuo, Nakano-ku. Tel: 03-3382-0151. Open daily 9:30am-7pm. Nearest stn: Shin-Nakano. www.tokyocityapartments.net
Fujitomo Real Estate
If you’ve had difficulty finding the perfect place to roll out your futon, Fujitomo Real Estate is your new best friend. Fujitomo Real Estate Sales introduces suitable properties for you with its motto, “A better livelihood.” Its main strength is the variety of accommodations on offer: furnished monthly guest houses (from ¥57,000, including utilities and internet access), furnished short- and long-stay apartments, as well as condos, detached homes and real property.
One advantage of Fujitomo is that it handles Urban Renaissance Rented Accommodation (URRA)—an acronym some foreign customers will happily recognize as meaning no key money, renewal fee or guarantors. All that is required is a three-month deposit, and there’s no agent fee. A variety of URRA properties are available, from single rooms to family units. Accommodations are spacious, and companies can use them for housing employees.
Don’t hesitate to contact Fujitomo by phone or email if you have any questions about the many properties available on the company’s website. The bilingual staff are ready and waiting to assist you by confirming vacancies, making preview appointments and showing you your desired accommodation. For your convenience, Fujitomo is located near Kasai station (Tozai line), which has direct bus links to Narita and Haneda airports.
4-20-13 Naka-kasai, Edogawa-ku. Tel: 03-5696-2341 (Japanese), 090-4741-6550 (English). Email: info@fujitomo-fh.com. Nearest stn: Kasai. www.fujitomo-fh.com
Japan Apartment (JAPT)
Part of the Ichii Corporation, one of Japan’s leading real estate agencies for expats, Japan Apartment (JAPT) eliminates the hassles that plague apartment- or guesthouse-hunters in Tokyo. With no key money, deposits or guarantors required, JAPT’s 600 properties in 80 locations get snapped up almost as soon as they become available. A variety of shared guesthouses and private apartments are available for both short- and long-term rental, starting at just ¥75,000 per month. All residences are fully furnished, many right down to the cookware and linen that turn an apartment into a home. For those who can’t go a day without connectivity, internet access is arranged before moving in, eliminating the need for annoying bureaucratic hoop-jumping; the properties also come with flat-screen TVs. JAPT’s bilingual website makes navigating their huge variety of accommodations a breeze, and English-speaking staff make the process as easy as can be by helping customers with everything from the initial home search to the final move. A great discount deal is now underway; check the website for campaign details.
3-5-17 Nishi-Gotanda, Shinagawa-ku. Tel: 03-5437-5233. Email: info@japt.co.jp. Nearest stn: Gotanda. www.japt.co.jp/e-top
Homestay in Japan (Nextage)
Seeking to experience real Japanese life, improve your language skills, make new Japanese friends or just travel around the country? Maybe you should consider a homestay with Nextage. The company has over 1,000 registered host families throughout Japan, ready to welcome you. Students of Japanese in particular are able to immerse themselves in conversation with their host families—and learn the words and phrases they don’t teach you at school. Others will enjoy cooking with their host families and discovering more about Japanese traditions and culture. More importantly, most homestay guests continue to stay in touch with their hosts, even after returning to their own countries.
If you’re a student of Japanese and plan on being in Japan for a year, Nextage can arrange a homestay for your first two or three months. For tourists, or even for people already living in Japan, homestays are available for as short as a single night. The arrangement fee is ¥15,750, and one-night stays (including dinner and breakfast) are as low as ¥4,725.
Nextage visits and vets all potential host families so they can be introduced to you with confidence. For students, Nextage also introduces Japanese language schools, career colleges and universities, without any referral fee, as well as arranging one-day sightseeing tours and providing assistance for those who are on working holidays.
5F Toho Center Bldg, 4-6 Kanda-Sakumacho, Chiyoda-ku. Tel: 03-3866-0139. Open Mon-Fri 11am-6pm, closed Sat-Sun. Email: info@homestay-in-japan.com. Nearest stn: Akihabara. http://www.homestay-in-japan.com/eng/index.html
JS Design & Construction
Already found your space, but keep thinking it doesn’t quite meet your needs? From updating old kitchens and bathrooms to reconfiguring an apartment or home interior, fitting out a commercial space or office, or even just replacing the wallpaper, JSDC can help. A full service general contractor and design company dedicated to the needs of the international community, JSDC pairs US-trained designers and a Japanese general contractor with 30 years’ experience, so you can benefit from the combination of broad-ranging design sensibility and solid experience in the local construction industry. In addition to interior spaces, JSDC provides repairs and maintenance for existing buildings, and the design and construction of new ones. Owners of rental properties seeking to upgrade their units to appeal more to the international market are also encouraged to take advantage of JSDC’s expertise. For more information, visit the website to view previous projects and a complete list of services.
4F Hagiwara Bldg, 1-17-2 Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku. Tel: 03-3359-5106. Email: info@j-soubi.com. Nearest stn: Shinjuku-Gyoenmae. www.j-soubi.com/en/
Mizutani & Associates
If you’re looking to make a home of your own—literally—there’s only one name you need to remember. Mizutani & Associates have specialized in custom-built homes since 1921. The company pays careful attention to every detail of the building process, putting its heart and soul into its craft. Its exclusive designers are dedicated to providing customers—both Japanese and Western—with top-notch service until the keys have been handed over.
Mizutani’s team of experienced craftsmen focuses on function, quality and design, creating homes with a timeless appeal. Customers have described the feeling of living in their new homes as being akin to wearing their own clothes—a testament to the achievement of Mizutani’s staff. In addition to custom-built homes, Mizutani’s housing services can help meet its clients’ varied needs, including American- and barn-style homes (using building materials directly imported from the US), as well as eco-houses, log houses, and securing real property in the Shonan area.
If you’d like to see the company’s distinctive model home, B&B Design Library and B&G Design Café, make sure to visit Mizutani’s Yokohama Home Collection. When you’re ready for that special dream house, Mizutani is there to help.
Yokohama Home Collection: 3-3 Minatomirai, Nishi-ku, Yokohama. Tel: 045-662-9695. Email: info@ordermade-mizutani.com. Nearest stn: Minato Mirai. www.ordermade-mizutani.com
Tokyo Living | Premium Rental Apartments
Have a pet you can’t part with? Enjoy playing music? Don’t want to pay key money? Require a concierge? All of these concerns and more can be handled by Tokyo Living, which offers a one-stop housing solution for both short- and long-term accommodation, with more than 20,000 apartments available throughout Tokyo’s 23 wards. Bilingual leasing consultants use their local knowledge to help assist you in finding the perfect housing solution to suit your needs. Trusted by over 500 corporate accounts since its establishment in 2004, Tokyo Living is proud to provide its clients with quality products and services.
Tel: 03-6273-0181. Email: metropolis@tokyo-living.com. Premium Rental Apartments: www.tokyo-living.com. Serviced and Rental Apartments: www.tokyoapartments.jp
S.A.I. Recycle
Whether you’re moving house, leaving the country, or just looking to streamline your apartment, S.A.I. Recycle can help you out. The recycle shop and disposal service will take unwanted goods off your hands in a jiffy (note: unloved pets and spouses not included). If it’s something with high resale value—think modern consumer electronics, designer furniture, antiques or audio gear—S.A.I. can offer you a competitive price for it. They’ll also cart off other furniture and appliances, either for free (if it’s something they can resell), or at a small cost (for fixer-ups and bona fide junk). Call or email to ask about getting a quotation. Alternatively, just swing by the S.A.I. Works Gallery recycle shop in Shirokane and make a deal on the spot. From cleaning out an office to disposing of a single chair, if you need to get rid of something, you know who to call.
1-10-7 Shirokane, Minato-ku. Tel: 03-5422-9310, toll-free: 0120-318-420. Nearest stn: Shirokane-Takanawa. http://sai-works.com/en/
Sea Hospitality
This friendly real estate company runs an eclectic array of property-related businesses, including a hotel, a storage center, rental offices and a string of guesthouses. The Hotel Seven Seas Ginza, for example, is an elegant, modern place with room rates (from ¥9,400) that belie its upscale location.
If you’re staying longer than a couple of weeks, a Sea Guesthouse is one of the most attractive accommodation options in Tokyo. Though Sea Hospitality opened its first guesthouse just last year, they already have another dozen properties throughout the capital, many in the centrally located Minato-ku area. The houses offer private, semi-private or dorm accommodation, and even though most of the locations are for women only, guys are welcome to stay in one of the Akasaka properties. All vacancies are listed online, so visit the website to see if there’s a room for you.
5F Fuji Bldg, 40-15-14 Sakuragaoka-cho, Shibuya-ku. Tel: 03-6416-9714. Email: quest@seahospitality.jp. http://www.guesthouse-metro.com/eng/
Oceans
If you’re looking for a cozy or luxury home in Tokyo that’s a step above the rest, your search should begin and end at Oceans. This Tokyo-based realtor offers accommodations of all shapes and sizes, from luxury studio flats to five-bedroom houses, and rents ranging from ¥200,000 to ¥4 million. With locations in such foreigner-friendly areas as Azabu and Omotesando, as well as Hiroo, Roppongi, Ebisu, Shibuya, Aoyama and Yoyogi, they’re perfect for professional workers and expatriates who can sign lease agreements under a corporate contract.
The staff at Oceans proudly believe the old saying, “The customer is king,” poring through their database of over 90,000 rental properties to find that perfect expat abode. Updated daily, the database can be accessed through Oceans’ website, which also features useful information for new Tokyo residents, like basic cable and satellite TV plans, internet availability, fitness clubs, international schools, shops, restaurants and bars. With top-notch support and a wealth of information at hand, Oceans is like one-stop shopping for your life in Tokyo.
Tel: 03-5766-7747. Email: sales@oceans.co.jp. www.oceans.co.jp
Workbusters
Need a removal service? Cleaning service? Clearance? Gardening? How about a handyman? To use that well-known catchphrase: “Who you gonna call?” In this case, it would be Workbusters: your one-stop source for all the jobs you don’t have the time, knowledge, expertise or inclination to do yourself.
Workbusters was established recently by two Englishmen who were frustrated at the lack of foreigner-friendly companies that were able to provide all of the above services from one source. For example, it can be difficult to navigate the sometimes confusing Japanese system of large item disposal, even with the requisite language skills.
With Workbusters, though, you needn’t worry about such things. Whatever you require—be it a gardener, decorator or even window cleaner—you’re only one phone call away from a fast, reliable, flexible service, with all work carried out by experienced native English speakers. Don’t hesitate to contact them for further information on available services.
Tel: 090-9100-2909 or 080-5444-7868. Email: workbusters@japan.com
HELP IS AT HAND
An NPO makes apartment hunting easier for Tokyo’s foreign residents
Finding a place to live is always a tricky business, but foreigners in Japan have it particularly tough. Racial discrimination is par for the course in the real estate industry here, where the majority of landlords still outright refuse to let gaijin sully their property. However, things might slowly be changing. At the end of last year, an NPO called the Information Center for Foreigners in Japan introduced the country’s first guarantor service for non-Japanese. We spoke to ICFJ representative Akira Koike about the thinking behind the scheme, which is initially being offered in Chinese and Korean—with an English version promised soon.
How did the Information Center for Foreigners start out?
We began as a federation of seven expat publications that formed to help foreign victims of the Great Hanshin Earthquake in 1995. In autumn of the same year, we held a symposium to share information on our relief work, and ask the city and related government organizations to release information on disasters and other pertinent issues. A decade later, in 2004, the city finally decided to set up a network for expat media, which was later expanded, reorganized and officially named the Information Center for Foreigners in Japan.
What kinds of services do you provide?
Our general work includes operating the expat media network, sending up-to-date information to media members, holding an annual emergency drill for foreigners, and educating language volunteers for disaster relief. We also hold Japanese classes for about 100 students, offer free legal advice, provide translations, and are involved in a variety of research and symposiums. In terms of housing issues, we established a separate organization last November to support foreigners’ welfare. It’s primarily focused on providing a rent guarantor service, as well as teaching foreigners what they need to know about living in an apartment in Japan. In the future, we’re planning to support permanent residents with thngs like medical issues, job-hunting and finding a place to live.
What are some horror stories you've heard about foreigners trying to rent apartments in Tokyo?
There are no special “horror” stories to tell. Racial discrimination is an ordinary, everyday thing here. When we organized a symposium on housing issues for foreign residents back in October 2006, we conducted a survey of 406 people from 16 different countries to examine the current housing situation for expats. One of the questions was, “How many real estate agencies did you visit before finding a place to live?” The average answer was 15.8 (17.2 for students and job-seekers, and 13.1 for employed workers). In other words, real estate agencies generally just don’t deal with foreigners.
Do you think the situation is improving in general?
I think it’s improved dramatically in the past few years. That said, probably only about 5 percent of landlords welcome foreigners.
What are some tips you can give to readers who are trying to rent an apartment in Tokyo?
First and foremost, keep in mind that real estate agencies represent the landlords when doing sales. Also, remember that real estate is the only business in the service industry that can choose its own customers. That’s why you have to dispense with the assumption that you should be served, and instead make an effort to make a good impression, and show them that you’re a trustworthy customer. When you visit a real estate agency, make sure you’re well-dressed and talk (in Japanese) as politely as you can. We always advise people to wear the most formal attire they’ve got.
Do you think that Chinese and Koreans suffer greater discrimination than Westerners when looking for apartments?
From our perspective, we feel that (white) Westerners are far more privileged. Blacks, Chinese and Koreans, on the other hand, have a much more difficult time finding a place, even compared to other Asians.
Why do you think so many landlords are unwilling to rent to foreigners (of any nationality)?
We often hear that there are three main concerns. One is that foreigners might not be able to follow the correct rules and manners in Japan. Another is that not speaking the same language may get in the way when a problem arises. The third is that the rent may not get paid properly.
The foreigners’ welfare support organization that I referred to earlier offers a service to solve all three of these common concerns. To put it another way, the goal of the organization is basically to solve these common concerns that landlords have, and improve the current housing situation for permanent foreign residents here in Japan.
Do you plan to offer services in English? If so, when?
We’re planning to offer services in English very soon. We don’t know when yet, but like we said it’s very soon, so please wait a while longer.
For more information, see http://gaikokujin-jp.info
