Having decided that the best option for long term accommodation in Fukuoka was to rent an apartment, I began attempting to sort out what I wanted in an apartment, and trying to decipher the Japanese. Being able to understand Japanese, or having a friend that can help you out is a big help.
The options are:
– Rent a long term apartment (usually a minimum of a year contract)
– Rent a short term apartment (usually a minimum of a week or a month)
Renting a long term apartment
Renting is an expensive business in Japan. Besides the monthly cost of renting, when you first sign the contract, you must also pay:
– Key Money (reikin, usually equivalent to one or two months rent, non-refundable)
– Security Deposit (shikikin, usually equivalent to one or two months rent, said to be refundable, but more often than not, this doesn’t happen)
– Finders Fee (if you used an agent to find the apartment, usually equivalent to one or two months rent, non-refundable)
Good Info. I speak Japanese and want to rent a short term apartment, two or three months only, from Jan. through March. A more rural area (i.e. Kawagoe) is best, preferably 1-2 hours from Tokyo. I have a reputable Japanese friend who can serve as guarantor once I find a suitable place. Any suggestions? Darrell (Los Angeles)