LIVING COSTS AND EXPENSES

Living Expenses

Here’s a general overview of typical student living expenses in Japan. Expenses can vary depending on the city, lifestyle, and accommodation choice. Here’s a breakdown based on monthly expenses:

ItemApproximate Monthly Cost
Accommodation25,000-60,000yen
Utilities10,000yen
Basic Food20,000-50,000yen
National Health insurance2000yen
Mobile Phone4500yen
Local Transportation10,000yen
Leisure Activities15,0000yen
Internet4000yen
Total90,500yen–96,100yen

Accommodation

University dormitories are cheaper, while private apartments in big cities like Tokyo can be more expensive.

Here’s a detailed breakdown of the various types of accommodation available in Tokyo for students, along with their estimated monthly costs:

1. University Dormitories
  • Estimated Monthly Cost: ¥30,000 – ¥60,000
  • Details:
    • Shared rooms or single rooms.
    • Basic furniture (bed, desk, etc.) included.
    • Usually located near the university campus.
    • Some dorms have shared kitchens and bathrooms.
    • Utilities may be included or extra depending on the dorm.
2. Share Houses (Guesthouses)
  • Estimated Monthly Cost: ¥40,000 – ¥90,000
  • Details:
    • You share common areas like the kitchen, living room, and bathroom with other tenants.
    • Private or shared bedrooms.
    • Great way to meet other students or people from different backgrounds.
    • Utilities are usually included in the rent.
    • Common in Tokyo and popular among international students.
3. Private Apartments
  • Estimated Monthly Cost: ¥70,000 – ¥150,000+
  • Details:
    • Rents vary widely depending on the location and size of the apartment.
    • 1K (one room with a small kitchen) is a common choice for students.
    • Utilities (electricity, gas, water) are usually not included in the rent and can add ¥10,000 – ¥20,000 monthly.
    • Initial costs can be high (key money, deposit, agent fees), typically equal to 3-6 months of rent upfront.
4. Apartment with Roommates
  • Estimated Monthly Cost: ¥50,000 – ¥100,000 (per person)
  • Details:
    • Renting a larger apartment with roommates can lower costs.
    • You share the rent and utility expenses.
    • This option requires coordination with friends or fellow students, and availability can be limited.
5. Homestays
  • Estimated Monthly Cost: ¥80,000 – ¥100,000
  • Details:
    • Live with a Japanese family, often with meals included.
    • Great for cultural immersion and improving language skills.
    • Utilities and meals (breakfast and dinner) are usually included in the cost.
    • It can be more structured and may involve curfews.
6. Monthly Rental Apartments (Short-term rentals)
  • Estimated Monthly Cost: ¥80,000 – ¥200,000+
  • Details:
    • Furnished apartments are available for short-term stays, usually from one month to a few months.
    • Higher rent but no initial move-in costs (no key money, deposit).
    • It is ideal for those staying for a short period or who don’t want the hassle of furnishing an apartment.
    • Utilities may be included, depending on the rental agreement.
7. Student-specific Apartments (Gakusei Mansions)
  • Estimated Monthly Cost: ¥50,000 – ¥100,000
  • Details:
    • Apartments targeted specifically at students.
    • Often furnished and located near universities.
    • May have a community feel, with other students as neighbors.
    • Rent varies based on location and facilities.
Additional Costs to Consider for Private Apartments:
  • Key Money (礼金): 1-2 months’ rent (non-refundable, “thank you” money to the landlord).
  • Deposit (敷金): 1-2 months’ rent (refundable, but may be deducted for cleaning or damages).
  • Agent Fee (仲介手数料): Usually 1 month’s rent (payment to the real estate agent).
  • Insurance: ¥10,000 – ¥20,000/year (mandatory in many cases).

Utilities

Costs depend on the season (winter heating/summer cooling may increase this).

1. Electricity (Denki – 電気)
  • Monthly Cost: ¥3,000 – ¥10,000
  • Details:
    • Electricity powers most household appliances, including lighting, air conditioning, and electronics.
    • Costs vary significantly depending on the season, as air conditioning (summer) and heating (winter) can cause spikes.
    • Billing is typically monthly, and in some cases, students may need to set up their own electricity account when moving into a private apartment.
2. Gas (Gasu – ガス)
  • Monthly Cost: ¥1,000 – ¥5,000
  • Details:
    • Gas is typically used for cooking (stoves) and heating water (for baths and showers).
    • There are two types of gas: city gas (cheaper and more common in urban areas like Tokyo) and LP gas (more expensive and common in rural areas).
    • Usage increases in winter due to hot water needs.
3. Water (Suidou – 水道)
  • Monthly Cost: ¥2,000 – ¥3,000
  • Details:
    • Water is used for drinking, cooking, showering, and laundry.
    • Water bills are usually bi-monthly but can be paid monthly if arranged.
    • Some older apartments may not have a separate water meter, and water may be included in the rent.
4. Internet and Phone
  • Monthly Cost (Internet): ¥3,000 – ¥6,000
  • Details:
    • Internet (Wi-Fi) is a necessity for most students. Fiber-optic broadband is common in Tokyo.
    • Installation may require a one-time fee, but some apartments come with pre-installed internet.
    • Mobile phone plans with data are also essential, with costs ranging from ¥4,000 – ¥8,000/month depending on the plan.
5. Heating and Air Conditioning (AC/Heater)
  • Included in Electricity Bill:
    • Heating and air conditioning are typically powered by electricity through air conditioner units.
    • Tokyo’s summers are hot and humid, and winters can be chilly, so AC/heating usage significantly impacts your electricity bill.
    • It’s common to see bills rise to ¥10,000 or more in peak summer or winter months.
6. Trash Disposal (Garbage Management)
  • No Direct Cost, but Strict Rules:
    • There’s no separate bill for garbage collection, but Japan has strict rules for sorting waste into burnable, non-burnable, plastic, and recyclables.
    • Local municipalities provide a schedule for trash collection, and failing to follow the rules can result in fines.
7. Initial Setup Costs for Utilities
  • When moving into a private apartment, students may need to set up utility accounts for electricity, gas, and water.
  • Some landlords take care of this, especially in student apartments or shared houses.
  • Utility setup fees are usually low, but deposits may be required.
Average Monthly Utility Total: ¥10,000 – ¥20,000

(For a typical one-room apartment, depending on the season and individual usage.)

Basic Food

  • Groceries: Monthly grocery expenses can range from ¥30,000 to ¥50,000.
  • Dining Out: Eating at inexpensive restaurants can cost around ¥1,000 per meal. Mid-range restaurants may cost about ¥2,500 to ¥5,000.

Health Insurance

  • National Health Insurance: This is typically around ¥2,000 to ¥5,000 per month.

Transportation

  • Public Transport: Monthly passes can cost between ¥10,000 to ¥20,000, depending on the distance you travel.

Leisure Activities

Plan to spend around ¥10,000 to ¥20,000 monthly on leisure activities, depending on your interests. Many activities can also be found for free or at low cost, especially if you explore local culture and nature.

Internet

1.Home Internet (Fiber Optic)

  • Cost: ¥3,000 to ¥6,000/
  • Speed: Typically offers high-speed connections (up to 1 Gbps).

2.Mobile Data

  • Providers: Major carriers include NTT Docomo, au, and SoftBank, along with various budget providers.
  • Cost: ¥3,000 to ¥8,000/month, depending on data limits.

3.Wi-Fi Routers

  • If you prefer to rent a portable Wi-Fi router, it usually costs around ¥1,000 to ¥3,000/month.
  • Contracts: Most home internet providers require a contract (usually 1-2 years), so be aware of cancellation fees.
  • Setup Fees: Initial setup fees can range from ¥5,000 to ¥20,000, depending on the provider.
  • Availability: Some areas may have limited options, so check the local availability before committing.
Consideration

4.Public WIFI

  • Many cafes, libraries, and public places offer free Wi-Fi, which can supplement your home or mobile internet.

Total estimated monthly cost

  • In total, you might be looking at around ¥90,500yen to ¥96,100yen per month, depending on your lifestyle and location.

Tips for managing expenses

  • Scholarships: Look for scholarships or part-time work opportunities for students
  • Budgeting: Create a budget to track your expenses and prioritize needs over wants