How to Rent Apartments in Japan - Ep 2. Gaijin Troubles 日本での賃貸のマナー

[blondeno1girl]

You guys are really missing the point. I've lived here for 20 years, have permanent residency, speak fluent Japanese, have a Japanese hoshonin, and I STILL had trouble finding an apartment. They reject you simply on the basis that you are a foreigner. Your video does nothing to address the issue that many Japanese landlords are racist, pure and simple.

[Hikosaemon]

@blondeno1girl That's not true at all - Ep 3 we spend a whole episode talking in Japanese about how Sachiko confronts and persuades landlords to change their attitudes toward accepting foreign tenants. Fact remains however that landlords that won't consider foreign tenants is a fact of life here that foreigners looking for apartments need to deal with. This is intended as constructive advice for new arrivals of what can be done.

[Hikosaemon]

@blondeno1girl As a 20 year resident, I don't have to tell you what your options are in terms of fighting back against such landlords that won't consider foreign tenants, Debito's site is there with all the advice that you could want.

In the end of the day, what it comes down to is the lack of a human rights law in Japan - there is a bill being drafted in the Diet that is a hot topic for rightists opposed to it, but that promises to give better means to those who suffer this issue.

[RENEDU2]

damn hiyodoris 

[ajebism]

Not all 'hoshounin daikou' (保証人代行) guarantor companies are dodgy. I've used this type of company plenty of times and never had any problems - and you don't need a guarantor sign up to this service either.

Hoshounin daikou companies generally charge half a month's rent as an initial fee for the service, and will then take your monthly rent out of your bank account automatically. If you don't have enough on the bank on the 27th then they will send you a convenience store payment postcard.

[HomleandSecurity]

It's such a hassle to get an apartment in Japan! I think it's better if foreigners just stay home.

[omgharajuku]

Thanks for the video! I have a question, though.

I will be studying abroad for a year in Tokyo, and I signed up with the University to help me find an apartment. A woman from the school sent me a brochure, while another person emailed me volunteering to help with the apartment search, and she sent me a bunch of pages about apartments. If I go with the apartments the woman sent me (which are cheaper) will she charge me one month's worth of rent like in the video?

[TolokyoRAW]

Wow...she seemed to say really strongly that subletting is illegal. O.o

I approached my landlord and asked if I could do it - he said, "sure, I trust you to take care of whoever comes in". But I'd already developed a really good relationship with my landlord, so I guess it was different.

There's a word of advice for everyone: be friendly with your landlord.

I used to have house parties, and he'd always bring up homemade food or drinks for everyone.

[Hikosaemon]

@TolokyoRAW Not illegal - just emphatic that doing it behind your landlord's back is grounds for termination and eviction, and that it is a concern that many landlords express about allowing foreign tenants in. Whether subleases are permitted is of course up to the contract and understanding between the tenant and landlord - where your landlord is a person and you get on well, of course that's an ideal situation. The key however is not to presume you can do it without permission.

[tekzunited]

party party "D

[TolokyoRAW]

It would be great to interview one of those guarantor companies about their process...I've been told you don't need a monthly fee - just a 1-time, upfront fee. And I've never heard that you need a guarantor even if you pay for a guarantor company..was surprised when she said that.

[Hikosaemon]

@TolokyoRAW They're all slightly different, but I looked at using a guarantor company a few years ago, and the two companies I checked were for a small monthly fee.

The key is that in most cases, the companies themselves don't become guarantors - they introduce you to old fellers who volunteer to sign as guarantor and use the monthly payments as income, but this is why it is important to really check out the company you are using. The service is primarily for Japanese without guarantors.

[WeToldYouSo1]

Good work and very helpful. Because of those hard rules, there are so many miserable souls living in Japan that fell out of the system and can never get back in.

[Nemesis093781]

Thank you for the video.

[Ido013]

What about normal scotch-tape for the posters? Do we need permission for that too? XD

[knowntothose]

I think Japanese should run a renter's background if unsure of a tenant.

[APOKALYPSE34]

Great info. Very helpful!

[akitokimemo]

is it really the difficult to be a foreingner in Japan?

[Hikosaemon]

@akitokimemo Everyone's experience is different, but I think the simple answer to that is "no". Renting apartments is the most difficult thing for foreigners in Japan, but for most foreigners, especially from rich countries, life in Japan varies from being semi-invisible with a free VIP pass / diplomatic immunity wherever you go, to being a virtual movie star in small towns. You don't blend much, but 99% of discrimination tends to be positive.

[Rhyminggaijin]

thanks for the info !!!!

[TheOneTitan]

Keep it coming, this is really original, not to mention I find her somewhat cute =)

[Hikosaemon]

@TheOneTitan haha - will do. And yes, I learned a long time ago that I alone am not exactly the kind of eye-candy that most people are looking for...

[yuichituba]

This is a good video, Hiko. Even though some things may be common sense, some foreigners would be totally oblivious with the smallest things, but many times it's the small things that can get us in trouble.

[Hikosaemon]

@yuichituba haha, you could be talking about marriage with that one :) Yep, if there is one phrase that sums up Japan best, I like to think of it as "little things are big things".

[yuichituba]

@Hikosaemon Hahha, good one. I hope to find out about that soon :)

That's a good quote.

[BoyGeniusT]

Thanks for the videos ^_^ I'm a senior in high school and I plan on moving there after college. The apartment thing worried me the most seeing as I heard foreigners have a bad rep. It seems harder than I thought but atleast I'm somewhat prepared now ^_^ Do you have any advide on how I can prepare for the move (besides learning the language which I need to do) I have never been there before and have no friends or contacts there.

[Hikosaemon]

@BoyGeniusT Hey man, Episode 4 is specifically about that so stand by. If you are coming to Tokyo, you could also do a lot worse than use Sachiko's real estate agency which is in a really nice part of Tokyo and is obviously very gaijin-friendly. The general advice I give friends is to save money, be patient, and remember that your agent is doing their best to help you, so even if you get frustrated, don't take it out on them. There is always a way through ;)

[moolikeachicken]

Not that I expected Japanese people to have house parties or anything..but just hearing like "Oh gawd no one does that here!"....I think that would be my biggest culture shock. In the US, there's like...a house party every day! XD not really. but at least like, 2 a month amongst my close friends.

[Hikosaemon]

@moolikeachicken The big difference is Izakaya. I can't explain in words just how wonderful izakaya are. I'm sure the US is like NZ in that if you want to drink, but also have an audible conversation and be able to see your friends in a lit room, a home party is the only option (as opposed to a dark noisy bar or club). Izakaya are set up for parties - they have great food, great booze, you can be reasonably rowdy but still see and talk to all your friends, and no one has to clean up afterwards.

[Hikosaemon]

@moolikeachicken I'd also note that it is less unheard of to have house parties in the countryside, and "nabe" or "pot luck" parties are reasonably common even in Tokyo, but even in the countryside, most of my friends prefer to go to an Izakaya, where everything you want is right there.

The downside of course is looking at your wallet on Monday and trying to figure out where all that cash went...

[getsuyobiwamitsuki]

So if you want to hang anything in your apartment you have to ask the landlord first? What did you say about what you should use. It was getting hard to hear.

[Hikosaemon]

@getsuyobiwamitsuki Sorry - I mumbled a bit. I said "blu-tack" - just something that won't damage the walls. The two general solutions are 1) for buildings with concrete walls, many now have railings with movable hooks that you can attach wire to and hang pictures from. That is how I hang the pictures in my room in my video, and 2) for wooden walls, there are some clever hooks that basically use pins - they can hold up pictures and leave almost imperceptible holes. So there are ways around

[xxjacobxx3]

holy crap man... it seems like it would be a big deal for japanese, not to mention foreigners... talking about the gaurantor. Makes me like insurance...

You cant get insurance with an insurance company? instead of a friend or company you work for? Thats really awkward. I dont like asking anything of anyone.

[Hikosaemon]

@xxjacobxx3 It isn't exactly insurance. It's a personal financial guarantee - a pledge of financial responsibility for anything you do. And yes, asking people for it sucks, which is why parents in law or a company are the usual defaults. Two alternatives are- 1) yes, there are companies that act as guarantors for you, usually in exchange for a small monthly fee, so it is a wee bit like insurance, 2) public housing, gaijin/guesthouses and some apartments don't require guarantors

[xxjacobxx3]

@Hikosaemon

oh ok then, thanks for the info. Its not as bad as i was thinking.

[linkinpain]

these videos have made me realize that japan is just not for me =[ i hate to kiss ass to get an apartment.

[Hikosaemon]

@linkinpain lol, kissing ass is an unfortunate part of life in any country. In the end, the pain and punishment isn't worth it. However, it is fair to say that Japan is definitely at the stricter end of the scale, and it does drive a lot of foreigners crazy in that way. My only suggestion is not to take it too heavily. Just because Japanese don't have massive house parties doesn't mean they don't do massive izakaya parties - which are unlike anything I have seen in NZ.

[Hikosaemon]

@linkinpain Rather than play the stereo loud, they will go to karaoke, or to one of the thousands of clubs or live spaces in Tokyo and destroy their hearing on the soundsystems there. I know guys with damaged hearing, and people who have broken their legs and even one guy who broke his back at karaoke. It's not that you stop having fun - you just have to adapt, and do it differently.

[linkinpain]

@Hikosaemon is not the party or recycling part that bothers me is the renting process, they make it really hard for outsiders to rent.

[Hikosaemon]

@linkinpain Well, I've seldom had to look for more than a day. The main thing is the first time it was really stressful because I didn't really get what was going on and that is why I made this. The only place I've ever heard of a guy not being able to find an apartment was in Kitakyushu - In Tokyo, where only about 50% of apartments are available for foreigners, that's still plenty, plus there are other options like gaijin houses and guest houses. So it isn't that bad. Just be prepared.

[Daichen]

I'm really glad you guys got into the topic of garbage and noises. This is a great series!

[Hikosaemon]

@Daichen Haha - to think of all the plans I had for buying a killer stereo system in Japan...

[grooveonchan]

Another informative video... I haven't been on youtube much lately, but it's good to see you helping pave ways for better reputation for us gaijin here in Japan. :):) Keep up the good work! I know for those who like to prepare well before they come, like I myself did, resarching videos like yours is (and was in my case) a very good preparation to customs and life in general. Thanks!!!

5 stars :)

[Hikosaemon]

@grooveonchan Hey man, good to see you! Hope you are well. Yep, there is always going to be some yobbo come and ruin it for everyone no matter what you do, but I figure if nothing else, I can at least try to be a source of information for people who get in the situations as I often did, of getting in trouble and having no idea what it was that I had done wrong exactly... This kind of thing is hard to take in ahead of time, but hopefully it will click when people arrive.

[N1GHTWALKER823]

Thank you. Cant wait for the upcoming videos.

[fabitapunk]

Arigatou for another awesome video....as always =)

[Hikosaemon]

@fabitapunk De nada - thanks for watching =D

[RobotKoi]

Thanks so much for these videos. I have heard about a lot of these things (and I got in trouble for having a party once) but I had no idea how much responsibility a guarantor had to take on!

[Hikosaemon]

@RobotKoi At first, I thought a guarantor was like a character reference, and couldn't understand why it was so difficult to find someone to be your guarantor. This again is why accommodation is a really important part of any job negotiation before or when you come to Japan - it is really the only time you have leverage to make sure you are covered. Something I only learned when I got my second job....

[cloudstrifeification]

Great video Hikosaemon and thanks for all your info on this matter. It does sound quite stressful and complicated.

[Hikosaemon]

@cloudstrifeification Once you move into an apartment, provided you know how to avoid drama (pointers in this vid) it is all pretty much smooth sailing from there. Apartment hunting can be, I think, the most stressful part of being in japan, but often it can be over in a day or so. The purpose of the vid is to minimize stress and confusion when you do it by giving people an idea of what to expect. Glad to hear it helps!

[KokoKolla]

Thanks for these! Great insight on what to look for when moving to Japan.

[Degenskonto]

I didnt really understand what Mata Gashi sublease was, could someone explain?

Great video, man.

[Hikosaemon]

@Degenskonto A sublease is when someone renting an apartment rents all or part of it on to someone else. The most common scenario in NZ is when one person rents a house and pays the landlord rent for it, but rents out rooms in the apartment to other people. I lived in a lot of places in NZ this way, paying my rent for a room in a house to a guy who had the main lease with the landlord. In Japan, this kind of thing is usually strictly prohibited.

[Degenskonto]

@Hikosaemon Ah, okay. Thanks!

[devilmemnoch]

Sachiko-sensei is such a natural beauty. can you go on a date with me when i go to japan next year?

[devilmemnoch]

Sachiko-sensei is such a natural beauty.

[IamTyrick]

Wow.. Excellent video! I didn't know you planned on doing a series related to the subject! I think this is an important topic to be covered and I'm glad someone is putting in the effort to get this information out there. Great Job!

[Hikosaemon]

@IamTyrick My pleasure. And agreed, I think that apartment hunting is probably the most stressful part of living in Japan, for almost all foreigners, and also for many Japanese in a similar position to foreigners here. I've made a lot of mistakes, been through a lot of stress, and learned a lot in my 12 years and six apartments in Tokyo, so I figured I could do a little to help others learn some of the lessons I had to learn the hard way. Cheers!

[Zukiekie]

I've always thought about living in Japan. I'm really glad that I've seen these videos. I'm starting to have second thoughts! Maybe I'll go for a visit, but I don't think it would be the place for me to live. While I'd try my hardest to be respectful, I could see me breaking the rules and feeling very guilty.

Thanks for these videos! They've really opened my eyes.

[Hikosaemon]

@Zukiekie lol - the most important thing about living in Japan, or just about any country with a different culture to your own, is that there are a bunch of different rules and conventions you will need to pick up. Breaking the rules and feeling guilty is all part of the "culture shock" process. It is only painful when you have no idea what is going on or why you are in trouble - the purpose of this vid is to give people a bit of context to help them adjust. Come visit and see how you like it!

[icanfeelloud]

What a great little series! :) thank yoooooo xx

[Hikosaemon]

@icanfeelloud Ooh, you're making me blush, here!

[TokyoNerd]

That's was really fun and informative. Thanks for sharing.

[Hikosaemon]

@TokyoNerd My pleasure ;)

[joelmb1000]

Better sound in this one, thanks Hikosaemon :)

[Hikosaemon]

@joelmb1000 Hehe, yep - I was thinking of you :) I can't do much about the sirens and traffic noise in the background, but I figured it didn't need BGM this time so I just kept it simple. Seems to work.

I really appreciate feedback on stuff like that - it helps me to make better videos, so thank you!

[Laura17T]

Thank you Hiko-san. These vids are really good and helpful.

[Hikosaemon]

@Laura17T Thanks Laura!

[alaivani]

This is a very useful video. Thank you for pointing out these cultural differences and explaining some reasons for particular things (like why shoes aren't worn inside the house). Is there a video especially made for "gomi bumbetsu" or garbage separation? That would be a good thing to know in advance of coming.

[Hikosaemon]

@alaivani Lots of people are asking about the gomi bumbetsu - I haven't got a video on it lined up, but it looks like lots of people want to see it so I will consider making one. The main issue is that it is done completely differently in each local government district in Japan - even definitions of "burnables" and "recyclables" change depending on which area you are in, so it would only be a guide, but I'll definitely look at making a video on that in the near future.

Cheers!

[edtomorrow]

Again, thank you Hiko and Landhousing for doing these... Very, very cool...

[Hikosaemon]

@edtomorrow Hey man, I was just glad to get a good video topic :) Sachiko has done a great job on these.

[swemda]

Great, no-nonsense advices.

[Hikosaemon]

@swemda thanks! :)

[Gell1welt69]

I really enjoy your informative Videos

[Hikosaemon]

@Gell1welt69 The pleasure is all mine. Thanks for the nice comment.

[TokyoZeplin]

While I know most of the information here, it's still a really good series you have going! Nice work!

[Hikosaemon]

@TokyoZeplin Cheers man, I appreciate your feedback, and your useful responses to questions in the thread as well!

[ozzy78]

Thanks for the video. Very good info. Looking froward to the next videos. Hopefully , it will be subtitled? =)

[Hikosaemon]

@ozzy78 Yep - I've been lazy about not subtitling this year. It takes a lot of time, but the next video in Japanese will definitely have Japanese subtitles. Hopefully it will be up next week.

[Gimmeabreakman]

Glad to see you're still uploading these.

[Hikosaemon]

@Gimmeabreakman Hey man, yep, new years resolutions and all that. Hopefully will be a bit more regular this year.

[hmatsuuchi]

Wow! Great video. I'm actually quite curious as to what kind of advice you're going to give regarding increasing the odds of being rented an apartment as a foreigner. The availability of a guarantor aside, it seems as though many real estate agencies have already made up their minds concerning whether or not they're willing to rent to foreign customers before the fact.

On a side note. I always found the differing views on the cleanliness of shoes vs. feet in Japan to be quite interesting.

[Hikosaemon]

@hmatsuuchi Of course the best approach is to find agencies that help foreigners - public housing (UR) allows foreigners, but there tends to be a lot of competition for rooms. Sachiko's work (Landhousing) I understand goes out of its way to ensure that landlords are open to foreigners to begin with. You are right however, once a landlord has decided not to allow foreigners, there is no negotiation - they use their own agents in order to avoid that.

[Hikosaemon]

@hmatsuuchi I'm interested in hearing your point about shoes vs feet - I'm not sure I know what you mean? I tend to find that anything that has made contact with the outside world, starting with the genkan, shoes or feet, needs to be washed and disinfected before it is allowed to make contact with the floors of the house. Is there some differentiation between shoes and feet?

[hmatsuuchi]

@Hikosaemon I always found it quite interesting that shoes are viewed as unclean objects while feet (particularly socked feet) don't seem to be nearly as unclean. This is purely anecdotal, but I can remember numerous instances when coworkers removed their shoes to stand on their desk in an effort to get to an out-of-reach item and then not but a few minutes later, ate their meal on the same desk. It's not necessarily a contrast to western culture, I just imagine it as a bit of a disconnect.

[axesent]

Great to see informative vids on Rental properties!!

Keep up the great work!!

Hope to meet up some time after my big move on Feb the 8th!!

Take care!

[Hikosaemon]

@axesent Cool man, hope this gives useful advice - the fourth video will be on hunting tips, should be up right before you arrive.

Peace

[dothetwist298]

One thing's been bugging me for a while now. The thing is, I'm going to Japan this year, and I'm gonna rent a one room apartment there. BUT I practice violin. I'm only a third year at music school, so I'm gonna attend classes as well once I'm in Japan. Is "violin" a no-no for some places? Do my chances of renting an apartment decrease if I'll have to practice violin at home?

[ParkLeeNa]

@dothetwist298 Don't pratice at home, practice at school, stay late at school and pratice there. Yes it is a big nono. If I may answer even though you were asking Hikosaemon-san.

[TokyoZeplin]

@dothetwist298 The violin is a surprisingly noisy instrument (used to play myself!), compared to say an acoustic guitar, and sadly the floors and walls in most Japanese apartments are absolutely tiny. That means that sound can very easily jump from your room into the next, above you or below you, and in Japan, that's a very big no-no. I wouldn't count on finding an apartment where you could practice violin at home. I know people that rent karaoke rooms to practice there, for the same reasons.

[dothetwist298]

@TokyoZeplin I agree about school,but I don't want to pay for karaoke.It's kind of unfair,why do I have to pay for my practice when I don't do it here,and I can do it anytime.But the thing is that I'm an adult,I'm not sure if any music school would take me in,seeing that I'd be able to come onyl after work or during the weekends.I practice every day,I don't think I'd be allowed at school every day.I'll see if I can find anything,because it's very important to me and I can't live without violin.

[Hikosaemon]

@dothetwist298 When searching for apartments, the information sheets usually include data on whether pets or musical instruments are allowed. Lots of Japanese play instruments obviously, so it is a big issue, but unfortunately, only a small proportion of apartments allow it. It is still worth making a search criteria. As Zep mentioned, I have also seen people practicing in Karaoke, but usually it is with huge French Horns and electric guitars and stuff.

[TokyoZeplin]

@Hikosaemon Hah! Indeed I did see a french horn! Weird with electric guitars though... why not use a set of earphones plugged into the amp?

And I meant that particularly a violin is a very loud instrument, in that it has a very easily indistinguishable sound. An acoustic guitar for instance blends very neatly in the background noise with the frequency it plays at, whereas a violin is very high-pitched and really stands out.

Though I didn't know you could actually put it as a search criteria!

[toycarlvr]

Okay...the Japanese rules are 'common sense'...if you can't follow them...you are a knucklehead.

[Hikosaemon]

@toycarlvr Well, yes and no. In NZ, there is no category for "burnable" and "non-burnable" waste like Japan, and it is more common to have parties or meet friends at home than outside, and it is completely normal to sublet rooms in an apartment that you rent yourself. I think some of those points aren't obvious to someone new to Japan. However, the rules become clear pretty quickly and those who ignore them because they don't care are indeed knuckleheads.

[haubrion]

これから日本に来る人には無関係かもしれないけど、保証協会も一­言説明しておいた方がいいかもしれません。

あと、ゴミは分別だけじゃなくて、ゴミ捨ての曜日と時間帯が決ま­っている問題や、地域によってはゴミ袋が定められていたり、名前­を書く必要があったりする事も触れておいた方が良いかもしれませ­んね。

外婚人の多い一部の地域で問題になっているのが、ゴミのポイ捨て­、特に窓から捨てる例があるようです。

[Hikosaemon]

@haubrion こんにちは、 1:29 では少し触れるけど、確かにそれは良い保証協会も良い話題かもし­れません。

ごみ分別について、難しいのは各自治体は違う分別の規制があるか­ら難しいけど、基本として紹介するのは良いネタだと思います。今­度作るのをちょっと考えますね。

外婚人の多い地域ではポイ捨てが問題になっているのは問題だと初­耳なんだけど、ポイ捨てはだめというのは全世界の常識なはずのに­ww

やっぱりゴミは結構文化的のネックになるね、大体日本は高い基準­をキープしているから（たくさんの例外があるけど）。

うん、考えさせてくれました・・ありがとうございました！

[kua514]

most of what you've said seems to me like common sense. It sounds like the gaijins that would most likely break these rules would be the young guys coming to Japan for all the wrong reasons, not so much the average responsible adult who just wants to make a living or just BE in Japan. Would I be right in assuming so? However, the Guarantor issue does seem like a heavy stepping stone to get over...

[Hikosaemon]

@kua514 Yep, you're pretty much right I think. Unfortunately it only takes a couple of yobs to ruin it for everyone - rumours about good tenants go around less quickly than bad ones obviously. The guarantor issue is the biggest headache - but the key is to be forewarned - if you negotiate a job from outside Japan, make sure they will either provide your housing or act as guarantor. If you are on your own, there are still options, but it is a pain.

[qwbullethole]

@Hikosaemon And what was that about guarantor companies still wanting another guarantor? I'm specifically asking because I'm freelance now and hopefully fully self-employed by the time I get to Japan. In other words, I won't be working for a school/company in Japan.

[lordblazer]

@kua514

cool. be ready to throw down 200k-300k yen for move-in fee in some areas. all in cash and all at once. Depending on the landlord etc etc. On your own is a pain. If you're a student it is fine your University is your Guarantor, but remember those fees aren't on a student budget. down payment is normal, but at times I think in Japan they ask for too much, and it seems like there isn't much of a competitive market outside of Tokyo for real estate. Dunno. Live in Shanghai people!!

[PannaIka]

Love you guys, looking forward to #3. :)

[Hikosaemon]

@PannaIka Glad you are enjoying it :)

[theorigin12]

Thanks for the video! Very informative.

I was wondering though, would gaijins that are citizens in Japan be able to act as a guarantor? I'm pretty sure this is a no but I'm curious as to the restrictions.

[Hikosaemon]

@theorigin12 I know people with gaijin parents who are permanent residents in Japan who act as guarantors. Also, foreign companies will often use a foreign signatory when they act as guarantor for an employee, so it isn't unheard of. However, in the end of the day, whether a guarantor is acceptable or not is totally up to the landlord. I have had landlords that won't accept corporate guarantors for example. It's all case by case, but I would say a permanent resident foreigner would probably work