How to find housing in Japan while on a working holiday

Chapter 4 of 5

Congrats! You’ve found a place that fits your criteria and you’re ready to sign the papers.

Contract signing

Some agencies will require you to sign for a minimum period (e.g., 6 or 12 months), while others won’t. Generally you will pay via money transfer, but sometimes cash is accepted too. All these conditions should be indicated in the listing, and you can also confirm them during your visit. The agency might be willing to make exceptions to certain application procedures. With Oakhouse, you can get ¥10,000 off your booking and also have your lease agreement in English.

In general, there is a one-time initiation fee that includes cleaning and setup of your room. These are not returned to you upon your departure. You’ll pay a security deposit too (usually equivalent to no more than one month of rent), which will be returned to you if everything is in order when you move out.

Settling in

Share house rooms are very lightly furnished. There is a bed, a desk, and sometimes a fridge. All the rest is your responsibility, so make sure you budget or pack accordingly.

In the common spaces, there are places where each resident can store his or her belongings. They may take the form of lockers or cubbies. In the kitchen pantry, you should also have a dedicated cabinet where you can store your non-perishable food items. Similarly, the bathroom will have a system so that you can organize your toiletries.

In share houses, everything has its place and there is a place for everything, so out of respect for others, don’t leave your belongings lying around random corners.

General rules to follow

Every agency sets its own rules for co-living. Share houses are not the same thing as living with flatmate buddies, where you can set your own rules or do whatever you please. Common rules in share houses include no outside guests after a certain hour and no parties.

Garbage management

Organizing and taking out the trash are the responsibility of the residents. In general, there is a schedule and each person takes turns doing so. If you are absent or unable for any given week, you must give notice to the agency and the other members of the house.

Cleaning

There will be a cleaner that comes regularly to clean the common spaces. Depending on the size of the home and the number of people, it could be anywhere from twice a week to once every other week. If cleanliness is very important to you, this might be a key criterion to consider when choosing a home.

Each resident is responsible for cleaning his or her own room; cleaners do not enter.

Moving out

Before moving out, you should give at least one month’s notice. You will need to return the room to its original condition. All of your personal belongings and furniture must be removed, even if you think something can be used and appreciated by the next resident.

If you pass the move-out inspection, then you will get your security deposit back.