Living conditions for students in tokyo

[Ajay]

OK people maybe I am freaking out or something, but can someone, who is living in Tokyo as a student tell me about their experiences regarding finding a living quarter? I am a bit perplexed after reading this article

For Some in Japan, Home Is a Tiny Plastic Bunk (Published 2010)

Is it really this bad in Tokyo? specially when we are considering the fact that a cut in scholarship looks imminent.

 

[NeWbY]

"59,000 yen a month"

LOL! I don't really know how expensive tokyo is, but if you're gonna pay 6man for such a space to sleep... :/

 

[Scalemx]

Ajay, you are freaking out, lol .
-First of all university dorms are usually about the size (or a little bigger) of a hotel room in a hotel such as the Ibis. You are not the first guy to go and study in Tokyo, so don't worry.
-Second of all, if you have to get off campus housing, your university will most likely suggest some spots where you pay a decent rent for a decent place. (it will be more expensive than the dorms, but should be okay) If you have serious money problems, you might consider trying to find a host family. Possibly your university can help you find one. If you are studying at a decent university, you shouldn't have trouble finding a host family, even if your university department can't help you.
-Third of all, even if you get not help from anywhere, there are ways to get better places and paying less. Think about renting an apartment with a roommate to cut prices and things like that.
-Also further cutting of the stipend is not yet imminent.

 

[jim84]

Ajay, you are freaking out, lol .
-First of all university dorms are usually about the size (or a little bigger) of a hotel room in a hotel such as the Ibis. You are not the first guy to go and study in Tokyo, so don't worry.
-Second of all, if you have to get off campus housing, your university will most likely suggest some spots where you pay a decent rent for a decent place. (it will be more expensive than the dorms, but should be okay) If you have serious money problems, you might consider trying to find a host family. Possibly your university can help you find one. If you are studying at a decent university, you shouldn't have trouble finding a host family, even if your university department can't help you.
-Third of all, even if you get not help from anywhere, there are ways to get better places and paying less. Think about renting an apartment with a roommate to cut prices and things like that.
-Also further cutting of the stipend is not yet imminent.

paying 6man a month for accommodation is not too expensive. I have heard some students in tokyo paid as much as 80000yen per month including utilities and internet.
in osaka it ranges from 30000-60000 as well depending on the condition of the place and whether you are sharing. Sharing is not too bad, you will definitely not be sharing rooms. You can find comfortable apartments with 2-3 rooms that costs around 80000-100000per month, then split everything 3 ways.

A cut is likely in april, but i doubt it will be too drastic. They made a 15000yen cut last year, that is damn drastic enough, the students will go frenzy if they cut more than 10000yen, AGAIN. A few thousand yen reduction every year is normal.

 

[Totoro]

about price and rental terms for students in Tokyo:
tokyorent.com/mikan/index-student.shtml

 

[sporkthedork]

Those capsules are mostly for tourists and people who miss the last train (trains stop at around 11pm nationwide). Here are some links to some apartment search websites. These websites do not require 3 very important things that are unique in the Japanese apartment hunt:
Key money (reikin)
This is a non refundable payment to the landlord in the amount of up to several months' rent. I've heard it can get up to 2-3 months. It's a gift--you don't get it back. It also renews every time you renew your contract which is like every 2 years.

Service fee (chukai tesuryo)
This is a non refundable payment to the real estate agent in the amount of at most one month's rent. Also a gift.

Guarantor
A local Japanese citizen/resident who will act as a co-signer. This is the hardes thing for most international students.

tokyocityapartments.net
gaijinpot.com
sakura-house.com
I can't put up urls

They also speak English.