Travel Temporary housing in Tokyo? [Apartment]

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Shinjitsu

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So I am moving to Tokyo for a new job in IT, lasting at least one year. My office is between the Sumiyoshi and Nisihiojima station in Koto-ku. I am a man under 25. I have day-to-day Japanese fluency acquired through studying in school and a 2-week trip to Japan. I do not have any Japanese relatives.
I land on Monday, Jan-27-2014 at 10PM in HND and start work Monday, Feb-3-2014.
I was thinking of this plan:
  • Stay in a hotel for the first night (I could stay 2-3 nights and look around for temporary housing in-person, but maybe nothing good will be available right away?)
  • Stay in temporary housing for 1-2 months (in the meanwhile look at my apartment options)
  • Book an apartment for 1 year
Right now, I am focusing on finding temporary housing. What I am looking for is:
  • Under 200,000yen/month (I am willing to pay for quality as "the purpose of money is to improve the quality of your life")
  • Small size is OK (easier to keep clean)
  • Able to have a lot of time to myself (so homestay and room-sharing is out)
  • NOT serviced (I want to clean myself)
  • 1-month term
  • Furnished
  • Near office
  • No hassle, high quality
  • Clean
  • Heater
  • Internet
  • Operable windows, clean air
  • Shower/toilet (private preferred)
  • Laundry (on-site preferred)
  • (preferable) Close to office, but I don't mind walking while wearing my suit (cold/wet??)
  • (optional) Refrigerator/microwave
  • My company would probably guarantor me
What do you think of my plan?
Also, where can I find some good temporary housing?
くるみマンション～KURUMI MANSION～ looks nice.
Thank you very much for reading this and I appreciate your help. This move is a dream come true for me!
 
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Hi Shinjitsu,

we have guest houses listed here

=> Guest houses in Japan - Japan Portal

That's Sumiyoshi in Koto-ku, right? Check out International House Ojima (I.H.O., listed). They have everything you require bar internet, but that might have changed. One station from Sumiyoshi or even in walking distance.
 
Thank you Thomas!
International House Ojima (I.H.O.): guest house located in 2-38-15 Koto-ku, Tokyo, phone: 03-36362277, fax: 03-36374480
Click to expand...
I.H.O. sounds perfect in location. I can't find a website or pictures for them. Is there any more info I should know before calling? How can I find out customer reviews, etc. so I can decide while still in the US?

thomas said:
That's Sumiyoshi in Koto-ku, right?
Click to expand...
Yes, it is in Koto-ku (clarified original post).

Does anybody else have specific suggestions?
Does my plan of 1 day Hotel->1 mo Temporary->1 yr Apartment look okay?
 
I stayed there myself for a while. While some of their rooms were worn-out, they were clean and had all the amenities needed.

I definitely think you should check them out, but phone them first to find out if any rooms are available.

So yes, your plan makes perfectly sense. It shouldn't be too difficult to find accomodation in a guest house.
 
Thank you Thomas. I will definitely check it out; this already sounds like the best option!

Does anybody else have thoughts?
 
I tried calling 3-3:30PM Japan time, but no one is picking up and I can't leave a VM. Should I just keep trying?
Thomas, do you happen to know the holiday office hours or perhaps an email address or website with photos?

By the way, I spoke to the Kurumi mansion person and they have rooms available. It seems like a nice place, but is a bit farther from my work (like 40 mins walking or 30 min by bus).
A few other apartments I called are closed until Monday.
 
It's a public holiday today. As far as I remember, the official office hours were from 10:00-17:00. And no, they've never had a website. ;-)
 
You aren't even sure if your employer will serve as guarantor? That's just plain weird. FIND OUT before anything else! Most housing requires it.

Why aren't they helping you find housing? That's a red flag in my book.
 
Glenski said:
You aren't even sure if your employer will serve as guarantor? That's just plain weird. FIND OUT before anything else! Most housing requires it.

Why aren't they helping you find housing? That's a red flag in my book.
Click to expand...
D'oh! You're right, I've been a dummy. Thank you for this, Glenski!
I will ask my employer for help finding housing and whether they will serve as a guarantor. They are giving me a lump sum "relocation allowance" of significant value, so I don't expect them to pay for my housing.

I am thinking of sending my employer my list of requirements (from the original post) and asking for them to give me options for the first month's temporary housing. They would know the area around the office better and may be able to get me a discounted rate with their credibility.

Does this sound okay? Should I ask anything else?
 
You don't need a guarantor for temporary housing, at least in case of most guest houses. If your employer can help you, even better.
 
thomas is right about guarantors and temp housing, but I would think you'd eventually (and sooner than later) want something more permanent than a guest house. For that you will usually (but not always) need a guarantor.

As for giving your employer your list, I'd say rethink that. You're only 25, so you probably aren't landing a high executive position to command people very much to do your bidding. The list is pretty long, and some of the items are pretty common sense. You want something furnished, of course, but tell him that. Close to your office may not be an option. Companies lease out apartments/dorms in low rent areas, which means not necessarily near their company offices. About all I would recommend you stating is a price range.

Heat will be kerosene or electric. Maybe that would be a choice you would want to make. You don't have to refill an electric heater, if it's any consolation, but electric is far more expensive. Most places in Japan don't use it, and there is not that much central heating, so get used to one room with a heater.

The only other thing they may have to help you with is setting up Internet. If you get a LeoPalace21 apartment (clean, furnished, modern), you will automatically get Internet installed.

Best of luck.
 
Makes sense. I'll send the email out tomorrow (it will be Monday in Japan) and see what they say.
 
I called I.H.O. and spoke Japanese.
The woman on the phone said that they no longer offer 短期 (short-term) stays and that the foreigner-dealing employee had quit. She was very apologetic and said I should check somewhere else.

:( This seemed to be the closest option also.

My employer did not reply yet.
 
Last edited:
I'm really sorry to hear that! I never knew they had English-speaking staff.

Good luck with your search, I hope your company will be able to provide further assistance.
 
Just for sense and sensibility, you might want to start studying enough Japanese to get by with simple conversations, even if the grammar is broken. Your employer will feel better not having to nursemaid you that much.
 
My employer is not providing much assistance for housing outside of a one-time substantial bonus for relocation.

I am pretty set now on staying in a hotel near my office for 1 month while searching for a permanent apartment: Apa Hotel Ojima. There actually is an employee discount for me, where I can stay at 6,000 yen/night. I know 180,000 yen/mo is a bit pricy, but it is worth it to me to avoid the commute my first month.

Does this sound okay?

It looks like hotel points, a special visa card, and "Apa Card" is available for this hotel. Is it worth the trouble? Any tips? Here is the Japanese website, which I don't have a chance to read through with a dictionary fully yet.
 
Your cheapo employer is not even going to pay for commuting? You are getting ripped off. It's not required, but most do it.

Don't stay so long and waste your money in a hotel. Apa hotels are nice, but it's not worth it. You will pay to eat out, too, and have laundry done. Think of all the costs.
 
Thank you Glenski for your reply. Still it is well worth the money to me getting set up in my first month. It will help me personally avoid a lot of stress because a LOT is changing and I am young. Probably for someone as experienced as you, it would be a different story.

Still, any tips about the hotel and points, membership, etc?
 
Thanks, but Classico Hagashi-Ojima is still a bit far (like 30min walking).

The website you linked for apartments is really nice! I'll probably use it while searching for a long-term place.
 
Congratulations on your catch! Please keep us updated once you move in.
 

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