Japan
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Learning about Living in Japan
Japan has been highly regarded around the world for its safety, excellent transportation infrastructure, numerous World Heritage sites, seasonal attractions, and Japanese food and culture.
Japan has attracted worldwide attention for its high standard of living, and in recent years, it has become an easier place to live in terms of cost of living, including working environment, housing, and food.
The trend toward a cashless society is also progressing, and the number of stores that accept credit cards, electronic money, and code payments without the need to carry cash has increased considerably.
Four Seasons in Japan
In Japan, there is beauty in each of the four seasons. In spring, when the cherry blossoms bloom, it's a new term, a fresh start or cherry blossom viewing under the cherry trees. In hot summer, sea bathing, summer festivals and fireworks; in autumn, mountains are as beautiful as watercolor paintings with autumn leaves; and in winter, skiing and snowboarding in the silver world of snow.
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter
Japanese Culture
Japanese cuisine is blessed with seasonal delicacies from the sea and mountains that are unique to each region, and has been registered as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage.
Sumo wrestling, a traditional Japanese culture, is gaining popularity as “sumo,” with wrestlers from other countries also playing an active role. Onsen (hot springs) are the most popular tourist attraction. Of course, anime, manga, and video games are known as “Cool Japan,” and the uniqueness of scenarios and characters that incorporate Japanese culture and ideas, such as “Kimetsu-no-Blade,” “Jutsu Kaisen,” and “Tokyo Revengers,” attract fans in Japan and abroad.
Japanese food culture
Onsen (Hotspring)
Capsule toy
Sumo
Manga , Animation
Here are some of the living costs that you may be concerned about if you are considering studying in Japan.
Currency and Prices in Japan
The currencyof Japan is the yen.
There are six types of coins: 1 yen, 5 yen, 10 yen, 50 yen, 100 yen, and 500 yen.
The old bill were 1,000 yen, 2,000 yen, 5,000 yen, and 10,000 yen.
The new bill will come in three denominations: 1,000 yen, 5,000 yen, and 10,000 yen (from July 2024).
The new bills are the world's first “3D holograms.
Convenience Stores
Convenience stores operate 24-hours a day, allowing customers to shop there at any time of day. Most convenience stores also have copy machines as well as ATMs where people can pay their public utilities. Convenience stores are a great help for people living alone.
Convenience Store ATMs
Most convenience stores have ATMs (Automated Teller Machines). ATMs are very convenient because customers can make withdrawals or transfer funds without needing to go to the bank.
100 Yen Shop
The 100 Yen Shop is one store that is easy on the wallet, even in an expensive country such as Japan.
At the 100 Yen Shop, students can find inexpensive and useful items such as daily necessities, storage containers, dishes, and cooking implements. Students can make good use of the 100 Yen Shop to save money.
"This product is 100 yen!"
Train
Lowest Fares
Tokyo Metro 180 yen / TOEI Subway 210 yen / JR East Japan 140 yen
(Varies from area to area)
Bus
TOEI bus(metropolitan bus) fare is a flat rate of 210 yen.
(Varies from area to area)
Taxi
410 yen per 1,052 meters
(Varies from area to area)
Average rent in the Tokyo Metropolitan Area is around 70,000 yen.
However, in addition to the regular rent, there are generally 3 types of fees when moving into an apartment: security deposit, key money, and the real estate agent fee. On average renters need to pay about 3 or 4 months rent. Also, utility fees are not included with rent in Japan. In most cases, furniture and appliances are provided with apartments. Moving into an apartment can cost a lot of money.
■Security Deposit
A security deposit is a deposit given to the landlord when a new tenant first moves into an apartment. The security deposit is held as collateral against non-payment of rent or maintenance. The deposit is also used to pay for changing the wallpaper and other renovations when the tenant moves out. The remaining amount is returned to the tenant. Be advised that landlords may make additional claims if there is damage to the apartment such as holes in the walls.
■Key Money
Key money is paid to the landlord when moving into an apartment. The payment is considered a token of gratitude and the entire amount is nonrefundable.■Real Estate Agent Fee
The real estate agent fee is paid to the real estate agency when moving into an apartment.【Monthly cost of living by region】
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| TOKYO | KANSAI | FUKUOKA | NAGOYA | SAPPORO | SENDAI | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rent | 60,000～ | 50,000～ | 40,000～ | 50,000～ | 35,000～ | 50,000～ |
| Food amount | 30,000～ | 30,000～ | 20,000～ | 20,000～ | 30,000～ | 20,000～ |
| Utilities expense | 10,000～ | 8,000～ | 8,000～ | 8,000～ | 12,000～ | 12,000～ |
| Communications expenses | 7,000～ | 7,000～ | 7,000～ | 7,000～ | 7,000～ | 7,000～ |
| Transportation expenses | 5,000～ | 5,000～ | 5,000～ | 5,000～ | 5,000～ | 5,000～ |
| Others (Leisure , Insurance) | 20,000～ | 20,000～ | 20,000～ | 20,000～ | 20,000～ | 20,000～ |
| Total | 132,000～ | 120,000～ | 100,000～ | 110,000～ | 109,000～ | 114,000～ |
【Average price of foodstuffs】
| Rice (5kg) | 2678 yen | Mayonnaise | 203 yen |
| Bread | 192 yen | Flour (1kg) | 278 yen |
| Milk (1000ml) | 278 yen | Sugar (1kg) | 268 yen |
| 10 eggs | 300 yen | Water (500ml) | 95 yen |
| Banana | 181 yen | Coke (500ml) | 95 yen |
| Toilet paper | 360 yen |
Prices are gradually rising, but there is a good selection of domestic and foreign goods.
The standard tax rate is 10%, but the consumption tax on groceries is reduced to 8%, so cooking your own food can reduce the cost of living.
At our school, about 50% of international students do their best to balance part-time work and school studies.
International students who wish to work part-time must obtain permission from the school and permission to engage in activities other than those permitted under the status of residence at the Immigration Bureau. Please follow the rules carefully and work part-time.
Permitted hours of activity outside the status of residence: 1 week, 28 hours max.
*8 hours per day during long vacations
*If you work part-time without a permit outside of your status, or if you exceed the permitted hours of activity, you will be subject to punishment and deportation.
Minimum wages by region (from October 2024)
HOKKAIDO (1,010yen)IBARAKI (1,003yen)
TOKYO (1,163yen)
AICHI (1,077yen)
OSAKA (1,104yen)
KYOTO (1,053yen)
HYOGO (1,051yen)
FUKUOKA (991yen)
Example of hourly wage in Tokyo and Osaka
＜Tokyo＞ Drugstore: approx. 1,350 yen Convenience store: approx. 1,170 yen Restaurant: approx. 1,170 yen＜Osaka＞ Drugstore: approx. 1,300 yen Convenience store: approx. 1,110 yen Restaurant: approx. 1,110 yen
