How to Rent in Japan

Quick guide to Apartment renting:  On an advertisement you will see things such as "2LDK" or "1LKD" "1K" etcetera.  This is a kind of slang for example L= Living room, D=Dining room, K=Kitchen so a 2LDK apartment would have 2 bedrooms and the aforementioned.

Well, for one thing you need some form of residency paperwork.  Spousal/Dependant or a working visa will allow you to work which obviously you need to rent an apartment unless you have a husband or wife paying everything in which case, I envy you.  Some say it is hard for a Gaijin alone to get an apartment, and sometimes even if with a Japanese national, although this perception is changing.

Key Money/Deposit-  For a cheap apartment this is usually about 2,000 USD up front before you can rent... more based on the quality and price of the apartment.  2k seems to be the middle of the road though.  Along with RE agent fees and such this can be quite a big chunk.  Key Money and the RE Fee are non-refundable.  There is also a non refundable guarantor fee in most cases.

You need to get the documents in English or have enough proficiency in Japanese to read through a contract, (easier said than done) or use a translator.  This goes as a general caveat and SHOULD go without saying, but never sign anything before understanding it!

Utilities are generally not included, so you will have to get contracts for water, internet, heat, and electricity along with such things as Satellite or Cable.

You can also rent a furnished apartment without deposit from some companies, but they have a higher rate. (An efficency or "studio apartment" for about 1,000 USD per month in a less populated area or more)  They may also charge for cleanings and other similar things.  The main downside of this type of housing is that the rate for a larger "regular" apartment can be quite a bit less over time.

Snow today in Tokyo

Couldn't believe that it snowed today. 

Pizza is NOT the Same

In Tokyo and hungry for pizza?  Well, you're pretty much screwed.  Unless you want to take the risk of ordering from Pizza La (Pizza RA in Japanese pronounciation) or the Japanese version of Dominos you have only one choice for vaguely American style pizza at a reasonable rate.  Shakeys.  Made nationally famous by the "Kenny Dies" episode of South Park this small American chain has expanded world wide, they offer a lunch buffet (or Biew-fay in Japanese pronunciation, also Bikingu or Viking style) for about 10 bucks, but you still probably won't get what you're expecting.

When's the last time you went to your local pizzeria and asked for a Maguro (tuna) and Corn with mayonnaise sauce?  Or maybe you're in the mood for Pizza La's signature Hokkaido Crab and Gratin Pizza,  gratin being a sour cream/cream cheese tasting mixture.  As Ace Ventura would sarcastically say "Yummmay"  Also of note is the Teriyaki Chicken pizza, which replaces the standard tomato sauce with teriyaki and worchestershire sauce and slathers the whole thing in Mayo.

Ordering from a big company like Dominos or Pizza La will cost you upwards of 25 bucks for a medium, with some specialty pizzas going up to 50 dollars for a large.  

Mayonnaise, mayonnaise based sauce, gratin pizza, cookie and marshmallow pizza all appear on the Shakey's menu...  but not to be found are classic favorites like Pepperoni, Italian Sausage, or Jalapeno peppers.  If you ask for a Hawaiian Pizza, you'll get a strange look as well... Pineapple and Ham on pizza?  Apparently that is one of the few TRULY WEIRD combinations!