Life in Japan

Weather in Tokyo

The temperature during summer typically ranges from 25C to 32C (77F to 89.6F) but occasionally reaches 38C (100.4F). The temperature in winter ranges between 0C and 10C (32F and 50F), and the difference in temperatures between summer and winter can be over 20C. Summer in Japan is very humid, and you need short-sleeve, lightweight clothes, sandals, hats, and the like. It does not snow in Tokyo some winter, but other winter it may snow a few times. You might need thick, long-sleeve shirts, jackets and coats, scarves, gloves, and other winter necessities.

Living in Japan for the first time

You will feel safe living in Japan even if it is your first time. We have staff who can speak Korean, Chinese, and English. Please do not hesitate to ask us anything if you have questions or worries.

Housing

The monthly rent for a typical one room apartment and condominium in Tokyo ranges from 60,000 to 120,000 yen. Many students share the apartment.
In Roppongi, one room apartments cost 80,000 to 150,000 yen per month.
Landlords usually require guarantor except for some apartments that have month-to-month lease.
A guest house may also be available. We can help you find one.

           

Commuting to school

Railroad:	Trains and subways in Japan are punctual and convenient. Typical commute time using trains and subways is between 30 and 40 minutes. Railroad companies except for JR offer 50% student discount on train pass.
Bicycle:	There are few people who commute on bicycle. In Japan, bicycles are registered like automobiles and controlled by the police. Please be careful not to take other people's bicycles.

Eating

Many students seem to cook for themselves at home.
In Japan, there are many stores that are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. You can buy food any time.
Some part-time jobs provide lunch and dinner for employees.

Part-time job

If you have a permit for engaging in activities outside of your main reasons for stay in Japan, you can work up to 28 hours per week.
Tokyo immigration office issues the permit 2 months after you enter the school. You cannot work before you obtain the permit.
The pay is typically from 800 to 1200 yen per hour.
Students tend to work at restaurants, convenience stores, hamburger shops, gyudonya, and so on.

Warning

• It is illegal to work without carrying the proper permit or to continue working with an expired permit.
• You can never work in the following places:

Video arcades, pachinko stores, mah-jongg parlors, clubs, bars, sex service stores, and the like.

Illness and injury

Please inform the receptionist immediately if you feel sick or get injured.
In the event that you are examined and treated in a hospital in Japan, you will be responsible for 30% of the bill if you have Japan's national health insurance.

Certificate of alien registration / National health insurance

Once you find a place to stay in Japan, please register your information at the municipal office.
You should always be prepared to show the alien registration certificate. Police officers may ask you to show them the certificate.
Please make sure to join the national health insurance.

Crime

Japan is generally safe, but it is possible to become involved in an unforeseen crime.
You need to attend to your surroundings and protect yourself from unpleasant and harmful situations.
In the event that a problem happens, please inform the school as soon as possible.
You also need to be cautious about conduct that does not follow Japan's laws and ordinances.

Important notes

• If you shoplift or rob, you will be deported after imprisonment.
• Using other individuals' bicycles, including abandoned ones, is a crime.
• Riding bicycles without lights in dark and two people on the same bicycle are violations of Japan's road traffic law.
• Never lend your money, alien registration certificate, health insurance card, student card, mobile phone, bank account, etc. to another person.
• It is a crime to carry narcotic drugs and forged cards.
• Carrying a knife with the blade longer than 6 cm (2.36 inches) without an appropriate reason is a violation of Swords and Firearms Control Law.

Home rules

• Please separate the trash and dispose of the trash on the appropriate day.
• Please do not smoke and throw away cigarettes on the street. (You can be fined for 2000 yen.)
• Please refrain from screaming and making noises at night that may cause neighborhood nuisance.

School rules

• Please attend the classes every day unless you have special reasons not to.
• To renew your visa, your class attendance rate needs to be 85% or above.
• You may not be able to advance to higher-level classes if you perform poorly in periodic exams or behave inadequately during class.