Housing
Housing for International Students
Contact: Education and Student Support Division e-mail:me237@yamaguchi-u.ac.jp
(1) Yamaguchi University International Exchange Hall
Yamaguchi University has two International Exchange Halls in the Yoshida and Tokiwa campuses to provide accommodation for international students and researchers.
→Period of Residence and Expenses: The International Exchange halls
As a general rule, you can live in the halls only for a period of six months. But you can prolong your stay provided you obtain the permission of the International student center. Further, you are required to make a cleaning deposit when you move in.
| Buildings | Type of Rooms | Number of Room | Monthly Rent | Deposit（cleaning fee）upon moving in | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Yamaguchi International Exchange Hall （Yoshida Campus） |
No.1 | Singles | 36 | 11,200 yen | 20,000 yen |
| Couples | 4 | 17,900 yen | 30,000 yen | ||
| Families | 3 | 26,800 yen | 40,000 yen | ||
| No.2 | Singles A | 16 | 16,200 yen | 20,000 yen | |
| Singles B | 9 | 19,200 yen | 20,000 yen | ||
| Singles C | 3 | 20,000 yen | 20,000 yen | ||
| Ube International Exchange Hall （Tokiwa Campus） | Single | Singles | 33 | 11,200 yen | 25,000 yen |
| Family | Couples | 6 | 17,900 yen | 35,000 yen | |
| Families | 8 | 26,800 yen | 45,000 yen |
→Application for the residence
Applications for housing are accepted twice a year, in January and July.
Those who apply in January move into in April and leave in September.
Those who apply in July: move into in October and leave in March.
The International Student Center screens applicants (on the basis of how long the applicant has been in Japan, his/her international student status, and so on) because the number of applicants typically exceeds the number of vacancies.
（2）Public Apartment Houses provided by local government
→Cost of Private Apartment
The average rental cost of apartments near Yamaguchi University is given below. The costs differ depending on when the apartment was build or its facilities.
| Area | Facilities | Monthly rents |
|---|---|---|
| 6 tatami units | Partially shared bath, toilets and limited space | 12,000 ～ 35,000 yen |
| 6 tatami units・k | Separate bath, toilets & kitchens | 25,000 ～ 40,000 yen |
| 7～8 tatami units・k | Separate bath, toilets & kitchens | 35,000 ～ 50,000 yen |
| 8～12 tatami units・k | Separate bath, toilets & kitchens | 43,000 ～ 65,000 yen |
※1 tatami units =about 1.62m2
→The Japanese real estate system
The Japanese real estate system varies across locations. The general system is explained below.
First, when renting an apartment, it is often necessary to make a host of payments: “Shikikin”(Deposit), “Reikin”(Key-money),”Tesuryo(Agent fee)” and advance rent.
“Shikikin”: “Shikikin” usually amounts to the equivalent of two or three months’ rent. However, this depends on the apartment. When you move out, a certain amount of money will be deducted from the “Shikikin” to meet the cleaning and repairs expenditures. Any money left over from these expenses will be refunded, but sometimes you may be required to make an additional payment in case the “Shikikin” is insufficient.
“Reikin”(key-money):This is paid to the landlord as gift-money when concluding a lease agreement. Generally, Reikin amounts to the equivalent of one or two months’ rent. “Reikin” is different from “Shikikin” in that it is not refunded upon termination. These days, an increasing number of apartments do not charge “Reikin”.
“Tesuryo”(Agent fee):This is the commission paid to the realty agent. It usually equals to one months’ rent.
→The guarantor / join surety
The contract will be guaranteed by Yamaguchi University, to ensure that international students enrolled at Yamaguchi University do not have to worry about the same. Yamaguchi University serves as institutional guarantor, provided that the student registers with the Comprehensive Renter’s Insurance for International Students Studying in Japan (an initiative of Japan Educational Exchange and Service).