□ GPPU HOME
For new international students, the ideal and the cheapest accommodation is to stay in one of the university dormitories, however, we should say that these days, a considerable number of students are not able to move into dormitories due to the shortage of rooms.
Nonetheless, we recommend students to apply for one as long as you are eligible, and at the same time, we want each of you to consider an alternative plan in case you are not selected for a dormitory.
10,000-22,800 JPY/month (For single room, utilities are NOT included)
Tohoku University owns dormitories for international students in several areas. Rent, types of rooms, facilities, and other conditions vary among each of them.
GPPU office makes dormitory application for students. To know your preferences, we will send you a form of Housing Questionnaire, right after the application information for October 2017 is released, in June. *Please be reminded that the application is NOT handled "first-come-first-served basis".
[NOTE]
To apply for Married couple/Family room, documents to prove your relationship with the family member (e.g., marriage certificate, birth certificate) are required.
(You may be able to apply even if the family is coming later; inform GPPU office if you have a
plan to invite them within the fall semester.)
33,000-53,000 JPY/month (Utilities included)
GPPU office also recommends dormitories which are run by a private company to those who:
This group of dormitories, called "Urban Castle" http://urban-castle.com/english/, is run by a company, not by Tohoku University. But many Tohoku University students (both Japanese and international) are staying there; some only temporarily and some for their entire studying period. They locate relatively close to university campuses and require simple admission procedure.
[NOTE]
You can make a reservation on your own via their website.
If you are to make/have made the reservation, please let GPPU office
know of your reservation intention/status at your earliest convenience.
Approximately 30,000 to 70,000 JPY or more per month (Utilities NOT included)
If you wish to live in a private apartment, we suggest you should discuss your intention with your supervisor in advance, because it will be very difficult for you to go through the whole procedures (finding an apartment, making a contract, moving in an apartment, etc.) without his/her help.
Though many international regular (degree) students live in a private apartment, it is very challenging for newly-arrived ones to rent a room as a lessee. If you have no experience of living Japan, or no family member/relative who provides you with both sufficient information and assistance, our advice is to spend at least a couple of months at temporary accommodation before deciding where to live.
It usually requires about 3 to 6 times of the monthly rent as the initial cost including deposit, handling fee, housing insurance, and so on. In addition, as the rooms are not furnished in Japan you will need to buy many items for starting new life in an apartment.
What you may need to buy before moving in:
[NOTE]
The apartment contract period is usually 1 or 2 years.
Tohoku University has a special house renting guarantor system for International students. Tohoku University Housing Rent Joint Guarantor Program ( hereinafter referred to as "Guarantor Program") will enable Tohoku University to be a guarantor of the apartment lease contract that the international students make. To apply for the program, you need to pay for the Renter's Insurance (4,000 yen for one year and 8,000 yen for two years).
[NOTE] - The procedure takes a couple of weeks including lots of paperwork and an interview and it cannot be processed before your enrollment - NEVER moving into the apartment before starting this procedure; you may be in BIG TROUBLE if you cause an accident with the apartment without being supported by the program/covered by the Renter's Insurance (as below).
The Comprehensive Renter's Insurance for Foreign Students Studying in Japan (hereinafter referred to as "Renter's Insurance") is the insurance specially designed for international students who need to rent a room but do not have a guarantor in Japan.
Program Guidebook (PDF)
English
/
Japanese
/
Chinese
/
Korean
If, for some reason, you are arriving earlier than the move-in date to the university dormitory or the apartment, you need to reserve your temporary accommodation at your own expence.
Please inform GPPU office if you plan to do so or have reserved one, for GPPU office to arrange for supporters accordingly.
Here are the websites of guesthouses/hotels that are reasonable in price and located in relatively convenient areas.
*There are a lot of hotels located in more convenient area (near to the Sendai station) with higher rate. If you have difficulties in finding one for yourself, please contact GPPU office for further information.