Apartment Life

The way in which your housing works may be different here than in your home country. For example fees, maintenance, disposal systems, etc. This page has 3 sections (Getting Started, Maintenance, Departure) dedicated to helping you create and maintain a safe and secure living space from the time you move in to the time you move out.

1.) Getting Started

Housing

As a JET Program participant, you are responsible for your own accommodations. In some cases, your contracting organization or school will prepare or provide support for housing arrangements. It can be difficult for foreigners to find apartments due to the amount of paperwork and finding a guarantor.

Key Money (Reikin)
This is a non-refundable gratuity payment to landlords when newly renting an apartment from them.

Security Deposit (Shikikin)
This money is for any damages incurred or necessary cleaning when you leave. In some cases, this money is fully or partially refunded.

Monthly Rent (Yachin)
The amount of rent depends on various factors such as area, facilities, size, and age of the apartment.

Furniture & Appliances
Ask your school or contracting organization if you are required to purchase your own furniture and appliances. In some cases, your predecessor will ask you to buy from them. You can also buy lightly used furniture and appliances from a second-hand shop or new furniture from Nitori (delivery available) or Amazon.

Phone & Internet
If you sign a contract with a Japanese phone company it is likely that there is a plan that includes internet. If you don't intend to use the internet a lot or are on a budget, purchasing pocket wifi or a new SIM card may be a better choice for you. The main providers in Nara are AU, Docomo, Y Mobile, and Softbank.

Operating a Microwave
Hopefully you have enough knowledge of hiragana and katakana and can read the most important button that probably says "あたためスタート." The list below is for the buttons which you may not know.

Operating the Air Conditioner
Japanese エアコン do more than just blow cool air. It has a lot of fancy options, so let's look at the vocabulary.

The first button to select is one of the three:

レンジ (microwave)　グリル (grill)　オーブン (oven)

Then select the time or one of the preset programs:

分 (minutes)　秒 (seconds)　取り消し//とりけし (cancel)

牛乳 (milk)　弁当 (bento)　惣菜 (side dish)　

ゆで野菜 (boil vegetables)　解凍 (defrost)　

冷凍ものあたため (reheat)　温度 (temperature)

Air conditioners typically have four main functions:
冷房 (cool)　ドライ (dry) or 除湿 (dehumidify)
暖房 (heat)　空港 (purify)
You can also adjust the direction:
風上下 (up & down)　風左右 (left & right)　
風速 (wind speed)　簡単切タイマー (smart timer)

Garbage Collection
How you sort your garbage will depend on the area you live in. It's important to follow the rules and keep the collection location tidy. You can usually find information about garbage disposal in your community newsletter or bulletin notice. Some rules that usually apply include using designated bags and putting your garbage out before 8am on collection day. Now, let's look at some kanji!

可燃 or 燃えるゴミ (burnable)　不燃 or 燃えないゴミ (non-burnable)　
プラ (plastic)　ペットボトル (plastic bottle)　アルミ (aluminum)　
グラス (glass)　小型家電 (small appliances)　有害 (hazardous)

*see section 3 for more information about disposing large items　

2.) Maintenance

Cleaning is not everyone's favorite activity, but it is important to maintain for your health and sanity. Your living space is your safe haven; a place to escape when Japanese culture becomes overbearing. To keep your paradise clean and organized, follow this cleaning guide.
*Note that the frequency is only a guide and will depend on various factors such as the condition of the
building, area, weather conditions, lifestyle, etc.

Genkan (Entrance)

Maintenance Level: Low

Sweep/vacuum (1x week)
Wipe mailbox/door (1x month)
(this is often forgotten, but is important because unwanted bugs can crawl through the slot!).
Clean shoe cupboard (1x 3 months)

Lay down some bait traps to catch those yucky cockroaches! Available at supermarkets and home centers. Look for the brand "ブラックキャップ."

Pick up some charcoal shelf liner sheets from your nearest Daiso to protect your shoes from mold and prevent odor.

Another useful item from Daiso is their magnetic umbrella rack. It attaches nicely to your front door for easy storage.

Balcony

Maintenance Level: Low

Sweep (1x month)
Wash windows (biweekly)
Wash railing (every season)

Bedroom

Maintenance Level: Low

Dust (1x week)
Vacuum (1x week
Mop floor (1x week)
(don't forget under the bed)
Wash sheets (1x week)

Living Room

Maintenance Level: Low - Medium

Dust (1x week) (don`t forget the TV!)
Vacuum (1x week)
Mop floor (1x week)

(Don`t forget to dust the baseboards and french doors)

Tatami Room

Maintenance Level: Medium - High

Tatami mats are prone to mold and tatami mites (dani) as the mats are highly absorbent and retain moisture.

Dust (1x week)
Vacuum (2x week)
Wipe the floor (1x week)

For bedding and futons, use daniyoke spray. DO NOT mistake this for tatami spray which can only be used on tatami mats.

Do not use a wet cloth or products not specifically designed for tatami. This may not only create moisture, but can remove the natural protectant oils. The best product to use are tatami wipes.
(たたみ用ウェットシート):

Always vacuum and wipe along the grain.
If you sleep on a futon, be sure to air it out once a week by putting them outside on the balcony, or they will get moldy!
Use dani spray (ダニアース):

To use: insert the needle into the tatami mat and spray for 15 to 20 seconds every 6-8 weeks. ONLY for tatami mats.

Kitchen

Maintenance Level: High

Wash the dishes (always!)
(don't forget the bottom of the frying pan)
Wipe countertop and table (everyday)
Clean range fan (1x month)
Rice cooker (after every use)
Clean the inside and outside of fridge (1-2x week)
Wipe the inside and outside of trash bin (1x week)
Replace the drain basket net (1-2x week)
Clean the drain filter (1x week)

In Japan, there are 3 layers in the drain; cover, catcher basket, and filter. There is no garburator (electronic garbage disposal unit), so keeping the drain and its components clean is key.

1) filter

2) drain basket

3) cover

Don't forget to lift up and clean under your chairs, or the legs will grow furry feet!

Using an adhesive garbage air freshener will not only help with odor, but will prevent unwanted bugs.

Jif Cream Cleanser for Stainless Steel

Drain Nets

Tablet Pipe Cleaner

Liquid Pipe Cleaner

Tawashi
(scrub brush)

Fridge Deodorizer

Magic Clean
for Kitchen

Slime Remover
(sits in the drain basket)

Stainless Steel Brush

Restroom

Maintenance Level: Medium - High

Clean sink (1x week)
Vacuum (1x week)
Mop (1x week)
Clean toilet (1x week)
Clean shower (1x week)

Windows

Wipe the glass (inside & outside)
Wash the curtains
Clean the frame and top of curtain rail

Shower/Tub

Scrub entire surface area with cleaner and a brush
Remove tub wall, and scrub underneath the tub
Spray kabi killer to finish
(wear gloves and a mask!)

AC

Wash the filters (2x week)

It is recommended to have your AC professionally cleaned 1x year. The cost is around ¥10,000 and takes about an hour.

Washing Machine

Remove lint from filter
Clean wash basket/drum with detergent:

Yearly Cleaning

Organize all closets and drawers and dispose all expired products
Donate unwanted useable clothes
Wash the walls, ceiling, ceiling lights
Clean hard to reach places (under refrigerator + washing machine, exhaust fans, etc.)

Apartment Life

1.) Getting Started

Housing

Key Money (Reikin) This is a non-refundable gratuity payment to landlords when newly renting an apartment from them.

Security Deposit (Shikikin) This money is for any damages incurred or necessary cleaning when you leave. In some cases, this money is fully or partially refunded.

Monthly Rent (Yachin) The amount of rent depends on various factors such as area, facilities, size, and age of the apartment.

Operating a Microwave Hopefully you have enough knowledge of hiragana and katakana and can read the most important button that probably says "あたためスタート." The list below is for the buttons which you may not know.

Operating the Air Conditioner Japanese エアコン do more than just blow cool air. It has a lot of fancy options, so let's look at the vocabulary.

Air conditioners typically have four main functions: 冷房 (cool) ドライ (dry) or 除湿 (dehumidify) 暖房 (heat) 空港 (purify) You can also adjust the direction: 風上下 (up & down) 風左右 (left & right) 風速 (wind speed) 簡単切タイマー (smart timer)

可燃 or 燃えるゴミ (burnable) 不燃 or 燃えないゴミ (non-burnable) プラ (plastic) ペットボトル (plastic bottle) アルミ (aluminum) グラス (glass) 小型家電 (small appliances) 有害 (hazardous) *see section 3 for more information about disposing large items

2.) Maintenance

Genkan (Entrance)

​Maintenance Level: Low

Sweep/vacuum (1x week)

Wipe mailbox/door (1x month) (this is often forgotten, but is important because unwanted bugs can crawl through the slot!).

Clean shoe cupboard (1x 3 months)

Lay down some bait traps to catch those yucky cockroaches! Available at supermarkets and home centers. Look for the brand "ブラックキャップ."

Pick up ​some charcoal shelf liner sheets from your nearest Daiso to protect your shoes from mold and prevent odor.

Another useful item from Daiso is their magnetic umbrella rack. It attaches nicely to your front door for easy storage.

Balcony

​Maintenance Level: Low

Sweep (1x month)

Wash windows (biweekly)

Wash railing (every season)

Bedroom

​Maintenance Level: Low

Dust (1x week)

Vacuum (1x week

Mop floor (1x week)

(don't forget under the bed)

Wash sheets (1x week)

Living Room

​​Maintenance Level: Low - Medium

Dust (1x week) (don`t forget the TV!)

Vacuum (1x week)

Mop floor (1x week)

(Don`t forget to dust the baseboards and french doors)

Tatami Room

​Maintenance Level: Medium - High

Tatami mats are prone to mold and tatami mites (dani) as the mats are highly absorbent and retain moisture.

Dust (1x week)

Vacuum (2x week)

Wipe the floor (1x week)

For bedding and futons, use daniyoke spray. DO NOT mistake this for tatami spray which can only be used on tatami mats.

Do not use a wet cloth or products not specifically designed for tatami. This may not only create moisture, but can remove the natural protectant oils. The best product to use are tatami wipes. (たたみ用ウェットシート):

Always vacuum and wipe along the grain.

If you sleep on a futon, be sure to air it out once a week by putting them outside on the balcony, or they will get moldy!

Use dani spray (ダニアース):

To use: insert the needle into the tatami mat and spray for 15 to 20 seconds every 6-8 weeks. ONLY for tatami mats.

Kitchen

Maintenance Level: High

Wash the dishes (always!) (don't forget the bottom of the frying pan)

Wipe countertop and table (everyday)

Clean range fan (1x month)

Rice cooker (after every use)

Clean the inside and outside of fridge (1-2x week)

Wipe the inside and outside of trash bin (1x week)

Replace the drain basket net (1-2x week)

Clean the drain filter (1x week)

In Japan, there are 3 layers in the drain; cover, catcher basket, and filter. There is no garburator (electronic garbage disposal unit), so keeping the drain and its components clean is key.

1) filter ​ 2) drain basket 3) cover​

Don't forget to lift up and clean under your chairs, or the legs will grow furry feet!

Using an adhesive garbage air freshener will not only help with odor, but will prevent unwanted bugs.

Jif Cream Cleanser for Stainless Steel

Drain Nets

Tablet Pipe Cleaner

Liquid Pipe Cleaner

Tawashi (scrub brush)

Fridge Deodorizer

Magic Clean for Kitchen

Slime Remover (sits in the drain basket)

Stainless Steel Brush

Restroom

​Maintenance Level: Medium - High

Clean sink (1x week)

Vacuum (1x week)

Mop (1x week)

Clean toilet (1x week)

Clean shower (1x week)

Windows​

Key Money (Reikin)
This is a non-refundable gratuity payment to landlords when newly renting an apartment from them.

Security Deposit (Shikikin)
This money is for any damages incurred or necessary cleaning when you leave. In some cases, this money is fully or partially refunded.

Monthly Rent (Yachin)
The amount of rent depends on various factors such as area, facilities, size, and age of the apartment.

Operating a Microwave
Hopefully you have enough knowledge of hiragana and katakana and can read the most important button that probably says "あたためスタート." The list below is for the buttons which you may not know.

Operating the Air Conditioner
Japanese エアコン do more than just blow cool air. It has a lot of fancy options, so let's look at the vocabulary.

Air conditioners typically have four main functions:
冷房 (cool)　ドライ (dry) or 除湿 (dehumidify)
暖房 (heat)　空港 (purify)
You can also adjust the direction:
風上下 (up & down)　風左右 (left & right)　
風速 (wind speed)　簡単切タイマー (smart timer)

Maintenance Level: Low

Wipe mailbox/door (1x month)
(this is often forgotten, but is important because unwanted bugs can crawl through the slot!).

Pick up some charcoal shelf liner sheets from your nearest Daiso to protect your shoes from mold and prevent odor.

Maintenance Level: Low

Maintenance Level: Low

Maintenance Level: Low - Medium

Maintenance Level: Medium - High

Do not use a wet cloth or products not specifically designed for tatami. This may not only create moisture, but can remove the natural protectant oils. The best product to use are tatami wipes.
(たたみ用ウェットシート):

Wash the dishes (always!)
(don't forget the bottom of the frying pan)

1) filter

2) drain basket

3) cover

Tawashi
(scrub brush)

Magic Clean
for Kitchen

Slime Remover
(sits in the drain basket)

Maintenance Level: Medium - High

Windows

Shower/Tub

Spray kabi killer to finish
(wear gloves and a mask!)

AC

It is recommended to have your AC professionally cleaned 1x year. The cost is around ¥10,000 and takes about an hour.

Washing Machine

Yearly Cleaning

AirCon cleaning spray that kills and prevents mold.
To use: Remove the filters and spray. Reapply every 2-3 months.

Golden Tip:
Clean a little bit everyday!