Accommodation
(Accessible from outside)
In Sendai where Tohoku University locates, Faculty/Staff Housing and University House Katahira are available for foreign researchers. However, most researchers find private apartments. Thus, Tohoku University provides useful information about good residences and housing available for foreign researchers.
- 1. Faculty/Staff Housing
- 2. International House Sanjo 1
- 3. University House Katahira
- 4. Private Flat
1. Faculty/Staff Housing
Qualification
Full time researchers at Tohoku University (except for short-term employees or temporary employees).
As there are some additional exceptions, please ask Property Management Section (ext.: 5924, E-mail: aimr-yodo@grp.tohoku.ac.jp) if you are qualified.
Application Period
The application will be always accepted. However, you need to apply by one month before the date you would like to move into. If you want to apply, please contact Property Management Section.
Residence Period
There is no restriction unless you lose the qualification to move into.
Features
- Faculty/Staff Housing has much cheaper rent than private properties, but it is somewhat far from the campuses.
- Selections are made based on the “Record of Intending to Move-into/Change Tohoku University Faculty/Staff Housing” submitted from each department. As such, you cannot choose your accommodation or room yourself.
- There are two types of rooms: a Single room and a Family room.
- No furniture is provided.
- Deposits, key money, commission and other such costs, as applied for private properties, are not required.
- Depending on the accommodation, money may be collected for weeding and common areas.
- Applying to connect utility services such as electricity, gas, and water is required.
2. International House Sanjo 1
Qualification
Researchers engaged in education and research at Tohoku University.
(Except for full time researchers)
Application Period
The application from foreign researchers will be always accepted. You can apply between one to six months prior to the day you would like to move in. If you want to apply, please contact International Affairs Center (ext.5971, E-mail: iac@grp.tohoku.ac.jp).
Residence Period
Living more than fourteen days is required but no more than a year.
Features
- Furnished, with cheaper rent than private properties.
- There are two types of rooms: a Couple room and a Family room.
- Deposits, key money, commission and other such costs, as applied for private properties, are not required.（A deposit of 30,000 yen will be charged when you stay for three months or more.）
- Since this is a residence for foreign people, it is not a problem if you cannot speak Japanese.
- A notice board is actively used to share information on moving sales, events and so forth.
3. University House Katahira (UH Katahira)
Qualification
Foreign researchers who have been invited to Tohoku University to participate in collaborative research, and will be employed as researchers for a predetermined period of time.
*Those eligible for Tohoku University staff housing cannot apply.
Application Period
The application from foreign researchers will be always accepted. You can apply between one to six months prior to the day you would like to move in. If you want to apply, please contact International Affairs Center (ext.5971, E-mail: iac@grp.tohoku.ac.jp).
Residence Period
From 1 month to 2 years.
Features
- Furnished, with cheaper rent than private properties.
- There are four types of rooms: a Unit-type Single room, a Single room, a Couple room and a Family room.
- Deposits, key money, commission and other such costs, as applied for private properties, are not required.（A deposit of 30,000 yen will be charged when you stay for three months or more.）
- Since this is a residence for foreign people, it is not a problem if you cannot speak Japanese.
- Being the closest accommodation to AIMR and relatively newly constructed, it is common to be placed on a waiting list.
4. Private Flat
For the good residences for foreign researchers, please refer to the website "Apartment List for foreigners
." Rent and other charges vary according to location and type of accommodation. The following are rough estimates.
- Residence fee/rent(monthly) : Furnished Single room: 65,000 yen– | Family room: 120,000 yen–.
- Electricity, gas, and water : Paid by resident; varies by usage.
- Shikikin, Reikin required.
To rent an apartment or house in Japan, you need to find a joint surety for a lease in most cases. But it is sometimes difficult for foreign researchers to find a joint surety.
If you can’t find a joint surety, please consult with landed properties and find the apartment which is available to the private servicer of a joint surety.
| Shikikin (Deposit) |
When renting a room or apartment, it is customary for the tenant to pay an amount equal to two to three months' rent in addition to the regular monthly rent. This is to guarantee on-time payment of rent and cover possible repair expenses when moving out. A portion of this guarantee may be refunded when moving out. |
|---|---|
| Reikin (Key money) |
When renting a room or apartment, the tenant may also be asked to pay Reikin or Nyukan-hi, a kind of premium customarily paid in appreciation for the use of the room or apartment. The usual amount is equal to one or two months' rent. This is not refundable. |
| Rentaihoshonin (Joint guarartor) |
A guarantor is someone who is willing to accept the obligation of paying on the lessor’s behalf in case the lessor is unable to pay. The landlord reserves the right to seek payment from the guarantor if the lessor does not pay the rent by the time the lease period expires, or to pay for any uncompensated damage to the room. A joint guarantor must be an "adult who makes an independent living", and therefore must have a stable income. Japanese may ask a parent or relative to be their guarantor, but foreign researchers must find their own guarantor in Japan. |
The Tohoku University International Support Center assists in finding accommodation, which includes property searches, arranging viewings, handling contract procedures, and managing public utility services such as electricity, gas, and water. If you want to apply, please contact International Affairs Center (ext.5971, E-mail: iac@grp.tohoku.ac.jp).
