If you’re looking to bond with other students and have a practical and affordable place to live, a dormitory might be your best choice. Many universities with international programs provide special residence for foreign students. Their websites offer detailed instructions and materials for dormitory accommodation and financial information.

In order to qualify to live at a dorm, you’ll definitely need to have a visa and meet the application deadline. Other criteria and specific financial details differ with each university, but generally speaking, will include:

  • Rent: ￥20,000 ~ ￥60,000 per month on average
  • Student or researcher status at the university the dorm operates under
  • Payments for
    • Deposit
    • Rent
    • Maintenance fees
    • Processing fees
    • Utility fees

Some dormitories include utility fees in the rental bill while others charge separately for electricity and water. Meal service fees can also be included in rent, but no-meal options are available as well. Since food accommodations aren’t as readily available in Japan as some other countries, you may find information about restrictions and allergies difficult to find. Directly contacting the dormitory or university will ensure that all of your needs will be met. Food, shelter, water  – what more could you need? It’s the 21st century, so probably internet. Although often free, some dorms require payment for access.

 

Dormitory information of the top 10 universities in Japan

The following collection of university websites offer in-depth material so you can choose the right dorm based on your preferences. You can expect to find helpful information, monetary details, and contact information for specific inquiries from directly from the links provided.

University of Tokyo

Housing office webpage for international students and researchers

  • https://www.u-tokyo.ac.jp/adm/housing-office/en/housing/shukusha/index.html

Residence of the University of Tokyo for International Life Residence

  • https://www.gakuseikaikan.com/dp/u-tokyo/english/index.html

 

University of Kyoto

International Service Office webpage for Lodging Facilities

  • https://www.kyoto-u.ac.jp/en/education-campus/procedures/housing.html

 

Tokyo Institute of Technology

Tokyo Institute of Technology Dormitory Information

  • https://www.titech.ac.jp/english/enrolled/dormitories_and_accommodations/dormitories.html

 

Osaka University

Student Dormitories & Assistance in Finding an Apartment

  • https://www.osaka-u.ac.jp/en/guide/student/general/dormitory.html

Details on Residences for International Students & Researchers

  • https://www.osaka-u.ac.jp/en/international/inbound/support/residence.html

 

Kyushu University

Dormitories at Ito Campus

  • https://www.kyushu-u.ac.jp/en/education/life/dormitory

Degree Program Dormitory Accommodation

  • http://www.isc.kyushu-u.ac.jp/g30/accommodation.html

 

Keio University

Housing for International Students

  • http://www.ic.keio.ac.jp/en/life/housing/ryu_boshu.html

 

Waseda University

Housing Support Services for International Students

  • https://www.waseda.jp/inst/rlc/en/support/housing/

 

Sophia University

Dormitory Information

  • https://www.sophia.ac.jp/eng/studentlife/housinginfo/sophia_d.html

 

Meiji University 

Services for International Students

  • http://www.meiji.ac.jp/cip/english/prospective/service.html

Housing for Exchange Students (pdf) *accessible from the page above

  • http://www.meiji.ac.jp/cip/english/prospective/co7mm90000000548-att/Housing_exchange_E.pdf

Kwansei Gakuin University

Accommodation for Exchange Program Participants

  • https://ciec.kwansei.ac.jp/study/exchange/studentlife/accommodation.html

Kwansei Gakuin Dormitory List

  • https://kwansei-ac.jp/wp/wp-content/uploads/12_Dormitory_list_2.pdf

 

Toyo University

Housing Information

  • https://www.toyo.ac.jp/site/english-ep/housing.html

 

Tokyo International University

Student Facilities information (housing information is provided under the Accommodation heading)

  • https://www.tiu.ac.jp/etrack/life/facilities.html