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[dragonlover58]

Hey there!  I just found out I received a scholarship from my university, so I'll have the opportunity to study at Todai for a couple months this summer.  I lived in Yokohama from September 2010 to March 2011, but I've never gone to Japan short-term before, so I have a few questions

Comments

[fakeplasticblah]

Sakura House and their staff are very nice. I stayed in a single apartment and had a great experience but I know people in the shared rooms and such who also say their experience has been great.

I think maybe you can take the limousine bus to Shinjuku? You should look it up...I always take the limousine bus but I take it to Ikebukuro. It stops in other places too.

[dragonlover58]

Yeah, the more I look at it, the more likely it will be Sakura House. Thanks for your input!

[sekaijuuni]

Congratulations! Todai, good on you :)

1) I found a great and cheap room on the Yamanote Line searching through Hitsuji Fudousan, which specializes in sharehouses. The interface is all in Japanese but there's a lot of good places to look, and some of the realtors have English support. I found it really easy to navigate and I love my house and housemates.

2) The Keisei Skyliner is a comfortable way. It's faster than the regular Keisei line and only Y2400 one way. It stops at Nippori and Ueno, so you only need to transfer once to get to Shinjuku. I might be biased because it stops so close to my place, but I think it's the best way.

[dragonlover58]

Thanks! I'm really thankful my advisor has so many contacts I can work with there.

I'll take a look at Hitsuji! Thanks for the advice.

[jen_kat]

4) You can reserve online first, and they have a Softbank counter on the arrival floor at Narita. http://www.softbank-rental.jp/en/phones/sim3g.php

[dragonlover58]

Thanks!

[februaryfour]

1. Sakura House tends to be the no-muss, no-fuss option, and if you are only going to be in Tokyo a month or two, they're the way to go. I went to a few viewings of Oak House properties, but they tend to be in the outskirts of Tokyo, and a little more run-down. I liked D&K, they tend to be in the outskirts but VERY close to stations, and if there is a particular station you want to be near, D&K is a great choice. Since you are going to Todai, though, the most convenient places to live will turn out to be Sakura House owned.

You should reserve a room as soon as possible. Summer accomodation fills up QUICKLY.

2. Narita/Tokyo is easy via the train. I wouldn't think about it too hard. If you REALLY want to take the bus, you can too, but the train really is both fast and reasonably-priced.

3. No opinion.

4. Like jen_kat said, you can do this at a Softbank counter in Narita.

[dragonlover58]

Thanks for your advice! Sakura House is looking like the best option. I have a list on their site right now of places to consider. Just waiting for my a few contacts from Todai so I know which dates I'll be there, and I'll reserve asap.

I'll totally take the train over the bus. The bus was only simpler for Yokohama since it dropped off right at Yokohama station and my apartment was only a stop away from there.