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DAILY LIFE

RENTING ACCOMMODATION:

ESTATE AGENTS:

The best way to rent accommodation is to use an estate agent, fudousan, who will show you available properties and mediate with the landlord on your behalf. They will also suit your needs (rent, location, size etc.) to the properties they show you. This takes the hassle out of finding a suitable property.

REQUIREMENTS FOR A RENTAL CONTRACT.

When renting a property, some or all of the following expenses will be incurred depending on the agent. It is also necessary to have a Japanese friend act as a guarantor for the contract.

  • Initial Deposit (Tetsukekin): This is a deposit required to hold a property that you are interested in. It is usually equivalent to one month's rent.
  • Deposit (Shikikin): This is a deposit held by the landlord against non-payment of rent or damage to the property. It is usually equivalent to two month's rent.
  • Key Money (Reikin): This is becoming less and less common, but some landlords still require it. It is a non-refundable gift to the landlord and is usually equivalent to one month's rent.
  • Agent's Fee (Chukairyo): Commission payable to the estate agent. the amout depends on the agent.
  • Rent (Yachin): Monthly rent which must be paid by the end of the preceding month.

PRECAUTIONS:

Specific precautions and conditions will be included in your contract. Be sure to review it carefully and use a friend to translate it for you if necessary. Here are some usual conditions:

  • Renting the whole or part of the property to a third party is not permitted.
  • Remodelling or repairing the property in any way without the permission of the landlord is forbidden.
  • Be sure to know the period required for letting the landlord or agency know of the termination of your contract. This can range from two weeks to two months.
  • Room size is expressed in terms of a tatami mat size or jo. One jo is equivalent to 1.8m x 0.9m
  • Included rooms are expressed in the abbreviations L (living room), D (Dining room, or space in the kitchen to put a table), and K (kitchen). Before these letters, will be a number, expressing how many bedrooms the property has (1,2,3 or 4). Thus, a property with 2 bedrooms, a living room and a dining-kitchen will be expressed: 2LDK.

 

ELECTRICITY:

CONNECTING AND DISCONNECTING THE ELECTRICITY SUPPLY:

When you move into a new apartment and want to start using electricity, push the breaker switches to on. After confirming that electricity is flowing, contact the Shikoku Electric Company with your customer number (written on the fuse box), name, address, date you moved in and contact number. When disconnecting, notify the company at least 5 days before moving out. On the day you move, a company employee will visit to shut off the supply and calculate any remaining balance.

If you have problems turning on the supply, contact Shikoku Denryoku on:

0120-410430 (free dial)

HOW TO PAY:

There are two ways to pay for your electricity. Firstly you can pay the bills that are sent to you by bank transfer or at a convenience store. Secondly, you can set up an automatic transfer from your bank account (Denki Ryokin Koza Furikae). In the case of automated transfer, you will need to fill out a form at a post office, bearing the same Japanese as above and send it to the electric company.

ABOUT ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES:

The voltage and frequency of electricity in Shikoku is 100V/60Hz. Before using appliances, check that they are compatible with this voltage. Countries other than Japan and North America use 200-240V, so be aware that to avoid PERMANENTLY damaging your appliances you may need an adaptor, before plugging in appliances that you brought with you.

 

GAS:

GENERAL:

Gas in Japan comes in two types: toshi gas (mains gas) and propane gas (bottled). The appliances used in the property are matched to the type of gas used, so DO NOT use appliances meant for the other type of gas. This could result in damage of the supply, appliance and incomplete or explosive combustion. To open your gas supply, call the gas company who will activate and check your gas supply.

IN CASE OF EARTHQUAKE:

Make sure gas appliances are turned off and that the gas valve is also shut.

Some properties have automatic gas shut off systems in case of a tremor. If this is the case, you will need to reset your supply after the earthquake. Your landlord or agent will tell you if this is the case.

IN CASE OF GAS LEAK:

  • Open all windows and doors to get rid of the fumes.
  • Propane gas is heavier than air, so 'sweep' out the gas with a broom.
  • Shut off the gas.
  • Under no circumstances smoke or light a flame or spark.
  • To avoid sparks do not use electrical switches or power plugs.
  • Call the gas company: Shikoku Gas Kochi: 832-8100

 

WATER:

CONNECTING AND DISCONNECTING MAINS:

To connect the mains, contact the Water Services Bureau. When you phone, provide your name, address, telephone number, water service number and starting date. To disconnect, telephone the bureau in advance. Kochi's water is perfectly drinkable and safe.

Kochi Water Service Bureau Payments Division: 821-3231

In case of burst pipe or other problem contact:

Kochi Water Service Bureau Water Supply Division: 821-3251

Out of working hours or holidays: 821-3280

 

TELEPHONE:

INSTALLING A LANDLINE:

There are two ways to get a landline at your domicile. You can either purchase a phone line and then sell it when you leave, or rent one. If you are staying for some years, it would be cheaper to buy the line outright, but if staying for only a couple of years, it will be cheaper to rent one.

Buying a phone line:

When applying for a new phone line, you must visit a local NTT office with your passport or foreign registration card to identify yourself. For installing and establishing the line, there will be a charge of around ¥75,000 plus any works charge for installing the line itself. This may be around ¥10,000. The process will take 3-4 days to complete. You may buy a telephone set at an electrical store or rent one from NTT.

Renting a phone line:

To rent a phone line, you need to have the socket etc. already installed in your property. Having checked this (most properties will have a line installed), contact NTT and tell them you want to rent a phone line. There is a handling charge of around ¥2,000 to connect the phone line, and then every month you will have to pay a rental charge which is around ¥3,000. On top of this, of course, you will have to pay for your calls. This is much cheaper for short-term stays, but more expensive for those coming to live in Kochi for a considerable amount of time.

 

MOBILE PHONES:

CHOICE:

There are three mobile phone companies in Japan: NTT Docomo, Vodafone, and AU. The largest of the three is NTT Docomo with its own web provider i-mode that is available in English as well as Japanese. It, however, is also the most expensive. Vodafone was originally J-phone, but has just been taken over by the British giant and is becoming ever more popular. They also have their own internet service, Skyweb. Au is the smallest of the three, but recognised to be excellent value with its web provider Ezweb. The choice is a difficult one to make, but most people reach a decision by finding a handset they like and a price plan that suits them. Japan is mobile heaven, so you will be spoilt for choice wherever you look. The big (and small) electronics stores have a wide selection of handsets from all three companies and each network has several dedicated branches throughout Kochi.

SUBSCRIBING:

Once you have decided which company to go for and with which handset, you will have to choose a price plan to suit you. Generally, the more you use a mobile phone the higher the monthly tariff plan should be. This means that the more you pay a month as a basic cost, the more free calls and the lower rates per minute over this you get. If you will not be using the phone much, get the cheapest pack with the highest call rate per minute.

BILLING:

In general, when you sign up you will provide your bank details and the amount due will be taken out of your account automatically every month. Also, you can opt for a bill to be sent to you and to pay it by bank or post office transfer yourself. You may also pay the bill in a convenience store.

 

BANKING:

OPENING AN ACCOUNT:

To open a current account, go to a bank with your foreign registration card, passport and seal. If you do not have a seal, some banks accept the use of a signature. You may apply for a cash card at the same time. Cash cards can be used at the bank's ATMs and at some other bank's ATMs(check with your bank as to which you can use).

AUTOMATIC PAYMENTS:

You can set up automatic transfers to pay your utility bills. This is an easy way to pay because you do not have to remember to do it yourself. To set up this service, bring your foreign registration card and seal to the bank along with the last month's bill. The bank will then be able to set up this service for you.

 

GARBAGE:

You will soon get used to the system for putting out garbage to be collected. You must separate it into burnable/raw garbage (collected twice a week) and non-burnable plastics(collected once a week) and place it in a designated area to be collected. Also, once a month you may put out bottles and cans to be taken for recycling. To find out the days that each type of rubbish is collected, ask you landlord or agent. Garbage is not usually collected on public holidays.