Housing Support

Some Precautionary Points When Looking for Housing

When looking for housing, what matters to you the most? In addition to considering the things that may be important to you personally, Housing Support has narrowed down a list of other important things to keep in mind during your search: (1) convenience, (2) safety, and (3) preparing for disaster.

1. Convenience

To ensure a convenient lifestyle, be sure to first check things such as the building’s facilities and the neighborhood.

■ Surrounding Area

• How far away is the nearest station or bus stop?
• Is it easy to commute to and from campus?
• Is there a shopping area, supermarket or convenience store nearby?

■ Facilities in the Building

• Is the apartment equipped with what you need (such as Internet access and adequate storage space)?

2. Safety

When looking for housing, we tend to put priority on the rent and the commuting time between the place and school or the office, but your safety is also essential.

■ Check the location of the room/apartment within the building and the area surrounding the building.

You can gain information via the Internet about the surrounding area of the place. If you have the time, it is also a good idea to walk around the area both during the day as well as after dark to see if it would suit your lifestyle.

• Are the streets safe? (Are there people passing through the area at night? Are there questionable-looking and/or secluded places along the way?)
• Where is the closest police station?
• Inspect the inside and outside of the building.

■ Check the facilities and equipment in and around the apartment and building.

It is a good idea to check what safety features the apartment and building have.

• Does the building have durable locks and a reliable security system? Are the windows secure?

3. Preparing for Disaster

While the scenery is beautiful during all of Japan’s four seasons, there are also natural disasters we may have to deal with, such as typhoons, heavy rain, floods, landslides, earthquakes, and tsunamis. To protect yourself from these natural disasters, be sure you understand the risks of disaster in your neighborhood, stay alert and prepared for disaster, and consider what actions you should take when a disaster strikes.

Please note that in many cases, the local government or resident association posts disaster prevention information on their websites. We recommend that you check such websites before deciding to live in a particular area.

For information from local government offices in the area, click here

(Reference)→ Living Guides > Disaster Preparedness