Spent the morning looking for a new place online. The problem with Japan is their whole system for getting into a apartment is almost as outdated as their writing system. To move into a apartment, you often need to pay between 2-6 months worth of rent up front just to be able to move it. It's called gift money, and it's money that is given to the landlord so he can get more money then just the monthly rent. Along with that, usually a 1-2 month deposit is also required. If you get past that, then you need a guarantor which is a person who is Japanese and lives in Japan to sign and say they will pay your rent if you default on a payment. Next thing to look at is the term of the contract. Many of the apartments require a 2 year minimum stay, and after that term is completed will sometimes require a extra month worth of rent as a renewal fee. When that is all said and done, there are still many places that don't accept foreigners because many of the landlords here are older racists guys.
People often talk about how expensive Tokyo is to live in, but I think that is based heavily on the move in costs. I don't find food or transportation that much more expensive then it was in the US.
Anyhow, headed to language school like usual and after most of the class and I all headed out for a little party in Shinokubo (a.k.a. Korean Town) where we had a drink known as Shoju, some Korean food and beers with our teachers. It really brought back memories from 2005 when we did the same thing and there were two other classes from KCP there.
Around 10 the party ended and everyone headed home. I met up with my friend John and we hung out in Shinjuku till last train, and watched part of the Olympics.
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