Housing Information For Exchange Students
International Exchange Center
Aoyama Gakuin University
2017 SPRING SEMESTER
INDEX 1. AGU I-HOUSE (Musashi-Kosugi) ...... 2 AGU I-HOUSE OVERVIEW ...... 2 COMMON SPACE ...... 3 LIVING SPACE ...... 3 ABOUT MUSASHI-KOSUGI ...... 3 DIRECTION ...... 4 DORMITORY REGULATIONS ...... 5 APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS ...... 5 PAYMENT ...... 6 CONTRACT PERIOD ...... 6 DORITORY CHECK-IN DATE ...... 7 CANCELLING YOUR APPLICATION ...... 7 CHANGING YOUR CONTRACT END DATE ...... 7 FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ...... 9
2. OTHER TYPES OF ACCOMMODATIONS ...... 11 SHARE HOUSES ...... 11 APARTMENTS ...... 12 HOMESTAY ...... 12
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This handbook introduces housing opportunities for exchange students at AGU. Please read the following information carefully and decide where you wish to stay while you are at AGU as an exchange student.
1. AGU I-HOUSE (Musashi-Kosugi) AGU I-House (Musashi-Kosugi) is a brand-new, co-ed dormitory operated by AGU, in cooperation with Itochu Urban Community, Co., LTD. The university manages two floors of a seven-story building as AGU I-House, with 128 single rooms. Half of those rooms are occupied by international students (including exchange students) and the rest of the rooms are for Japanese students. Four Resident Assistants (RA) will be assigned to assist the residents with day-to-day matters and to facilitate the communication between international students and Japanese students by organizing social events and floor meetings.
AGU I-HOUSE (MUSASHI-KOSUGI) OVERVIEW
AGU I-HOUSE (Musashi-Kosugi) *Name of the building is “CREVIA WILL Musashi-Kosugi”
ADDRESS: 399-1 Ichinotsubo, Nakahara-ku, Kawasaki-shi, Kanagawa Prefecture 211-0016
LOCATION: 14 minutes walk from Musashi-Kosugi station (Tokyu Toyoko Line) 45 minutes (walk & train in total) to Aoyama Campus
BUILDING: Construction scheduled to complete in March 2017, 7-stories building
FACILITIES: Multi-Purpose Room, Gym, Laundry Room, Lounge, Cafeteria, Terrace, Garden
# OF ROOMS: 128 Rooms for AGU I-HOUSE (Approx. 64 rooms are for international students) *Crevia Will Musashi-Kosugi has 391 rooms in total
FLOOR ASSIGNMENT: 3F is for male students, 4F is for female students *Floor assignment is subject to change depending on male : female ratio ROOM TYPE: Single Rooms (Bed, Desk, Closet, Bathroom, Mini-Refrigerator, Wi-Fi)
RESIDENT ASSISTANTS (RA): 5 (2 male, 3 female)
OFFICIAL WEBSITE: AGU I-HOUSE: http://web.iec.aoyama.ac.jp/ihouse/ CREVIA WILL Musashi-Kosugi: http://cvw-musashikosugi.jp/en/index.html
DORMITORY FEES: 104,440 JPY / month (2 meals per day on weekdays, facility & Wi-Fi fees included)
2 COMMON SPACE
Multi-Purpose Room / Gym / Laundry Room / Front Desk / Lounge / Cafeteria / Terrace / Garden
More Information: http://cvw-musashikosugi.jp/en/comspace.html
LIVING SPACE Single Rooms (12.00 square meters) Shoe Storage / Closet / 3-Level Shelves / Bed（Length 194.5 cm x Width 100 cm x Height 40 cm） / Desk / Chair / Mini-Refrigerator / Bathroom
More Information: http://cvw-musashikosugi.jp/en/private.html
ABOUT MUSASHI-KOSUGI
Musashi-Kosugi, where AGU I-HOUSE is located, is between Shibuya and Yokohama. Musashi-Kosugi has become very popular since the recent re-development around Musashi-Kosugi station, and is now ranked as one of top five cities in “Where People Want to Live in Greater Tokyo” ranking. Around Musashi-Kosugi train station are several major shopping malls, supermarkets, restaurants, discount stores, clinics and hospitals, banks, parks, municipal office, etc. The station has 5 train lines, making it easily accessible for the residents to get to some of the major areas in Tokyo such as Shibuya, Shinjuku, Ikebukuro, Jiyugaoka, and Yokohama.
3 DIRECTION FROM AIRPORT TO DORMITORY: 【From Narita Tokyo International Airport】 - By Train (Approx. 1h32min)
Narita Airport station JR Musashi-Kosugi station AGU I-House (Musashi-Kosugi)
Approx. 1h20min. by Narita Express train Approx. 12min walk -Narita Express http://www.jreast.co.jp/e/nex/ 【From Haneda Airport】 - By Bus (Approx. 1h7min)
Haneda Airport Musashi-Kosugi Railway AGU I- House (Musashi-Kosugi) International Terminal station Station (Yokosuka Line Exit)
Approx. 55min by bus Approx. 12min walk -Keihin Kyuko Bus ( Haneda Airport Express) http://hnd-bus.com/route/musashikosugi.html
- By Train (Approx. 42min)
Haneda Airport Shinagawa Station JR AGU I-House International Terminal station →transfer to JR Yokosuka Musashi -Kosugi (Musashi-Kosugi) (Keikyu Airport Express) line Station Approx. 20min by train Approx. 10min by train Approx. 12min walk - Search Engine https://world.jorudan.co.jp/mln/ TO AOYAMA CAMPUS:
AGU I-House Musashi-Kosugi Shibuya Aoyama (Musashi - Kosugi) Station (Tokyu Toyoko Line) station Campus
Approx. 14min walk Approx. 14min by express Approx. 15min walkstation to campus
(To AGU)
(AGU I-House)
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DORMITORY REGULATIONS
*For more information, please refer to the dormitory rules and regulations given to all residents Curfew None *Entrance is auto-locked, and a key card will open the door. Meals Breakfast : 6:30 to 8:00 on Mon to Fri Dinner: 18:00 to 22:00 on Mon to Fri (Last order: 21:30) * No meal services on: Saturdays & Sundays, National holidays, Summer break (7 days), Winter break (7 days) * Meals cannot be taken to your room. * Residents can cook their own meals at a communal kitchen on each floor Laundry Room 7:00-23:00 *Landry facilities (washer & dryer) are coin-operated Gym 9:00-22:00 *Sign-up required, No additional charge Multi-Room 9:00-22:00 *Sign-up required, No additional charge Lounge 24 hours *No eating or drinking Roof-top 10:00-18:00 *Sign-up required, No additional charge, No eating or drinking Garden alcohol or smoking Smoking Area 24 hours (Outdoor) *Smoking is strictly prohibited in the building Stay out Residents who will not returning for 3 nights or longer must submit a designated form to notify the dormitory beforehand. Visitors 9:00-20:30 (staying overnight is prohibited) *Visitors must sign-in at the front desk, and are allowed only in common areas (lounge, cafeteria, lobby, multi-rooms), NOT in individual rooms.
APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS
If you wish to apply for AGU I-House, please fill out “AGU I-HOUSE Application and Contract” and send it to us with other application materials by the deadline (Application Deadline for Spring 2017: NOVEMBER 15, 2016). For the contract start date and the contract end date, please read “CONTRACT PERIOD” on P6, before filling out. Please note that the number of available rooms is limited, and the submission of the application does not guarantee the room reservation. You will be notified whether you can be placed in the dormitory or not, within two months after the application deadline. Students who cannot be placed in the dormitory will automatically be on a waiting list, and will be contacted by the International Exchange Center as soon as a room becomes available. AGU I-House monthly fee include a meal plan (breakfast & dinner on weekdays), but please note that the daily menu cannot accommodate special needs such as food allergies and religious restrictions. Students with such special needs are strongly recommended to find other types of accommodation where they can cook their own meals.
5 PAYMENT
Exchange students are required to pay by the semester. If the payment is not made by the deadline, you will be automatically removed from the residents list, and the room is given to a student on the waiting list. Payment must be done via bank transfer (credit cards are not accepted). Dormitory invoice, along with the bank account details, will be emailed to you well before the payment deadline.
Room Rent: 60,000 JPY Electricity / Facility / WiFi: 25,000 JPY Dormitory Fee / month Meal Plan: 19,440 JPY (2 meals per day on weekdays) * Subject to change without notice ------TOTAL Dormitory Fee (per month): 104,440 JPY
Payment Deadline JANUARY 27, 2017
Dormitory Fee Calculation Dormitory fees for February, March, August and September (months in between each semester) are calculated by the week. Contract End Date Dormitory Fee Billed for 1st to 7th of the month 7 Days (26,110 JPY) 8th to 14th of the month 14 Days (52,220 JPY) 15th to 21st of the month 21 Days (78,330 JPY) 22nd to the end of the month 1 Month (104,440 JPY)
*Please note that the payment during summer or spring break periods is required for those who wish to continue staying at the dorm for the following semester.
CONTRACT PERIOD
Exchange students can only sign a contract for AGU I-House by the semester. Contract start date is already set on the date indicated below. Contract end date can be any date between the periods indicated below. Please note that there will be NO refund for the dormitory fees when you move out before your contract period ends. However, the contract end date can be changed later, as long as the new date falls within the period indicated below and the International Exchange Center is notified by the designated deadline (Please see CHANGING YOUR CONTRACT END DATE on P7).
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Contract Start Date MARCH 28, 2017
Contract End Date 2017 Spring Semester Between JULY 31 – *Please note that the final exam AUGUST 31, 2017 period is July 26 to Aug 2.
Contract End Date Between JANUARY 31 – 2017 Fall Semester *Please note that the final exam MARCH 20, 2018 period is January 24 to 31.
EXAMPLE
DORMITORY CHECK-IN DATE
Exchange students are allowed to move into AGU I-House from MARCH 28, 2017 (Contract Start Date). You are free to check-in on any date onward, but it is strongly recommended that you check-in on March 28, as there will be a greeting at Musashi-Kosugi station (by student volunteers) on March 28 and an orientation & neighborhood guide (by Residents Assistants) are scheduled on March 29. If you are arriving before the check-in date, please arrange your own accommodation until you are allowed to move in on March 28.
CANCELLING YOUR APPLICATION
If you wish to cancel your application for AGU I-House, you must inform the International Exchange Center 60 days before the contract start date. After that date, 2 months dormitory fee (208,880 JPY) will be charged as a cancellation fee.
Contract Start Date for Spring 2017: MARCH 28, 2017 Cancellation Deadline without Cancellation Fee: JANUARY 27, 2017
CHANGING YOUR CONTRACT END DATE
If you wish to change your contract end date after moving into AGU I-House, we have 60-day notice policy (in case of shortening) and 30-day notice policy (in case of extending). Please keep in mind the following regulations.
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(1) SHORTENING YOUR CONTRACT If you wish to shorten your contract period, please note that: -the new contract end date must fall within the period specified in ”CONTRACT PERIOD” (P6) -you must notify the International Exchange Center 60 days before the NEW contract end date -the difference of dormitory fees (if any) will be refunded only if the two conditions above are met
(2) EXTENDING YOUR CONTRACT If you wish to extend your contract period, please note that: -the new contract end date must fall within the period specified in ”CONTRACT PERIOD” (P6) -you must notify the International Exchange Center 30 days before the ORIGINAL contract end date -you must complete the payment of the dormitory fee for the extended period 30 days before the original contract end date -extending your contract for another semester can be approved only if there is a vacancy.
8 AGU I-HOUSE: Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: What should I do if I do not get into AGU I-House? While you will be automatically listed on a waiting list, you should start looking for other types of accommodation such as share houses and homestay, at the same time. Please read “OTHER TYPES OF ACCOMMODATIONS” on P11. If you are staying for two semesters, you are free to apply again for the following semester.
Q2: Can I apply for the rooms in the building that are not AGU I-House if there is a vacancy? You can apply for the rooms on other floors through Itochu Urban Community, Co. Ltd., the managing company of “CREVIA WILL Musashi-Kosugi”. Please note, however, that the contract cannot be less than one year, and some of the fees that are covered by the university for AGU I-House, will NOT be covered by the university with the individual contract with Itochu Urban Community, Co. Ltd. For more information, please go to: http://cvw-musashikosugi.jp/en/app_req.html
Q3: I got into AGU I-House but changed my mind. Can I cancel my application? Please read “CANCELLING YOUR APPLICATION” on P7. Depending on the date you cancel your application, you might be charged a cancellation fee.
Q4: I am vegetarian. Can AGU I-House provide vegetarian meals? If not, can I opt out of the meal plan? Unfortunately, the dormitory meals cannot accommodate individual needs including vegetarian, food allergies and religious restrictions. Meal plan is automatically included for AGU I-House and cannot be excluded. An individual contract with the rooms on other floors (i.e. Not AGU I-House rooms) allows you to opt out of the meal plan (please refer to Q2). However, with some of the additional fees you would need to pay with the individual contract, monthly dorm fees will almost be the same amount even if you opt out of the meal plan.
Q5: Is there a kitchen to cook my own meals? Each floor has a Living Space, where there is a communal kitchen with microwave, toaster, kettle, plates and utensils, etc. Cooking in individual rooms is strictly prohibited for safety reasons.
Q6: Is the building safe? What kinds of safety measures are taken? Residents use security card keys multiple times along the route from the entrance into the building to individual rooms, to prevent intrusions by non-residents. Staff who control visitors’ entry/departure is present at the front desk 24 hours a day. Multiple security cameras are installed at various locations in the building. In addition, various safety measures against natural disaster are implemented, including earthquake resistant building structures and an emergency stock of food and water. For more information: http://cvw-musashikosugi.jp/en/safety.html
9 Q7: Is there a bicycle-parking area? Yes. 3000 JPY registration fee will be charged. Please note that, in Japan, you are only allowed to park your bicycles in the designated parking spots, and many of the parking areas charge fees.
Q8: Can I use Wi-Fi in the building? Wi-Fi service is available in both common areas and individual rooms with no additional charges.
Q9: Does AGU I-House have a curfew? No. However, if you plan to stay outside of the dormitory for longer than 3 nights (e.g. staying at friends’ place, trip, etc), you are required to submit a notification form beforehand, for security reasons.
Q10: Can my family and friends visit my room and/or stay overnight? Due to security reasons, non-residents are not allowed to visit or stay overnight in individual rooms.
Q11: Are Japanese AGU students living in the dormitory and would there be opportunities to socialize with them? About half of AGU I-House rooms are occupied by Japanese AGU students. Resident Assistants (RA) will be organizing floor meetings and social events on regular basis. There are also seasonal events such as welcome party and Christmas party that are organized for the entire residents of the building.
10 2. OTHER TYPES OF ACCOMMODATIONS
To arrange these accommodations, you need to contact each agency directly. If you have any question, however, please do not hesitate to contact the International Exchange Center.
SHARE HOUSES
“Share Houses” in Japan are generally meant by houses shared by three or more people, most of whom travelers / students / workers from overseas. Share houses (or the terms ‘guest houses’ or ‘social residences’ are used interchangeably) are also becoming popular among Japanese people who are interested in foreign languages and cultures. In Tokyo, there are literary thousands of share house choices, with varying living arrangements and rents.
Advantages: -No Key Money (Apartments usually charges key money, which is non-refundable) -Fully Furnished (Houses usually have, not only basic furniture in bedrooms, but also electric appliances such as TV, microwave and refrigerator in common areas) -Easy to Move In and Out (Most share houses are under monthly contract, some weekly or daily, so you can move elsewhere easily if you don’t like the place) -English-Friendly (Most share houses have English-speaking staff and you can contact them via email and book a room)
Disadvantages: -No Meal Provided (You need to cook your own meals in a shared kitchen) -Cannot Book Rooms Until 1 – 2 Months In Advance (Most share houses do not know whether the room becomes available until the previous residents give them 30 – 60 days notice) -No Opportunity for Interactions with AGU Students
Share House Websites Please note that these are only some of the websites you find on the internet, and there are many more you can find. https://www.oakhouse.jp/eng/ http://www.sakura-house.com/ https://www.sakura-house.com/en/B00285/room (For Muslim Students) http://fujimihouse.jp/lease/j/index.html http://www.interwhao.co.jp/ http://jafnet.co.jp/plaza/ http://www.t-guesthouse.jp/index_en/ http://www.modernguesthouseliving.com/ http://www.e-guesthouse.com/eng/
11 APARTMENTS
Apartments are not something we strongly recommend for exchange students, mainly because it tends to be more expensive than other accommodation choices, and many apartment owners are not willing to lease their apartments to international students who are arriving or have just arrived in Japan. There are, however, some agencies specialized in international clients. Advantages: -More Privacy -Fully Furnished (This is not true for all apartments, only the ones catered for short or limited term stay) Disadvantages: -Need A Guarantor (Apartments often require a Japanese guarantor. See the section Guarantor (Rentai-Hoshonin) for details). -No Meal Provided (You need to cook your own meals) -More Expensive Due to Various Fees (Agents fee, key money, security deposit, cleaning fee, etc) -No Opportunity for Interactions with AGU Students Guarantor (Rentai-Hoshonin) In order to sign a contract for an apartment in Japan, you will be requested to have a guarantor (rentai-hoshonin) who has the same liability for any losses or damage to the apartment as you do. If you do not know anyone in Japan or have no close Japanese friends who can assume this role, IEC at AGU can be the one for exchange students. In order to apply for this, you should can apply for International Student Housing General Compensation Plan (Ryugakusei Jutaku Sogo Hosho) via IEC and pay 4,000 yen a year to Japan Educational Exchanges and Services (JEES) as insurance. This is a comprehensive renter’s insurance for foreign students in Japan and it protects both the tenant and guarantor against loss of apartment due to covered risk, such as fire. JEES website: http://www.jees.or.jp/ * Note: The monthly rent (inclusive of the management fees) should not exceed 80,000 yen/month.
Apartments Websites http://www.leopalace21.com/ http://www.sakura-house.com/en http://fujimihouse.jp/?lang=en http://www.gtn.co.jp/en/ http://minimini.jp/h/guesthouse/english/ https://www.kimiwillbe.com/apart/ HOMESTAY
“Homestay in Japan”, managed by Nextage, Co., LTD, has been arranging host families all over Japan since 2009. They can arrange a host family for short-term to long-term, as well as for weekend visit experiences. Please contact them and book directly. Website: http://www.homestay-in-japan.com/eng/index.html
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