Are guest houses furnished?

Most guest house rooms are furnished with the essentials and a little more. Although not all guest houses are the same so please check with the guest house you are planning to stay at what is in each room.

A common guest house room consists of: 

• A bed, futon, or bunk bed.
• Desk
• Small Fridge
• T.V.
• Small Closet or dresser

Can I receive mail at a guest house?

Do Gaijin Houses have internet connections?

YES! Almost every Gaijin House offers free internet at the house. This makes them more popular then apartments when living in Japan for 1 year or less.

There is usually a P.C. internet area set up in the common room. As well each room usually has its own ADSL connection. If you bring your own P.C. with an Ethernet card, and your own cable you can simply plug in for free.

Rarely...but some guest houses will charge you to use the internet.

Do Gaijin Houses have kitchens?

YES! All Gaijin Houses are equipped  with fully functional kitchens. Most kitchens have most of the essential cooking utensils, pots, pans, forks knives, etc. Although most people who stay a month or more get there own cooking supplies at the dollar store. Some of the stuff is quite old or not in very good shape.

In Japan:

• Kitchen stoves are are run on Gas
• There are no American conventional ovens
• Microwave ovens work as a Microwave & a conventional oven although if used as an oven is much smaller
• Other kitchen items that are found in Japanese kitchens are Toaster ovens, toaster, and blenders.

Do Gaijin Houses have laundry machines?

Most guest houses have laundry machines. They are usually coin operated. This can range from 100 yen to 300+ yen. In Japan it is rare for people to use a Dryer. Most people hang there laundry either in their room or on a balcony. Yes their underwear too! Coin operated dryers can become VERY expensive ranging at about 100-300 yen for 15 minutes, and usually take over an hour to dry your clothes.

You will also need to purchase your own laundry detergent, softener, etc. 

Do Gaijin Houses have private lockers?

Do I have to pay a cancellation fee?

This varies a lot depending on the place you stay at. But in most cases Yes you will have to pay a cancellation fee. Please make sure you check beforehand with the guest house you want to stay at what their cancellation fees are!

Then again some places are very friendly and will not charge you a thing.

"We do not charge a cancellation fee if you tell us the day before the reservation. Please let us know as soon as possible.
If you need to check out earlier, we take the fixed cancellation fee and refund the balance."  YADOYA House

Do I have to pay the rent in advance?

In most guest houses the answer is yes.

For short term stays one or two days, sometimes a week or two, you may be able to pay at the end of your stay. If you need to pay a deposit this will need to be paid in advance.

For longer stays 2 weeks or more most ask you to pay in advance.  You will most likely be asked to pay your rent one month in advance. Usually by the 25th of the previous month. So Junes rent will need to be paid in full by May 25th.

Do I need to bring my own soap, shampoo etc.?

Each Gaijin House is different. But the norm is "Yes". You do need to bring your own soap, shampoo, tooth brush etc.

Some Gaijin Houses do have these available though but make sure you check first.

If your house does not offer these you still have a few choices. An inexpensive place to purchase these items are at the 100yen (Dollar Store) shops. Another alternative for those who are staying short term are to use a Sento (Public Baths) or an Onsesn (Hot spring.) Although this might be a catch-22 because these places sometimes also require you to bring your own soap, shampoo etc.

Do I need to pay utilities as well?

Utilities are included in the rent of most guest houses.

Although some guest houses charge you in other ways for some high cost appliances.

Examples include:

• Coin operated laundry machines (Very high cost 300 yen per load not including dryer)
• Coin operated showers (100yen for 10 minutes) ***This is rare but I have seen one place.
• Coin operated air conditioners (100 yen per hour I believe but I can't remember)

Note: Every guest house is different please check with each guest house.

Some places charge you a set rate per/week month.

"There is a minimum charge, 1,045yen. It depends on how much you used. In summer and winter averagely it costs about 3,000-5,000yen/month, 1,500-2,000yen/week. In spring and autumn it costs about 2,000-4,000yen/month, 1,000-2,000yen/week." Orange House

"Utilities included! ...If the monthly utilities bill exceed over 4,000 JPY per person, you have to pay for the utilities." Cozy House