Tokyo: Rent Apartments & Apartments or Other Accommodation
The breathtaking and ever-growing Japanese metropolis of Tokyo definitely has something to show off to tourists. The city is the capital of Japan and is home to the Japanese government and the Imperial Palace . The city's population is 13 million people, and its area stretches as far as the eye can see. In 2009, Tokyo was voted the best city to live in due to its high standard of living. In Tokyo you can find accommodation for absolutely every taste and income, from exclusive hotels to cheap hostels. HomeToGo offers a variety of affordable rentals, from city center penthouses and studios to traditional Japanese homes and guest rooms. Find your ideal accommodation in Tokyo with HomeToGo !
Costs when purchasing real estate
The redemption value is not all the money that the buyer will have to pay when registering the property. The list of mandatory expenses when purchasing Japanese real estate will necessarily include:
- Tax on the acquisition of real estate - is paid from each transaction for the resale of the same property and is 4% of the transaction amount.
- Registration license tax (state fee for re-registration) – depends on the type of registration. For example, initial registration (new housing, inheritance) is carried out at a rate of 0.4% of the cost of housing, when purchasing from the owner - 2% of the transaction.
- Stamp duty – 500 thousand yen.
- Broker's commission is usually 3% of the transaction amount + 60 thousand yen.
- Property tax and urban planning tax - levied on each property owner annually on January 1 at rates of 1.4 and 0.3%, respectively (of the assessed value of the property).
You will be introduced to real estate taxes and other types of payments in the article “Tax system in Japan: levels, obligations and benefits.”
In addition to these mandatory expenses, a buyer from the CIS countries will have to spend money on the services of a translator, notary and lawyer to re-register real estate in the Japanese state registers.
Exploring Tokyo
Tokyo is a huge city that can easily overwhelm or even overwhelm a first-time tourist with its size. We take a look at Japan's most exciting attractions to give you an idea of what Tokyo has to offer. To begin with, you will find many entertainment districts in the city, where you can easily find a variety of restaurants, cinemas, bars and entertainment clubs. The largest of them, Roppongi , is popular not only among tourists, but also among local residents. Another area of Tokyo, famous throughout the world for its supermarkets and vibrant nightlife, is Shibuya . One of the area's landmarks is Shibuya Crossing , a famous intersection similar to Times Square and Piccadilly Circus and featured in many famous films such as Lost in Translation. If you're looking to experience more traditional Japanese culture, Tokyo has some exciting options for you. To experience a sense of Japanese nostalgia, head to Senso-ji , a grand Buddhist temple located in the Asakusa . This is one of the largest and most colorful temples in the world, and you will find many interesting places within its grounds. Nakamise Shopping Street , where you can buy traditional Japanese folding fans and a variety of local snacks. There is also a giant five-level pagoda, which houses the vast main hall of the temple. Throughout the year, the temple hosts many festivals and celebrations, including the Sanja Festival , dedicated to the temple and its founders. If you are interested in Japanese culture, then Senso-ji Temple is a must on your itinerary! We also recommend visiting the Imperial Palace . This is the main residence of the Japanese imperial family, and on its territory there is an extensive park complex. You will find the palace in the Chieda area, near Tokyo Central Station. Another way to escape the hectic pace of life in Tokyo is to visit one of its many parks. We really liked Ueno Park , where you can simply relax in the shade of the trees or take part in one of the many events held in the park. In Shiba Park you will find everyone's favorite Tokyo Tower , which was inspired by the Eiffel Tower in Paris.
It was built in the 1950s, just as Japan was recovering from the effects of World War II, and offers its guests a magnificent panorama of Tokyo from its observation deck. On a clear day, you can even see Mount Fuji from here, Japan's tallest mountain, located in the heart of the National Park!
Housing statistics
Data from the 2003 Housing and Land Survey conducted by Japan's Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications show that there were 53,891,000 housing units in the country at that time. Of these, 46,863,000 (87%) were inhabited, and 7,028,000 (13%), respectively, were free. Of those dwellings that were occupied, 28,666,000 (61.2%) were owned by families and households of Japanese citizens, 45,258,000 (96.6%) were used exclusively for residential purposes, and 1,605,000 (3.4%) were used for both residential and residential purposes. and for commercial purposes.
The average number of rooms per housing unit is 4.77 rooms, and the average total area is 94.85 m2. On average, there are 0.56 people per room. Of those premises used exclusively for residential purposes, 10,893,000 (24.1%) were equipped with an automatic smoke detector.
As of 2003, 17,180,000 housing units (36.7%) are classified by the Japanese Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications as located in urban areas, and 27,553,000 housing units (58.8%) are respectively located in rural areas.
Kitchen in Tokyo
The only difficulty you will have to face in Tokyo in terms of food is that it is extremely difficult to decide what exactly you want! Most Japanese restaurants specialize in a certain type of cuisine, so it's best to decide what you want in advance! Japanese cuisine for the most part is incredibly healthy, wholesome and fresh, and you will be deeply surprised at how healthy the Japanese eat everywhere! For a quick and inexpensive lunch, your best bet in Tokyo is ramen (noodle soup). You'll find ramen everywhere - but remember to make loud slurping noises while eating - it's considered polite! You also can't step foot in Tokyo without running into ' Izakaya ', a type of Japanese bar. These restaurant bars serve a variety of small, light dishes that pair well with beer and sake. For sushi lovers, we highly recommend visiting the Tsukiji Fish Market . This market is a rare place in Tokyo that is not crowded with tourists, but with locals. To be able to order the best sushi, it is best to arrive early in the morning.
Cars
Outside the central areas of big cities, many Japanese park their cars near their homes.
Some single-family homes have their own built-in garage, while all others are content with carports or park their cars as is. Apartment or condominium buildings often have their own parking lot, located, for example, on the ground floor of the building. In some cases, parking may be located on the street. An elevator in the parking lot allows you to make better use of limited space, combining underground parking with above-ground parking. You can also rent a parking space in the surrounding area if you wish.
How to get around
Tokyo Airport, better known as Narita International , is one of two Tokyo airports and is located 75 kilometers from the city center. Another Tokyo airport is called Haneda Airport . The travel time from Narita Airport to central Tokyo varies from 50 minutes to two hours, depending on the chosen mode of transport. Getting there from Haneda Airport is easier - the train into the city leaves every 10 minutes, and the journey takes only half an hour. Tokyo public transport is incredibly popular among both tourists and locals, so it is almost always crowded. Don't be surprised if you witness uniformed men on platforms pushing people into train cars so that the driver can close the doors - this is a special profession in Tokyo! If you suffer from claustrophobia, you may want to avoid Tokyo trains! Despite this problem (especially acute during rush hour), Tokyo's public transport system is world class and will quickly get you anywhere in the city. Please note that the Tokyo Subway closes at 1am. All trains simply stop at the station where they were at the end of the working day and disembark passengers, forcing tourists to catch an expensive taxi home. Also, don't forget that Tokyo is a gigantic city and it will take you a lot longer than you think to get from place to place.
Economic issues
Heating
Local rather than centralized heating is the norm in Japanese homes. Homes are typically rented and sold without heating or cooling equipment—families bring them with them when they move.
The simplest kerosene heater has a fuel tank, a protective casing and a control panel. Electric ignition from batteries has recently become increasingly popular. On the next level there is an electric fan that circulates hot air around the room. Many of these fans are equipped with a function for independent control of the temperature in the room, and can also be turned off or on according to a given mode.
Gas heaters are also popular and many homes are heated with gas through individual portable heaters. The windows in many homes have an air vent to protect occupants from excessive exhaust fumes.
Kerosene or gas heaters, when shaken, cut off the fuel supply and stop working, which is very useful in case of accidents or earthquakes. These devices also automatically turn off after two or three hours of operation to prevent the air in the room from becoming overly saturated with carbon monoxide while, for example, the owner of the apartment is sleeping.
Another type of kerosene heater functions like a radiator and consists of two parts. The tank with kerosene is located outside the house and the fuel is also burned outside the house, heating the liquid, which spreads through the second part of the heater, directly heating the room. This type of heating is very popular because it significantly reduces gas pollution and smoke in the room and virtually eliminates the possibility of injury to children or animals who accidentally damage the device.
Electric heaters in Japan are usually mounted above the door on a veranda or balcony and often do work adjacent to the air conditioner. Most of them are equipped with a timer and temperature control function.
In northern Japan, yukadanbō (床暖房; "floor heater") radiant heaters , which are located below floor level, are common and are now installed in some apartments and rooms of newer buildings that use heated fluid for heating. The cost of such a device is quite high and often it is installed only in a small room where people change clothes. Electric carpets and flooring have become popular in recent years.
And finally, do not forget about the traditional heating method - kotatsu - which is still widely used today. This is how rooms in the traditional Japanese style, which are now installed in modern homes, are usually heated.
Electricity
Japanese homes are connected to the national electrical grid, which operates at 100 V. The frequency of alternating current in eastern Japan is 50 Hz, in western Japan it is 60 Hz. Typical current is 30 or 50 A. Many appliances operate properly at any frequency.
The sockets are for the most part similar to those used in the US, with two vertical slots, but unlike modern American sockets, the slots in Japanese sockets are usually made the same width and there is no third slot for grounding. Devices that come into contact with water, such as heated toilets, often have their own separate ground wire.
Lighting equipment, like heaters, usually falls on the shoulders of the immediate residents. Many homes do not have light fixtures in the bedroom, living room or dining room. Instead, they only have a socket where you need to connect the required device. Kitchens, bathrooms, hallways and genkan usually have lights built into the ceiling.
Safety
An interphone or intercom is standard equipment in Japanese homes. There are models with video cameras, but as a rule, a peephole is enough for most houses and apartments. In Japan, there is a custom whereby the guest waits for the host at the gate of the house, so intercoms are usually installed there, and not directly in front of the door. Nowadays, it is very common to use an electric gate lock that can be controlled from the comfort of your home, and interphones with cameras are becoming more common.
Corporate housing
Many Japanese companies have their own residential buildings, called shataku, where young workers can move to after they first start working. Sometimes shataku are located near the company's office building. In other cases, companies cannot have their own residential complex, but they can enter into an exclusive lease for an entire building, after which employees will move in in the same way. In 2003, there were almost 1.5 million shataku in Japan.
