Pros and Cons of Living in a Gaijin House

There are two types of vacations: those that don't last long enough, and those that last just long enough to make things difficult - at least when you're facing a 70 day stay in Tokyo.

In 2008, I was granted the opportunity to cover an electronics show in Tokyo. Since Japan automatically allows all USA visitors to stay for three months without a visa, I thought, "Why not stay as long as possible?" It wasn't likely I'd ever be back to that side of the world, and my position as a freelance writer allowed me to work from anywhere with an Internet connection.

After researching the various hotels in different prefectures in Tokyo (traditional, modern, budget, etc.) I came to an unmovable conclusion - Japan is expensive. Renting the cheapest of dingy stale-beer scented hotels would have set me back about $3000 USD.

Renting a 'real' apartment in Japan is impossible for temporary visitors. The average apartment lease in Japan is for two years, and involves approximately six months of costs upfront. You must speak Japanese fluently to navigate the complex Japanese utility and rental system, and you must hire a real estate agent to negotiate with the landlord.

Recognizing the hefty gap between weekend vacationers and long-term visitors, Japan erected an industry specifically for those who were not staying long enough to get an apartment but too long to get a hotel - the gaijin market.

What is a 'gaijin house'?

Gaijin is the Japanese word meaning foreigner, and is the basis for the gaijin house, which is a weekly or monthly room rental in a complex or house that doesn't involve references, credit ratings or complicated and expensive rental systems. A foreigner can call a gaijin house rental agency, such as OakHouse, and rent a single room for as little as 300 yen per month.

What is it like living in a gaijin house?

Living in a gaijin house is an interesting experience; it is more private than a hostel, but less private than a real apartment. The majority of gaijin houses are small rooms with a bed, TV and small refrigerator. All renters in the residence share a bathroom, kitchen and living room, which means a basic level of courtesy and patience is needed at all times.

Are all gaijin houses like that?

Though atypical, a handful of gaijin houses have rental rooms set up similar to very small studio apartments. The gaijin room I rented in Tokyo cost 600 yen per month, and had its own very small (approximately four feet wide) kitchen, and a small half-bath, in addition to a bed, balcony, desk, TV and very large closet. I was still required to share the laundry room and the shower, however.

Do only foreigners live in gaijin houses?

No. In fact, I was the only foreigner renting in the gaijin house where I lived. My three neighbors were all born and raised Japanese citizens. This gave me an opportunity to talk to locals and to experience a social setting that was entirely new to me.

What are the pros of living in a gaijin house?

It is very inexpensive compared to long-term stays in a hotel or the costs of renting an apartment. A gaijin house affords you a degree of privacy that hostels cannot - you are given a key and can come and go as you please, for example. You're able to experience the day-to-day life of living in a different country.

What are the cons to living in a gaijin house?Lack of space and privacy for certain activities, such as showering. The average gaijin house is very small; some are so small, in fact, that three of the four walls touch the edges of the bed inside the room. This limited space makes it very difficult to have guests, and can make you feel claustrophobic in already-small Japan.