MMoving to Japan

What’s missing from my Study Abroad costs list? (Going for 2026-27)

  • December 31, 2024


I've intentionally left out things that would go into my room/apartment so don't worry about that. All the figures listed are based on.

Also, is housing really this cheap? As a UK student, I'm used to higher prices so it kinda took me aback.
I've been looking on this site: https://en.uhomes.com/jp/mitaka/detail-apartments-1532761?schoolunique=international-christian-university (I'm concerned mods will see this as promotion, it's not, just an option I've come across)
I've rounded up the figures in GBP when I converted them from JPY

Flights

  • Trains to Heathrow – £35 | 6896 JPY
  • Flight to Tokyo – £750 | 147754 JPY

Legal Documents (and other Bureaucratic Requirements)

  • Student Visa Application – £16 | 3000 JPY (I rounded it up in GBP)
  • Application for permission to work – Free at the airport

Living | Accommodation etc.

  • Apartment next to ICU – £3800 | JP¥708,000
  • Estimated Deposit (3 months rent: ~£900) | 178000 JPY
  • Utilities – student housing website says utilities are typically included
  • National Health Insurance – £192 | 38000 JPY

Provisional Total: £5693 | 1,121,550 JPY

by Fish0plays

3 comments

  1. Yo! You’re going to ICU?? You’ll have a blast there!

    Anyway; you’ve overestimated the National Health Insurance cost; I’m guessing you’ll be a student in Japan from the end of August until some time the following July? If so; NHI is like 9000 yen or so; students don’t have to pay the full cost!

    You may want to consider getting a Japanese sim card; I used the Mobal sim card; it was about 3000 yen for the card; and I was on their top plan which cost 4300 yen a month :>

    You may also want to buy a bike, I didn’t as I lived in the on-campus dorms, and buses and trains were really cheap anyway; but my friend got one so I’m happy to ask him how much he paid if you’re curious! :3

    My dorm was super cheap too! I was in Maple house and was surprised at how cheap it was for how nice it was! <3

  3. I wouldn’t panic over these numbers 18 months in advance; prices for some things may change etc.

    There’s tons of resources out there for cheap mobile phone plans, SIM cards, yadda yadda. Study abroad students absolutely don’t need more than one of the discount providers, especially for <1 year.

    As a student you will be eligible for a discount commuter pass, which is maybe something you should bear in mind when you think about where you want to live in relation to your campus.

    Also, budget for travel. There’s a whole lot of Japan outside Tokyo, you’ll regret it if you don’t see some of it.

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