Hi everyone. I did make a post kind of similar but way more vague a couple days ago, so I’ve decided to try my luck again.
I’m currently applying for a year-long exchange in Japan for the next year and need some help deciding between Keio and Waseda for my top choice. My biggest concern and deciding factor is acommodation and commuting costs. Here is a list of facts for my consideration.
Keio:
– dorms have guaranteed rooms for exchange students and cost 75k to 108k JPY. However, they are located near the Hiyoshi campus in Kawasaki.
– commute to Mita campus where I’ll be taking classes takes an hour at least, as far as I’ve seen on Google Maps.
Waseda:
– dorms are in Shinjuku, walking distance from Waseda campus, and seem to cost 70k to 105k JPY. however, dorms are assigned by lottery and it seems 1/3 students would be assigned a room based on quota.
– Waseda has affiliated dorms and sharehouses that seem to be located in/near the city center and have the same price range as their dorms but i’m thinking those are definitely not guaranteed either.
– I could get a bike if I lived in Tokyo and commute with that.
I’ll have to be in Tokyo probably 4x a week minimum as my classes will be there and I’m also very interested in Japanese pop culture and want to go sightseeing/join activities. I also want to look for a part-time job as my visa allows that and I don’t know how easy those would be to find in Kawasaki as a foreigner with facial piercings, if that makes any difference at all? I also hope to make Japanese friends which doesn’t seem very possible in dorms as they’re all international dormitories.
My questions are:
1. How expensive would the commute between Kawasaki and Tokyo be if I got a monthly commute/student card? I’ve heard those are bought for specific lines, how do they work?
2. Does anyone know how difficult it is to find a sharehouse (preferably for 80-90k JPY max) in Tokyo from Waseda International Dormitories?
3. Do you have any general tips/opinions/recommendations? What would you do in my place? I’m definitely partial to living in Tokyo but am wondering if it’d just cost too much.
Thank you for any help !!!
by gytsmu