I'm applying for the MEXT 2026 scholarship as a research student with plans to also pursue a PhD in Japan afterwards. My research will focus on Western Philosophy & Buddhist Thought. I'm facing a dilemma about which city to choose, trying to balance academic reputation with financial constraints.

My Situation:

• MEXT scholarship provides 143,000 yen monthly (approx. $1,000)
• May earn an additional $200 through online work
• Primary need is a quality mentor rather than advanced facilities
• Prefer not to live extremely far from city centers
• Generally frugal but don't want to constantly stress about finances

Questions:

1. Major Cities Viability: Can I realistically live in Tokyo, Kyoto, or Osaka on my budget? These cities have excellent universities for my field, but I'm concerned about costs. Is it possible to have a decent quality of life there, or should I just forget about it? Of course Tokyo would be my no. 1 choice, but it seems unrealistic on that budget.
2. University Dormitories: What's the reality of securing university housing? Are these reliable options or extremely competitive/limited?
3. Location Trade-offs: Would choosing a less prestigious university in a more affordable area be a reasonable compromise? How much might this impact future career opportunities in Japan, considering the importance placed on university reputation? Any recommendation for a such location?
4. Tourism Restrictions: I'm concerned about increasing tourist/foreigner restrictions, especially in places like Kyoto. This could limit access to sites relevant to my research and potentially increase costs of basically everything. Has anyone dealt with this?

Any insights, especially from current/former MEXT scholars or philosophy researchers in Japan, would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!