My Apartment

Here it is. My new home away from home. Rent is 50,000円 ($520 CDN) a month for 44 square meters of living space. It’s not too bad considering it’s just been renovated and only 20 minutes away by train to downtown Osaka.

What’s really expensive is the key money. All tenants are required to pay a key money of X amount as set by the landlord upfront. In most cases this is non refundable payment and considered a gift to the landlord. I paid 100,000円 ($1,040 CDN) and is cheap by Japanese standards. Living in Downtown Osaka, the key money averages around 1,000,000円 ($10,400 CDN) and can increase substantially depending on the area.

Another note, tenants do not deal directly with the owner rather through a real estate agency.