“HOUSE NAVI for foreigners”

The website “HOUSE NAVI for foreigners” provides information on apartments and single houses for rent.
＊Private real estate agents also provide information about housing. It may be helpful to take a Japanese friend with you if possible. There is no consultation fee necessary.

“HOUSE NAVI for foreigners”

Real Estate with Foreign Languages Service

(as of March 2020)

Real Estate Offices		Language	Address	Telephone
Elitz	Karasuma Marutamachi	English	1F Pia Gosho, 426 Hikarido-cho, Marutamachi-dori Higashino-to-in Nishi-iru, Nakagyo-ku	075-221-8600 0120-948-936
	Shijo Omiya	English	1F Miyazaki Bld., 1-10 Mibubojo-cho, Nakagyo-ku	075-822-1008 0120-948-936
Kyoto Jutaku Center Gakusei Jutaku	Kyoto Daigaku Seimon-Mae	English, Chinese	3-8 Yoshida-Ushinomiya-cho, Sakyo-ku	075-751-1555 0037-625-08756
Flat Agency	Head Office	English, Chinese	9-1 Murasakino Nishigoshoden-cho, Kita-ku	075-411-0669 0120-75-0669
	Sakyo Office	English, Chinese	3-6 Yoshida Ushinomiya-cho, Sakyo-ku	075-762-0669 0120-36-0669
	Kitaoji Ekimae Office	English, Chinese	43-5 Koyama Kitakamifusa-cho, Kita-ku	075-493-0669 0120-44-0669
Choei Global Desk		English, Chinese	9F Kyoto Karasuma Manjuji bldg., 369 No.60 Gokuishi-cho, Manjuji-dori Karasuma-dori Nishi-iru, Shimogyo-ku	075-343-1558
House Network International Section		English, Chinese	8-56 Tanaka Shimo Yanagi-cho, Sakyo-ku	075-708-1108 0120-21-3325
Sakura		English, Chinese	8F Sakura bldg., 356 Tominaga-cho 2-chome, Kawaramachi-dori Matsubara-agaru, Shimogyo-ku	075-341-0669 0120-85-0669
Global Trust Networks	Osaka Office	English, Chinese, Korean	21F Osaka Ekimae Dai 4 bldg., 1-11-4 Umeda, Kita-ku, Osaka	06-6348-0701

＊If you are a student, the international student center or the student office at your university and the University Coop (Seikyo) will also be able to help you find housing.
＊There are several local magazines which deal with housing information and rental properties. If you find any listings you are interested in, please contact the listed agency directly.

Public housing

The main forms of public housing are Urban Renaissance (UR), City Housing (Shiei Jutaku), and Prefectural Housing (Fuei Jutaku). Generally, the rent is lower than that of private housing. In order to apply for public housing, you must have already registered your residence in Kyoto City.

Name	Description	Contact office
UR Rental Housing (UR Chintai Jyutaku)	・Applications (including online) are accepted all year ・Obtain the application form at the Kyoto office of the Urban Renaissance Agency. ・Both individuals and families are eligible. ・A monthly salary of 4 times the amount of rent is required ・To rent an apartment, your monthly income should be 4 times more than the rent.	Urban Renaissance Agency, Kyoto Office 075-255-0499
City Housing	・Applications are accepted four times a year. (April, June, Sept, and Dec) ・Obtain the application form at the city hall, ward offices and ward branch offices, at the beginning of the application period. ・Due to the large number of applicants, a public lottery is used to select eligible applicants. ・Rent is calculated on the basis of the income of the applicant.	Kyoto City Housing Corporation（Kyoto-shi Jutaku Kyokyu Kosha） 075-223-2142
Prefectural Housing	・Applications are accepted 6 times a year. (Jun, Jul, Oct, Nov, Feb, and Mar) ・Obtain the application form at the Kyoto Prefectural Office. ・Only families can apply, individual applicants are not eligible. ・Due to the large number of applicants, a public lottery is used to select eligible applicants. ・Rent is calculated on the basis of the applicant’s income.	Kyoto Prefectural Public Housing Corporation（Kyoto-fu Jutaku Kyokyu Kosha） 075-431-4157

What is necessary to complete a rental agreement?

＊Rental agreements are normally valid for 1 year. When renewing your agreement, a renewal fee (Koshin-ryo) equivalent to 1-3 months rent, may be required. The amount of your rent may be raised at that time.
＊Making improvements or any remodeling of the property, including painting and hammering nails into the walls, is not allowed without the express permission of the landlord.
＊Subletting your rental property without the permission of your landlord is prohibited according to Japanese law.

How to find a guarantor

(1) Asking an acquaintance to be a guarantor (In the case of international students)

There is an insurance program for international students, called “Comprehensive Renter’s Insurance for Foreign Students Studying in Japan” (Ryugakusei Jutaku Sogo Hosho). It helps reduce a guarantor’s psychological and financial burden, so that it makes easier for international students to ask their acquaintances to become their guarantors.

For more details（a multilingual pamphlet and a video are available on the website）

(2) If you have difficulty finding a guarantor; (In the case of international students)

There is a program in which institutions such as university may serve as a guarantor. To apply for the program, you must enroll in the above-mentioned insurance program and meet some other conditions. For further information, please inquire at the International Student Section at your university.

(3) If you have difficulty finding a guarantor (In the case of both international students and international residents)

There are companies which provide guarantor services. For details, please ask a company in the list below.

Name of the company	Language	Address	Phone Number
As Life	Japanese only	72 Imashinzaike-higashi-cho, Nakagyo-ku	075-823-6170
Global Trust Network Osaka Office	English, Chinese, Korean	21F Osaka Ekimae Dai4 bldg., 1-11-4 Umeda, Kita-ku, Osaka	06-6348-0701

Signing up for Water, Electricity and Gas Utilities

Check with your landlord first!

Utilities (electricity, water, sewage, gas, etc.) may be handled by your landlord; therefore, it is better to ask about the utilities with your landlord first.

Pay by Direct Debit

It is convenient to pay utility bills by direct debit from your account at banks and post office banks. Please set up a direct debit at a bank or a post office bank where you have your own account. The customer service counter of the Kyoto City Water Supply and Sewage Bureau also accepts applications. You can also pay your bills at banks, post offices and convenience stores.

Water

Tap water is safe for drinking.

How to using start water and sewage service

Contact the service offices or the customer service counter of Kyoto City Water Supply and Sewage Bureau.

Kyoto City Water Supply and Sewage Bureau ＊Japanese, English, Chinese and Korean

Area	Service Office	Tel
Higashiyama Ward, Yamashina Ward, Daigo area of Fushimi Ward	East Service Office	075-592-3058
Kita Ward, Kamigyo Ward, Nakagyo Ward	North Service Office	075-772-7700
Ukyo Ward (excluding Keihoku area), Nishikyo Ward	West Service Office	075-841-9184
Keihoku area of Ukyo Ward	West Service Office Keihoku Branch Office	075-852-1820
Shimogyo Ward, Minami Ward, Fushimi Ward (excluding Daigo area)	South Service Office	075-605-2011
All of Kyoto City	Customer Service Counter	075-672-7770

What is necessary to start using the service?

－Your customer number* and address
Water charges are calculated based on the size of the supply pipe and the amount of water used. Payment is made once every 2 months. ＊At the entrance to your new residence, there is usually a card that says “Water service has stopped” (heisen chuu no fuda). Call the water supply service office and provide them with the information on your card.

How to terminate water and sewage service

Contact the Service Office or the Customer Service Counter at the Kyoto City Water Supply and Sewage Bureau and give them your customer number and ask them to terminate service.

For further information

Contact the nearest Kyoto City Water Supply and Sewage Bureau Service Office or Customer Service Counter.

Electricity

How to start using electricity service

Contact the nearest sales office of:

Kansai Electric Power Corporation（English）

TEL：0800-777-8031
Mon. - Fri.　9:00 - 18:00（closed on national holidays）

Compatibility of electric appliances: power frequency and voltage

There are two types of utility frequencies in Japan. Kyoto city uses 60 hertz /100 volts. Using electric incompatible appliances that do not match the current and voltage may cause damage to both the appliance and the circuits.
Please be careful that many of the appliances brought from abroad do not match the electrical system in Japan.

Rates

Your rate is calculated according to the amount of electricity used per month. Please refer to the calculation formula on the back of your bill. ＊If many appliances are used at the same time, it could overload the circuit causing your breaker to switch off the electricity. If it happens, turn off some of the appliances and turn the breaker back on.

Gas

There are two types of gas available; natural gas (city gas) and LP (Liquefied Propane) gas. Please check which type is used at your residence.

(1) City Gas

How to start and terminate City Gas Service

Call Osaka Gas Co. Ltd. and give them:
① your name, ② customer number, ③ address, and ④ telephone number and ask a staff to come to your place. ＊You must be present when a staff from Osaka Gas comes to your residence to open the gas valve.

Osaka Gas（English）

Keiji Living Office (Kyoto and Shiga Branch)　TEL：0120-894-817

Gas appliances

Kyoto City uses the type 13A standard. Make sure that your appliances are compatible with this type. If you plan to use old/used appliances, please ask a staff from the gas company to check them for you when the person comes to your residence to open the gas valve.

Rates

Gas bills must be paid every month. If you do not use the direct debit, a bill will be sent to you in about 1 week after the rates are notified to you.

LP Gas

Call the LP Gas Company to start or terminate the LP Gas service.

The phone number of the company is written on the tag attached to the meter. LP gas bill must also be paid every month.
＊Appliances for LP Gas are the same throughout Japan. However, appliances designed for the city gas cannot be used interchangeably with appliances designed for LP Gas. Please have an LP Gas representative check your appliances confirm they are safe for LP gas usage.

• ・Kyowa Pro Kyoto Branch Office　TEL：075-691-7161
• ・Iwatani Kinki　TEL：0120-563-056
• ・Uehara Sei Shoji Kyoto Factory Head Office & Kyoto Branch Office　TEL：075-212-6000

＊To convert appliances made for the city gas into ones for LP gas, some parts have to be replaced. It may cost more than 10,000 yen.
＊Pamphlets for gas users written in English, Chinese, Korean, Spanish, Portuguese, Filipino and Vietnamese are available at Osaka Gas offices and at the kokoka Kyoto City International Community House.

Landline

Telephone Installation (Application for usage)

Contact	NTT　TEL:116
Location	nearest NTT office
Necessary Items	Your passport or residence card, contract form, contract fee (\880)

Billing

Billing for telephone service is done monthly; your bill includes the Line Service Charges (Kaisen Shiyo-ryo) (\2,200 a month) and charges for calls.

Telephone Directory

Subscribers to telephone service receive a telephone directory for free of charge.

• Hello Page: Telephone directory for general public, arranged in Japanese kana order
• Town Page: Telephone directory for businesses (firms, organizations and shops)

＊Town Page also contains useful information about daily life.

　　

Mobile phones

There are several mobile phone companies. To sign up for mobile phone service, you must take your ID, seal, bank book or a credit card with you when you visit a service provider. There are telephone and internet services using SIM cards. Please check the information on the internet or ask at your local electronics store. In Japan, using mobile phones is prohibited in public transportation and certain facilities such as buses, trains, and hospitals. Also, using a mobile phone whilst driving or riding a bicycle is prohibited by law.

　　

International calls

There are various companies which provide international telephone services. Please contact the company directly to ask about how to subscribe, rates, etc.

How to make an international call from Japan

International Access Code + 010 + Country Code + Area code without 0 + Telephone number

Major International Telephone Companies providing International Call Services

Name of company	International Access Code	For inquiries
KDDI	001	0057（Free, available for 24 hours a day）
SoftBank	0061	0120-03-0061（Free, available on weekday between 9:00 to 17:00, excluding on Year-end and new year’s holiday）
NTT Communications	0033	0120-506-506（Free, available at 10:00 -19:00 excluding on Sundays, national holidays, Year-end and New Year’s holidays）

NHK (subscription fees)

Since NHK is a public broadcasting station,it is financed by the subscription fees. This is quite different from the other commercial broadcasting companies. According to Japanese law, people who own a TV set must pay a subscription fee to NHK.

Contact office:
NHK Kyoto Broadcasting Station　TEL：0120-151-515

Type	For 2 months	For 6 months	For 12 months
Terrestrial digital	2,520 yen	7,190 yen	13,990 yen
Terrestrial digital and satellite	4,460 yen	12,730 yen	24,770 yen

＊Payment can be made by direct debit or by credit card, or at convenient stores and post offices.

Overseas TV programs

J:COM TV	TEL：0120-999-000
Sky Perfect TV	TEL：0800-813-0933
WOWOW	TEL：0120-580-807

Multilingual Radio Programs

FM COCOLO 76.5MHz

FM COCOLO 76.5MHz is a multilingual radio station centered around Asian languages that provides information on daily living, sightseeing, news, music, etc. They also broadcast emergency news in the event of a disaster.
FM COCOLO program guide

Radio Mix Kyoto 87.0MHz

Radio Mix Kyoto 87.0MHz is a radio station that covers local news to overseas subjects. Listeners can tune in on their computers or smart phones. The station also broadcasts emergency news, and popular programs, such as Kyoto medical and welfare news, Kyoto Shinbun news, and Glocal Kyoto.
RADIO MIX KYOTO

A place where you can read newspapers and magazines in the world

kokoka Kyoto International Community House kokoPlaza

Country or Region	Newspapers	Magazines
China	People’s Daily	Du Zhe, Zhi Yin
Hong Kong	Ming Pao News	Asia Weekly
Taiwan	United Daily News	TELDAP
South Korea	The Chosun Ilbo	Koreana, Woman Donga, 時事IN
Vietnam		Vietnam Sketch, BAO ANH VIETNAM
India	The Hindu
France		Beaux Arts
Brazil		VEJA
Indonesia		INTISARI
UK	The Guardian	The Economist
USA	New York Times	Christian Science Monitor
Japan	New York Times	The Japan News, International New York Times, The Japan Times

Proper disposal for garbage and recyclables

Garbage is divided into four types: burnable garbage; cans, glass bottles and PET bottles; plastic containers and wrappings; and small size metal items and spray cans. Each type of garbage is collected on a different day. Days and points of collection are designated in each area. Please ask your neighbors about the collection information for your neighborhood. Collection dates can also be found on the Kyoto City official website;

Garbage and Recycling/ Household Garbage（how to separate garbage）

Collection date/map;

Collection date/map

How to dispose of garbage

Place household garbage in the plastic bags designated by the city for the specified category. Each bag should be able to be lifted easily with one hand and firmly tied up. If you do not use the designated garbage bag, your garbage will not be collected by the city. The designated bags are sold at retail shops, supermarkets and convenience stores.

	Each pack contain	1 pack of 45L	1 pack of 30L	1 pack of 20L	1 pack of 10L	1 pack of 5L
Burnable garbage bags（former label of “For Household Garbage）	10 bags	450 yen	300 yen	200 yen	100 yen	50 yen
Recyclable garbage bags（cans, bottles, etc.）	5 bags	110 yen	75 yen	50 yen	25 yen	－

For further information call

Waste Reduction Promotion Section　TEL:075-213-4930
City Beautification Section　TEL:075-213-4930

＊Garbage disposal handbooks in English, Chinese and Korean are also available at ward offices, beatification centers and the kokoka Kyoto City International Community House.

Notes

・If you live in an apartment or condominium where the garbage is collected by a private company, you do not have to use Kyoto City designated bags; however, please purchase transparent or semi-transparent bags at supermarkets/convenience stores for disposing of garbage. For more information, please ask your landlord/management company.
・Illegal disposal of garbage is a punishable offense. Please be aware that disposing of garbage against the prescribed standards or at non-designated areas may be liable to fines or imprisonment.

Garbage type	How to dispose
Burnable garbage kitchen refuse, papers that cannot be recycled; plastic materials excluding container wrappings; glasses etc.	Collected 2 times a week ・Put your garbage bag at the designated collection point by 8:00 AM on the collection day, not the previous night. Use the garbage bags designated by the city for burnable garbage.. ・Kitchen refuse should be fully drained. ・Matches, cigarette butts, lighters and fireworks should be extinguished and dampened. Lighter fluid should be emptied from lighters before disposal. ・When disposing of paper/disposable diapers, first discard the feces in the toilet, then put the diaper in a separate plastic bag and then in the garbage bag. ・In order to prevent injuries to persons collecting your garbage, wrap sharp objects such as glass or razors with thick paper and place them in the middle of the garbage bag.
Cans, glass bottles, PET bottles	Collected once a week. ・Put your garbage bag at the designated collection point for Recyclable Garbage by 8:00 AM on the collection day. Do not put your garbage out the previous night. ・In some communities, collection points for recyclable garbage and burnable garbage are different. Use bags designated by the city for recyclable garbage. ・Empty the contents of bottles and wash them. Do not crush plastic bottles. ・Caps and labels on PET bottles should be removed. They are classified as “Plastic containers and wrappings”. ・Caps from glass bottles should be removed. Plastic caps are classified as “Plastic containers and wrappings” and metal lids are classified as burnable garbage. ・Do not place any objects in cans and bottles, such as hypodermic needles, skewers, cigarette butts. ・Bottles for cosmetics and drugs, glasses, and PET bottles other than the ones used for beverages and soy sauce are classified as “burnable garbage”. ・Beer and Sake bottles are reusable. Please return them to the shop you bought them from, or bring them to the nearest collection point at your local ward office or ward branch office.
Plastic containers and wrappings Trays, bags, wrappings, cling wrap, bottles, cushioning, cups, tubes, lids, caps etc.	Collected once a week. ・Put your garbage bag at the designated collection point for recyclable garbage by 8:00 AM on the collection day. Do not put your garbage out the previous night. ・Use bags designated by the city for recyclable garbage ・If containers and wrappings are tainted heavily and cannot be cleaned easily, discard them as burnable garbage. ・PET bottles for beverages, liquors, soy-source, vinegar, non-oil dressings are classified as “Cans, glass bottles, and PET bottles”. ・The following items are not classified as “Plastic containers and wrappings” but as “Burnable garbage”: Laundry detergents spoons, toys, spectacle cases, tooth brushes, laundry bags, ball-point pens, CD/Video cases.
Small size metal items, spray cans Pans, kettles, frying pans, kitchen utensils, spray cans, gas cartridges etc.	Collected once a month ・Put all items in a transparent plastic bag with a note marked “metal items (kinzoku),” and place it at the recyclable garbage collection point. ・The maximum length of a small metal item, excluding its handle, should be shorter than 30cm in diameter. ・Spray cans and gas cartridges should only be disposed of after their contents have been completely expelled. Please place these items in a separate bag. Do not puncture and place with other Small sized metal items.
Oversized Refuse Furniture, futons, etc.	You must call and schedule a collection time for large items, please call the Kyoto City Large Trash Collection Center（Ohgata Gomi Uketsuke Center）. Handling charges differ according to the type and size of an item. Measure the size of the article before calling, then speak with a representative. Kyoto City Large Trash Collection Center（Ohgata Gomi Uketsuke Center） TEL：0120-100-530（toll free）／For mobile phones　TEL：0570-000-247 (fee required)／TEL：075-330-6100 Open every day from 8:30 - 16:30 except year-end and new year holidays After verifying the cost, collection day, and collection point, please purchase “Oversized Garbage Collection Fee Tickets（Stickers）（Ohgata gomi tesuuryo-ken）” at any convenient store and affix them to your items for disposal.
Pick up for deceased dogs, cats and other pets	Place the deceased pet in a plastic bag and then into a cardboard box. Do not place any other objects, such a collar or any other non-burnable items in the box. Fee：￥4,810 per animal（If the animal has no owner, then no fee is needed.） Dead Animal Collection Center　TEL：0120-100-921 (toll free)／For mobile phones　TEL：0570-000-614（fee required）／TEL：075-330-6850（fee required） Open：Mon. - Fri. 8:30 - 16:30 (Including National Holidays) Sat.& Sun. 8:30 - 11:30 / Closed on year-end and new year holidays

　

What to recycle	Important Points about How to Recycle
Air conditioners, TV sets（including outdoor units）, refrigerators, freezers, washing machines, laundry driers	The law stipulates that when you no longer need the items described on the left column, then they must be returned to electronics retail stores or designated collection points. Handing charges apply. Kaden Recycle-ken Center　TEL：0120-319-640 Waste Reduction Promotion Section　TEL：075-213-4930 City Beautification Section　TEL：075-213-4960
Newspapers, cardboard, miscellaneous recyclable paper（magazines, flyers, and other recyclable paper types）	There are many collection points for recyclable paper ① Community Collection (area organization collection point) ② Recyclable Paper Collectors ③ Miscellaneous paper can be placed out on the collection day for “small metal items, spray cans.” Depending on your location the disposal procedures for your area may be different, please check with your management company or a neighbor. You can also bring recyclable paper to City Beautification Offices, Kamigyo Recycling Station, Ward Offices and Ward Branch Offices. Ward Offices and Ward Branch Offices have designated collection dates（twice a month）. City Beautification Section　TEL：075-213-4960
Used tempura oil	Pour used tempura oil into a PET bottle or other container and take it to the one of City Beautification Offices, Kamigyo Recycling Station, a Ward Office or a Ward Branch Office. Please make sure to take the container home with you and if you can, recycle the container.
Reusable bottles (Beer, Sake bottle)	Reusable bottles are collected at City Beautification Offices, Kamigyo Recycling Station, Ward Offices and Ward Branch Offices, and some liquor shops.
Florescent bulbs	Strait tube type (20W/40W) and circular type are collected at City Beautification Offices, Kamigyo Recycling Station, Ward Offices and Ward Branch Offices, and electrical appliance shops, which are part of a cooperative program (look for a special sticker marking the store’s cooperation, also collection is only available with a purchase of a new bulb).
Dry cell batteries（button batteries, rechargeable batteries）	Collection boxes for dry batteries are installed at the Ward Beautification Offices, Kamigyo Recycling Station, Ward Offices, and Ward Branch Offices.
Paper Cartons	Rinse their inner side with water, cut open and dry. Collection is available at Ward Beautification Offices, Kamigyo Recycling Station, Ward Offices, Ward Branch Offices.
Used Small Household Electronics	Small battery powered house hold electronics or accessories. ＊There are exceptions. Within Kyoto City Ward Offices, City Hall, participating stores and subway stations have collection boxes. There is a cooperation program with participating stores, so please look for the mark. If you buy a new product at a participating store, then the store will recycle your equivalent item at the time of purchase. ＊The items should be smaller than 30cm x 40cm x 40cm. 4 types of household electronics (TVs, air conditioners including outdoor units, refrigerators, freezers, washing and drying machines), computers, oil stoves/heaters are not collected.
＊Please confirm the location, dates, and types of items that you can bring to different collection points at the following website; Kyoto City Resources Collection Map City Beautification Section　TEL：075-213-4960

Flee Markets

Clothes, daily goods, antiques and other goods are sold at low prices at the following markets.

Event	Date	Place	Contact
Toji Kobo-san Market	The 21st of every month	Toji Temple(Minami Ward)	075-691-3325
Kitano Tenjin-san Market	The 25th of every month	Kitano Tenmangu Shrine(Kamigyo Ward)	075-461-0005
Hyakumanben Handmade Goods Market	The 15th of every month	Chionji Temple(Sakyo Ward)	075-771-1631
Kame-no-ichi Flea Market	Second Sunday of every month (schedule is subject to change)	Matsuo Shrine(Nishikyo Ward)	075-871-5016
Omoshiro-ichi Flea Market	10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. on the 8th, 18th, and 28th of every month (Closed on rainy days)	Hokoku Shrine (Higashiyama Ward)	090-1912-2290
Thrift Sale	The 1st and 3rd Saturday of every month, 11:00-14:00 (Closed National Holidays, August)	Kyoto YWCA(Kamigyo Ward)	075-431-0351
Okazaki Flea Market	Once or twice a month	Okazaki Park(Sakyo Ward)	075-647-3444
Yawata-san no Omoshiro-ichi	11:00 a.m. to sunset, open irregularly on Fridays (Closed on rainy days)	Gosho-hachiman Shrine(Nakagyo Ward)
Umekoji Park Tezukuri-ichi	First Saturday of every month (Except January and May)	Umekoji Park(Shimogyo Ward)	075-771-1631