Life Guide
Living in
Japan
Everything you need to know about daily student life in Japan — practical tips for African students.
Monthly Budget Estimate (Tokyo)
¥20,000
Housing (dorm)
¥30,000
Food
¥5,000
Transport
¥80,000
Total
MEXT scholarship provides ¥117,000-145,000/month, covering all these costs and more.
Housing
- University dormitories: ¥15,000-30,000/month (cheapest option)
- Private apartments: ¥40,000-80,000/month in major cities
- Share houses: ¥30,000-50,000/month (great for socializing)
- Apply for university dorms immediately after acceptance
Food & Eating
- Supermarket meals: ¥300-600 per meal
- University cafeteria (shokudo): ¥400-600 per meal
- Convenience stores (コンビニ): ¥200-500, 24 hours
- Cooking at home saves the most money
Transportation
- IC Card (Suica/Pasmo): Rechargeable card for trains, buses, even convenience stores
- Student discount: 50% off commuter passes between home and university
- Bicycle: Very common and cheap — many students rely on bikes
- Japan Rail Pass: Useful for travel during holidays
Health Insurance
- All residents must join National Health Insurance (NHI)
- Monthly premium: ¥1,000-3,000/month for students
- Covers 70% of medical costs
- Register at your local city hall within 14 days of arrival
Making Friends
- Join international student clubs at your university
- Participate in language exchange (tandem partner) programs
- Find African student communities via Facebook groups
- Attend local cultural events and festivals
Banking & Money
- Japan Post Bank (JP Bank) is easiest for international students
- Most places accept cash — carry yen at all times
- ATMs at convenience stores (7-Eleven, Lawson) accept foreign cards
- Transfer money home via Wise or Revolut (cheaper than bank transfers)