Mayumi inspired me to look for a place to just stay put. I thought about my first trip to Tokyo over NYE and yeah - it was a fucking pain in the ass just to lug a backpack and daypack around already and I plan to bring enough stuff to stay for at least 2 years! So the love is alive and found a place I could be with pretty quickly - this gives a lot of peace to the matter - I don't feel so compelled to find a couch to surf on (given I am leaving in 6 days) and can save this for the surf your own city adventure once i get settled!

Resources

• http://www.couchsurfing.org - possible bootstrap!
• http://www.monthlychintai.com/en - Bilingual
• http://www.tokyoapartment.jp/ - English

Rental places in and around Tokyo, only in Japanese:

• http://www.weeklycenter.co.jp/
• http://www.weekly-mansion.com/tokyo/
  • Cheap place - doesn't sound like there is Internet and Edogawa is almost 1 hr from Shibuya!

auction

• http://www.monthly-auction.com/tokyo - fascinating concept - main site redirects to Tokyo. not surprising considering Tokyo is probably one of the most expensive places to rent!

Locations

• Kodemmacho - one stop south of Ahikabara (under 150,000/mon)
  • possible pick
• Kanda - on Yamanote line (east) Gizna line goes straight to Shibuya.
  • 13 min to Shinagawa
  • 21-21 min to Shibuya
  • possible pick
    • 2 min walk to Kanda. 4 min to Ginza.
    • caters to "businessmen" see "Extras" below
• Akihabara sample - off Yamanote but probably would prefer west side if no Kanda apts available.
  • Taitō district
  • Ginza line
    • 3 min to Ueno
    • 8 min to Asakusa
    • 12 min to Ginza
    • 24 min to Shibuya
  • Sobu/Chuo line
    • 16 min to Yoyogi (how close to park?)
    • 18 min to Shinjuku
    • 47 min to Mayumi's house (station)
  • Hibiya line
    • 22 min to Roppongi (crossing)
  • Yamanote line
    • 14 min to Shinagawa
    • 19 min to Gotanda
• Gotanda - near Landmark Education center
• Kitashinagawa - if I am not mistaken, this is where all the bullet trains take off. It is also close to where Mayumi works :)
• Harajuku - I'd have to spend more time here to see if this is an area I'd like to live in. roommate anyone? ;-)
• Ikebukuro - on the west side - has a decent hub of trains - would like to have a closer look at the surrounding area. supposedly "third" behind Shinjuku and Shibuya
  • 1DK room - pricey but quite functional for a couple I think.
• Roppongiitchome - not smack in the center of Roppongi but 2 min away from the next station over - would def like to see the area...
• Akahanebashi sample - "Facing to the boulevard but you can see the Tokyo tower."
  • easy to get to Roppongi and Shinjuku - looks tucked away though.

Perks

1. <5 min to subway
2. internet - WiFi a plus but not required
3. furnished
   • Gas stove
   • kitchen appliances: Kettle (vs. electric pot - prefer electric!), Rice Cooker, Microwave Oven, Fridge
   • furniture: bed, table (kitchen vs coffee - prefer kitchen for eating/computer work), sofa
   • appliances: TV, washing machine, hair dryer, vacuum cleaner, iron, AC
   • misc: ironing board, hangers, curtains/blinds
4. private bath (separate bath from toilet apparently an important perk in japan...)
5. pay by credit ok
6. paid extras (see below) for anything you forget or don't want to invest in right now

Unknowns

• business services
  1. printing - kinkos will fill in short term needs - simple b&w laser is fundamental
  2. faxing, copying - convenience store. internet faxing a possible option too!
• heater

Extras

stuff I can make a point to bring...

• towels - bath & face
• dishes - 1 or 2 people
• kitchen - frying pan, pot, cutting board, cutting knives ...
• kitchen & bath supplies - detergent, washing cloths, sponge, ...
• mattress/blanket covers
• pillow
• "futon set" - as in a replacement for the bed (?)