Listed here is information on HOW TO rent an apartment, things you need to know before signing contracts, and some long-term and short-term (mostly) housing options in Tokyo. Simple internet searches for "Gaijin House" or "Apartments in Tokyo" will help you beyond this page.

General Information - Short Term housing

 http://www.sakura-house.com/ is a very IUJ friendly place to stay, and recommended by alumni and former interns as a good Tokyo short-stay place!  Find them on Skype at "japansakurahouse."

K's House - Backpackers Hostel, but good and cheap for longer term stays too.  Available in Tokyo, Kyoto, Hiroshima, etc.  Tokyo rates are 3,900/person for a single room with community lounge.  03-5833-0555

Shion Share House has group housing at affordable rates aimed at student needs.  1 month contracts are fine.  Range is 38,000-70,000.  shion@interspace.jp 03-3802-8021

 ICHII CORPORATION LTD. has dorm rooms for under 30,000/month, and shared rooms at various prices for 2-4 people in one room (80,000/month if 4 people share a room!).  Also fully furnished apartments from 80,000-130,000plus and without guarantor or key money needed - GREAT for new graduates getting started in Tokyo. Ask Gretchen for Megumi's email for direct help, or see the homepage - This company was recommended by an Alum living in their units.

J&F Net welcomes IUJers to contact them.  IUJ students and recent graduates will be given a special priority for reservations for guest houses, short-term furnished apartments, and help with real estate agents friendly to foreigners.  Ask Gretchen for the email of the specific contact person (Y. Kawabe) who is ready to help you.  The homepage above has a wealth of information on renting an apartment, including a link to a service that will provide you with a guarantor! - This company was recommended by an Alum living in their units.

Another good person to help is Anton Scherer.  Ask Gretchen for his email address.  He can help introduce you to short-term and inexpensive housing, and has been used by several IUJers.

This is a very easy to search, helpful site in English for apartments at various rent levels. 

Kimi Information Center
This center specializes in assisting foreigners. Finding housing is one of the many services they provide. They boast over 5000 apartments on their list. Only a “selection”is available online. You need to contact them for more information. Check out the Guest House options, some just for women.  Price range is 50,000-75,000/month. They also have information on job opportunities, department stores, hospitals in Tokyo, etc. etc. Their other services include: resume service, translation service, visa consulting service, moving service, and even tour reservations. Of course they charge fees for all these services. Check out their homepage for more detail.
Email: kimi529@gol.com
03-3986-1604 Fax: 03-3986-3037
Oscar Bldg. 8F
2-42-3, Ikebukuro, Toshima-ku, Tokyo 171

Great Support
This group has a long history of helping foreigners secure housing. Not sure of the price ranges, etc.check out this site advertised on Japan Times homepage.

Specific places to contact

Jaf Plaza http://www.jafplaza.com/

J and F Network - housing support specifically for foreigners.  Help with finding foreigner-friendly real estate agents.  Also short term "guest houses" through J and F Plaza.  Located in key places with just a 2-week minimum stay.  55,000-80,000 a month and up.  Help and advice on working with agents is also provided.

ICHII CORPORATION LTD. has dorm rooms for under 30,000/month, and shared rooms at various prices for 2-4 people in one room.  Also fully furnished apartments from 80,000-130,000plus http://www.japt.co.jp/e-top/index.html. Ask Gretchen for Megumi's email for direct help, or see the homepage

Leo Palace
東京都中野区本町２丁目５４番１１号
54-11, 2 Chomes, Hon-cho, Nakano-ku, Tokyo
Tel. 03-5350-0001

This is a great deal for those who can rent a month at a time. Nice places for 50,000-70,000 (cheapest rate) or more. Many levels of service available, so you can upgrade from there. If you rent for 3 months, it is cheaper. You can request a room online, or visit the nearest office. The page is all in Japanese, but they welcome foreigners, job hunters, students!

Tokyo Apartments.  Long and Short stay options, fully furnished options. Great site to navigate, but options are mostly expensive. 

RealEstate Tokyo - NOT cheap, but good places for long term housing.

Guest House Hanata (0489-66-9533-9510)  Monthly rates from 48,000 for single and 55,000 for double.
We provide friendly and affordable, long and short term accommodations designed to meet the needs of both foreign visitors and residents of Japan. Our guests come from every continent, comprising foreign language teachers, Japanese language students, martial arts enthusiasts, business people, and tourists. Located in Koshigaya, Saitama, about 40 minutes from Tokyo's Ueno station by subway, you can experience life in the "country" while working in the city. 

Gaijin House has lots of support for foreigners in Japan, including accommodations.

Sakura House has dorm rooms 35,000-,37,000 (share with 4-10 others)  inexpensive shared apartments (2 people) 42,000-45,000 and nicer apartment options 120,000-180,000.  Easy to use site.

AsianOrg.com offers a list of housing options in Tokyo (includes J and F network above), various gaijin houses outside of Tokyo, high and low end rental service introductions, etc.

Sharese.com House Sharing, Homestay arrangements in Tokyo and outside.  Language exchange, cultural exchange, etc.  Various situation and price ranges.  "Mission: Promotes house sharing between Japanese and Foreigners and make it common in Japan. Furthermore promote inter-relationship through language, culture, and friendship exchanges."

Tokyo International Exchange Center - 4,000/night for very nice facilities.  800 rooms with occupancy being 70% foreign graduate students, 20% from overseas, and 10% Japanese nationals.

Kyoritsu Maintenance
Advance Bldg. 4-7-7 Soto Kanda Chiyoda-ku Tokyo, 101-8621
Tel. 03-5295-7889 Fax. 03-3251-0776

They have several dormitories throughout Tokyo. They lend rooms if they are vacant for the summer months. Cost: Individual Room 85,000/month. Shared by 2 people 68,000/month. These are special discount price for foreign students. (Sorry, non-gaijin!) On top of that, they serve 2 meals a day for free, if you wish. But you’re required to speak sufficient Japanese to make a contract.

Takara Ryugakusei Kaikan (Women's dormitory. Female Students only.)
50-1 Ohyama Kanai-cho, Itabashi-ku, Tokyo 173-0024
Tel. 03-5966-4325 Fax 03-5966-4339

Fully furnished. Kitchen, bathroom shared. All their dormitories are located within 20 minutes from Ikebukuro St. Cost: 50,000-70,000/month, 2,500-3,500/day depending on the room/dormitory type (individual occupation or shared). To apply: call to make an appointment and visit their office first. (10:00-19:00, Mon.-Sat.) You need to check the room before making a contract. They speak English and Chinese.

Tokyo YY Housing Classifieds - Housing and apartment listings Tokyo YY Classifieds Updated regularly.  Several listings allow short-term housing at low rates (45,000/month  2,500 a day, etc.)

• May Listing on the Classifieds: Tokyo House (3910-3586) From JR Yamanote Line Otsuka Sta. 9 min. Single ¥48,000/month including shower, laundry. A few days OK, ¥2,500/day. No depo, no key money. Call Abe-san (3910-3586).
  　

Crystal Village
Tel. 03-3388-7625
2 stops passed Shinjuku Station, at Nakano Station.
More facilities are at the next station, Koenji Station, but the main units are at Nakano.

Nicer short-term housing that is friendly to foreigners and Japanese alike. Recommended by International House of Japan. Furnished. Work-out facilities near by at Nakano Station. Weekly rates possible for all units. Most units are one-bedroom with kitchenette and are 130,000/month. Two bedroom units are 180,000 for a small one and 220,000 for a larger unit. Reservations should be made at least 1 month in advance if possible. English is fine. Several interns have stayed here and very much enjoyed the experience.

Various Real Estate Agents in Japan (mainly Tokyo)
Here is a page, hosted by Asiagate.com that provides contact information for various real estate agents, housing advice, and some links directly to apartments (in some cases).

NAGOYA

Free Bell Apartments offers very affordable places to stay for interns, and has not guarantor or key money requirements!  http://www.freebell.co.jp/apts/english/index_eng.html

Also, ask Gretchen for the contact person that can help you, from Tokyo, find a place that fits your budget needs.  He is willing to help IUJers during internships, especially.

Find a good place to stay for short or long-term? Please let us know about it, contact info, etc.