Kumamoto University International House
Kumamoto University has dormitory accommodations at an International House(hereafter referred to as I-House) for international students and researchers.
It is located about 1.5 km east of the Kurokami campus. More than 100 international students and researchers live there.
As a general rule, students can only stay at the I-House for a 6-month period. It is not possible to move back in once you have moved out.
In addition, there times when even new applicants cannot move into the I-House because there are no empty rooms available at the time.
Details regarding the I-House will be posted on the bulletin boards of departmental offices and at the International Student Center.
| >> Application period: |
January to February for moving in in April
July to August for moving in in October |
Public Housing
This type of housing is very popular among international students since it is much cheaper than private housing.
Rent and the number of available rooms in public housing depend on where it is located.
You might not always be accepted for public housing since there are usually a large number of applicants.
The application procedures are different between prefectural housing and municipal housing.
Please contact the department in charge of public housing at the Kumamoto Prefectural Office or Kumamoto City Hall for more information.
Private Housing
Rent for private apartments generally ranges from 10,000 to 50,000 yen. When you move into one of these apartments, you will have to pay “deposit money (shikikin)" and “key money (reikin)," as well as rent for the first month. So essentially you will need money equivalent to 2-5 months rent up front.
Some of the deposit money might be given back to you when you move out of your apartment.
In addition, the International Student Center recommends that students who are planning to rent a private apartment get "Comprehensive Renter's Insurance for Foreign Students Studying in Japan" (called “ryuugakusei jyuutaku sougou hoshou" in Japanese). In Japan,
a guarantor is usually required before you can move into a private apartment. Purchasing an insurance policy (such as “Comprehensive Renter's Insurance for Foreign Students Studying in Japan") makes it easier for you to secure a guarantor by easing the psychological and financial burdens placed on the person acting as your guarantor.
Please contact the International Student Office for more information.
Moving Out
If you plan to move out of your living quarters, you need to notify the manager or the real estate agent one or two months in advance.
You have to inform the utility companies (electricity company, water company, and gas company) of your move no later than 10 days before you move out.
1．Moving to another residence in Kumamoto City
If you move to another residence within Kumamoto City, you need to go to City Hall and register your new address on your Alien Registration Card and on your National Health Insurance Card.
If you submit a “Change of Address Notification” to the post office, your mail will be forwarded to your new address.
2．Move to outside of Kumamoto City
If you are moving to a residence outside of Kumamoto City, you need to return your National Health Insurance Card to Kumamoto City Hall.
At the City Hall or Town Hall of your new residence, you will need to get a new National Health Insurance Card and change the address on your Alien Registration Card.
You may wish to close your Kumamoto bank account. If you submit a “Change of Address Notification” to the post office, your mail will be forwarded to your new address.
3．Returning to your home country
If you returning to your home country after you move out, you need to return your National Health Insurance Card to Kumamoto City Hall.
You may wish to close your bank account or your postal savings account. At the airport you will be asked to return your Alien Registration Card.
The post office offers a 10% discount to those sending more than 10 boxes overseas.
Those who are returning to their country can make use of this incentive by combining the boxes with each other before sending them off at the post office.
When you leave Japan, please try to give unnecessary items to your friends and not dispose or leave them in your room.
When you move out of the I-House:
Please find a new residence to move into while still living at the I-House and prepare to move out of I-House as follows:
Please inform the International Affairs Section and the I-House Admission Office at least two weeks in advance before planned date of moving out from the I-House.
Procedures for moving out of the I-House can be done from 9:00a.m. to 3:00p.m. on weekdays at the I-House Admission Office.
Please ensure that your timing coincides with these restrictions.
>> On the day you leave
- Please bring the following two forms to the I-House Admission Office: Notice of Departure and Notice of Change of Address (for the Post Office)
- Please clean your room thoroughly after disposing of all trash and unnecessary items.
- Show the clean and empty room to the manager so that you will not be held responsible for any damages. The amount of deposit refunded will depend on the outcome of the inspection of the room.
- Pay all outstanding charges for room and utilities.
- Return the key to the manager.
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