If you're looking for somewhere quiet to live in Tokyo but still want to be close to the city, Mejiro is a neighborhood worth checking out. Mejiro is in Toshima Ward, just next to Ikebukuro. It has a much calmer feel than many of the bigger areas around it, with quiet residential streets, small shops, cafés, and plenty of apartments. Getting Around Mejiro Station is on the JR Yamanote Line, so getting around Tokyo is fairly easy. Ikebukuro is just one stop away, while Shinju

Moving to Japan from overseas can make apartment hunting feel complicated. You may be wondering: Do I need to be in Japan to sign my rental contract? The good news is that many rental properties now offer e-contracts (電子契約), allowing the rental agreement to be completed electronically. What Is an E-Contract? An e-contract is a digital version of a traditional rental contract. Instead of receiving a paper contract and signing it in person, you can review the documents online

When you walk into an apartment, you probably notice the kitchen, the living room, or whether you like the overall look. A real estate agent is usually noticing something else. After seeing hundreds of apartments, certain things become almost automatic. The smell Is the apartment fresh, damp, smoky, or simply closed up? A strange smell doesn't always mean there's a problem, but it tells us to look closer. The light We immediately check the windows, direction, nearby buildings