House hunting for a new apartment often comes down to a choice of what you want versus what you can afford. In Japan, it can often come down to a choice of what you want versus what you can afford versus what is available to you as a foreigner.

Navigate that lot and you have to consider the extra upfront fees, reikin or shikikin and the need for a guarantor in case you leave before the term of the contract is up, which leaves a lot of barriers standing in your way and finding a place to call home in Japan.

Instead of jumping through those hoops yourself, many foreigners choose to access a full-service real estate company, where apartments and guest house rooms that are comfortable, clean and safe, well-equipped and nicely situated. These apartments are from a company called Oak House.

Opening shortly, the company has a new division which features specially converted buildings in two new locations, the first in Nishi-Arai and the second in Toyosu.

Oak House – Nishi-Arai

Nishi Arai is the most convenient for travelers as it is located close to Nippori station from which Narita Airport is only 30 minutes away on the Keisei Skyliner. Nishi-Arai is also ideal for a quieter stay in Tokyo while still enjoying subway and JR access to central Tokyo and other areas.

The local area has all modern conveniences you would expect in Tokyo, in addition to several parks. Most famously, it is also home to Nishi-Arai Daishi, a temple of the Buzan branch of Shingon Buddhism and one of the three great temples in the Kantō region along with Kawasaki Daishi and Sano Yakuyoke Daishi. Stay here over the new year and you will find it is one of the most popular spots in Tokyo for families to come and visit during celebrations.

Most houses are equipped with shared kitchens and bathroom/showers, while the new Oak House facilities also have a kitchen and a bath in each room. All houses have a communal lounge area for social gatherings with housemates. Residents are from all over the world, but plenty of Japanese folks choose to stay in them as well. Rooms are well-equipped with AC, refrigerator, and bedding, while kitchens have plenty of cookware and Internet is free.

These rooms offer spacious, fully-equipped apartments of several different types which suit the many varied needs that foreign residents of Tokyo have, all at affordable prices.

You can find out more here.

Oak House: Toyosu

Offering something a bit different, the Oak House in Toyosu is in the east of Tokyo and nearby you will find the newly developed waterfront areas of Ariake and Odaiba.

Tenants who stay here will find the usual, comfortable and spacious rooms, excellent service and a great atmosphere together with the excitement of the nearby locales.

Odaiba is chief amongst these, home as it is to many of Tokyo’s top tourist attractions including Rainbow Bridge, Miraikan musuem, Sega Joypolis amusement center, a separate theme park and the Fuji TV complex. Shoppers are well catered for with the huge Lala Port and Venus Fort shopping malls.

Rooms in the Oak House Toyosu each offer something different in terms of mood and personality, largely due to the mix of fellow residents, as well as location. Some Oak houses are more suited to budget travelers, while some might be better for a student or commuters. Some are highly social, with frequent parties, while others are more intimate and quiet. All houses give residents the opportunity to interact with various folks in Tokyo.

You can find out more here.

Oak House Apartments

Oakwood operates over 117 houses with around 1870 rooms in the Tokyo, Kanagawa, and Saitama areas. 109 properties with a total of 1861 rooms are guest house-style accommodation and 8 properties with 98 rooms are monthly apartments.

Some houses are located right in the heart of busy urban areas like Ueno or Roppongi, while others are a bit off the beaten path, for a quieter and inexpensive experience.

Get in touch with Oakhouse here.

And these are the featured locations:

View Oakwood in a larger map