Housing in Japan vs Korea (Singapore Students) 2026: Dorms, Deposits, and What to Ask Before You Commit
TL;DR
Start from official reference pages: Japan accommodation (official): https://www.studyinjapan.go.jp/en/life/accomodation/ Korea living & housing (official): https://www.studyinkorea.go.kr/ko/life/livingAndHousing.do Then verify your…
20 Jan 2026, 00:00 Z
Reviewed by
Marcus Pang·Managing Director (Maths)
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> **Q:** What’s the most common housing budgeting mistake for Japan/Korea study abroad?
> \
> **A:** Underestimating the **upfront cash**: deposits, move-in costs, and the first month of setup. A dorm can feel “more expensive monthly” but still be cheaper upfront than private rentals.
> **TL;DR**
> - Start from official reference pages:
> - Japan accommodation (official): https://www.studyinjapan.go.jp/en/life/accomodation/
> - Korea living & housing (official): https://www.studyinkorea.go.kr/ko/life/livingAndHousing.do
> - Then verify your university’s exact dorm fees, deposit rules, and move-in timeline.
<Image
src="/optimised/study-abroad-japan-korea-checklist-dorm-20260119-24c2a0ee.avif"
alt="A dorm-like room setup that suggests student housing and move-in planning."
width={720}
height={480}
/>
*Status:* Last reviewed 2026-01-20. Housing rules and costs vary by city and university. Use this as a checklist and verify every number on official pages.
If you want the budget worksheet first:
* https://eclatinstitute.sg/blog/scholarships/Japan-vs-Korea-Student-Budget-Singapore-Practical-Cost-Checklist-Guide-2026
---
## 1) The “housing buckets” you should budget for
Think in buckets:
### A) One-time / upfront costs
* deposit (if any)
* agent/administration fees (if any)
* move-in essentials (bedding, cookware, basic furniture)
* initial transport setup
* emergency buffer
### B) Monthly costs
* rent/dorm fee
* utilities (if not included)
* Wi‑Fi/mobile
* transport
* food
---
## 2) Japan housing (official reference)
Study in Japan’s accommodation page (official) is a good baseline:
* https://www.studyinjapan.go.jp/en/life/accomodation/
It explains the typical options and highlights the reality that many students live off-campus — which is why “deposit and initial costs” planning matters.
Student-friendly explainer (secondary, optional):
* https://flyingchalks.com/en/study-abroad-blog/types-of-accommodation-in-japan-855
---
## 3) Korea housing (official reference)
Study in Korea’s living & housing page (official) is a good baseline:
* https://www.studyinkorea.go.kr/ko/life/livingAndHousing.do
Student-friendly explainer (secondary, optional):
* https://flyingchalks.com/en/study-abroad-blog/types-of-accommodation-in-south-korea-396
---
## 4) Dorm vs off-campus: a simple decision tree
### Dorms tend to be better if:
* you want predictable costs and fewer upfront surprises
* you want the simplest first-month setup
* you’re arriving alone and want built-in support
### Off-campus tends to be better if:
* you want more independence
* you’re staying longer and want more control over location/space
* you have support to handle admin (guarantor/contract language, etc.)
---
## 5) The “ask your university these questions” checklist
Before you pay anything, ask:
* When can I apply for dorm housing (and when do results come out)?
* What is the dorm deposit policy (amount, refund conditions)?
* What is included (utilities, internet, meals)?
* What are move-in dates (and what happens if I arrive early/late)?
* Can international students get guaranteed housing for the first year?
---
## 6) Your next action (today)
Pick one:
* Open your target university dorm page and record:
- deposit,
- first payment,
- move-in timeline,
- refund conditions.
* Add a housing buffer line to your budget worksheet:
- https://eclatinstitute.sg/blog/scholarships/Japan-vs-Korea-Student-Budget-Singapore-Practical-Cost-Checklist-Guide-2026
