Daily Life

Commuter Passes

Students enrolled in the Regular course are eligible for discount commuter passes.
Discounts are also available for students traveling in Japan during holidays.

Student Cafeteria

Students enrolled at KICL may use the student cafeteria of Kyoto University of Art and Design together with the students of KUAD on the same campus. The student cafeteria provides a well-varied, healthy menu at inexpensive prices to insure the sound, healthy lifestyles of the students. KICL students may also use the campus coffee shop and the campus store.

Living Expenses

Average monthly living costs of a foreign student in Kyoto are estimated to be \90,000 including housing costs. Students are advised to come to Japan with funds sufficient to insure a stable, secure studying environment. It will be impossible to cover all living expenses with a part-time job.

Accommodations

KICL has provided accommodation facilities so that students can live in relative comfort and security from their first day in Japan.

Apartments

The monthly rent for a student apartment is at least ¥30,000. Such apartments generally include shared communal kitchens and bathrooms, and do not generally have shower or bath facilities. The monthly rent for apartments with individual kitchen, bathroom and shower/bath facilities generally runs over ¥50,000. In addition to rent a ‘common-area charge’ of several thousand yen will also be necessary. Furthermore, the taking of an apartment also requires the payment of a deposit. The deposit is generally 3 times the monthly rent, and is returned upon vacating the apartment, but normally only a portion of the money will be reimbursed. Furnished apartments are extremely rare in Japan. Normally when renting an apartment students should expect to furnish their own air conditioners, lights, desks, etc. The contracts of a great majority of the apartments in Japan require renewal on a yearly basis. The fee for contract renewal is normally the equivalent of one month’s rent. A real estate agent can be introduced to students who require the introduction of accommodations.

Opening a Bank Account

You should open a bank account as soon as possible after arriving in Japan. If you have come to Japan with foreign currency or Japanese yen you should put it in your account. If you do not have your money in a bank account you will not be able to prove that you have sufficient funds to study in Japan, which may cause trouble later on if and when you try to extend your period of stay, or change the status of your visa.
When you open your account you will need identification, so you should take either your alien registration card or your passport with you. You should also have a seal impression (‘inkan’) made beforehand. Though it is possible to open an account using only a signature, you will face many problems and inconveniences later on, and so it is not recommended. Bank hours are from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm, Mondays through Fridays. Banks are closed on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays.

Health

Health Examinations

In order to insure that students can enjoy their life in Japan in a relaxed and unconcerned environment, health examinations are provided to all KICL students once a year. The fees for all health examinations will be paid by KICL.

National Health Insurance

Students must enroll in the National Health Insurance plan. The procedure for enrolling is explained during orientation. Under the plan, 70% of all medical costs will be paid by the Japanese government.

Disaster Compensation Scheme for Students in Japanese Language Schools

• The Disaster Compensation Scheme for Students in Japanese Language Schools is a compensation plan for students enrolled in Japanese language schools.
• Compensation is 30% of expenses incurred for accident or illness while enrolled at a Japanese language school. Therefore, it will cover the 30% of expenses not covered by the National Health Insurance Plan.
• Compensation for liability incurred due to injuring another person or damaging another person’s property is limited to 30 million yen. However, liability due to accidents caused by cars or motorcycles is excluded.
• In cases of hospitalization due to injury or illness so severe that it is necessary to rush a family member to Japan, compensation for their air fare will be paid. Compensation for air fare will also be paid in cases of severe injury or illness requiring the patient to return to his or her home country.
• Life insurance will be paid in case of death by accident or illness.
• Pregnancy, childbirth and resulting complications or illness, as well as dental work are not included in the Compensation Scheme. Fees for dental work that is necessary due to accident, however, will be compensated

Alien Registration for Foreigners Living in Japan

Alien Registration

Foreigners staying in Japan for more than 90 days are required by law to register.
Furthermore, they are required to carry their alien registration cards with them at all times.Details will be provided during the orientation period for new students.

Application Mediation

KICL is authorized by the Japanese Department of Immigration to carry out visa application procedures for its applicants. Application procedures for re-entry permits for use when returning home during summer and winter vacations, visa extensions for students whishing to stay longer than 1 year, and permission to carry out activities not covered by visa status such as part-time work can all be carried out at KICL.

Part-time jobs

Students who would like to engage in part time work, must submit an “Application for permission to engage in activity other than that permitted under the status of residence previously granted” to the Immigration Office before starting work.Failure to do so is illegal, and subject to punishment.
Students who have received permission can work part time up to 28 hours per week. It is important to note that there are some jobs and some places of employment, which are not recognized as acceptable by the Japanese government. Students who want to work should consult KICL beforehand.