monthly cost to live in japan.?

For internet, provider about 1,300 and phone line 4,000 per month (without using the phone to make calls). Gas, electricity water btw 20,000 and 30,000 per month.

Then there are various community costs depending where you live...count another 10,000 per year.

I would recommend talking with the university you wish to attend to see if they have housing, instead of getting your own apartment. It will probably be much less expensive.

Yes, if you are going to get an apartment, living OUTSIDE of the downtown area is a great advantage financially, but take into consideration the commute. I live 2 hours from my job and pay 69,000 yen per month for rent for a two bedroom apartment. The same in the downtown Tokyo area would be at least three times that amount.

Utilities will run about the same, whether you are in the city or in the suburbs. All of it depends on how much you are at home, what kind of heating system you use, how many times you bathe, etc.

About getting a job while you are here, may I suggest you talk with your school, again. Maybe you can act as a tutor for your fellow students for English, or do some other kind of work within the university environment.

If you are making an income from an organization, your taxes will be probably much lower than what you would pay in the U.S., so your net income may be a bit higher than you expect.

I am happy to see you are "doing your research" before jumping in with both feet, pardon the idiomatic phrases.

Rent at least 500 to 600 west Tokyo, if East Tokyo should be more than 700 or 800. Internet, power, around 100 to 150? maybe? Food, the same as US, but little bit expensive than US. I live in CA, I feel almost the same cost I spent in Japan, but room is much much smaller. or I can say US' homes are too big for Japanese people. lol

Be aware that getting an apartment is difficult for foreigners. Yet, somitimes random acquaintances pan out and - there you are.

Be very much aware that most places require "Key Money." That goes to the landlord and is lost. It gets you in the door so to speak- 6 months rent. Or,I have heard that it can be around $2,000 to $3,000 dollars - yes, US dollar amount. Use a search for Key Money, Japan.

Go to the different Japan Forums and begin asking questions.

Here is one http://www.japan-guide.com/forum/quedisplay.html

If you are going to study at a Japanese U. Hope you do well with the language. Good Luck.

Quite a bit.

In Japan apartments and homes are classified into categories.

You'll see things like 1R 1LDK, 1K etc.

A 1LDK is a one room and kitchen separate, "dining room" in a Japanese apartment I don't know weather to laugh or cry at that.

If you're on a really budget, you should go for a 1R which is pretty much a small "studio" apartment where you have one room, with the kitchen/sink bed, etc all in one room. Separate shower/bathroom of course.

Depending on where you live you can get one for 60000 (on up) yen a month depending on where exactly you lived.

However getting your own apartment is a complicated process.

First you need to pay an "agent" fee, then you need someone called a "guarantor" then you need to pay "key money" all of this might equal to 4-6 months worth of rent. So if you found a place for 60000 yen, you'd really be paying something like 360,000 just to move in (non-refundable). That doesn't include any furniture, bed, television, internet connection, just an empty apartment.

As for jobs as a student, you first need to apply for permission to work, and it is only part time work. So with part-time work you're limited in the jobs you can do, so expect lower wage then you would working full time for a company.

Most students and other non students opt for "guest houses" where you usually can get a private room, but things like the kitchen, shower and restroom facilities are shared with other members, sorta like a dormintory of sorts. They key issue in getting your own private apartment in Japan is finding a "guarantor", this is usually a established Japanese person who is responsible in case you don't pay. The problem is finding a Japanese person (usually someone older with stable income) willing enough to trust you on that matter.

People coming to Japan to work usually have their company setup or be their guarantor initially. Students sometimes do not have that luxury.

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"Simple labor" jobs dont pay as much and 'wont do' as you say. There's no visa category for 'simple labor' jobs to start with.

Are you an American ? You need a four year degree to work in Japan. And a job offer before you get there to qualify for a work visa. For most all Japanese schools you would need to speak, read and write Japanese at a native level. You're also going to need a great deal of money.

Rents are high.And in most cases you need to pay 3 or 4 months rent in advance. Many lanlords also demand what they call "key money". This is no more than a bribe of a months rent just to rent the place. Money you will never see again.

You would also need a rental agent as many Japanese landlords won't rent to non-Japanese. Yes, they can get away with it.

Sorry,what you want to do isn't impossible, but it's close.