Many international students live in private apartments and municipal housing in Obihiro. The University Coop can recommend various types of private apartments they can introduce to students. However, most of them require a cosigner when you make a residential agreement, which makes it difficult for an international student who has just arrived in Japan to rent one.
We have the International House I, lodging for international students to start their life in Japan smoothly. An international student can reside at the International House I for up to one year from their entrance to the university.
International House I (Lodging for international students)
Outline of International House I
Name, Address, and Facilities
Name | International House I |
---|---|
Address | Nishi 2-13, Inadacho, Obihiro, Hokkaido 080-0834, JAPAN TEL: 0155-49-5115+Extension number of each apartment
|
Eligible Residents
International students who belong to or are assigned to our university, and their spouse and children, can reside at the International House I.
Period of Residence
The International House I is a temporary lodgment for international students to get used to the living environment and customs of Obihiro. In order to make them available to as many international students as possible, the period of residence is from one month up to one year.
As the rent is monthly, even if you move in in the middle of the month, the period of residence will be one year at maximum from the first day of the month. For example, if you moved in on October 6, 2013, you can live in the apartment up to September 30, 2014. However, the period of time may slightly differ due to university holidays, national holidays, weekends or other reasons. Check the period of residence in your residence permit.
Even if your roommate (your family) becomes a student of our university, the period of residence will not be extended.
You may be asked to reside in the International House II if a suitable apartment is not vacant in the International House I or if there is some other reason.
Management
Management and clerical work for the International House I is done by the Staff for International Students of the Student Educational Support Section (hereinafter referred to as “Staff for International Students”) according to the Rules of the International Houses, the National University Corporation Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, and the Detailed Regulations for Using the International Houses, the National University Corporation Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine.
Staff for International Students, Student Educational Support Section
Tel: 0155-49-5297, 5298; E-mail: rgk@obihiro.ac.jp
Apartment Types and Rent
The rent is monthly. Note that even if you stay in an apartment only one day of a month, you have to pay the rent for the whole month. A renter of a Type S apartment has to pay a monthly electricity, water and gas charge (3,600yen/month). Even if you moved in or out in the middle of a month, you have to pay the full amount of this utility charge for the month.
In addition, you will be charged electricity, water and gas charges for your apartment, fees for rented equipment, costs for cleaning and repair done after you move out.
Type S (for a single person)) 4,600 yen/month

Facilities and equipment
- No bathroom
- Wash-basin
- No kitchen
- One single bed
- Refrigerator
- No washing machine
- Chest of drawers
- Dining table and chairs
- Cupboard
- Desk
- Curtain & lace curtain
Note: There is a common bathing room, toilets and a kitchen. The desk lamp is for rent.
(Type D (for a single person/couple)) 10,400 yen/month

*Size and specifications differ
depending on the apartment
Facilities and equipment
- Bathroom with a toilet & washstand
- Kitchen counter (width: 1,800mm with an exhaust hood and cooking stove)
- One double/semi-double bed
- Refrigerator
- Washing machine
- Chest of drawers
- Dining table and chairs
- Cupboard
- Desk
- Microwave oven
- Vacuum cleaner
- Curtain & lace curtain
Note: The desk lamp is for rent.
(Type F (for a family)) 15,500 yen/month

*Size and specifications differ
depending on the apartment
Facilities and equipment
- Bathroom with a toilet & washstand
- Kitchen counter (width: 1,500/1,800mm with an exhaust hood and cooking stove)
- One double bed & one bunk bed for children
- Refrigerator
- Washing machine
- Closet & chest of drawers
- Dining table and chairs
- Cupboard
- Desk
- Microwave oven
- Vacuum cleaner
- Curtain & lace curtain
Move-in Procedure
If you wish to reside in the International House I, send an email to Staff for International Students at least one month before the date you wish to move in. Please email them as soon as possible even if you are not sure of the date of your arrival in Japan. Late contact may result in failure to secure an apartment and carrying out the necessary procedures, which may prevent your residence. We will email you the necessary documents as soon as we receive your email.
We ask that you time your move in to coincide with the business hours of the Staff for International Students’ office (1st floor, General Research Building I): 9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. and 1:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m. on weekdays (except national holidays). You cannot move-in on weekends, or on national and university holidays.
The Staff for International Students will check the apartment facilities and equipment with you, and give you the IC card for the Hall entrance and your apartment key.
Documents necessary for move-in procedure
- Application form for residence (Form 1): To be submitted at least one month before you move in.
- Application for rental equipment: Only when necessary. To be submitted at least two weeks before you move in.
- Agreement (Form 6): To be submitted when you move in.
- Photocopy of your passport: To be submitted when you move in.
Living with Your Family
You will be permitted to bring your family six months after your arrival in Obihiro. Before doing so, you have to thoroughly discuss with your supervising professor if living with your family affects your research activities and get their approval to bring your family.
The university will not help you do any of the procedures concerning your family. You need to do it by yourself.
If you plan to bring your family to live with you in your apartment, note so in the application form for residence, and apply for either a Type D or Type F apartment. You cannot change your apartment once you have moved in. Also submit the necessary documents below before your family comes. If there is no available Type D or Type F apartment, you will have to bring your family after you move out of the International House.
Documents to be submitted
- Application form for living with family (Form 7): To be submitted at least one month before your family moves in.
- Application for rental equipment: Only when necessary. To be submitted at least two weeks before you move in.
- Photocopy of your family’s passport(s): To be submitted when your family moves in.
*You cannot live with any other person than your family.
Living with Your Family
Apartments are not equiped with beddings, pillows, TV sets, dishes or desk lamps. You can rent them from the University Coop. Refer to the Application Form for the Equipment Rental, which will be sent from the Staff for International Students, for the details. Apply for the equipment at least two weeks before you move in. You do not have to apply for the equipment if you don’t want to. You can also prepare them by yourself. Pay the rental fees within three days after you move in.
Suggestions for When You Move In
- Do not send anything that arrives at the International House I before you move in. Things arriving before you move in will not be received or kept. Arrange your delivery so that you can receive it after you move in.
- Bring only the things essential to your student life. An apartment of the International House is larger than common apartments. After the residence period in the International House I, students usually move to a smaller apartment. Therefore, you should not bring large pieces of furniture or too many of your belongings.
- DO NOT BRING IN THE FOLLOWING THINGS
- Appliances that produce naked flame (heating stoves, cooking stoves, etc.)
- Dangerous objects (kerosene, high-pressure gas, explosives, hazardous/poisonous substances, etc.)
- Pet animals
- Usually, you will be met by the Japanese student who is a tutor for you upon your arrival. Inform your supervising professor and the Staff for International Students as soon as you finalize the time and date of your arrival.