This page is designed to provide useful information to help you to prepare for your stay in Japan.

 

index

• Pre-arrival Questionnaire

• Pre-departure Preparation

• Accompanying Family Members

• Insurance

 

 

Pre-arrival Questionnaire

Please complete and submit the online “Pre-arrival Questionnaire,” in which you can include your accommodation preferences.  With your ID and password, log in to the Pre-arrival Questionnaire and follow the instructions.

 

When you fill out the Housing section in the Pre-arrival Questionnaire, please write your accommodation preferences as follows:

 

• Write the name of the facility in the comment box if you have a preferred one.
• Write your request in the comment box if you need special consideration due to an unavoidable reason.

 

【Example】

       -I would like a lower floor (up to 2nd floor) because of acrophobia.

       -I would like a lower floor because I cannot use an elevator due to claustrophobia.

 

 

Due to the limited number of rooms, it may be necessary to assign rooms by lottery. In that case, though housing will be provided, unfortunately we cannot guarantee that your specific housing preference will be met.

 

If you arrange accommodation in Japan on your own, please provide the details of your planned housing situation in Japan in the Pre-Arrival Questionnaire when you have completed the arrangements.

 

If you are not able to submit the questionnaire online, please contact your program coordinator as soon as possible.

 

 

Pre-departure Preparation

The following is a checklist of the items you will need when you come to Japan.

♦	Passport with a proper Japanese visa
♦	Flight ticket(s)	Please submit your used ticket(s) and boarding passes to GRIPS staff the first time you come to campus.
♦	Certificate of Eligibility (COE)	Immigration may request your COE upon your arrival. (Does not apply to those on Japanese Government (MEXT) Scholarship.)
♦	Certificate of Acceptance	Immigration may request that you present this document upon your arrival.
♦	Photos	TIEC may require you 2 full face photos 3cm H x 2.5cm W.
♦	Cash	You are advised to bring cash that can cover at least 2-month living expenses. Students who will receive scholarships through GRIPS should note carefully that you will not receive your first stipend until the end of October or the middle of November depending on when your bank account in Japan will be opened, even if you arrive in Japan in the beginning of October.
♦	Medications	If you require a particular type of medication, you should bring an adequate supply with you, as it may not be available in Japan. Also, remember to bring prescriptions and packages that show the generic (rather than the brand) name of each medication. This will make it easier to get replacements.

Note 1: If you plan to bring any electrical appliances, please note that the voltage in Japan is 100V.

Note 2: At GRIPS IH residences, bedding/linens can be purchased upon request for about 11,660 yen per set.

Note 3: At TIEC residences, bedding/linens can be rented upon request for about 7,000 yen.

Note 4: At Misato residences, bedding/linens can be purchased upon request for about 12,000 yen- 15,000 yen per set.

 

  Clothes

 

We do not have a dress code and we welcome the variety of clothing styles from diverse backgrounds and tastes. However, you are advised to bring at least one formal suit or dress for special occasions that require formal dress, such as ceremonies, receptions and meetings.

 

For more information about the climate of Tokyo, please refer to the link below.

http://www.climate-zone.com/climate/japan/fahrenheit/tokyo.htm

https://www.japan.travel/en/plan/weather/

 

   Share Your Culture

 

A great benefit of studying at GRIPS is the chance to experience a diversity of cultural expressions. Your fellow students come from many different countries, so this is a good opportunity to share and to get an understanding of the value of cultural diversity. You are encouraged to bring your home country’s traditional costume so you can share your culture with other students.

 

  Academic Preparation

 

We recommend that you start preparing now for your studies at GRIPS. For information about the curriculum, please refer to GRIPS Bulletin.

 

For more detailed information about courses and reading material, please refer to the online syllabus at the GRIPS website.

 

  Living Expenses in Tokyo

 

Expenditures vary from person to person; the following is a conservative estimate of monthly living expenses for a single person in Tokyo.

 

 

 

Accompanying Family Members

 

International students can bring their families to Japan AFTER they arrive in Japan. If you plan to bring your family members to Japan as dependents, you can apply for Certificate of Eligibility (COE) for the status of Dependent at Tokyo Regional Immigration Services Bureau on behalf of your family members. (See here to check)  Please note that if you plan to bring your family members to Japan, you need to choose family accommodation from the beginning.

 

We ask you to think very carefully about bringing your family to Japan. Before making the final decision, please take all aspects into consideration. For example, your family may have difficulty in communicating with the neighbors and other locals; it is not easy to find a spot in a kindergarten here; and there may be unexpected extra financial burdens.

 

 

Insurance

  National Health Insurance (NHI)

 

All international students must enroll in the Japanese National Health Insurance (NHI) system (kokumin kenko hoken). NHI covers 70% of the cost of all standard medical and dental treatment in Japan. Further details will be explained when you arrive, and the GRIPS staff will help you with the enrollment procedures. NHI costs approximately 1,500 yen per person per month.

　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　

  Other Insurance

 

All international students (depending on the program, the insurance will be arranged by the sponsor) must sign up for Comprehensive Insurance, which costs about 12,000 yen per year, e.g. personal accident (Gakkensai) and liability (Inbound futai-gakuso). This insurance covers costs related to death resulting from injuries as well as expenses incurred through unexpected accidents or illnesses; medical treatment for injuries to other people; compensation for property damage; and rescue expenses in the event of critical illness or death of students.