Bamboo House – Frequently Asked Questions
Here are answers to the most common questions about deposits, utilities, guests, contracts
and more. For a full explanation of our FairStay Policy, please also see the
Rental System page.
Q1. What is the deposit / initial move-in fee?
We use a simple, transparent initial move-in fee that combines management,
cleaning, and a refundable security deposit.
Guest House Rooms – Initial Fee (50,000 yen)
- 20,000 yen – Management & booking charges (non-refundable)
- 10,000 yen – Standard cleaning fee (non-refundable)
- 20,000 yen – Security deposit (refundable, conditions apply)
Apartment-Type Rooms – Initial Fee (70,000 yen)
- 20,000 yen – Management & booking charges (non-refundable)
- 20,000 yen – Standard cleaning fee (non-refundable)
- 30,000 yen – Security deposit (refundable, conditions apply)
The management & booking fee covers reservation handling, contract preparation,
check-in / check-out arrangements and support during your stay.
The standard cleaning fee covers professional cleaning after you move out
(bedding wash, basic sanitising and resetting the room). This is always charged.
The security deposit is normally refunded at check-out. However, it can be used if there is:
- Damage to furniture, walls or appliances
- Heavy dirt or strong odours (for example, smoking inside)
- Extra cleaning needed because the room is left in very poor condition
- Unpaid utilities or other outstanding charges
- Lost or unreturned keys, or lock-related issues
For guests staying 6 months or longer, and for returning guests with a good
history of payments and cleanliness, the security deposit may be reduced or waived at our discretion.
For more detail and examples, please see the
Rental System page.
Q2. When is payment due?
At check-in, you are required to pay:
- The first month’s rent, and
- The initial move-in fee (see Q1).
If your rental starts on or after the 20th of a month,
the rent for the following month is also payable on check-in.
Rent must reach our account by the end of each month, in advance.
Partial months are calculated on a pro-rata basis (using 30 days, except February).
Q3. Do I have to pay the water, gas, electricity, and internet expenses?
Most houses charge a flat monthly utilities fee of ¥ 20,000 which usually covers:
electricity, gas, water, internet and some shared supplies.
For apartments in Kiba, Otsuka and Mejiro 2,
the ¥ 20,000 fee is not charged; instead, utilities are metered and charged directly
by the utility companies based on your actual usage.
Please check each house’s page under
Room Types
for the exact utilities system for that property.
Q4. What identification is required?
You will need to show a valid passport.
We take a copy for our records when you sign the contract.
A Japanese driver’s licence or residence card can also be used,
but is not required in advance for overseas guests.
Q5. Do you have a curfew?
No, there is no curfew. You can come and go as you like.
However, you must not disturb other residents, especially late at night.
Q6. Are meals included?
No, we do not provide a meal service. There are convenience stores, supermarkets and restaurants
close to each house, and all properties have a kitchen you can use for cooking.
Q7. Can 3 people share a room? What is the extra guest fee?
Yes, in larger rooms it is possible for up to 3 people to share
(depending on the room size and layout).
For each additional person, we charge an extra guest fee of 20,000 yen per month.
Examples:
- Base rent + utilities (¥ 20,000) – 1 person
- Base rent + utilities (¥ 20,000) + 20,000 yen – 2 people
- Base rent + utilities (¥ 20,000) + 40,000 yen – 3 people
Children between 3 and 6 years old are free when sharing with parents.
Q8. Can you provide an extra bed if we share a room or if my parents visit?
Yes. We can provide an extra folding bed or futon set in many rooms.
Some fee applies, so please ask in advance so we can confirm price and availability.
Q9. Can I use the internet?
Yes, Wi-Fi is available free of charge in all Bamboo House properties.
Q10. What are the check-in / check-out times?
Standard check-in and check-out time is 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
Please let us know your expected time in advance.
In some cases, we can arrange an after-hours check-in for an additional
2,000 yen fee. This is because staff must come in outside their normal working hours.
After-hours check-in is subject to staff availability and must be arranged in advance.
If an after-hours check-in cannot be arranged, you may need to stay in a nearby hotel and check in
during normal hours the next day.
Q11. What do I need to bring when I sign the rental contract?
You will need:
- Your valid passport or Japanese driver’s licence
- The first month’s rent
Q12. What is a guest house unit?
In a guest house unit, the kitchen, toilet, and bath/shower are shared with other tenants.
There is usually a common dining or living space where residents can relax and meet each other.
Q13. Is smoking allowed?
No. Smoking is not allowed inside any Bamboo House property.
Some houses have a designated smoking area outside where you can smoke.
Q14. I am Japanese. Can I rent a room?
Yes, absolutely. At Bamboo House we welcome tenants from Japan and all over the world.
We believe in healthy cultural exchange between people of different countries and backgrounds.
Q15. Can I re-furnish my room at my own expense?
To a certain degree, yes. It is fine to change your curtains, bedding,
small furniture such as a table or chairs, etc.
However, you cannot repaint the walls, redo the floors, or make other permanent changes.
Please tell us your ideas before you start re-furnishing.
Q16. Does your rental policy allow pets?
No. Pets are not allowed at Bamboo House.
Q17. Do you allow children to stay?
Yes. We accommodate children over 3 years old.
Children between 3 and 6 years old are free when sharing with parents.
Q18. Is it possible to move to another Bamboo House room or house?
Yes. You can move to another room or house managed by Bamboo House.
A 5,000 yen moving fee is payable, but you do not need to pay the full
contract fee again.
Q19. How do you count the rental term and daily rate?
We use a 30 day base to calculate pro-rata daily rent
for periods shorter than a full month (except February).
We do not accept stays shorter than one month, so the minimum charge
is always at least one full month’s rent.
Q20. Do you supply towels and soap?
No, we do not supply towels or soap.
Linen (bedding) is provided.
Q21. Can I use the deposit for my last month’s rent?
No. The deposit must be held until check-out. It cannot be used as rent during your stay.
Q22. Can I play music or use speakers?
Please be very careful about noise.
No musical instruments or speakers are allowed.
Also, please avoid loud phone or online calls (Skype, etc.) late at night (after 10 pm).
Q23. Can you keep my luggage?
In some cases, yes. Conditions depend on space, timing and duration,
so please ask our managers directly.
Q24. How do you charge for 1.5 months, or 10 extra days, etc.?
We calculate partial months on a pro-rata basis using 30 days
as one month (except February).
However, we do not accept stays of less than one month,
so the minimum charge is always one full month’s rent.
Q25. My stay will be three weeks. How much is the rent?
We do not accept short-term stays of less than one month.
Even if you stay three weeks, you will be charged at least one full month’s rent.
Q26. If I have to leave suddenly (family issue, etc.), can I get the deposit back?
We must follow the contract. With one month’s notice, you will lose the deposit
and rent is payable until your last day of stay.
Q27. Can I use the kitchen to cook (even strong-smelling food)?
Yes, you are welcome to use the common kitchen.
However, because the space is shared, please be considerate when cooking
strong-smelling foods (for example, curry, kimchi, etc.) so as not to disturb other tenants.
Q28. What does “Maximum number of guests (fee applies for extra guests): 3” mean?
It means that the room can host up to 3 people in total,
but the rent shown on the website is for 1 person only.
Each extra guest is charged an additional 20,000 yen per month (see Q7).
Q29. How do you calculate the daily rate if I extend my stay by a few days?
We calculate a daily rate as 1/30 of the monthly rent (except February),
and multiply by the number of extra days.
Q30. Can I have a TV in my room?
We no longer provide TV sets, even if some older photos show them.
This is mainly because NHK may come and charge a monthly TV fee,
and many older TVs cannot receive new digital broadcasts.
Q31. I already set the check-out date. Can I extend my stay?
Yes, as long as the room has not been booked by another guest after your departure date.
Please contact us as early as possible if you wish to extend.
Q32. If I cancel my trip, what happens to my deposit?
If you cancel, the deposit will normally be forfeited.
In some cases, it may be possible to change the schedule instead of cancelling completely.
Please contact us to discuss your situation.
Q33. I will be away for a month. Can you keep the same room without rent and reuse the deposit?
Sorry, no. You would need to:
- Either check out and check in again later, or
- Continue renting (and paying rent for) the room while you are away.
Q34. I am a booking agent. Can I sell Bamboo House rooms?
No, thank you. We work directly with our tenants and do not collaborate with booking agents.
Q35. Can I get a proof of accommodation reservation for my visa application?
Yes, once your booking is confirmed, we can provide a proof of accommodation letter for your visa application.
Q36. Can I use my own heater in the house?
No. We provide air-conditioning heaters.
For safety reasons, please do not use your own electric heaters or other heating equipment.
Q37. What happens if I lose my key or lock myself out?
Lost or unreturned key
- A 20,000 yen fee per key set will be charged for lost or unreturned keys.
- Replacement keys must be collected from the Nippori office.
We do not mail or deliver new keys.
Lockout (staff call-out)
- If you lock yourself out and require staff to come and unlock the door,
a 3,000 yen call-out fee applies. - This fee is charged because staff must travel to the property and interrupt their normal schedule.
In some cases, these costs may be deducted from your security deposit (see the Rental System page for details).
Q38. Are there any benefits for long-stay or returning guests?
Yes. Under our FairStay Policy, guests who:
- Stay for 6 months or longer, or
- Are returning guests with a positive rental and cleanliness history
may have their security deposit reduced or waived at our discretion.
The management & booking fee and the standard cleaning fee always apply,
but we reward responsible guests by reducing the deposit risk over time.
