Nightmare. Yes, for most of us who come to Japan without company assistance will find that finding housing in Tokyo is ridiculous and utterly a nightmare. If you are coming from the West where home are generally quite large, you will find that for the same price, you will find nothing but a tiny room with a kitchen the size of... "What is that, a kitchen???" With luck and patience you may find a decent place on your first shot, but most of you will go through the shocking experience of spending weeks without finding anything remotely close to the cozy apartment of your desires.

Real estate agents often don't speak English either. You might need a Japanese friend to help you.

Things to Consider

1. Location
2. Distance from station
3. Size of room
4. Apartment or mansion
5. 1st floor or 2nd floor and above
6. Building age
7. Flooring/carpet or tatami
8. Bathroom and shower in the same room or separated
9. and of course... price
   

1. Allows Internet or cable TV
2. Airconditioner
3. Last Train... time of
4. Place for washing machine inside room
5. Parking
6. Pets
7. Friends Staying over

1. Does the place allow foreigners?
2. Requirement of guarantor
3. What the heck is key money?
4. Agency Fee
5. Maintenance Fee
6. Deposit, Insurance and the rest of the bills...
   

Other options

1. Gaijin Houses
2. Foreign real estate agents
3. Roomsharing, roommates/flatmates
4. Upscale housing