[coding4all]

I know exactly what you mean. When it's all said and done, you end up spending between 6 and 8 months worth of rent before you even move in.

[nihonjon]

Actually quite a few places allow you to get in without such deposits. I've lived here since my last two years of college - totaling 8 years now - and never had an issue getting in with almost zero down aside from rent and guarantor company fee. My rents have ranged from $350/month to now $1600/month.

On the private side: コンフォリア

On the public support side (subsidized housing): UR (Urban Renewal) JKK Tokyo (東京都住宅供給公社)

[mattm]

Not too mention that furnished apartments are unheard of here so you may also need to spend money on a fridge, stove and air conditioner/heater.

[nihonjon]

Actually, weeklies and monthlies are common in cities. マンスリー、ウィクリー http://www.weekly-monthly.net/search/list.html?todoufuken_cd...

[greggman]

Unheard of? there's plenty of them. I'm renting one in nishi azabu for $2k a month.

[mattm]

Obviously, I should have added on "...outside of the major cities." I don't live in Tokyo/Osaka/Kyoto.