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Has anyone ever used 'Real Estate Japan' (realestate.co.jp) for an apt rental?
I've been communicating… I am looking for a short-term apartment rental in Tokyo...something ideally along or with easy access to the Yamanote line, and which can get me to Ikebukuro in under 45 mins.
I've been communicating with some folks at At Inn, and they seem legit, and especially since a Japanese friend also recommended them. I then found another site called Real Estate Japan, and which also offers apartment rentals. Has anyone ever used them? If so, how were they? I ask because, when I quickly looked at their listings, compared to what I was seeing on At Inn, the apartments and the prices on R.E. Japan seem too good to be true...I have to wonder if it's some type of scam or 'bait and switch' thing going on? See example listing, below. Thanks!
https://realestate.co.jp/en/rent/view/1123689
Most of the replies here are on point about Real Estate Japan being legit, but I'd add that the real catch with that specific listing is the building itself. I've walked past a few of those older Nishi-Nippori apartments and the soundproofing is basically nothing, you'll hear your neighbor's TV and their washing machine like it's in your own unit. If you're working remotely or need quiet for calls, that's going to be a problem.
For getting to Ikebukuro in under 45 minutes you have way more options than just the Yamanote line. The Saikyo line runs parallel and shares tracks with the Yamanote through that section, and it actually skips some of the local stops so you get to Ikebukuro faster from stations like Omiya or Akabane. If you look at listings near Omiya station you'll find much newer buildings for similar prices, and the ride to Ikebukuro is about 25 minutes on the Saikyo line with no transfers.
At Inn's pricing includes a lot of services that make sense for someone who doesn't speak Japanese and doesn't want to deal with utility setup, guarantor companies, or figuring out garbage sorting rules. Real Estate Japan assumes you can handle those yourself or are willing to pay extra for their referral services. The price difference reflects that labor more than anything shady.
adding to what others said, that listing is in nishi-nippori which is fine for getting to ikebukuro but the station itself has two exits and if you're at the south exit you're looking at a 10 min walk through a residential area with not much around. At Inn tends to put you closer to the station or in more central spots like ikebukuro or shinjuku so you're paying for that convenience and their english support. if you're on a budget and don't mind a quieter area with older buildings real estate japan is fine, just check the exact location on google maps and ask about the key handoff since some of their listings use a lockbox system that can be annoying if you arrive late. for that price you're probably getting a 6-8 tatami mat studio with a shared wall and a bathroom that's basically a wet room. if you want something a bit newer but still affordable on the yamanote line, look at places in otsuka or komagome instead, both are one stop from ikebukuro and have more convenience stores and restaurants nearby
I've used Real Estate Japan before, no scam issues. The catch with that listing is the size and age of the building, plus Nishi-Nippori itself is a bit of a walk from the station depending on which exit you use. For Ikebukuro access you'd be fine, but if you want something closer to the action on the Yamanote line, look at places near Sugamo or Otsuka instead. The prices on At Inn include more fees upfront and their English support is smoother, but Real Estate Japan will save you money if you can handle the paperwork in Japanese.
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Where can I find crispy, pan-fried bacon similar to a certain international style?
if u have a costco membership the kirkland thick cut is the move, 4 packs of 500g for around 2500 yen and it crisps up proper in a cold pan. for smaller runs, precce in azabudai hills & the basement at isetan shinjuku both carry imported US & danish brands in the chilled case, just read the label for "thick cut" or "smoked" and not "loin". also worth knowing japanese bacon is often wet-cured so pat it dry before frying or it steams instead of crisping
kaldi coffee farm is hit or miss but their smoked bacon from denmark shows up pretty regular, the 200g pack runs about 600 yen. what actually works better for me is asking the butcher counter at peacock or life to slice the block bacon thick, like 5mm, they do it for free and it crisps way better than the pre-packed stuff. also fwiw cheap bacon crisps faster, the fatty supermarket kind at 300 yen a pack works fine if u cook it from cold in a dry pan and pour off the fat as it renders.
tbh the gyomu super store brand bacon is surprisingly decent for crisping up, its not thick cut but if you cook it low and slow it gets pretty crunchy. the key is the dry cure vs wet cure thing, wet cure steams. also check hanamasa if you have one nearby, they sell big packs of american style bacon thats actually smoked and firm.