FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQ)

Here to help you find the best answer to our most frequently asked questions!

Daily Life (Both AP House and Downtown Guidance)

How much do irons and rice cookers generally cost?

At Minishare, each would cost around 500 yen. If you wish to buy brand-new ones, it should cost approximately 2,000 yen for irons and 4,000 yen for rice cookers, depending on which kind you choose.



What kind of appliances should we bring?

Other than laptops and personal devices, it is not necessary to bring electric appliances like hair-dryers, hair-straighteners, lamps, etc. because the standard voltage in Japan could be different from your country. In the end, it may cause your electric appliance to short-circuit or break. In any case, you might just find buying appliances in Japan to be cheaper and more convenient.



What kind of things should we bring from Indonesia and which ones should we just buy in Beppu?

Religious materials might be hard to find in Beppu. If you practice Islam, it will do you good to bring prayer garments from back home (sarungs, mukenas, etc.).



Downtown Life

Which real estate companies should we look into when planning to move downtown?

Most APU students choose Betsudai Kohsan due to the existence of an English-speaking real estate agent, making the overall process substantially less painful. However, there are other companies such as Hayashi Kousan and Family Home that could offer more locations to choose from.



How much is the monthly living cost in Beppu approximately?

Living costs depend heavily on what kind of place you choose to live in after AP House, ranging from location, how spacious your apartment is, or even if you choose to live in a shared house instead of an apartment. Generally, people who choose to live alone tend to spend around 40,000 - 50,000 yen a month, but if you choose to live with 2 other roommates, the number can go down to around 26,000 - 35,000 yen for monthly water, electricity, gas, and wifi fees.



How much is the transportation fee between downtown and campus/AP House?

YGoing by bus, a one way-trip usually costs around 500 yen. But, you can save a few hundred yens if you buy a triple ticket, which will cost 1,000 yen for 3 one-way tickets. There is also the option of buying a yearly bus pass (usually sold at campus or at the Oita Kotsu bus centre downtown whenever a new semester begins) costing around 100,000 yen/year which will enable you to travel around Beppu city with no additional costs.



Which apartment locations are most recommended?

It really depends on your priorities. Mochigahama is famous for its numerous supermarkets like Hirose and MaxValue, while Minamisuga attracts tenants through lots of restaurants and cafes. A lot of Japanese students choose Kamegawa due to its quiet nature and Beppu Eki stands out for its easy access to Oita and a guaranteed seat on an otherwise crowded bus (it’s usually the first stop on the line).



How do prepaid IC cards (like Suica, Pasmo, and Icoca) actually work and how can we use it?

IC cards can be used to pay fares in buses, trains, and convenience stores among other places by simply touching the card on a reader for about one second. However, it is important to remember that not all places offer IC card payments. You can recharge your IC cards at most convenience stores in Japan.