Dorms have curfews. Some homestay families may impose a curfew. Be prepared for less freedom in this regard than you enjoy in the U.S. Japan is simply more strict about having its university students home at night. You may have more freedom in the dorm options since most curfews are 12 pm or even 1 am on weekends. But this depends on the dorm. Usually, host families want students to return home for dinner (often around 7 pm) unless you have made special arrangements with them ahead of time.

In both dorm and homestay, the curfew is very strictly enforced. Living in Japan means abiding by the rules around you: you need to follow them. Most of the time, if you let the dorm manager or your host family know of an exception ahead of time, they will allow it. However, it’s polite and respectful that you ask, if you know you will be late.

Yes, most dorms do have internet access. Some host families have internet that they let students use.

If your dorm allows guests, you must tell the dorm manager in advance that they are coming. Overnight guests are not generally allowed. The same is true for homestay. This is particularly true of guests of the opposite gender.

The cost of homestay is about $600 more, but homestay fee covers breakfast and dinner costs. If you choose a dorm with a meal plan, you’ll pay about $600 more for the meal plan; and if you don’t, you’ll have to buy those meals. So the cost is equitable no matter your choices. See Costs.

There will of course be a kitchen in your homestay. If you’d like access to it (and your homestay family may enjoy that!), be sure to mention this to your host family. Some host families prefer that students not independently use their kitchen; others won’t mind.

Many dorms have communal kitchens. If you want a dorm with a communal kitchen, be sure to mention that on your Housing Options form (Apply Now). The Ikebukuro dorm has a small kitchen area in each individual room.

Whether for dorm or homestay, KCP works hard to match you up with your optimal preferences. While we can’t guarantee you’ll have this access, the chances are good that it will work out.

If you cannot be around smoke, make sure to mention this on your Housing Options form (Apply Now), whether you choose homestay or dorm. Sometimes a member of the family may smoke. If you cannot be around smoke, it might be best for you to choose the dorm housing option.

If you eat fish, you can find many eating options in Tokyo, but if you don’t, eating will be a challenge.

Though vegetarianism is becoming more common, most Japanese families eat meat and fish. You may have more control over your eating habits with the dormitory option, but there are not many restaurants in Japan that offer vegetarian food. For more, see www.vegietokyo.com.

Host families are genuinely concerned with your well-being and will try to make every effort to accommodate you. However, please realize that it may not be possible to accommodate all of your special needs. If you are a vegetarian, the dorm option without meal plan may be the best option for you. Do be sure to mention your vegetarianism on your Housing Options form (Apply Now).

You will have more choice over your food in a dorm-without-meal-plan option. Host families typically go out of their way for students, and some do cook special foods for their vegetarian guests. But if you are an extremely finicky eater, or refuse to eat many foods, the dorm is your best option. Most host families are not vegetarian.

Some host families provide a futon to sleep on the floor like they do, but most of the dorms and many host families do have Western-style beds.

If you’re going to stay at KCP-managed housing (dorm or homestay), you will be provided with bedding. You don’t need to bring it, but you are expected to wash your bedding. If you’re in a dorm, check with the dorm manager about where to dry it.

Dorms change from term to term, but in past dorms used regularly by KCP, the female dorm *with meal plan* is a female-only dorm. The dorm *without meal plan* is a coed dorm. Each has private rooms. You can request a female dorm and KCP will do its best to honor that, but there are no guarantees. If you can accept the meal plan, your chances are better.

The Japanese are highly committed to recycling. When at KCP, at the dorm, at your host family’s home, or anywhere else, separate trash into burnable, unburnable, and cans. More instructions will be provided during the detailed orientation offered at the school.