Here are answers to the most common questions about deposits, utilities, guests, contracts
and more. For a full explanation of our FairStay Policy
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We use a simple, transparent initial move-in fee that combines management,
cleaning, and a refundable security deposit.
Guest House Rooms (Discounted Rooms – Check listing) – Initial Fee (40,000 yen)
- 20,000 yen – Management & booking charges (non-refundable)
- 10,000 yen – Standard cleaning fee (non-refundable)
- 10,000 yen – Security deposit (refundable, conditions apply)
Guest House Rooms (Standard) – Initial Fee (50,000 yen)
- 20,000 yen – Management & booking charges (non-refundable)
- 10,000 yen – Standard cleaning fee (non-refundable)
- 20,000 yen – Security deposit (refundable, conditions apply)
Apartment-Type Rooms – Initial Fee (70,000 yen)
- 20,000 yen – Management & booking charges (non-refundable)
- 20,000 yen – Standard cleaning fee (non-refundable)
- 30,000 yen – Security deposit (refundable, conditions apply)
The management & booking fee covers reservation handling, contract preparation,
check-in / check-out arrangements and support during your stay.
The standard cleaning fee covers professional cleaning after you move out
(bedding wash, basic sanitising and resetting the room). This is always charged.
The security deposit is normally refunded at check-out. However, it can be used if there is:
- Guest furniture, belongings, or trash left in the room after checkout
- Damage to furniture, walls or appliances
- Heavy dirt or strong odours (for example, smoking inside)
- Extra cleaning needed because the room is left in very poor condition
- Unpaid utilities or other outstanding charges
- Lost or unreturned keys, or lock-related issues
For guests staying 6 months or longer, and for returning guests with a good
history of payments and cleanliness, the security deposit may be reduced or waived at our discretion.
At check-in, you are required to pay:
- The first month’s rent, and
- The initial move-in fee (see Q1).
If your rental starts on or after the 20th of a month,
the rent for the following month is also payable on check-in.
Rent must reach our account by the end of each month, in advance.
Partial months are calculated on a pro-rata basis (using 30 days, except February).
Most houses charge a flat monthly utilities fee of ¥ 20,000 which usually covers:
electricity, gas, water, internet and some shared supplies.
For apartments in Kiba, Otsuka and Mejiro 2,
the ¥ 20,000 fee is not charged; instead, utilities are metered and charged directly
by the utility companies based on your actual usage.
Please check each house’s page under
Room Types
for the exact utilities system for that property.
Yes, in larger rooms it is possible for up to 3 people to share
(depending on the room size and layout).
Yes, Wi-Fi is available free of charge in all Bamboo House properties.
Standard check-in and check-out time is 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
Please let us know your expected time in advance.
In some cases, we can arrange an after-hours check-in for an additional
2,000 yen fee. This is because staff must come in outside their normal working hours.
After-hours check-in is subject to staff availability and must be arranged in advance.
If an after-hours check-in cannot be arranged, you may need to stay in a nearby hotel and check in
during normal hours the next day.
We use a 30 day base to calculate pro-rata daily rent
for periods shorter than a full month (except February).
We do not accept stays shorter than one month, so the minimum charge
is always at least one full month’s rent.
Please let us know your expected time in advance.
In some cases, we can arrange an after-hours check-in for an additional
2,000 yen fee. This is because staff must come in outside their normal working hours.
After-hours check-in is subject to staff availability and must be arranged in advance.
If an after-hours check-in cannot be arranged, you may need to stay in a nearby hotel and check in
during normal hours the next day.
We calculate partial months on a pro-rata basis using 30 days
as one month (except February).
However, we do not accept stays of less than one month,
so the minimum charge is always one full month’s rent.
We do not accept short-term stays of less than one month.
Even if you stay three weeks, you will be charged at least one full month’s rent.
It means that the room can host up to 3 people in total,
but the rent shown on the website is for 1 person only.
Each extra guest is charged an additional 20,000 yen per month (see Q7).
Yes. Under our FairStay Policy, guests who:
- Stay for 6 months or longer, or
- Are returning guests with a positive rental and cleanliness history
may have their security deposit reduced or waived at our discretion.
The management & booking fee and the standard cleaning fee always apply,
but we reward responsible guests by reducing the deposit risk over time.
Booking Questions
You will need to show a valid passport.
We take a copy for our records when you sign the contract.
You will need:
- Your valid passport or Japanese driver’s licence
- The first month’s rent
Yes, absolutely. At Bamboo House we welcome tenants from Japan and all over the world.
We believe in healthy cultural exchange between people of different countries and backgrounds.
Yes. You can move to another room or house managed by Bamboo House.
A 5,000 yen moving fee is payable, but you do not need to pay the full
contract fee again.
No. The deposit must be held until check-out. It cannot be used as rent during your stay.
No. The deposit must be held until check-out. It cannot be used as rent during your stay.
We calculate a daily rate as 1/30 of the monthly rent (except February),
and multiply by the number of extra days.
Yes, as long as the room has not been booked by another guest after your departure date.
Please contact us as early as possible if you wish to extend.
If you cancel, the deposit will normally be forfeited.
In some cases, it may be possible to change the schedule instead of cancelling completely.
Please contact us to discuss your situation.
Yes, once your booking is confirmed, we can provide a proof of accommodation letter for your visa application.
Help on your reservations
No, there is no curfew. You can come and go as you like.
However, you must not disturb other residents, especially late at night.
Yes. We can provide an extra folding bed or futon set in many rooms.
Some fee applies, so please ask in advance so we can confirm price and availability.
In a guest house unit, the kitchen, toilet, and bath/shower are shared with other tenants.
There is usually a common dining or living space where residents can relax and meet each other.
No. Smoking is not allowed inside any Bamboo House property.
Some houses have a designated smoking area outside where you can smoke.
To a certain degree, yes. It is fine to change your curtains, bedding,
small furniture such as a table or chairs, etc.
No. Pets are not allowed at Bamboo House.
Yes. We accommodate children over 3 years old.
Children between 3 and 6 years old are free when sharing with parents.
No, we do not supply towels or soap.
Linen (bedding) is provided.
Please be very careful about noise.
No musical instruments or speakers are allowed.
Also, please avoid loud phone or online calls (Skype, etc.) late at night (after 10 pm).
In some cases, yes. Conditions depend on space, timing and duration,
so please ask our managers directly.
We must follow the contract. With one month’s notice, you will lose the deposit
and rent is payable until your last day of stay.
Yes, you are welcome to use the common kitchen.
However, because the space is shared, please be considerate when cooking
strong-smelling foods (for example, curry, kimchi, etc.) so as not to disturb other tenants.
We no longer provide TV sets, even if some older photos show them.
This is mainly because NHK may come and charge a monthly TV fee,
and many older TVs cannot receive new digital broadcasts.
Sorry, no. You would need to:
- Either check out and check in again later, or
- Continue renting (and paying rent for) the room while you are away.
No, thank you. We work directly with our tenants and do not collaborate with booking agents.
No. We provide air-conditioning heaters.
For safety reasons, please do not use your own electric heaters or other heating equipment.
Lost or unreturned key
- A 10,000 yen fee per key set will be charged for lost or unreturned keys.
- Replacement keys must be collected from the Nippori office.
We do not mail or deliver new keys.
Lockout (staff call-out)
- If you lock yourself out and require staff to come and unlock the door,
a 3,000 yen call-out fee applies. - This fee is charged because staff must travel to the property and interrupt their normal schedule.
In some cases, these costs may be deducted from your security deposit (see the Rental System page for details).