Pre-arrival FAQs | National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies (GRIPS)
Source: https://www.grips.ac.jp/en/admissions/prearrival
Archived: 2026-04-23 17:10
Pre-arrival FAQs | National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies (GRIPS)
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Pre-arrival FAQs
Admissions
Admissions
Pre-arrival FAQs
International House (IH1)
International House 2 (IH2)
Accommodation
Q: I applied for housing. When will I receive my housing assignment?
A: You will be assigned housing by the middle of September.
Q: I plan to come to Japan by myself initially. My family will join me later. Can I apply for a Single Room now and then switch to a Family or Couple Room when my family arrives?
A: No. Leasing agreements are drawn up for a one year period, and room changes (e.g. from Single to Couple Room) are not permitted during the academic year. If you plan to bring your family, you have to choose a family room from the beginning.
Q: If my family visits me for a short period of time, can they stay with me in a Single Room?
A: No. The rule that only one person may stay in a Single Room in both GRIPS IH and TIEC is strictly adhered to. In the event of a family visit, you and your family are responsible for finding your accommodation. You may apply for the guest rooms in IH and TIEC.
Q: I was assigned a Single Room in IH and I will invite my parents for a short period of time. Can they stay in a Guest Room in the same residence hall?
A: Yes. IH residents and TIEC residents can apply for guest rooms, with the result depending on availability. As a rule, only family members of residents are eligible.
Accompanying Family
Q: Why can’t I bring my family with me when I first come to Japan?
A: We require you to come to Japan by yourself at first, and then apply for visas for your family after you arrive in Japan. It takes a while to obtain a dependent visa, and during the waiting period, your family cannot apply for National Health Insurance.
Q: Can GRIPS assist me in getting visas for my family?
A: No. When you arrive in Japan you can apply for a Certificate of Eligibility at the Tokyo Regional Immigration Services Bureau on behalf of your family members. You should do your own document preparation and applications submission.
Q: If an international student brings their family (spouse and children only) to Japan to live with them, will they be guaranteed
accommodation
arranged by GRIPS?
A: No. Due to limited availability for family units, we cannot guarantee that you will be placed in the accommodation of your choice. Please note that it is getting increasingly difficult to arrange for housing units for families with children. If you cannot obtain accommodation at any of the accommodation options offered through GRIPS, you may need to find your own housing.
National Health Insurance (NHI)
Q: Should I sign up for health insurance before arriving in Japan?
A: That is not necessary. You and your family members are required to sign up for Japanese National Health Insurance after arriving in Japan, for the duration of your studies, in accordance with Japan’s Health Insurance Law.
Q: How do I sign up for National Health Insurance (NHI)?
A: You must apply at the city office where you reside. The GRIPS Student Office will assist you with your application for NHI after you arrive in Japan.
Q: How does NHI work?
A: Your city office regularly sends you bills for your NHI fees; you can pay them at convenience stores. Under the NHI system, if you present your NHI card at any hospital or clinic, 70% of your medical costs will be covered.
Living Expenses
Q: How much money should I bring to Japan, and in what currency?
A: You are advised to bring cash that can cover at least two months’ living expenses. Students who will receive scholarships through GRIPS should note carefully that even if they arrive in Japan at the beginning of October, they will not receive their first stipend until the end of October or the middle of November, depending on when their bank account in Japan is opened.
Q: How much are the approximate monthly living expenses for international students in Tokyo?
A: Cost of living depends on your lifestyle. The following is an example of monthly expenses for a single person in Tokyo.
Item
Cost (yen/per month)
Accommodation/ rent
35,000 – 106,800
Utilities
12,000 – 25,000
Food
40,000 – 80,000
Transportation
8,000 – 15,000
Insurance (health, accident, property)
3,000
Books and study materials
5,000
Telephone & internet
6,000 – 12,000
Leisure & hobbies
20,000
Miscellaneous
20,000 – 50,000
Curriculum, Academic Resources, Graduation Requirements
Q: Do I need to bring a laptop computer to Japan?
A: During your time at GRIPS, you will need to use either your own laptop or the shared PCs installed at GRIPS for student use, for the writing of assignments and your thesis, and for administrative and educational procedures such as course registration. GRIPS recommends that you bring either a personal device from your home country or one purchased in Japan soon after you arrive. In either case, your device must meet GRIPS' specifications. If you purchase a new laptop, we recommend buying one that offers global support.
Note: Students are not allowed to use the shared PCs installed at GRIPS for long periods of time.
Q: I would like to start preparing for courses before my arrival in Japan. Where can I find out more about the curriculum, individual courses, and textbooks being used?
A: Information about the curriculum and graduation requirements for each program can be found on the Master's/Doctoral Programs pages of the GRIPS website and in
the GRIPS Bulletin
. For more detailed information about individual courses, reading materials and such, please check the relevant
GRIPS syllabus
on the GRIPS website.
Admissions
(Japanese) 募集要項
How to Apply
Scholarships / Tuition and Fees
Application Deadlines
Application FAQs
Pre-Arrival FAQs
GRIPS Bulletin
(Academic Information)
GRIPS Bulletin
(Student Life Guide)
7-22-1 Roppongi, Minato-ku, Tokyo 106-8677
TEL : +81-(0)3-6439-6000
FAX : +81-(0)3-6439-6010
PAGE TOP
Print Out
Contact
Website Policy
Privacy Policy
Information Security Policy
Social Media Operational Policy
Copyright © National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies
Lightweight version
Language
Japanese
Site Map
Access
Library
for Student
for Alumni
Intranet
Job Openings
About GRIPS
About GRIPS
About GRIPS
President’s Desk
History
Administration and Organization
GRIPS ALLIANCE
Facts & Figures
Faculty Directory
GRIPS in the Media
Awards and Honors
Major Partner Universities and Institutions
Government-Academia-Private Sector Collaborative Projects
Presenters
Brochures
Roppongi Campus
GRIPS Fund
Access and Maps
(Japanese) 評価
(Japanese) 施設貸出
Contact Us
News & Events
News & Events
News & Announcements
Events & Symposiums
GRIPS FORUM
Seminars
Admissions / Scholarships
Admissions / Scholarships
Admissions
(Japanese) 募集要項
How to Apply
Scholarships / Tuition and Fees
Application Deadlines
Application FAQs
Pre-Arrival FAQs
GRIPS Bulletin (Academic Information)
GRIPS Bulletin (Student Life Guide)
Education
Education
Degree Programs
Information for International Students
Admissions Policy, Curriculum Policy, and Degree-Granting Policy
Master’s Programs (Programs offered in English)
Master’s Programs (Programs offered in Japanese)
Docotral Programs
Doctoral Dissertation, Summary, Defense Results, etc.
Non-degree Certificate/Diploma System
GRIPS Bulletin (Academic Information)
GRIPS Bulletin (Student Life Guide)
Academic Information
Academic Resources & Facilities
IT Support
Center for Data Science
Center for Professional Communication
Health & Fitness
Executive Training
Executive Training
Executive Training
Tailor-Made Short-Term Training
Research
Research
Research
Seminars and Research Groups
Faculty Directory
Research Fellows
Policy Research Center
The Science for RE-designing Science, Technology and Innovation Policy Center (SciREX Center)
Center for Data Science
Projects
Institutional Repository
Towards the Prevention of Unlawful Acts
Library
Alumni
Alumni
About Our Alumni
Stay Connected
Alumnus of the Month (ALMO)
GRIPS SDGs Award
Get Involved
Request for certificates
(Japanese) GRIPS国内同窓会報
FAQs
GRIPS Alumni Homecoming
Site Map
Access
Library
for Student
for Alumni
Intranet
Job Openings
Home
>
Pre-arrival FAQs
Admissions
Admissions
Pre-arrival FAQs
International House (IH1)
International House 2 (IH2)
Accommodation
Q: I applied for housing. When will I receive my housing assignment?
A: You will be assigned housing by the middle of September.
Q: I plan to come to Japan by myself initially. My family will join me later. Can I apply for a Single Room now and then switch to a Family or Couple Room when my family arrives?
A: No. Leasing agreements are drawn up for a one year period, and room changes (e.g. from Single to Couple Room) are not permitted during the academic year. If you plan to bring your family, you have to choose a family room from the beginning.
Q: If my family visits me for a short period of time, can they stay with me in a Single Room?
A: No. The rule that only one person may stay in a Single Room in both GRIPS IH and TIEC is strictly adhered to. In the event of a family visit, you and your family are responsible for finding your accommodation. You may apply for the guest rooms in IH and TIEC.
Q: I was assigned a Single Room in IH and I will invite my parents for a short period of time. Can they stay in a Guest Room in the same residence hall?
A: Yes. IH residents and TIEC residents can apply for guest rooms, with the result depending on availability. As a rule, only family members of residents are eligible.
Accompanying Family
Q: Why can’t I bring my family with me when I first come to Japan?
A: We require you to come to Japan by yourself at first, and then apply for visas for your family after you arrive in Japan. It takes a while to obtain a dependent visa, and during the waiting period, your family cannot apply for National Health Insurance.
Q: Can GRIPS assist me in getting visas for my family?
A: No. When you arrive in Japan you can apply for a Certificate of Eligibility at the Tokyo Regional Immigration Services Bureau on behalf of your family members. You should do your own document preparation and applications submission.
Q: If an international student brings their family (spouse and children only) to Japan to live with them, will they be guaranteed
accommodation
arranged by GRIPS?
A: No. Due to limited availability for family units, we cannot guarantee that you will be placed in the accommodation of your choice. Please note that it is getting increasingly difficult to arrange for housing units for families with children. If you cannot obtain accommodation at any of the accommodation options offered through GRIPS, you may need to find your own housing.
National Health Insurance (NHI)
Q: Should I sign up for health insurance before arriving in Japan?
A: That is not necessary. You and your family members are required to sign up for Japanese National Health Insurance after arriving in Japan, for the duration of your studies, in accordance with Japan’s Health Insurance Law.
Q: How do I sign up for National Health Insurance (NHI)?
A: You must apply at the city office where you reside. The GRIPS Student Office will assist you with your application for NHI after you arrive in Japan.
Q: How does NHI work?
A: Your city office regularly sends you bills for your NHI fees; you can pay them at convenience stores. Under the NHI system, if you present your NHI card at any hospital or clinic, 70% of your medical costs will be covered.
Living Expenses
Q: How much money should I bring to Japan, and in what currency?
A: You are advised to bring cash that can cover at least two months’ living expenses. Students who will receive scholarships through GRIPS should note carefully that even if they arrive in Japan at the beginning of October, they will not receive their first stipend until the end of October or the middle of November, depending on when their bank account in Japan is opened.
Q: How much are the approximate monthly living expenses for international students in Tokyo?
A: Cost of living depends on your lifestyle. The following is an example of monthly expenses for a single person in Tokyo.
Item
Cost (yen/per month)
Accommodation/ rent
35,000 – 106,800
Utilities
12,000 – 25,000
Food
40,000 – 80,000
Transportation
8,000 – 15,000
Insurance (health, accident, property)
3,000
Books and study materials
5,000
Telephone & internet
6,000 – 12,000
Leisure & hobbies
20,000
Miscellaneous
20,000 – 50,000
Curriculum, Academic Resources, Graduation Requirements
Q: Do I need to bring a laptop computer to Japan?
A: During your time at GRIPS, you will need to use either your own laptop or the shared PCs installed at GRIPS for student use, for the writing of assignments and your thesis, and for administrative and educational procedures such as course registration. GRIPS recommends that you bring either a personal device from your home country or one purchased in Japan soon after you arrive. In either case, your device must meet GRIPS' specifications. If you purchase a new laptop, we recommend buying one that offers global support.
Note: Students are not allowed to use the shared PCs installed at GRIPS for long periods of time.
Q: I would like to start preparing for courses before my arrival in Japan. Where can I find out more about the curriculum, individual courses, and textbooks being used?
A: Information about the curriculum and graduation requirements for each program can be found on the Master's/Doctoral Programs pages of the GRIPS website and in
the GRIPS Bulletin
. For more detailed information about individual courses, reading materials and such, please check the relevant
GRIPS syllabus
on the GRIPS website.
Admissions
(Japanese) 募集要項
How to Apply
Scholarships / Tuition and Fees
Application Deadlines
Application FAQs
Pre-Arrival FAQs
GRIPS Bulletin
(Academic Information)
GRIPS Bulletin
(Student Life Guide)
7-22-1 Roppongi, Minato-ku, Tokyo 106-8677
TEL : +81-(0)3-6439-6000
FAX : +81-(0)3-6439-6010
PAGE TOP
Print Out
Contact
Website Policy
Privacy Policy
Information Security Policy
Social Media Operational Policy
Copyright © National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies