[MMM]

I lived in a suburb outside of Osaka in a small apartment. My rent was 65,000 a month. Garbage was about 2000 yen a month. I think my employer paid all fees for form filing. My basic bills weren't that much different than in the US in terms of monthly costs (water, electric, gas, etc.) Parking at my apartment was 20,000 a month.

If you don't need a car, I would avoid it if possible. I think gas is around 3 or 4 times the price it is in the US, and insurance, parking, "free"way use are all expensive. To use the highway to drive from Osaka to Tokyo is around 10,000 yen.