Life and living expenses
42 Kyoto iUP students (9: living in the dorm, 33: living in the private apartment) answered questionnaires regarding their life and living expenses in Kyoto. The results of the questionnaire survey are shown in the following. (updated on Nov. 2024)
The cost of living
Rough breakdowns of Kyoto iUP student's living expenses (Monthly average)
Food & Lifestyle
Q. What do you think about supermarket and convenience stores in Japan
While convenience stores offer a wide variety of boxed lunches and other foods that are delicious, I am careful not to overuse them because they can be biased in terms of nutrition. I also buy groceries at supermarkets. Recently, the cash registers have become more efficient, and I am able to complete my shopping comfortably.
- Many groceries sold in supermarkets are not expensive, so cooking for yourself is more economical and provides a more nutritious and diverse diet.
Convenience stores are a little more expensive, but convenient when you are short on time.
- It's definitely very convenient. The cooked food are quite expensive in general, so I used to just buy raw ingredients and cook them myself.
- They sell wide variety of ingredients that I am very thankful of. I can cook many different kinds of cuisines with their ingredients.
Q. What do you think about university's cafeterias?
They make good options for quick and cheap meals. But it is crowded due to the university's class schedule and difficult to use if classes run long.
I think it's good! It is crowded during lunch, but during summer and spring break it is not so clowded and really helpful.
- Convenient for students who do not cook for themselves
- It is delicious, inexpensive, and there are many choices. However, those with dietary restrictions, such as halal vegetarians, may not feel the same way.
- Food is ok, good for budgeting.
Q. What do you think about restaurants aroud Yoshida Campus?
I really like the Chinese and Indian food around Kyodai! Kiran is definitely a favorite, please go if you haven't been! !
Many of them are cheap and reasonably tasty, as they are geared toward students. I have lived here for two years now, and I would like to try more restaurants.
- I like "Ambitious Hana", a tsukemen restaurant, the best, even though it is a little far from Kyoto University.
- I think restaurants in Japan are very nice. They serve great food and service. I like ramen so I go to "Kirameki" a lot.
- "Hi-lite" is my favorite restaurant. I think the quality is good while the price is low.
After School
Q. How do you usually spend your weekend?
I am a second year student, so I have been busy. On weekends, I go to Starbucks at Kyoto BAL in Sanjo to study. I also go out to eat and hang out with friends. When I don't have many assignments, I read books.
- I go to my favorite café, study, practice my circle, or just relax. By either studying or hanging out with my friends
- On Sundays, I go to church and sometimes have gatherings with my friends after! I also like to clean my room and do laundry in the morning, and read books in my free time.
Q.Where is your favorite place in Kyoto?
I love the Kamogawa. It's been three years, and yet it still is my favorite. The sound of the running water, the smell of fresh air, the chirp of birds and quack of ducks, the green that goes to the horizon, and the vast, vast blue sky. Coming from a city where there was no preservation of nature whatsoever, you have no idea how blessed and lucky Kyoto is to be superabundant in it.
I like Kamogawa a lot because it is very green and gives the vibe of nature. A good place to talk to friends, read a book, and clear my mind.
- Riverside Cafe, a coffee shop near Demachiyanagi Station - The manager changes depending on the day of the week and time of day, so I always look forward to meeting different managers and enjoying their special dishes.
- Maruzen, a bookstore in Sanjo - I am very happy to find that they sell Western books there! I often buy Japanese novels there to practice my Japanese.
- Sanzenin Temple is so beautiful in any season and less crowded that you can spend the whole day there.
- Mt. Daimonji is my favorite. Although it is not well known, it is easy to climb and offers a panoramic view of Kyoto.
Q. Tell us about any fun or memorable events in your circle or club activities.
I am a member of a dance club, and in preparation for NF, we sometimes practiced until 10 or 11 p.m. in the Piloti of the Faculty of Science Bldg. Everyone was cold and tired, but we worked hard to finish our performance. It was fun and memorable to support each other mentally during such difficult times.
Once a senpai in shorinji kenpo who has graduated joined our practice. He has a black belt and when I practiced with him, it felt amazing because I experienced how strong he is and how fast he is. For me, that was a real shorinji kenpo experience.
- I participate in a jogging circle and an event organizing circle. It is a friendly community with a good atmosphere and you can make Japanese friends from different fields.
- I've gotten along quite well with the other members, so every week of just talking and sharing is so fun. We also went to 鳥羽水族館 last summer! We played guessing games the entire time in the car--it was so funny!
