For those of you who are interested in Kodaira Dormitory, we provide you with niche information about the dormitory!
Hello, I am a member of the RA Report Team! I have been living in Kodaira Dormitory for about 2.5 years. I have become quite accustomed to life in the dormitory.
However, when I first entered the dormitory two years ago in March, I knew almost nothing about life in the Kodaira dormitory. I remember I was anxious anyway.
Even when I searched for "Hitotsubashi University_Kodaira Dormitory_Life," I couldn't find any information!
Perhaps those who are considering entering the dormitory in the future must be suffering from the same lack of information as I was at the time...!
So, in this issue, I would like to share with you some useful tips about life in Kodaira Dormitory that I know because I am a dorm resident! When you become a dorm resident, there might be a big difference between knowing about it and not!
The ISDAK official page, where this blog is posted, has answers to frequently asked questions, so if you have any basic questions, please refer to the FAQ page!
1) Which supermarkets, convenience stores, and home centers do you go to for food and daily necessities?
I will introduce the stores I often go to! When I was in my first year of college, I used to run around on my bicycle trying to get groceries as cheaply as possible for even one yen!
Walking distance from dormitory
- AMAIKE
A local supermarket popular with dorm residents. The store is small, but it stocks a wide range of groceries. The best thing about this shop is its location! It is a 5-second walk from the station gates! Prices are the same as general supermarkets, and many vegetables and fruits are cheaper than major supermarkets. Cash only!
- Big-A
A discount supermarket hidden behind the shopping street on the other side of the station. Prices are low and quality is okay. PayPay or cash only, but they are open until late at night.
- ROPIA
A large-volume, high-quality, low-priced supermarket that is currently in fashion! From the main gate of the dormitory, go right and cross the bridge and road to get there in about 15 minutes on foot. It is best to go by bicycle if possible. This place has the best prices for cosmetics! However, be careful not to buy too much perishable food, as many items are large in volume ! Note that it is cash only and closes at 7pm!
- SUNDRAG
A well-known drugstore. Located next to Lopia. It is best to go there by bicycle if possible. I buy most of my daily necessities (shampoo, detergent, etc.) here.
- LAWSON
A well-known convenience store chain. It is located about a minute walk from the station. Since there is currently no copy machine in the dormitory, this is the closest copy machine to the dormitory.
- 7-Eleven
Japan's largest convenience store chain. It is located near the station, although it is a little bit far from the dormitory. Seven Bank ATMs are useful as many banks offer free service fees.
Within bicycling distance from the dormitory
- Summit
A household supermarket about 10 minutes away by bicycle. The prices are reasonably low and the store is large and spacious, making it comfortable to shop! There is a Kohnan next door. - Gyomu Supermarket
A discount store about 15 minutes away by bicycle. Large volume and low prices for business use! You can get imported foods and seasonings from all over the world cheaper than Cardi and other stores. It is very fun to go there sometimes to find rare foods.
- Welcia
A drugstore about 5 minutes away by bicycle, open 24 hours a day.
- Kohnan
A home center next to Summit. You can find everything from daily necessities to bedding and furniture. It is hard to walk there, so take a bicycle or bus.
In addition, there are many other stores for daily necessities, such as Inageya, Sugi Pharmacy, Seiyu, and Maruetsu. Some people also go to Nitori at Tachikawa Station when buying furniture, cooking equipment, and so on. It is good to know them all!
➁Should I commute from the dorm to the university by bicycle or by train?
Here is a summary of each transportation method in terms of time and cost.
Bicycle
Commuting time: 20~25 minutes
Cost: None (purchase and maintenance of a bicycle is required)
Note: Basically, bicycles cannot be used on rainy days. It is hard to go uphill on the way from the university to the dormitory. It is freezing cold in winter.
Train (Seibu Tamako Line Hitotsubashi Gakuen - JR Chuo Line Kunitachi)
Commuting time: 30 minutes
Cost: 330 yen one way, 4,240 yen for 1 month pass, 22,920 yen for 6 months pass
Note: Need to change trains between Seibu Tamako Line and JR Chuo Line. The Seibu Tamako Line has one train per 10 minutes; the JR Chuo Line has frequent delays.
My personal conclusion is thatif you are confident in your physical fitness and want to save money, I recommend commuting by bicycle. If you are "not good at exercise" or "want to be fashionable," I recommend commuting by train.
The hills on the bicycle route are a bit tough even for me, who was in the sports club in elementary, junior high, and high school. The roads are narrow despite the amount of traffic, so at first I was a bit scared to ride my bicycle to school. In addition, the wind blows hard while riding a bicycle, which makes my hair a mess. I set my hair up well at the dorm, but by the time I arrived at the university, it was all messed up. Of course, there are individual differences, but if you want to put more effort into your hair and fashion, you should commute by train for sure.
However, the downside of commuting by train is the high cost of the commuter pass. Also, the low number of trains, frequent delays, and crowded trains on the way to school can be stressful for some people.
As mentioned above, both modes of transportation have their advantages and disadvantages, so choose the one that best suits your priorities and preferences!
③I was worried about whether I would fit in and get along with my dormitory-mates.
I was also worried about whether I would fit in and get along with my dormitory floor mates. I myself had these concerns when I first moved in. In conclusion,Don't worry!You will get along with them!However,it is important to "participate in ISDAK events" and "be willing to interact with your floor mates".
To be honest, it is possible to live in the dormitory without trying to get involved with other residents so much. If you don't visit the common areas except to cook or do laundry, and you basically go out or stay in your room, you can live in the dormitory with very little contact with other residents.
However, this lifestyle is too wasteful. Floormates have diverse backgrounds and come from very interesting histories and personalities. The opportunity to be deeply involved with people like them is surely something you can only get by living in an international dormitory. First you should feel free to talk to them (in English)!
Furthermore, the more friendly the dorm residents are on the floor, the less trouble there tends to be among them. It is important to be active in interacting with other dorm residents in order to have a successful co-living experience with them!
But, it is not easy to do so immediately, but don't worry! We, RAs and CAs, who are the caretakers of your floor, will support your life and interaction on your floor! If you need help, you can always count on us!
In addition, ISDAK, the student government organization of the dormitory, holds various events for dorm residents, including four major parties! Please join us and enjoy all the fun with your floor mates and other dorm residents ! The parties are featured in a separate article on this blog, so check it out!
These three questions have been answered from a dorm student's perspective!
I hope they will be of some help to future new dorm residents!
If you have any questions about the dorms that are not answered in this blog or the FAQ, please send them to the official ISDAK Instagram or to our email: isdak.report@gmail.com!
The information in this blog is current as of December 7, 2023.
Please refer to the official information for the most up-to-date version.
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