FAQ

What is ISDAK?

ISDAK stands for International Students Dormitory Association of Kodaira, an organization to which all students living in the International Student Dormitory Hitotsubashi Dormitory belong, and is the common name of the dormitory itself.
ISDAK is located on Hitotsubashi University's Kodaira International Campus. In addition to ISDAK, there are facilities of other organizations on campus, including the Open University of Japan's Tama Campus and the National Institution for Academic Degrees and University Reform.

Where is ISDAK?

ISDAK is located at Hitotsubashi University Kodaira International Campus (1-29-1 Gakuen-Nishi-machi, Kodaira, Tokyo 187-0045). The most convenient way to get to the campus is to take the Chuo Line from central Tokyo to Kokubunji Station, transfer to the Seibu Tamako Line, and get off at Hitotsubashi Gakuen Station. It takes less than an hour from Tokyo Station by train, and less than two hours from Haneda and Narita airports.

I've never heard of Kodaira City...

Most of the dorm residents have never heard of Kodaira City until they entered the dormitory (also, they may have never heard of the "Seibu Tamako Line"). Kodaira City seems to sell itself as "the petit countryside closest to the city center," and is known as a quiet town with a lot of nature, with blueberry farms nearby as the birthplace of blueberry cultivation and the Tamagawa-josui water flowing through the city. As a side note, in November 2020, the town was featured in TV Tokyo's "Dekago! Admatic Tengoku" on TV Tokyo in November 2020, which may or may not have been a topic of conversation among dorm residents (the program itself cannot be seen, but the ranking is here!

When was ISDAK established?

Hitotsubashi University Kodaira International Campus itself was established after Hitotsubashi University abolished the Kodaira Branch in 1996. The name "ISDAK" was adopted by the students in 2007.

What makes ISDAK unique?

ISDAK's motto is "to create a safe and comfortable place for each and every resident to live," and we have created an environment where residents can accept each other's diversity and engage in international exchange. Student staff members such as RAs (Resident Assistants) and CAs (Community Assistants) play a central role in providing support to dorm residents in terms of both hardware, such as facilities, and software, such as events and problem solving.
In addition, this ISDAK has students from different years, different faculties, and different universities with various backgrounds, making it a unique student dormitory unlike any other in Japan. You can make friends from the same grade, consult with seniors in your department, exchange opinions with students from different universities, and communicate in languages other than Japanese, which is an experience you cannot have anywhere else.

An Internet search for "Kodaira International Campus" brings up the 2008 underage drinking extortion case...

Indeed, the underage drinking extortion incident that occurred in 2008 took place at this Kodaira International Campus. However, this incident was committed at the Hitotsubashi Dormitory by the Hitotsubashi Dormitory Management Committee, which was located on the same grounds, and is completely different from the FL (Floor Leader) staff, the predecessor of the RA and CA organizations that operated the International Student Housing. Due in part to this drunken incident, the Hitotsubashi Dormitory Management Committee was dismantled in 2012.
Student staff such as RAs and CAs are aware of the dangers of underage drinking and forced drinking, and in cooperation with the Plaza Management Office and Hitotsubashi University, they plan and operate safe events in accordance with the "Hitotsubashi University International Student Housing Drinking Agreement" established by Hitotsubashi University. Specifically, when planning an event that involves drinking, we always apply to the university in advance, and when serving alcoholic beverages, we check the age of the participants with ID cards, and the management staff checks to make sure that they are not being forced to drink alcohol.
In addition to the alcohol harassment described above, discrimination based on gender, race, nationality, etc. may occur at ISDAK because it is a place where students from various backgrounds come together. ISDAK promotes diversity education through regular education for student staff, guidance for dorm residents when they enter the dormitories, and periodic workshop events.

How many people are there is ISDAK?

As of November 2022, more than 700 of the 785 rooms are in use, with students from 35 countries and regions, including Japan. This is due to a decrease in the number of dormitory students due to the new coronavirus; in the period prior to the spread of the infection, there were more than 550 dormitory students from more than 50 countries and regions.

I heard that there are students from other universities besides Hitotsubashi University...

In addition to Hitotsubashi University students, ISDAK is home to international students from three nearby national universities (Tokyo Gakugei University, University of Electro-Communications, and Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology). as of January 2021, the number of international students has been decreasing due to the new coronavirus, and the three universities together have over 100 students.

How many international students are here?

As of November 2022, the ratio of Japanese students to international students is 4:6.
There are various categories of international students, including "regular international students" who are enrolled in a regular university program, "exchange students" who are enrolled for only six months or a year, and "research students" who are enrolled in a program before enrolling in a regular program.

What is the male/female ratio?

The ratio of men to women is approximately 50-50.

How is room assignment done?

Hitotsubashi University is in charge of room assignments, and student staff have no authority over room assignments. The room assignments are made in such a way that there is no bias in terms of grade or affiliation. However, if you have special circumstances regarding your room assignment, you may enter them in your application.

What is the difference between shared and private room types?

The basic facilities are almost the same. The shared type consists of 6 rooms in a unit, with an inner hallway leading to the kitchen and shower rooms. The private room type has an entrance, a shoe box, a washbasin, and a toilet inside the room, which makes the room a little larger, but the kitchen and shower room are located off the outer corridor, which is one of the advantages and disadvantages of this type.

Will there be cleaning services?

Common areas such as kitchens, shower rooms, and common type toilets are cleaned by a simple cleaning service, but basically dorm residents themselves cooperate to keep them clean. In addition, no cleaning is done in the private rooms. This means that you will have to clean the toilets and other facilities inside your private room type room by yourself. Please do your best.

How do you dispose of garbage?

There is a large garbage bin in the common area, and garbage from private rooms is separated and disposed of according to Kodaira City rules. The garbage is collected by a cleaning company every weekday, so it is convenient to dispose of garbage regardless of the garbage collection day in Kodaira City.

What kind of furniture is provided in the private rooms?

Please refer to Hitotsubashi University's web page for more information about the facilities and equipment in the private rooms and common areas (the link ishere)!

How do I get to Hitotsubashi University's Kunitachi Campus?

The majority of dormitory students seem to go by bicycle. The bike ride to Hitotsubashi University is about 5 kilometers one way and takes about 20-25 minutes. There is a long downhill just before you reach Kunitachi, so the ride to Hitotsubashi University is comfortable, but the ride back may be a bit difficult.
By train, the most common way is to take the Seibu Tamako Line from Hitotsubashi Gakuen Station to Kokubunji Station, and then transfer to the Chuo Line to get to Kunitachi Station. The journey takes about 30 minutes and is more comfortable than by bicycle, but the Chuo Line is frequently delayed and the Seibu Tamako Line runs only once every 10 minutes, so it is recommended that you leave the dormitory with plenty of time to spare.

Can I use the bicycle parking lot or parking lot?

Bicycle parking is free for dorm residents, and there are quite a few places to park your bicycle, so feel free to do so. The Kodaira area is not well covered by trains or buses, so a bicycle is a good thing to have, as it will expand your range of activities.
Parking is allowed for temporary use, such as transporting luggage, but long-term parking across days is not allowed. Please understand this.

Is there a supermarket nearby?

There is an "Amaike" in front of Hitotsubashi Gakuen Station, a "Big-A" in the shopping area at the north exit, and several major supermarkets such as "Lopia" and "Summit" on the way to Kokubunji Station. As a side note, Summit is also adjacent to a home improvement center called "Konan," which is very useful in many ways.

Is there a hospital nearby?

There is a general hospital, Hitotsubashi Hospital, about a 7-minute walk away, and several smaller clinics within walking distance.

What about food?

Since meals are not provided in the dormitories, students must either cook for themselves or eat out (there is a "cafeteria" on the premises, but this is a remnant from when classes were held at the Kodaira Campus and is no longer in operation).
There are several supermarkets nearby, so many dorm residents buy ingredients and cook for themselves. One thing to note is that the stoves in the dormitories are induction stoves, so even if you buy a frying pan that is designed for direct flame cooking, you cannot use it (I once had a crying experience with a frying pan I bought at IKEA that I thought was cheap but could not be used on a direct flame).
As for eating out, there are many restaurants in the vicinity of the dormitory, and I have the impression that many dorm residents return to the dormitory after finishing their meal after class at Kokubunji. If you commute by train, it is a good idea to eat at Kokubunji Station since you will have to change trains at the station.

How do you do laundry?

There are washers and dryers on each floor and in the common units (free of charge, not coin-operated). The washing machine is approximately 7 kg in weight, which should be enough for a single person to do laundry twice a week. The dryer is gas-powered and weighs 5 kg. It is useful during the rainy season and winter.
Washers and dryers can be used at any time of the day, but tend to be crowded on weekends due to the number of people using them. Also, please note that washing clothes late at night can cause noise.
There is also a coin laundry nearby, which some dorm residents use for laundering large items such as sheets and sneakers.

How do you clean up?

There are paper-pack vacuum cleaners in each common area, so some dorm residents borrow them and vacuum indoors. However, since the floor space is not large to begin with, it should be fine if you clean it regularly with flooring wipers, etc. The more difficult part is the toilets, which are often left alone. The more difficult part is the toilet, which is often left unattended. (If you go to the plaza management office, they will give you advice on cleaning.)

It looks like there are only shower rooms, no baths?

Unfortunately, both shared and private types have only shower rooms and no bathtubs. This can be quite difficult to bear in winter.
Originally, there was a "Kodaira Bathhouse" within walking distance, but it was recently closed, leaving only super public bathhouses as a means of taking a bath. However, I have the impression that not many people use these facilities in winter because they get cold after taking a bath on the way back home by bicycle.

How much are the monthly fees?

The fees paid for ISDAK are as follows
(1) Room fee: For a single room, it is 24,000 yen per month.
(2) Common expenses: The fee is 2,900 yen per month, which is used to operate and maintain the equipment and facilities.
(3) ISDAK expenses: The money is used by the student staff to run the facilities and events in the dormitory and is 2,000 yen per month.
(4) Water bill: The price is fixed.
(5) Electricity (private room portion): This is the electricity bill for the use in your room.
(6) Electricity (common area): Electricity used in common areas such as the kitchen and shower rooms, divided by the dorm residents (gas for showers and dryers is also included here).
Although it is difficult to make a general statement because the amount of utility expenses in (4) to (6) varies depending on the amount used, the average annual utility expense is around 10,000 yen per month.

May I leave cooking utensils in my private room?

Depending on the type of cookware, it is not recommended, considering that the allowable current capacity of the breaker in the private room is not that high and that cooking can cause odors to get on the wallpaper. As an image, many people place simple electric kettles and coffee makers indoors, while many people place mixers and rice cookers in the kitchen for cooking.

Can parents stay overnight?

Although regulations allow visitors from outside the dormitory, including family members, to visit the dorm, overnight stay is strictly forbidden from a security standpoint.
As of March 2021, due to Hitotsubashi University's policy regarding the new coronavirus, the Kodaira International Campus is closed to all but dormitory students and other related personnel. Therefore, parents and guardians are also not allowed to enter the campus. Please understand this in advance.

Are there any other rules I should be aware of?

When you move in, you will be asked to sign an "Occupancy Pledge" and abide by the rules written on it. The following is an excerpt of some of the rules written in the "Tenant Pledge".

• Smoking, including electronic cigarettes, is prohibited in the rooms. Please smoke in designated areas.
• Pets are not allowed.
• You are responsible for managing your valuables. The Management Office, Security Guard Office, and the University will not be held responsible for any lost items.
• Students who fail to pay the dormitory fee, utilities, etc. by the designated due date will be evicted from the dormitory.
• If there is any damage or defacement in the room, you are responsible for paying for it and restoring the room to its original condition.
• Please do not make noise or engage in any other behavior that is inconsiderate to the neighborhood, neighboring rooms, etc.

Is there a curfew? Also, do I need to notify you if I stay out overnight?

There is no curfew. (Due to the outbreak of the new coronavirus, all other entrances are closed at all times.) As a side note, more important than the curfew is the last train time of the Seibu Tamako Line, which runs through Hitotsubashi Gakuen Station, the closest station to the dorm.
You do not need to notify us about overnight stays, but if you will be away from the dormitory for more than two weeks, please notify the Plaza Management Office in advance. This is to facilitate communication between the Plaza Management Office and dorm residents in case of any problems.

Is internet connection available?

Internet access in ISDAK is contracted collectively by Hitotsubashi University, so there is no need for individual dormitory students to subscribe to the Internet. There are two ways to connect to the Internet
(1) How to connect to the Wi-Fi router in the kitchen and other common areas
　If you have a smartphone or tablet, you can connect (Wi-Fi password will be provided when you enter the dormitory). While this is convenient because you do not need any equipment, it may not be suitable for watching online classes, etc., because you can only connect in the common areas and the speed tends to drop when multiple people connect at the same time due to the router's performance.
(2) How to connect in a private room
　You will need to purchase your own equipment such as LAN cables and Wi-Fi routers, but we ask that you connect to the Internet in your own room as much as possible because you can have a stable connection in your own room. It would take a long time to talk about equipment, so for now, we think you should buy LAN cables that are Category 6A or Category 7, and Wi-Fi routers that are labeled "11ac". For details, please inquire at an electronics retailer.
In addition to the above two methods, there is also free Wi-Fi in the Plaza building, and some dorm residents take online classes in the conference room, which is also open for online classes. This is recommended if you have trouble concentrating in your room or if you want a change of atmosphere.

I would like to be an RA or CA, how can I become one?

Hitotsubashi University recruits student staff twice a year, in the spring (recruitment around November, hiring the following April) and in the fall (recruitment around June, hiring in September). The recruitment period and the number of positions available vary each time, so please check Hitotsubashi University's website (link is here)
For students from other universities, please check the website of your university, as the application period differs from university to university.

What is the ISDAK fee?

The ISDAK fee is a fee that all dorm residents living in ISDAK are required to pay, and the RA determines how it is used. The fee is used to distribute floor money that can be used on each floor, to maintain the facilities used by all dorm residents, and to run events held in the dorm. Every year around December, a budget is prepared for the next fiscal year, and this budget is executed after deliberation by the dorm residents.

What infection control measures are taken in the dormitory?

In ISDAK, we are taking measures such as regular alerts via the dorm mailing list, etc., alcohol gel in each common area, and asking students to wear masks when using common areas. In addition, based on Hitotsubashi University's activity guidelines regarding the new coronavirus, entry to the Kodaira International Campus is currently restricted to dormitory students and related personnel.

In the event of an outbreak of new coronavirus infection within ISDAK, Hitotsubashi University will respond under the direction of the Public Health Center and Hitotsubashi University Health Center. Please contact Hitotsubashi University for further information.

How are events in the dorms run?

Essentially, ISDAK holds "four major parties," which are standing buffet parties to which all dorm residents are invited at the time they move in or out of the dormitory, as well as other events held in the dormitory each month.