Wait, so does that mean it's relatively cheap to rent or buy in Japan? I know Japan is not a cheap country, but I was wondering relative to other Western countries.
I might want to research if I'd want to live in Japan for a couple of years then, and simply become a remote worker.
I would highly recommend watching the youtube channel "life where I'm from". He's a Canadian from Vancouver who lives in Japan with his family and makes some of the best documentary style films on topics about Japan anywhere. He has quite a few videos on housing at various levels, and a great series on homelessness in Japan (including cheap housing alternatives).
Sharehouses are also relatively common in Tokyo and tend to attract young single people and expats. They're basically dorms with a central kitchen and bathroom and quality varies tremendously. But you can live for hundreds of dollars per month ($500-700) pretty easily (once you learn about all the weird fees that sorta only exist in the Tokyo housing market) and be about 35 minutes from a downtown hub area.
Seoul also has similar cheap housing options. An entire market exists for ultra tiny "study rooms" (goshiwons) that are not much more than a bed, desk and bathroom and might run around $250/mo. Seoul also has Share houses and very small single room apartments that can be amazingly cheap per month if you don't mind paying a large (refundable) deposit up front -- for example, a $10k deposit might find you a decent sizes 2 bedroom 30 minutes from downtown on the subway for $500-600/mo.
Both cities of course have Airbnbs which can be surprisingly reasonable and long-term stays are available.
Japan can be extremely cheap. (Well, it's all relative)
Downtown Tokyo, like Aoyama or Roppongi are expensive, just like Upper West Side Manhattan is expensive. Move out to Saitama/Chiba/Kanagawa (20-30 minute commute to downtown tokyo) and it gets cheap (3bed room apartment for $1000)
Even in Tokyo just shortly out it can get cheap quick. I have friends living in Sangenjaya (2 train stops from Shibuya) and paying $1500 for 3bedroom apartment.
Friends living in Kyoto have huge places for the price but again it depends on where. Popular areas are expensive.
So, I'm pretty sure Japan and Tokyo in particular are cheaper than NYC, LA, SF, Paris, and London. Still, likely your place will be smaller than you're used to.
What makes it expensive for most foreigners is they don't speak the language and they don't know the area so their options are super limited to the expensive options targeting foreigners.
You'll likely want to live downtown, and close to a station, both of which will jack up the cost.
Although Tokyo ranks among the most expensive real estate markets, I’d argue it’s comparable to many mid-size American cities, and deals can often be found on the cheap side, whereas the US has seen the floor on rental prices skyrocket in the last decade. Places tend to be much smaller in Tokyo, but you can still find a studio for well under $1,000/month, which is not really possible where I live (Portland, OR). A studio in Shinjuku, one of the most central and popular wards, can be had for ~$1,000/month.
I might want to research if I'd want to live in Japan for a couple of years then, and simply become a remote worker.