Eco tourism has developed within the last 20 years in Tokyo. Issues like global warming and endangered species has put ecosystem under threat. This has led the nature lovers to come together to preserve and conserve the environment. Companies organizing holidays are concerned that whether their vacation tours are posing a harmful impact on the nature or not.. Tourists are encouraged to keep a check on the effects their holidays have on the environment and the local people of the area as well.
In simple words, having a sense of responsibility towards the environment while we travel is Eco tourism. It is all about exploring nature while keeping its natural beauty intact. An Eco tourism holiday can be a walking holiday, an animal conservation holiday, a desert tour and more. When one is on an Eco tourism holiday they should take a step forward to preserve the environment and acknowledge the local cultures and customs. For eg; while holidaying, staying in a house built with both local and natural materials by the local people so the jobs are supported by the townsfolk.
As one of the most visited global cities in the world, Tokyo attracts millions of expatriates or foreigners every year, be it for work, recreation or ecotourism. But stay in the city can be problematic if a foreigner does not know how to get about and where to look for necessary amenities. Amongst the gravest problems faced by expatriates is the problem of finding proper accommodation.
If one is new in Tokyo, one of the earliest stumbling blocks is to find short stay apartments in a neighborhood that is well-connected. Tokyo is expensive and this suggests that property too is heavily priced, which burns a hole in the pocket of a newbie. The trick is to find a balance between connectivity and affordability. While considering the various neighborhoods in Tokyo, areas like Shibuya, Roppongi, Nishi-Azabu, Shirokane, Ueno and Asakusa are desireable. Planning the budget out is an important factor. Preferably do not exceed 30% of the monthly income. Be sure of the total lease money required to pay before signing an agreement, this involves management fees, service costs and a non-refundable deposit called ‘key money’. Over the years, the city of Tokyo has come to house different types of accommodation. Mansions, apartments and single-household structures are commonly found in the city. The kind of accommodation is closely related to the budget prepared. Outsiders should have an accurate idea about the lease duration.
On an average, property owners in Tokyo prefer not to lease out if the length of stay is less than a year. The tenant typically has to move in within two weeks of signing the agreement. The deal is a little different with serviced apartments, where the minimum length of stay is a month and legal hassles involved are almost nil. A full apartment rental in Tokyo can pose challenges for foreigners as most rental contracts require a month or two of partially refundable security deposit, a month’s rent to the agent, insurance costs, a Japanese guarantor, and a Japanese custom that many foreigners aren’t so fond of – reikin, or key money, which basically a non-refundable “gift” to the owner. Some of these terms are somewhat negotiable, but in desirable. Also, all the fixtures and fittings costs in the apartment have to beard by the tenant.
