Location: Dormy Yaotome (women's dormitory) (12-minute walk from Yaotome Station on the Sendai Subway)

What is a student union building?

Student dormitories are safe and secure facilities managed and operated by Kyoritsu Maintenance Co., Ltd., offering private rooms furnished with furniture and appliances, homemade breakfast and dinner, and a wide range of shared facilities and services, with a resident dormitory manager and matron. This time, a staff member from the Student Affairs Division visited Dormy Yaotome, a dormitory for female students at the Izumi Campus, and we will report on their visit.

security

Each student dormitory requires a special key for entry and exit. Security cameras are also installed, ensuring a safe level of security. There is a caretaker's office right by the entrance, and the dormitory head is present until the midnight curfew. If a resident does not return for two or more days without notification, or if there is no coming or going for an extended period, an investigation will be conducted as a precaution. The caretaker also accepts luggage and registered mail. There is a curfew for the women's dormitory, but it has been relaxed, and the time is now later than before. As additional information, the curfew has been abolished for mixed-gender and men's dormitories, and 24-hour entry and exit are now permitted.

Outside the entrance/exit

Inside the doorway

Internal facilities

Shared facilities include a dining hall, a large public bath, a shared kitchen, washing machines, and dryers. Other items such as vacuum cleaners and irons are also available for loan when needed.
Each room is furnished with a bed, desk, chair, desk lamp, storage, curtains, air conditioner, single-burner stove, kitchenette, refrigerator, unit bath, and toilet, so you can start living there by only bringing your bedding and small personal items. Bedding rental is also available for an additional fee.
There are no initial Wi-Fi fees; after applying, you only need to pay a monthly fee of 3,600 yen (excluding tax) to start using the service.
Since gas and water charges are included in the monthly fee, there is no difference in price whether you use the communal bath or the private bath in your room.

Shared space

entrance

In front of the entrance
Shared space

Next to the caretaker's office, COVID-19 countermeasures are also in place.

Washing machine and dryer

In front of the elevator

Next to the elevator

Each room

meal

Regarding meals, for a fixed monthly fee of 17,000 yen, you can enjoy nutritious and satisfying meals for breakfast and dinner Monday through Saturday (meal times: breakfast 7:00-8:30, dinner 18:00-22:00). There are no refunds for missed meals, but considering the unit price (breakfast 385 yen, dinner 715 yen), the fixed-rate plan is a good deal. It is also possible to sign up for a contract without meals, and even with a contract without meals, you can still have meals on the days you wish by paying the fee.
Additionally, on days when meals are not provided, such as Sundays, guests can cook in the shared kitchen, which is available 24 hours a day.

The entire cafeteria

Meals (Example of dinner)

Meal menu and preference form

Shared kitchen space

Shared microwave and kettle

Facility tour

If you are considering visiting, you can do so by making a reservation in advance. You can also participate in an overnight stay with meals included (parental supervision is permitted).

lastly

I've already described the excellent facilities, but I felt that the biggest factor contributing to the sense of security was not only the management by Kyoritsu Maintenance Co., Ltd., which operates the facility, but above all, the personality and thoughtfulness of the dormitory manager and matron.
When they saw the students during meals or when they entered or left the building, the dorm mothers paid attention to any changes in the students' expressions. Not only did they initiate conversations themselves, but they also subtly introduced students from the same university or from the same hometown to each other during meals, encouraging them to become friends. In addition, before the pandemic, they used to hold social gatherings for the residents, and photos of these events were displayed in the dining hall, giving a sense of the atmosphere.
While it may seem more expensive than renting a typical apartment or condominium, considering the peace of mind and services that come with it, it is a facility that I would definitely recommend.