Housing Culture Comparison

Korea has the globally unique 'jeonse' system, where tenants pay a large deposit and live rent-free, while landlords use the deposit for investment returns. Japan uses 'shikikin' (deposit) and 'reikin' (key money) systems.

Japan's reikin is money paid as gratitude to the landlord and is non-refundable upon moving out. This concept doesn't exist in Korea, often surprising Korean students and workers in Japan.

Also, Korea overwhelmingly prefers apartments (mansions), while Japan tends to prefer one-room mansions in cities and detached houses (ikkodate) in suburbs.