What are Share Houses/Shared Housing like in Tokyo
Sharehouses in Japan are usually referred to as apartments with both private rooms and lounges, where the residents can hang out, eat together or hold events. And they are becoming very popular because of their foreign-friendly policy.
The size of share houses varies from small ones can accomodate 5 people to big ones that can occupy more than 200 people. Many share houses have their own concepts such as for international exchanges.
In this article, we are going to explain from the pros and cons of share-houses, to the most recommended share houses in Japan.
pros
Easy to move in
The moving-in process in Japan is one thing you really want to avoid. Not only is moving-in an apartment so stressful especially for foreigners, but the initial cost of it is usually very expensive. It can be five times the first rent and you also have to furnish your apartment yourself, which adds up the initial cost.
On the contrary, most share-houses are so foreign-friendly that you can skip much pain in the neck processes, and, in most cases, the initial cost for share houses is by far cheaper than which for an apartment. Rooms usually come with furniture so you can even start living in the share house without move-in shopping.
Rent
The rent for most share houses is usually cheap compared to a single-apartment in the same area. Utilities and internet are usually included in the common service fee and this fee is usually much cheaper than the contract you make with the companies yourself.
community
I personally think the biggest pro of living in a share house is that you can befriend new friends and help each other out.
For example, when you need something or you are sick, you can always ask for help which I guarantee, eases the stress of living in Japan. Japan is far from an easy country to live in for foreigners, so it is always better to have someone help you out.
cons
privacy
Once you get out your room, that’s where the share-area starts and you have to be considerate to other residents. Everyone’s lifestyle is different and sometimes it can be a bitstressful for you. If you live in a sharehouse, a compromise is sometimes needed.
Hygiene
Sharing the restrooms, shower rooms and kitchen with other residents can bother you, especially if you are a clean freak. The bigger share houses are, the dirtier they can get.
You also have to be careful if you move into super cheap share houses because the residents are inclined to lack morals and the share house can be dirty and shabby
If you have a germphobia, share houses would not be the best option for you.
Pros
- Easy to move in
- Rent
- Community
Cons
- Privacy
- Hygiene
11 foreign friendly share houses in Japan
Because of its popularity, the number of shrehouses has been a rapid increase over the past 10 years, which makes picking the right one for you more and more difficult. So we are going to show you 11 foreign-friendly share houses in Japan.
Tokyo area
Will Fuchu
Will Fuchu is located in Fuchu-shi; about thirty minutes by train from the center of Tokyo. This share house is large enough to accommodate 60 residents and many foreigners live there as well. They throw an international party every month so you can communicate with other housemates and make friends easily. I enjoyed talking with housemates when I used to live there.
On the ground floor, Will Fuchu has a huge lounge and a clean kitchen that has several stoves so that many residents can cook at the same time. People often share their food with each other in the dining too.
Moreover, they have a small gym where dumbbells, Bench press, and pullup-bar are set up so residents work out for free. Some residents do Yoga occasionally, too.
The rent fee is 60,000 yen for a private room and 40,000 yen for a dormitory(utility bills and wi-fi included)
Video: https://irodorifactory.com/fuchu_en/
Chateau Life Eze
Chateau Life Eze is in Kawasaki, Kanagawa prefecture. It is about thirty minutes away from the center of Tokyo by trains. The concept of this share house is a medieval castle in southern France and much furniture is made in Europe. You can enjoy living here as if you are living in a condo in the Mediterranean sea.
You can live with many foreigners as well as Japanese people who are very open to foreign culture so it will be easy for you to blend in with the community.
The rent for a private room starts with 85,000 yen and for a dormitory do from 50,000 yen. (utility bills and wi-fi included)
Cross World
What makes Cross World special is its location, this shared house is located between Haneda airport and the center of Tokyo.
The manager and many residents are able to speak English which would ease your move-in stress if you are not confident in Japanese.
They also have a party every month and you can get a complimentary club off membership, You can get that discounts at over 20,000 international and domestic locations.
The rent for a private room starts from 63,000 yen and they don’t dormitory rooms. (utility bills and wi-fi included)
Tokyo Share Shakujii-Koen
Tokyo Share Shakujii-Koen is located in Nerima, which gives you an access to both Shinjuku and Ikebukuro fin about 20minutes by train.
This share house is different from other ones because the concept of it is studying French. Hence you can learn French in addition to Japanese.
This sharehouse is a bit smaller than other ones described (maximum 14 people) but it might help you bond with other sharemates stronger.
The rent starts from 69,000 yen and they don’t dormitory rooms. (utility bills and wi-fi included)
ARDEN
Arden (SHARE STYLE) is a share house company and has more than 25 properties in Tokyo. The size and concept of share houses depend on each house so you can choose the right one for you.
This company is so foreign-friendly that you can talk to them about what you want and they will help you find what you are looking for, too.
There is good news for ladies. Some share houses are only for women so it will suit you if you worry about living with male residents.
The rent varies depending on houses but it is mostly between 60,000~90,000 yen.
BORDERLESS HOUSE
Borderless House is a Tokyo-based and one of the biggest share house companies, which offers foreign-friendly share houses not only in Japan but in South Korea and Taiwan. They have more than 100 houses and give you a wide range of options.
You also get to be part of Borderless house community where you can talk with residents from other share houses and make new friends.
The rent is mostly between 70,000 yen ~90,000 yen.
DK House
If you are looking for a large-scale share house where more than 100 people live together, DK house matches your preference. The DK house in Nerima has 179 rooms, Matsudo has 164 rooms,and Shinkoiwa has 163 rooms. They also have parties and events all the time where you encounter people from all over the world.
Access to the center of Tokyo is also very easy (Ikebukuro 11 mins and Shinjuku 27mins) and the rent starts from 55,000 yen.
634 (MUSASHI)
634 is a foreign and budget-friendly sharehouse located in Asakusa; the heart of the most popular tourist spot. Once you step out of the sharehouse, you are already in the middle of the sightseeing area. Parties and events are sometimes held so making friends would not be a problem for you.
The rent starts from 35,000 for a dormitory and 56,000 for a private room.
Kansai area
J&F House Osaka
J&F HOUSE OSAKA is one of the biggest share houses in Osaka and it accepts foreigners from more than 25 countries. You can learn different cultures and languages just by living there. What makes this share house much more extraordinary other than its diversity is its location; it only takes you 10 minutes to the center of Osaka.
The rent for a private room starts from 45,000 yen.
English House Makikata
English House Makikata is located in Makikata, a suburb of Osaka, about 50 minutes by train. This sharehouse began 50 years ago and is the oldest international share house in Japan.
If you would like to learn Japanese, this is the sharehouse for you because they have Japanese lessons for the residents.
The rent for the private room is from 66,000 yen.
Share House Furuedai
Share House Furuedai is produced by ECC, the largest English teaching company.
They offer English lessons everyday from 6-10 pm and most of the Japanese residents live here to study English.
This area also includes shopping malls, hot springs, and World Expo park that is just around the corner so it is very convenient.
The rent for a private room starts from 55,000 yen and for a shared room do from 33,000 yen.
Kyu-shu area
Discovery Meinohama house
Discovery Mimnohama house is in Fukuoka-city in Kyu-shu. It’s 15 minutes away from the central by trains. In addition to its great accessibility to the central, you can enjoy the share house itself because they have bouldering and darts-bar space inside.
Of course, they have events monthly so interaction with others is no compromised either.
The rent for a private room is from 60,000 yen and for a dormitory is from 50,000 yen.
Sharehouse in Japan
Did you find one you like? Not only is the move-in process very easy and foreign-friendly, but sharehouse gives you lots of opportunities to make new friends or learn cultures. These shared houses mostly have residents who are adept at English so the language barrier would be much weaker. Why don’t you start a new life in Japan by staying in a share house?
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