How foreigners can share a room in Osaka - how to find a place to live

update date 2024/06/04

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A foreign woman sharing a room is reading a book in a friendly atmosphere

Foreign residents who choose to live in Osaka have the option of using a room share to save on rent.

In this article, we will introduce 5 room-sharing options for foreigners in Osaka and explain in detail the advantages and cautions of room-sharing, as well as the differences from a shared house. Please use it as a reference when starting a new life in Osaka.

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What is Osaka like?

Osaka is the central city of Japan's "Kansai" region and the second largest city after Tokyo. It has the largest economic zone in western Japan and is known for its thriving business and commercial activities.

Osaka people are also said to be cheerful and kind, and many people are willing to talk to a foreigner who is lost and alone and guide him or her through the city. Osaka is also famous as a "comedy town" and has produced many popular comedians. Often you can hear interesting conversations as you walk through the city.

Compared to Tokyo, the cost of living is lower and rents are relatively reasonable, making it a comfortable place for foreigners to live.

What is room sharing? Advantages and cautions

Room-sharing refers to sharing a single room or apartment with friends or other people outside of the family. In the case of Japanese rental properties, room-sharing is possible as long as the property is available for multiple tenants.

Let's take a closer look at the benefits and caveats of room sharing.

3 advantages of sharing a room

There are many advantages to room sharing, but the following three points are particularly noteworthy.

1. low rent

The major advantage of sharing a room is that the rent is usually shared among roommates, so each person pays a smaller share of the rent. In many cases, the rent can be cut in half compared to living alone. However, since you will need a larger room to spend your time comfortably, you may not save much money.

2. not lonely because I have a roommate

If you are a foreigner living alone in Japan, you may feel lonely due to language and cultural differences. However, with room-sharing, there is no need to worry about feeling lonely because you are living with a roommate. Having a light on when you come home and someone to talk to will give you peace of mind.

(3) Multiple people can respond to a problem.

Living in a room, you may encounter various problems, such as running out of hot water or having noisy neighbors. With room sharing, you can deal with such problems together with your roommate. You will not have to deal with these problems alone, which will reduce your mental burden.

Three things to keep in mind when sharing a room

Many rental properties in Japan prohibit room-sharing. You may have a hard time finding a place where you can share a room. If you are looking for a place where foreigners are also allowed to live, your options are even more limited.

1. have to find a house that allows roommates

2. having to deal with the situation when someone moves out

It is possible that one of the roommates may move out while sharing a room. If this happens, the person left behind will be forced to pay the entire rent, and there is a risk of a sudden increase in expenses. In order to prevent such problems, it is important to firmly establish rules before moving in.

3. relationship problems may occur

Even if you start sharing a room with other friends who are usually good friends, there is a good chance that your relationship will become strained while living together. You will need to be mindful of your partner's needs and be willing to tolerate differences in lifestyle as long as they are mutual.

It is recommended to use a dormitory in a shared house.

There may be cases where you cannot find a suitable apartment to share a room. In such cases, we recommend the use of a share house. A share house is a form of residence in which tenants share facilities such as restrooms and kitchens, and is similar in many ways to room sharing.

There are two types of share houses: a completely private room type and a dormitory type with shared rooms. With a dormitory, you should be able to live in almost the same way as in a room-sharing house.

There are many foreigner-friendly share houses in Japan that welcome foreign residents. Please check out the following article for more information.
▶︎ 11 typical foreigner-friendly share houses and management companies in Japan!

5 foreigner-friendly share houses in Osaka with room-sharing OK!

Here are five carefully selected share houses in Osaka that we recommend for foreigners to share a room. All of these properties are actively accepting foreign residents, so you should be able to consider them with peace of mind.

If you are looking for a share house in Osaka, please refer to the following article. We have picked out 5 share houses that we recommend and introduce them in detail.
▶︎ 5 foreigner-friendly share houses in Osaka!

1. borderless house

Borderless House is an international share house where people of various nationalities gather. There are dormitory type rooms available for room sharing. There are also rooms with partitions that are semi-private spaces that offer privacy. Recommended for foreigners who feel uneasy about living in Japan.

For more information: ▶︎ Share house Osaka｜International BORDERLESS HOUSE

2. namba house

Popular share house in Namba area. There is also a women-only dormitory room, perfect for sharing a room with friends. There are also many social events held among residents, so it is recommended for those who are looking to meet new people in Osaka.

For more information: ▶︎ Detailed information about Namba House(Kansai/Chubu) - 【 Share Clip 】

3. C's(Si:s)share Tsuruhashi

C's(Si:s)share Tsuruhashi is a women's only share house located in Tsuruhashi. With easy access to Osaka's major spots such as Namba, Umeda, and Tennoji, we recommend this share house for those who want to work in the center of Osaka, or for those who want to casually visit the center. Some rooms are available for pairs, so please consult with us if you wish to share a room.

For more information: ▶︎ C's(Si:s)share Tsuruhashi｜Search shared apartments in Kansai 【 Share's 】

4. shared house DICE

This is a foreigner-friendly share house near Abiko station. The property is beautifully renovated and has full-scale kitchen facilities. Some rooms can accommodate two people.

For more information: ▶︎ Share House DICE｜Search shared apartments in Kansai 【 Shares 】

5. shared house SEN Osaka

SEN Osaka is a large share house with over 30 residents. Residents of various nationalities gather together and enjoy a stimulating communal life. In addition to private rooms, dormitory rooms are also available, making it easy to share a room.

For more information: ▶︎ Share House SEN Osaka｜A large new share house with a rich international flavor where foreigners are OK

How to find a room-share available for rent

In addition to shared houses, room sharing may also be available in regular rental properties. In this case, it is a good idea to use the search function of real estate portals such as Sumo. If you search by specifying your desired conditions, such as "foreigners welcome" or "two people allowed," you should be able to find a room that is available for room sharing.

There are several useful websites where you can find shared houses and rental properties for foreigners. Please refer to the following article for more information.
▶︎ List of websites where you can find a shared house in Japan - How to find a property that welcomes foreigners

Tips and recommended areas for finding a room-shareable property at a reasonable price.

Aiming for an area with low rent in Osaka will increase the possibility of finding a reasonably priced apartment. For example, relatively inexpensive 2LDK/3K/3DK apartments in Osaka City are located in Hirano, Suminoe, Taisho, Higashiyodogawa, and Ikuno wards. Even if it is a little far from the station, it will not be inconvenient if you use a bicycle or other means.

Furthermore, when looking at areas outside of Osaka City, rents tend to be even lower. In particular, the Minami Ward of Sakai City, Daito City, and Kadoma City, in addition to having good access to Osaka City, have relatively low rent prices. If you are budget-conscious, you may want to consider these areas when looking for housing.

However, we do not recommend that you make your choice based solely on the low rent. It is important to make a comprehensive decision by thoroughly checking the facilities necessary for daily life and the convenience of transportation.

How to choose an apartment to share｜2LDK or more is recommended.

To share a room comfortably, a certain amount of space is essential, and 1K to 1LDK apartments may seem quite cramped. Ideally, the room should be at least 2DK, and preferably 2LDK. This will allow you to use the private room and living room separately, making it easier to ensure privacy for both parties.

However, even if the property information states that "double occupancy is allowed," there may be cases where "room sharing is not allowed. In such cases, it is only allowed for married couples or relatives to move in together, but not for friends or strangers to share a room. It is important to check the conditions of the property carefully.

Reference:Osaka Rent Rates

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summary

There are two main ways to practice room sharing in Osaka. One is to use a dormitory in a shared house, and the other is to rent a room in a rental property that can accommodate two people.

In the case of shared housing, many properties offer special services for foreigners, which will make the process of moving in easier. On the other hand, if you are looking to share a room in a rental property, it is recommended to look for a place in an area with inexpensive rent. In Osaka City, Hirano-ku and Suminoe-ku are good places to look, and outside of Osaka City, Sakai City and Kadoma City are good places to look.

Whichever method you choose, you need to understand that there are advantages and disadvantages to room-sharing. It is then important to find a style of room sharing that fits your lifestyle and budget.

We hope that the information in this article will help you realize a fulfilling room-sharing life in Osaka. We wish you a wonderful encounter with a great room!