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5 foreigner-friendly share houses in Osaka!

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Foreign women living in a Japanese share house having a meal

Osaka is the city with the second largest number of foreign residents after Tokyo, but it is not uncommon for people to have difficulty finding a room due to language and cultural differences.

This is where we recommend a foreigner-friendly share house. Since there are many foreign residents as well as Japanese, you do not have to worry about language barriers, and cultural differences can be accepted. Furthermore, the rent is cheaper than renting an apartment for a single person, which is also a big attraction.

In this article, we will introduce five carefully selected share houses in Osaka City and other parts of Osaka Prefecture that are friendly to foreigners. We will also provide information on the characteristics and surrounding area of each, so please take a look at them to help you choose the right room.

If you are a foreigner who has decided to live in Osaka for work or study but are wondering where to live, this is a must-see!

We also recommend the following article, which provides a comprehensive explanation of the appeal of share housing and how to choose a share house.
▶︎ List of websites to find a share house in Japan - How to find a property that welcomes foreigners

▼Goandup Picks Click here for recommended articles!

If you want to live in Osaka, a foreigner-friendly share house is recommended.

Osaka is the second largest city in Japan after Tokyo, and the number of foreigners living in Osaka for work or study is increasing every year. In order to live in Osaka, one must first rent a room. However, in Japan, there is not enough support system for foreigners to rent a room, and in some cases, foreigners are refused to move in because of their foreign nationality.

On the other hand, a foreigner-friendly share house will gladly accept foreigners and reduce the anxiety of living in a foreigner-friendly share house due to language and cultural differences.

In addition, when living alone in Osaka, it is common to rent an apartment, but the initial cost and monthly rent can be quite burdensome. On the other hand, with a shared house, the initial cost is lower than renting an apartment, and the monthly rent is on average 20,000 to 30,000 yen cheaper. It is a great advantage for foreigners to be able to lighten the financial burden of starting a life in a new place.

Thus, if you are a foreigner living in Osaka, a foreigner-friendly share house with language and cultural support and good economic value is a highly recommended option.

What are the advantages of living in Osaka?

Most foreigners who come to Japan tend to live in Tokyo, the capital city, but what are the advantages of living in Osaka, a regional city?

Friendly people.

Compared to Tokyo, Osaka is said to have more talkative and friendly people. In particular, many of the ladies in Osaka are so friendly and helpful that they are often referred to as "the friendliest people in the world.

Osaka is also known as a city of comedy, with many interesting personalities and an ingrained culture of enjoying humorous conversation.

Interacting with local Japanese people in a share house is not only a great way to improve your Japanese language skills, but also a good opportunity to learn about Japanese culture and customs. Interacting with the cheerful and friendly people of Osaka will surely make your life in Japan more enjoyable and fulfilling.

Low prices

In Japan, Tokyo is still the most expensive place to live, and living expenses such as rent and food are expensive. Osaka, on the other hand, is attractive because of its lower cost of living compared to Tokyo.

In particular, rent is considerably lower than in Tokyo. The market price for a share house in Osaka ranges from 40,000 yen to 60,000 yen per room, and even in popular areas of central Tokyo, you can find a place to live for around 70,000 yen. If you look for a property with the same conditions in Tokyo, you will probably pay 20,000 to 30,000 yen more.

Eating out is also not as expensive as in Tokyo. Osaka has many cheap and tasty common restaurants. In particular, the downtown area of Osaka has many old-fashioned, inexpensive, and delicious restaurants where you can enjoy a meal at a common price.

Shopping is also generally less expensive than in Tokyo. The Shinsaibashi area, Japan's largest shopping district, is lined with fast fashion and second-hand clothing stores popular with young people, and trendy items are available at reasonable prices.

Easy to travel by subway and other rail networks

Osaka is characterized by a very extensive railroad network, especially the subway system. The Osaka Municipal Subway System covers all of Osaka City, with a total of eight lines, serving approximately 2.3 million passengers per day, making it the second busiest subway system in Japan after Tokyo.

JR and private railway companies also have lines connecting Osaka city and its suburbs, and the railroad network woven by these companies covers almost all areas of Osaka Prefecture by public transportation.

In particular, the major areas of Osaka such as Umeda, Namba, and Tennoji are terminal stations served not only by subways but also by JR and private railways, making them truly the transportation hub of Osaka.

As you can see, Osaka has a well-developed public transportation system, so you can easily and economically get around by train for your daily commute to work and school, as well as for your holiday trips.

What is the best way to live in Osaka?

Foreigners who are not fluent in Japanese should be aware of the "Kansai-ben" dialect spoken by the people of Osaka. The standard Japanese language learned at Japanese language schools and in Japanese textbooks is the language used in Tokyo and other parts of the Kanto region, but the vocabulary, phrasing, and intonation of the Kansai dialect are slightly different from the standard language.

For example, "I see" in standard Japanese is said in the Kansai dialect as "so you say" or "I don't know" is said as "I don't know" or "I don't know. The Kansai dialect is also characterized by a distinctive rise and fall in intonation and a rhythm of speech that does not exist in standard Japanese.

However, even those who speak Kansai-ben can understand standard Japanese, and the grammar is exactly the same as in standard Japanese, so after a little getting used to it, you should be able to understand it.

You may be confused at first by Osaka's dialect, but that is part of the charm of Osaka, so don't be shy and enjoy communicating.

How to find a share house in Osaka?

If you are looking for a shared house in Osaka, the Oakhouse portal site is a great place to start. This site is designed to help foreigners starting a new life in Japan, where language barriers and unfamiliar housing conditions can be a major barrier, but with Oakhouse you can find your ideal home with peace of mind.

Oak House offers a wide variety of share houses throughout Japan, and tenants can choose from furnished private rooms, properties with large bathrooms, and rooms that are easy to invite friends and family to, according to their needs. Property information is provided in English and other languages, making it easy for foreign residents to understand the contents and make a smooth selection, a major advantage.

The Oak House portal site also allows you to search online by area, train line, commuting time, and many other criteria, so you can efficiently find the property that best suits your needs. Find the perfect home for you while checking real-time updated vacancy information.

If you move into an Oak House property, you will have the opportunity to interact with other residents through the events and workshops provided. You can enjoy a fulfilling community life while learning about Japanese culture and language.

Please check out the Oak House portal for your new life in Osaka. We are sure you will find the perfect share house for you.

To learn more about Oak House, please click on the image below and take a look at the official website. You are sure to find the perfect home for your new life.

5 foreigner-friendly share houses in Osaka

There are many share houses in Osaka where foreigners can live in comfort. Here we will introduce five carefully selected share houses in Osaka City and surrounding areas that are especially recommended for their friendliness to foreigners.

1. BORDERLESS HOUSE

BORDERLESS HOUSE manages a number of share houses for foreigners in Osaka City. In Osaka, properties are located in Benten-cho in Minato-ku, Tamatsukuri in Tennoji-ku, and other areas with good access to Umeda and Namba in the main station area of Osaka City. Rents vary depending on location, but are reasonable, ranging from 40,000 yen to 50,000 yen.

Half of the residents are non-Japanese, and there are people of various nationalities, including Asian, European, and African. 10 to 30 people live in one building, and exchange is very active in this multinational environment.

For more information,click here!

2. C's(Si:s) share

C's(Si:s) share" is a women's only share house located in Osaka City (Fukushima, Kita, Miyajima, etc.) and Kobe City, Hyogo Prefecture. In Osaka, properties are located in major areas such as Kita-ku around Umeda, Chuo-ku where the business districts of Yodoyabashi and Honmachi are located, and Yodogawa-ku around Shin-Osaka Station. All properties are located within a 5-minute walk from the nearest station, offering excellent accessibility.

Kobe is also a city located next to Osaka, about 40 minutes by train from Osaka Station. We also recommend living in Kobe, which is close to Kansai International Airport and has a cosmopolitan atmosphere.

Although some share houses are designed for Japanese, foreign women are also welcome, creating a safe and comfortable living environment. The number of residents is small, around 10 people per building, so each person's privacy is protected in a family-like atmosphere. Rooms are spacious at around 12 square meters, which is just the right size for a woman living alone.

For more information,click here!

3.J&F House

J&F House is an international share house located in Hirano and Nishiyodogawa wards of Osaka City. All properties are located within 30 minutes of Umeda and Tennoji as well, providing very convenient access to the center of Osaka.

In a global environment where half of all residents are non-Japanese, the rent is a reasonable 50,000 yen. Japanese and foreigners cook together and teach each other languages, and exchanges that transcend nationalities take place on a daily basis. English and Japanese language exchange meetings and parties are held frequently, providing ample opportunities to make friends.

For more information,click here!

4. Osaka English House

Osaka English House is a share house located in Hirakata City, Osaka. Hirakata City is located about 30 to 40 minutes by train to the main areas of Osaka City. Originally a share house for Japanese people who wanted to study English, it is now a very international house, with foreigners able to move in as well; in fact, nearly half of the residents are foreigners.

As a language share house where Japanese people who want to learn English gather, it is a good environment for foreigners to learn Japanese. there is an English conversation cafe on the first floor, and events using English are held regularly. This share house is recommended for those who want to communicate with Japanese people in English.

For more information,click here!

5.SPACEGREEN AIKAWA Share House

SPACEGREEN AIKAWA Share House is a share house located in a quiet residential area in Higashiyodogawa-ku, Osaka City. It is only a 1-minute walk from the nearest station, Hankyu Aikawa Station, and has excellent access to Umeda in 15 minutes without transfers. There are supermarkets, convenience stores, and a post office in the neighborhood, so you will have no inconvenience in your daily life.

All private rooms with locks are approximately 10 square meters in size and are equipped with a bed, closet, and desk. Shared areas such as the living/dining room, bathroom, toilet, and washing machine are also kept clean and comfortable. Foreign residents are also welcome, and couples and friends can move in together as well as singles. Pets are also allowed, so we recommend this share house for those who wish to live with pets.

For more information,click here!

Points to consider when choosing a foreigner-friendly share house

When choosing a foreigner-friendly share house, there are several important points to check.

Check the nationality balance of the residents.

When selecting a share house, it is important to pay attention to the nationality balance of the residents. A share house with only Japanese residents is a good place to practice your Japanese, but you will not be able to gain diverse perspectives. 逆に, a share house with only foreigners living in it may not help you improve your Japanese. We recommend a share house that has a good balance of about half Japanese and half non-Japanese residents, so that you can fully enjoy both language learning and cultural exchange.

Check the community's activity

One of the best parts of living in a share house is the opportunity to interact with fellow residents through communal living. Whether or not there are regular social events such as cooking parties, language exchange meetings, and so on, it is an important point to consider. However, avoid choosing a residence based solely on the number of events it offers. It is essential to carefully assess whether the community is suited to your personality and lifestyle.

Visit the property in person

If you are having trouble choosing a share house, one way to get a feel for the atmosphere is to visit the share house in person. Hearing directly from the residents will give you a real sense of the atmosphere of the place. Many share houses offer short-term contracts of 1 to 3 months, so it is recommended to try living in a share house for a short period of time to see if it is right for you.

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summary

Osaka is an easy place for foreigners to live, and there are plenty of options for share houses. In addition to convenient transportation and a low cost of living, Osaka's appeal lies in its ability to interact with people of diverse cultures and ideas.

In particular, a foreigner-friendly share house is a reassuring presence that can ease the anxiety caused by language barriers and cultural differences and provide support for daily life. Learning Japanese language and culture through interaction with Japanese people is also a great advantage.

However, you need to be very careful when choosing a share house. Make sure to carefully assess the balance of nationalities of the residents, the atmosphere of the community, and other factors to determine if the environment is right for you.

The five share houses introduced in this article are all wonderful places that are friendly to foreigners and respect diversity. Please take a look at them and take the first step toward a new life in Osaka. You are sure to have irreplaceable encounters and experiences waiting for you.

In addition to Osaka, there are many share houses popular with foreigners in other cities in the Kansai region. Please check out this article as well.
・5 foreigner-friendly share houses in Kyoto!
・5 foreigner-friendly share houses in Kobe! Rent rates in Kobe are also explained.

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