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5 foreigner-friendly share houses in Kyoto!

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A man and woman living in a Japanese share house taking a photo.

Kyoto, with its many world-famous shrines and Buddhist temples, is a popular destination for foreigners. Kiyomizu Temple, Kinkakuji Temple, Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine, and many other historic temples and shrines in Kyoto offer visitors a taste of traditional Japanese culture. In addition, the streets of Kyoto retain the appearance of good old Japan, and just walking along the cobblestone streets will make you feel as if you have stepped back in time.

If you are planning to stay in Kyoto, we recommend a foreigner-friendly share house. In a share house, you will be able to enjoy life in Kyoto to the fullest while interacting with Japanese people and friends from all over the world.

In this article, we will introduce five carefully selected foreigner-friendly share houses in Kyoto. We will provide detailed information on the characteristics of each share house and the surrounding environment. We will also explain the merits and demerits of share houses, so if you are thinking about starting a share house life in Kyoto, please take a look.

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 Kyoto, a foreigner-friendly share house is the way to go!

Kyoto is known as the ancient capital of Japan and is home to many historical buildings that are registered as World Heritage sites. If you want to live in Kyoto while fully enjoying its charms, we recommend a foreigner-friendly share house.

Residents of Kyoto share houses come from all over the world, including the U.S., Europe, and Asia, as well as Japan. The ability to interact with people from diverse backgrounds, transcending language and cultural barriers, is one of the best parts of living in a share house.

Kyoto is also known as a city of international students, and many students attending famous universities such as Kyoto University and Ritsumeikan University also live here. Living in a share house, you will be able to further improve your language skills by living in an international environment where not only Japanese and English, but also Chinese, Korean, French, and many other languages are spoken.

Advantages of Living in a Share House

There are numerous advantages to living in a share house. Here we detail two particularly attractive advantages.

Interact with a variety of people

Foreigner-friendly share houses attract people of various nationalities and cultural backgrounds. There are not only Japanese residents, but also people from English-speaking countries such as the U.S., U.K., Australia, and Canada, people from European countries, and people from Asian countries such as China, Korea, and Taiwan, etc. A wide variety of residents can be found here.

Living in such a multinational environment will create deep exchanges that transcend language and cultural barriers. You will naturally have more opportunities to come into contact with the customs and values of other countries in your daily life, which will help you develop a global perspective.

Another appeal of share houses is that it is easy to connect with others who share the same interests and concerns. For example, residents who are passionate about learning languages can teach each other, or residents who enjoy cooking can prepare meals together.

inexpensive to rent

Another major advantage of living in a share house is the low rent. Compared to renting an apartment for one person, rent in a share house is much cheaper.

The standard rent for a one-room apartment in Kyoto City ranges from 50,000 yen to 80,000 yen, and from 70,000 yen to 120,000 yen for a 1LDK type apartment. It is not unusual for rents to be even higher depending on the location.

On the other hand, in the case of a shared house, the rent for a private room ranges from 30,000 yen to 60,000 yen, and even including common service charges and utilities, it is still a good deal compared to living alone. Even in popular areas close to the city center, being able to live at a reasonable rent is a big advantage.

Cheap rent makes shared housing especially attractive to students and young people on a tight budget. With the money you save, you can spend more on the things you like to do, such as travel, hobbies, and good food.

The next section details the disadvantages of living in a shared house.

Disadvantages of living in a share house

While living in a share house is attractive, there are some downsides. When considering moving into a share house, be very careful of the following two points.

Often not possible to live with friends or loved ones.

Since share houses are basically designed for single people, most of them do not allow friends, lovers, or married couples to live together. In principle, one person is allowed to live in each room, and generally no more than two people are allowed.

For couples or married couples who wish to start living in Kyoto, this is a major disadvantage. Since it is quite difficult to find a shared house where cohabitation is allowed, it is better to rent a regular apartment in that case.

However, you may invite your girlfriend or friend to stay with you. While overnight stays are not permitted, spending time together during the day or in the evening, or sharing meals together is not a problem. As you become friends with your share mates, your friendships will naturally expand.

Sometimes only the younger generation can move in.

In foreigner-friendly share houses, the age range of residents is often relatively uniform. This is because it is easier for people of the same age group to share common topics of conversation and to interact with each other more actively.

For this reason, some share houses place restrictions on the age of residents who can move in. In many cases, the main target age range is from 20s to early 30s, and it is not uncommon for the share house to not accept residents in their 40s or older.

Even if there are no age restrictions, it is necessary to consider the age range of the actual residents. In share houses with many younger residents, it is common to see people chatting and laughing late into the night, and for middle-aged and older residents with different life rhythms, such an environment may be uncomfortable.

However, regardless of age, there are many people in their 40s and older who are enjoying share housing. If you carefully check the age range and lifestyle of the residents before moving in, there is no need to give up on them because of their age.

How to find a share house in Kyoto?

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 site for your new life in Kobe. You are sure to 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 Kyoto City

There are many share houses in Kyoto City that welcome foreign residents. Among them, we have carefully selected five properties that we particularly recommend. We will provide detailed information on the location, surrounding environment, and characteristics of each property, so please take a look.

1. diaz kyoto imadegawaJiasu Kyoto Imadegawa)

Diaz Kyoto Imadegawa" is a newly built share house located in Kamigyo-ku, Kyoto City. Kamigyo-ku is an area with many historical landmarks such as the Kyoto Imperial Palace and Kitano Tenmangu Shrine, where you can experience Kyoto's traditional culture firsthand. The Imadegawa campus of Doshisha University and Ritsumeikan University are also nearby, making it a convenient location for students to commute to school.

The property is located just a 12-minute walk from Imadegawa Station on the Kyoto Municipal Subway Karasuma Line, and Kyoto Station can be reached in 9 minutes by subway, making it ideal for students and young professionals.

In addition, the surrounding area offers an abundance of facilities necessary for daily life, such as supermarkets, gyms, and popular ramen restaurants. The property has been renovated in all rooms and is offered in a clean and like-new condition. Since the property is non-smoking only, a comfortable living space is maintained and an environment for enjoying international exchange is also provided.

For more information,click here!

Oak House Kyoto Kawaramachi (2)Oakhouse Kyoto Kawaramachi)

OAK HOUSE Kyoto Kawaramachi is located in Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto City. Nakagyo-ku is located in the center of Kyoto, where commercial facilities and restaurants are concentrated. Kyoto's representative shopping spots such as Shijo-Kawaramachi and Shijo-Karasuma are within walking distance, so you will have no trouble shopping and dining.

Nakagyo-ku is also home to many historical buildings such as the Kyoto Imperial Palace and Nijo Castle, making it an ideal area for sightseeing. OAK Kyoto Kawaramachi is conveniently located only a 3-minute walk from Kyoto Shiyakusho Mae Station. Located near the Kamo River, residents can also enjoy running and strolling along the river. With multinational residents living in this share house, you can enjoy a fulfilling life in Kyoto while interacting with people from various cultures.

For more information,click here!

3. grand kyoto ekimae (Gran Kyoto Ekimae)

Grand Kyoto Ekimae" is located in Shimogyo-ku, Kyoto City. Shimogyo-ku is a major transportation hub centered on Kyoto Station, and is also a center for business and shopping. Grand Kyoto Ekimae is located only a 6-minute walk from Kyoto Station, which is very convenient for transportation, and features excellent access to various transportation systems, including the Shinkansen bullet train.

Grand Kyoto Ekimae is also located between Higashi Honganji Temple and Shoseien Garden, allowing you to enjoy a quiet environment while experiencing Kyoto's culture. Furthermore, all private rooms come with a toilet and kitchen, allowing you to enjoy cooking your own meals while maintaining your privacy. This share house is especially recommended for those who work from home.

For more information,click here!

1. BORDERLESS HOUSE

BORDERLESS HOUSE is a 展開する foreigner share house management company based in Tokyo, with properties in the Kansai area. There are 5 share houses in Kyoto City, scattered in convenient areas such as Saiin and Hanazono in Ukyo-ku, and Nishijin in Kita-ku and Kamigyo-ku, where you can commute to Ritsumeikan University and Doshisha University by bicycle.

Some of Kyoto's best sightseeing spots, such as Ryoanji Temple, Ninnaji Temple, and Arashiyama, can be reached by bicycle, while others are only a 15-30 minute bus ride away, making this the perfect location for those who want to enjoy sightseeing in Kyoto. Properties in the Nishijin area are also convenient for commuting to Ritsumeikan University and Doshisha University. With both campuses only a 5 to 10 minute bike ride away, this share house is recommended for university students and international students alike.

About half of the residents are non-Japanese, making it a truly international environment, and there are many Japanese residents as well, creating an environment where residents can enjoy global exchange while familiarizing themselves with the Japanese lifestyle.

For more information,click here!

5. J-STAY

J-STAY" is a very popular management company among foreigners, operating more than 20 properties and 150 rooms in Kyoto City. The properties are scattered around Kyoto's most popular areas, including the Kyoto Station area in Shimogyo-ku, the Kyoto University area in Sakyo-ku, and the Kiyomizu-dera area in Higashiyama-ku.

Popular tourist spots such as Nijo Castle, Nishiki Market, Kiyomizu Temple, Yasaka Shrine, and Sanjusangendo are easily accessible from each property, and the nearest station is within walking distance.

Some of J-STAY's properties are renovated machiya or old private houses. The appeal of these properties is that you can enjoy Kyoto's unique experience, such as living in a machiya while gazing at the tsuboniwa garden characteristic of Kyoto machiya, or enjoying an emotional life in a good old-fashioned Japanese-style house.

For more information,click here!

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summary

Kyoto is not only one of Japan's leading tourist cities, but also an international city that attracts travelers and students from all over the world. If you want to live in Kyoto, a city blessed with historical buildings and beautiful nature, we recommend a foreigner-friendly share house.

When choosing a share house, it is important to carefully understand the advantages and disadvantages before looking for a property that meets your needs. The five share houses introduced in this article are all particularly popular properties in Kyoto that welcome foreign residents.

Please take a look at these share houses for your new life in Kyoto. We are sure you will find the perfect property for you.

In addition to Kyoto, there are many other attractive share houses in the Kansai region. Please refer to the following article for a detailed explanation of the share house situation in the Kyoto area.
・5 foreigner-friendly share houses in Osaka!
・5 foreigner-friendly share houses in Kobe! Also explains the charm of Kobe!

I wish you a wonderful share house life in Kyoto!

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