Five foreigner-friendly social apartments in Tokyo!

update date 2024/06/03

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Some of the recently popular "social apartments" have many foreigners living in them, and are recommended for foreigners who are starting out in Tokyo. Social apartments are characterized by the fact that, while living alone, they have a shared lounge and kitchen where you can enjoy socializing with other residents.

In the general search for a rental apartment, there is often a language barrier, which can be a challenge for foreign residents. However, with Social Apartment, you can rest assured that you will have a reassuring ally in terms of both language and lifestyle, with English-speaking staff to assist you and advice from senior foreign residents who are accustomed to life in Japan.

Therefore, in this article, we will introduce the appeal of social apartments and recommended social apartments for foreigners in Tokyo. If you are a foreigner who wants to enjoy a fulfilling Tokyo life in a social apartment, please take a look at this article.

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If you want to live in Tokyo, social apartments are the way to go!

For a foreigner to live alone in Tokyo, he/she must first rent a room. However, for a foreigner living in Japan for the first time, it can be difficult to find a room in Japan. Due to language barriers and cultural differences, it can be difficult to find an ideal apartment.

We recommend "Social Apartment" apartments for such foreigners to live in Tokyo. Social apartments are easy for foreigners to live in, and many of them are English-speaking and foreigner-friendly, so you can rest assured that you are in good hands. Social apartments are characterized by the gathering of people who share the same interests and goals. You will be able to start your new life in Tokyo while enjoying interaction with other foreigners and Japanese people.

What is a Social Apartment? Attractiveness and Disadvantages

A social apartment is an apartment with a lounge where residents can socialize with each other. It is like a share house, where you can easily make friends with other residents.

Each social apartment has its own concept, and each property is characterized by people with the same interests and goals. There are social apartments where people who want to study English or meet foreigners gather, making it an enjoyable place for foreigners to live.

Difference between Share House and Social Apartment

While social apartments are similar to share houses in some respects, they differ significantly in several ways, including the building structure, the way they are lived in, and the way the shared space is managed. Let's take a look at the main differences between share houses and social apartments.

1. building structure

Share houses are mainly wooden houses or small apartments, and most have fewer than 20 rooms. The walls between units are thin, and privacy is restricted because you have to pass through the living room to get to your room.

Social apartments, on the other hand, are often reinforced concrete or steel-framed condominiums with an average of about 60 large rooms. The units are separated from each other by concrete walls to ensure privacy.

2. differences in the way of living

In a shared house, it is common for several people to share a single residence. While this has the advantage of keeping rent low, the close proximity between residents means that you will have to pay more attention to your personal relationships.

In contrast, social apartments are designed to be lived in alone. While maintaining a certain distance from other residents, you can enjoy socializing in luxurious lounges. The appeal of these apartments is that they offer both independent living and a moderate level of social interaction.

3. management of common space

The shared space in a share house is characterized by a strong sense of ownership by all residents. Cleaning and management is often the duty of the residents, and personal belongings are sometimes left unattended, creating an at-home atmosphere.

On the other hand, the common space in social apartments is managed by the management company. Cleaning and management are performed by employees of the management company, so they are always kept clean. Another major feature is the large and well-developed common spaces, such as lounges, work spaces, and theater rooms.

(data) item	share-house	social apartment
Building Structure	Wooden house or small apartment	Reinforced concrete apartments
Number of rooms	Less than 20 rooms	Approximately 60 rooms
privacy	Thin walls, privacy restrictions	Concrete wall, privacy
way of living	Shared by several people, low rent.	One person is assumed to live alone, with social interaction.
Shared Space Management	Managed by residents, at home	Managed by management company, always clean
Common Space	Small scale such as living room	Large scale including lounge and theater room

As described above, there are significant differences between share houses and social apartments in terms of housing type, privacy, and management of shared space.

Share houses are recommended for those who want to enjoy social interaction with other residents while keeping rent low. Social apartments, on the other hand, are suitable for those who want to enjoy a moderate level of social interaction in a well-developed common space while leading an independent life.

If you are interested in a share house, please check this article for a detailed list of foreigner-friendly share houses in Tokyo.
▶︎ 5 foreigner friendly share houses in Tokyo - cheap houses can be found!

Social Apartment Attraction

The main attraction of a social apartment is that you can live alone and still enjoy socializing with other residents, but that is not the only advantage of living in a social apartment. Here are four unique advantages of social apartments.

1. meet people with similar interests and goals

Social apartments bring together people with the same interests and goals, such as music lovers, movie buffs, and those who want to study English. When people with the same hobbies as you gather together, you will naturally deepen your interactions.

There are many new encounters to be had in a social apartment, whether it is over a common topic or enjoying a hobby together. Especially for foreigners, you may make friends who can share the culture and language of your home country.

2. stylish and fun lounge

Social apartments have stylish lounges where you can relax and have fun just by spending time there. You can also enjoy socializing in the lounge by inviting friends over for a party or cooking together.

Furthermore, there is a private theater for movie lovers and a gym for exercise enthusiasts, so you can enjoy your hobbies to the fullest. With the full range of facilities, you will be able to spend quality time in your apartment without having to go out.

Unlike a shared house, privacy is ensured.

While the appeal of a share house is the opportunity to interact with residents, the drawback is that it is difficult to ensure privacy, as rooms are shared and there are few bathrooms and toilets.

Social apartments, on the other hand, allow you to have a lot of privacy in a room that is just like a regular apartment. You can relax and unwind in your own private space, which is ideal when you are tired or want to be alone.

4. maintain a reasonable distance from residents

Because the interaction between residents in a share house is so intense, it can become bothersome even for those who like spending time with others. Even if you like to spend time with people, it can become a hassle even for those who enjoy spending time with other people.

On the other hand, with a social apartment, you only need to go to the lounge when you want to socialize, so you can maintain a reasonable distance from other residents. You can socialize at your own pace, so whether you are a socialite or not, you will be able to live a stress-free life.

Disadvantages & Cautions of Social Apartments

Social apartments are attractive, but there are some disadvantages and points to note compared to share houses and other types of housing. If you want to live in a social apartment, be sure to understand these points in advance.

Rent is not cheap.

Social apartments are only for socializing, so they are not intended to be cheap to live in like share houses. Therefore, the rent is about the same as that of a regular apartment, or even higher in some properties with luxurious lounges.

If you are going to live in a social apartment, you need to make sure in advance that the rent is within your budget. Also, be aware that fees such as common service charges and management fees vary from property to property.

Only a limited number of areas to live in.

As of 2024, the only areas where social apartments are available are in the Kanto and Kansai regions. Since social apartments are still a new form of housing, the number of properties is small and the areas where they can be lived in are limited.

Particularly in Tokyo, social apartments are concentrated in central Tokyo, and it may be difficult to find social apartments in the suburbs. Considering the convenience of commuting to work or school, shopping, etc., it is necessary to carefully choose the location of the property.

However, new social apartments are popping up all the time, so even if an area does not have social apartments now, it may become available in the future. If you are thinking of moving, it is a good idea to check regularly.

5 Foreigner Friendly Social Apartments in Tokyo

Here are five foreigner-friendly social apartments in Tokyo that are recommended for foreigners.

1. world Neighbors Ebisu

World Neighbors Ebisu is conveniently located in Nakameguro, Meguro-ku, Tokyo, just an 8-minute walk from Ebisu Station. The property is conveniently located within walking distance of four stations (Nakameguro, Meguro, and Daikanyama), as well as within walking distance of Shibuya. The newly built condominium is equipped with the latest facilities and features a multinational community with many long-term foreign residents.

Address: 2-1-21 Nakameguro, Meguro-ku, Tokyo
Closest Station: Ebisu Station (JR Yamanote Line) 8 min. walk
Rent: ¥109,000 - ¥185,000 (max. rent range ¥129,000)

Reference:World Neighbors Ebisu

2. world neighbors Gokokuji

World Neighbors Gokokuji is located in Otsuka, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, an 8-minute walk from Gokokuji Station. The property is within walking distance of five stations with four train lines, providing very convenient access to the city center. A safe area, it is especially recommended for first-time or female tenants living alone, as there is a café on the first floor, and tenants are given a café credit of ¥15,000 per month.

Address: 4-4-59 Otsuka, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo
Closest Station: 8 minutes walk from Gokokuji Station (Tokyo Metro Yurakucho Line)
Rent: ¥73,000 - ¥93,000 (maximum rent range ¥84,000)

Reference:World Neighbors Gokokuji

3. world neighbors Kiyosumi-Shirakawa

World Neighbors Kiyosumi Shirakawa is located in Hirano, Koto-ku, Tokyo, a 13-minute walk from Kiyosumi Shirakawa Station. Kiyosumi-Shirakawa is an area where many cafes and galleries are located. the first floor has a café and a state-of-the-art laundry, and residents receive a monthly café credit worth ¥5,000.

Address: 4-13-1 Hirano, Koto-ku, Tokyo
Closest Station: Hanzomon Line / Oedo Line Kiyosumi-Shirakawa Station 13 min. walk
Rent: ¥89,000 - ¥109,000 (maximum rent range ¥99,000)

Reference:World Neighbors Kiyosumi-Shirakawa

4. Social Apartment Azabujuban

Social Apartment Azabujuban is located in Azabujuban, Minato-ku, Tokyo, a 1-minute walk from Azabujuban Station, making access very convenient. The number of households is 27, which is small for a social apartment. The building is equipped with a lounge decorated with mid-century furniture and an open basement space where you can enjoy watching movies and having parties.

Address: 3-3-5 Azabujuban, Minato-ku, Tokyo
Closest Station: 1 min. walk from Azabu-juban Station (Tokyo Metro Namboku Line and Toei Oedo Line)
Rent: ¥84,000 - ¥118,000 (maximum rent range ¥97,000)

Reference:Social Apartment Azabujuban

5. social apartment Harajuku

Social Apartment Harajuku is located in Sendagaya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo, a 6-minute walk from Harajuku Station. Kitasando and Meiji-jingumae stations are also within walking distance, so you can quickly get to Shibuya and Shinjuku, making it very convenient. Nearly half of the residents are non-Japanese, making this an attractive environment for international exchange. The rooftop terrace is equipped with a rooftop terrace, where you can spend relaxing time under the blue sky.

Address: 3-3-20 Sendagaya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
Closest Station: JR Yamanote Line Harajuku station 6 min. walk
Rent: ¥110,000 - ¥135,000 (maximum rent range ¥123,000)

Reference:Social Apartment Harajuku

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summary

Foreigner-friendly social apartments are a great new option for foreigners to live in Tokyo. Enjoy your life in Tokyo in a different space from ordinary apartments or share houses.

Social apartments have many attractive features, such as meeting people who share the same interests and spending time in stylish lounges. On the other hand, there are some disadvantages, such as the rent is not cheap and the areas where you can live are limited, so it is important to choose an apartment with a good understanding of the situation.

Please take a look at the properties popular among foreigners introduced in this article to find the social apartment that best suits your needs. You are sure to find your ideal apartment. We hope you enjoy a wonderful Tokyo life!

In addition, there are many companies in Japan that operate foreigner-friendly share houses. The following article introduces 11 such representative share houses and management companies, so please read on if you are interested.
▶︎ 11 typical foreigner-friendly share houses and management companies in Japan!