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Can foreigners share a room in Tokyo? How to find a property and recommended share houses.

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Foreign men and women living together in a shared house

Room-sharing is a common practice in other countries, but it is becoming increasingly popular in Japan, especially in Tokyo in recent years. In this city where rents are high, room sharing is a great way to enjoy a fulfilling Tokyo lifestyle while keeping housing costs down.

Living alone presents several challenges, such as the burden of housework, security concerns, and loneliness, but room-sharing allows you to eliminate some of these problems while also allowing you to enjoy the company of people from diverse cultural backgrounds. However, there are a few points to keep in mind when living in a room-sharing house in Japan.

In this article, we will introduce the advantages of room sharing, points to consider when looking for a room share in Tokyo, and also share houses recommended for foreigners. If you are a foreigner who wants to enjoy sharing a room in Tokyo, please refer to this article. If you are a foreigner who wants to enjoy sharing a room in Tokyo, please take a look at this article.

If you are looking for a share house in Tokyo, please refer to the following articles.
▶︎ 5 foreigner-friendly share houses in Tokyo!

▼Goandup Picks Click here for recommended articles!

Can foreigners share a room in Tokyo?

Shared rooms are very common in other countries, and their existence has become widely known in Japan in recent years.

Nowadays, room-sharing is gradually becoming popular among young Japanese, and the number of properties that allow room-sharing is increasing. In Tokyo, in particular, many people tend to choose to share a room because the rent is too much for a single person living alone in the city.

Of course, it is possible for foreigners to share a room in Tokyo. However, not all properties accept room-sharing or foreign residents.

There are some properties that "do not allow foreigners" or "do not allow room-sharing. However, if you search patiently for a property that allows room-sharing, you will eventually find your ideal property.

4 Advantages of Sharing a Room in Tokyo

There are many advantages to sharing a room in Tokyo compared to living alone. Let's take a closer look at the four main advantages.

1. reduce rent and utility costs

The biggest advantage of room sharing is saving on rent and utilities. Tokyo is one of the most expensive areas in Japan in terms of rent, and many people give up living alone in Tokyo because of the high cost of rent.

With room sharing, however, the rent can be shared with other tenants, greatly reducing the burden on each person. For example, if one person lives in a 70,000 yen studio and two people live in a 100,000 yen 2DK, the latter can save 20,000 yen in rent per person.

In addition, utility costs would basically be divided equally by the number of people living in the house. Considering that a certain basic monthly fee is charged for water, gas, and electricity, the more roommates you have, the lower your monthly expenses will be.

2. can share household chores

Another advantage of sharing a room is the sharing of household chores. If you and your roommate work together on cleaning, cooking, and laundry, you do not have to carry the load alone. Especially for cooking, it is surprisingly difficult to use up ingredients well enough to cook for only one person, and it ends up being rather expensive. By cooking in bulk, you will be able to enjoy a nutritionally balanced meal while lowering costs.

Of course, it is wise to establish rules for the division of household chores in advance. While taking into consideration your strengths and weaknesses, find a mutually agreeable way to share household chores.

3. can increase the level of security

Many people may be concerned about security when living alone. The risk of burglary is higher for those who live alone because they tend to be away from home during the day. On the other hand, room-sharing apartments often have staggered home hours, reducing the risk of being burglarized.

Even if you should get into trouble, it is more reassuring to have more than one person in the room than to have to deal with it alone. The ability to help each other out is one of the major attractions of room sharing.

4. reduce feelings of sadness and anxiety

While living alone is fun, it also comes with occasional feelings of loneliness and anxiety. In this respect, room sharing allows you to live with someone else, giving you a sense of emotional security.

Especially for foreigners living in a foreign country with a different language and culture, roommates can be a great source of emotional support. Roommates are an irreplaceable presence with whom you can share both happy and difficult times.

5 points to consider when looking for a room share in Tokyo

If you want to start sharing a room in Tokyo, the first step is to find a place to live. Here are 5 tips for choosing a roommate and a room-sharing apartment.

1.【 property 】 Find a property that is OK for foreigners.

When a foreigner begins to share a room, it is important to choose an apartment that allows foreigners so that they will not be denied entry. There are many properties that clearly state "no foreigners allowed," but there is no need to give up.

On real estate information websites, you can often check the property information page to see if it is possible to discuss moving in with a foreigner or foreign nationals. Please take your time to look for properties that say "room-sharing OK" or "foreign residents welcome."

There are also major companies that operate a number of share houses for foreigners. For example, Oak House, Japan's largest share house operator, has developed a number of share houses that are both cosmopolitan and offer the opportunity to meet multinational residents. There are currently vacancies in their properties, so those interested should definitely check them out.
▶︎ Oak House, Japan's largest share house with attractive cosmopolitan and meeting people, is now recruiting tenants.

2.【 property 】 Choose a property according to your ideal way of living.

If you want to start sharing a room, it is important to imagine your ideal way of living. If you value privacy, we recommend that you have a private room, and if you want to enjoy lively social interaction, we recommend that you choose a room with a lot of shared space.
Each person has his or her own criteria for selecting a property, such as the amount of storage space and the design of the interior. Consult carefully with your roommate to find an apartment that meets your mutual needs. The key to a successful roommate sharing experience is to make no compromises in your choice of property.

3.【 property 】 property is found on a portal site and visited in person.

The most common way to search for properties in Japan is through real estate information portals such as SUUMO and HOME'S. You can search by desired criteria such as commuting, rent, and floor plans, allowing you to narrow down your search to the most efficient candidates.

However, no matter how good the property looks, there are many things that cannot be understood until you actually view the property. Be sure not to overlook information that can only be confirmed on-site, such as noise, sunlight, and ease of use of the water supply. It is a good idea to go with a roommate when you visit the property for a private viewing.

4.【 Roommate 】 Choose someone who understands your culture.

When choosing a roommate, it is important to make sure that the other person understands your cultural background. This is because there is a good chance that minor differences in language and customs may cause minor misunderstandings.

It is best to have someone from the same country of origin as a roommate, but if you live with someone of another nationality for compatibility, see if you can build a relationship that respects each other's culture.

5.【 Roommate 】 Choose someone who is close to your financial situation and standard of living.

Many of the problems that occur in a shared room are caused by a discrepancy in finances. Establishing rules for paying rent and utilities, cleaning, etc. is an essential part of living in a shared room.

Sharing a room with someone whose finances are so different from your own increases the likelihood of stress, so it is recommended that you discuss your income, expenses, and savings openly with your potential roommate. It is wise to choose someone with a similar standard of living.

What is the difference between a room share and a shared house?

Room sharing is literally "sharing a room," usually in the form of two or more people sharing a single rental property. The room may be either private or shared with roommates in the same room. It is often shared with people who are in relatively close relationships, such as couples or friends.

On the other hand, a share house refers to a style of living in which several people share a single house (detached house or condominium). Each resident is assigned a private room and shares common areas such as living rooms, kitchens, and bathrooms with other residents, allowing residents to enjoy social interaction while maintaining privacy.

Shared houses tend to be larger in size and have more people living together than room-sharing houses.

In Japan, the term "room share" is so prevalent that "share house" properties are often listed as "room share" acceptable in real estate information. However, the original meaning is as stated above. Make sure you understand the difference and look for a property with the style that suits you best.

In addition, the following articles are also recommended for those who want to learn more about tips and points to consider when selecting a share house.
▶︎ List of websites to find a share house in Japan - How to find a property that welcomes foreigners

3 Share Houses with Foreigner Friendly Dormitories in Tokyo

Even if a foreigner is interested in starting a room-sharing program in Japan, it is not uncommon to run into the "foreigner NG" barrier when actually looking for a place to live. Also, due to language and cultural differences, some may feel uneasy about sharing a room with a Japanese person.

In such cases, we recommend a share house exclusively for foreigners or an international share house. With no restrictions on the nationalities of residents, and people from diverse backgrounds, you will be able to enjoy global exchange without feeling a language barrier.

1 Compartia Shinjuku

Compartia Shinjuku is an "adult share house" conveniently located only 4 minutes from Shinjuku Station by train. Located in an upscale residential area, this share house stands out for its excellent facilities.

The building has a large public bath with a Jacuzzi, which will help you relax after a long day. A car sharing service is also provided, making it convenient for getting around Tokyo. The gym space doubles as a theater room with a large screen and projector, and there is an elevator inside the building.

Compartia Shinjuku also regularly holds exchange events with multinational residents. Through language exchange meetings and parties, you may be able to make friends from all over the world. If you are looking for a share house with the convenience of Shinjuku in the heart of the city and high-class facilities, Compartia Shinjuku is the place for you.

For more information,click here!

2. borderless house

BORDERLESS HOUSE is a share house with multiple locations in Tokyo and Kansai, with residents of various nationalities and occupations. This is a share house with a rich international flavor, where people with similar orientations, such as foreigners who want to experience Japanese life and Japanese who want to be exposed to diverse values, gather together.

Even those who are anxious about living abroad for the first time will feel at ease living in a share house surrounded by Japanese and residents from other countries. With a large number of properties to choose from, you can select the one that best suits your style and location needs.

For more information,click here!

Casa de Kei

Casa de Kei has share houses in popular areas of Tokyo with easy access, such as Ikebukuro and Itabashi. The share house is gaining popularity for its multicultural living experience with not only Japanese but also foreigners from all over the world, and is recommended for those seeking easy access to the city center and a safe and comfortable living environment.

The apartments feature comfortable and secure facilities, such as two kitchens and a security gate to the women-only floor. To support residents' daily lives, staff in charge of household chores, such as garbage-disposal duty, are also assigned.

For more information,click here!

If you are looking for a share house in Ikebukuro, check out the following articles!
▶︎ 5 recommended share houses for foreigners in Ikebukuro!

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summary

Room sharing has many advantages over living alone, such as saving on rent, sharing household chores, and improving security. Tokyo is a city where rent is expensive, but by utilizing room sharing, you may be able to live affordably even in the city center.

For those who are concerned about language and cultural differences, there is also the option of living in a foreigner-only or international share house. You will be able to enjoy a global lifestyle while interacting with residents of many different nationalities.

If you want to enjoy room-sharing or shared house living in central Japan, please take a look at this article.

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