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3 share houses in Okinawa where foreigners can live - recommended for finding cheap rooms!

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Scenery of Okinawa

Okinawa is a tropical resort in Japan. It is a popular tourist destination with some of the most beautiful beaches in Japan and a unique culture.

Although the number of foreign residents is still small compared to Tokyo and Osaka, there are many foreigners who want to live in a relaxed atmosphere.

However, when it comes time to move in, the language barrier can make it difficult to find a place to live. In particular, there are only a limited number of apartments that are available to foreigners, so it is often difficult to find the ideal room.

What we would like to recommend is a shared house. It is the best option for foreign residents to start their Okinawan life with peace of mind.

In this article, we will introduce three carefully selected great share houses in Okinawa where foreigners can live comfortably. Please take a look at them as a reference in your search for a room.

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What is Okinawa like?

Okinawa is a group of beautiful islands located at the southernmost tip of Japan. Blessed with clear blue waters, white sandy beaches, and abundant nature, it has become a popular resort destination for many tourists from Japan and abroad. It also has a unique culture and history, and the people of the prefecture have a warm, laid-back atmosphere.

Let's take a look at some basic information about such Okinawa, its industry, rent rates, etc.

Basic Information on Okinawa

Okinawa consists of about 160 islands of various sizes, 49 of which are inhabited; as of June 2024, the population was 1,466,000, and the prefectural capital is Naha City.

Okinawa is the only place in Japan with a subtropical climate, characterized by high temperatures and humidity. However, the average annual temperature is around 23°C (73°F), often ranging between 10°C (50°F) and 32°C (32°F), making it a relatively comfortable and mild climate.

Okinawa is also blessed with abundant nature, offering beautiful landscapes with emerald green seas, white sandy beaches, and colorful coral reefs. Furthermore, it has many cultural attractions, such as traditional culture and crafts handed down from generation to generation, and world heritage sites.

Reference:Estimated Population of Okinawa Prefecture

Industries in Okinawa

Okinawa is extremely popular among domestic and international travelers, and tourism is a major pillar of the prefecture's economy. The industry thrives on a variety of tourism resources, including beautiful beaches, marine leisure activities, and unique Okinawan cultural experiences.

Primary industries have also developed, taking advantage of the subtropical climate. The landscape of sugarcane fields can be described as the original landscape of Okinawa. The cultivation of tropical fruits such as mangoes, pineapples, and acerola is also flourishing and is a popular specialty of Okinawa.

Fisheries are another important industry. Okinawa's oceans are rich in fishing grounds, where tuna, tiger prawns, mozuku seaweed, and other marine products can be caught.

For those who want to experience the cultural and natural attractions of Okinawa, the theme park "Okinawa World" is the place to go. It is a popular spot for foreigners who are fans of Okinawa and allows visitors to experience Okinawan history and traditions. For more information, please check this article.

▶︎ Let's go to "Okinawa World" which is very popular among foreigners who are fans of Okinawa!

Rent in Okinawa｜Explanation of market prices for 1R, 1LDK, 2LDK, and 3LDK apartments

Compared to the rest of the country, rent prices in Okinawa are relatively inexpensive. Although there are some differences between urban areas in the central and southern parts of the prefecture, centering on Naha City, and regions such as the northern part and remote islands, the average market prices for the prefecture as a whole are as follows.

  • One room: approx. 40,000 yen
  • 1K/1DK: approx. 46,500 yen
  • 1LDK/2K/2DK: approx. 56,400 yen
  • 2LDK/3K/3DK: approx. 64,000 yen
  • 3LDK/4K-: approx. 91,700 yen

Compared to central Tokyo, rents are 20-30% lower. This is due to the fact that prices and income levels in Okinawa are lower than those in mainland Japan.

However, just because rent is inexpensive does not mean that foreigners can easily rent a room. There are issues that must be cleared, such as securing a guarantor and communicating in Japanese.

Reference:Rent in Okinawa Prefecture｜SUUMO

Advantages of Living in a Share House in Okinawa

Many foreigners who want to live in Japan may have visited Okinawa on vacation, fell in love with the island, and are thinking about moving there. However, suddenly renting an apartment or finding a job may be a hurdle due to the language barrier.

In such cases, a share house is a highly recommended option. Share houses in Okinawa offer the following advantages.

Life can start immediately.

Many of our share houses are fully furnished, so all you need to do is bring your belongings and you can start living right away.

Especially for foreign residents, contracting procedures for electricity, gas, water, etc. can be a big burden. However, with a share house, there is no need to worry. You will be able to start your Okinawan life smoothly and stress-free.

The ability to keep initial costs low is also a major attraction. Since rent is often set at a lower rate, the financial burden of starting a new life can be reduced.

There is a sense of security that you are not alone.

Starting a new life in an unfamiliar place can be anxious even for Japanese people. If it is in a foreign country, the differences in language and culture can make it even more unsettling.

However, with a share house, you are not alone from the start. You can live with other people who have the same longing for Okinawa and help each other.

Some of the tenants will be senior foreign residents who are already living in Okinawa. They will be able to share little tips and useful information with you, so you will be able to enjoy your life in Okinawa with peace of mind.

Cross-cultural exchange.

The great appeal of a share house is the opportunity to enjoy cross-cultural exchange with friends from all over Japan and abroad who are rich in character.

There are many opportunities to learn about the Japanese language and culture from your Japanese roommate. 逆に, a foreigner may be able to teach you about the language, culture, and customs of his/her home country.

By sharing each other's values and ideas, you will surely expand your world. That will be one of the great rewards of moving to Okinawa.

What are the disadvantages of shared housing?

There are also disadvantages to living in a share house.

First, it is difficult to ensure privacy. Because of the large amount of shared space, some may find it difficult to reserve time and space for themselves.

It is also important to get along well with your roommate. Differences in lifestyle and values can cause relationship stress.

Noise and cleanliness problems are another potential problem. Particular attention should be paid to hygiene awareness, which varies greatly from country to country and culture to culture.

When considering moving into a share house, it is important to understand these disadvantages before choosing the right place for you.

3 Foreigner Friendly Share Houses in Okinawa

Finally, we would like to recommend three great share houses in Okinawa for foreigners.

All of the share houses offer excellent procedural support for moving in, as well as multilingual support, making it possible for foreign residents to use the share house with peace of mind.

BackpackersHome Okinawa (Aien Coffee & Hostel)

BackpackersHome Okinawa (Aien Coffee & Hostel) is a share house located in the exotic Sunabe area. The house name "AIEN" is derived from the word "Aien Kien," which means a mysterious chance encounter.

The café attached to the building attracts a variety of people, from locals to international guests. Many of the staff are from Okinawa and can enjoy drinks in the evening.

It is conveniently located just a 2-minute walk to the beautiful Miyagi Beach. The sandy beach area of Chatan-cho has a unique sandy beach culture, and the appeal of this area is that you can experience a lifestyle with strong local color.

The fee is 45,000 yen per month. It is a 70-minute bus ride from Naha Airport and a 10-minute walk from Ihei Station, the bus stop.

For more information,click here!

2. grow castle mountain｜Naha City

Grow Jogaku is a share house located near the Okinawa Prefectural Government Office. It has been fully renovated by combining two rooms that were originally apartments into one.

The interior is very stylish, and the furniture and other furnishings are cute and uniform. The private rooms have locks, and the wallpaper in each room is a different color, which is unique.
Of course, Wi-Fi is also available. Shared appliances are also available with high performance, so you will be able to use them without stress.

Rates range from 47,000 yen to 50,000 yen per month. Located a 6-minute walk from the nearest bus stop "Yogi Elementary School Mae.

For more information,click here!

3. l'amour Higawa｜Naha City

L'amour Higawa is a newly built women's only share house located in Higawa, Naha City. It is within walking distance to Kokusai-dori Avenue, and a 5-minute walk from the bus stop "Kainan". There is also a supermarket within a 5-minute walk, so you will have no trouble with shopping.

All rooms feature a private mailbox, independent washbasin, and refrigerator. Rooms also have a staircase-style loft bed and a Wi-Fi router. The kitchen is also equipped with an alkaline ionized water apparatus that allows you to drink water at any time. The house is well equipped for women to live comfortably.

The fee is a reasonable 35,000 yen per month. It is very attractive to be able to live in a newly built share house at this price while being located in the heart of Naha City.

For more information,click here!

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summary

Okinawa is one of the best resort destinations in Japan, and its rich nature and unique culture are attractive. The mild year-round climate is also an attraction, attracting many tourists from Japan and abroad.

For those foreigners who are considering living in Okinawa, we recommend a shared house. Just bring your luggage and you can start living right away, and the initial cost will be lightened.

Roommates are also a reassuring factor in easing anxiety in an unfamiliar place and helping you lead a fulfilling life. You will have a reassuring companion with whom you can consult in times of trouble, go out to eat and play together, and so on.

There are many share houses in Japan that are friendly to foreigners and many websites that can help you find a share house. If you are interested, check out this article.

[11 typical foreigner-friendly share houses and management companies in Japan!]

[List of websites where you can find a shared house in Japan - How to find a property that welcomes foreigners]

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