The share-house, an economical way to find accommodation in Japan
Share-houses, an economical way to find accommodation in Japan
Flick/ JAPANKURU.COM
Living in a community in Japan, anyone?
When you go on a trip to Japan for more than a month, the hotel is not necessarily the most economical solution when it comes to accommodation. This is why many travelers opt for share-houses, "houses to share". Practical, fun, and above all economic in terms of price, these new medium-term accommodation options are on the rise on the archipelago! And although they are not necessarily suitable for all parties, these accommodations are attracting more and more young visitors... foreigners and Japanese alike!
What is a Share house?
Literally “house to share”, Share houses are based on a simple concept: rent a room there, and share the common areas ( kitchen, bathroom, toilets) with other people.
An apartment with 5 or 6 rooms, intimate little houses, a complex of about thirty rooms, these ''communal houses'' then take on very diverse forms.
You will find people from around the world, a diversity that is also in the image of their services!
Indeed, not all share-houses are alike! The number of rooms is very variable (from 3 to 30 on average), the surface area of the common areas also, some accommodation is only reserved for women while others are only for a certain category of people (vegetarian, single mother, etc.).
The type of accommodation also varies from one accommodation to another, since some share-houses offer both individual rooms and dormitories for the most modest budgets. In the most spacious accommodations, a gym and a garden can even be set up!
A typical room in a share-house
Flick/japanomad
Despite everything, the prices of share-houses remain affordable. And even in Tokyo, where room prices generally fluctuate between 10,000 and 90,000 yen per month ($87-784/80-714€).
Because this is the heart of the concept of the share-house: reduce costs to a minimum to make the most of your stay!
The advantages: economical, friendly and practical accommodation
If we had to retain only one advantage of this type of accommodation, it is their economic character.
Indeed, the prices offered by share-houses are much more attractive than those of traditional apartments! Charges automatically included (internet, water, gas, electricity, maintenance costs), entrance fees excluded (equivalent to two or three months' rent in Japan), they appeal to travelers as well as students or young foreign and Japanese employees!
Read also: Rents in Japan
And this is another advantage of share-houses: their cosmopolitanism!
Whether it is to save money or to practice a foreign language, many Japanese choose to live in a share-house during their years of study. A good way than for their foreign roommates to practice Japanese and discover Japan through the eyes of a native in the course of a hallway conversation.
See also: The different types of Japanese habitat
Share-houses also mean discovering new cultures!
japantimes.com
Finally, we must not forget that the share-houses are very well established in the archipelago. And from north to south of the country, you will always find accommodation to share in the big cities. The latter are often quite close to stations and shops for even more convenience!
The disadvantages: watch out for the neighbors!
If share -houses are therefore recommended for small budgets wanting to enjoy Japan over several weeks, they are however not suitable for all types of customers.
This is particularly the case for families or groups since the rooms are often not suitable for accommodating more than 2 people.
Travelers whose stay is not equal to or longer than one month will also find little interest in it since the lease is signed for a minimum of 30 days.
Finally, don't forget that you never know your roommates in advance! And although in most cases cohabitation goes well, your upstairs neighbors may turn out to be noisy or reluctant to do the dishes after the meal is over. Living in a community also means accepting the bad habits of others!
Some sites
If the idea of sharing accommodation during your next stay in Japan appeals to you, here are a few sites that might interest you. It is possible to search for a share-house by location, by train lines, by budget, and even by equipment (TV, private bathroom, etc.).
- In English
- In French
