Share House as an Option | Expanding Community Through a New Way of Living

The share house lifestyle has become firmly established in Japan. According to surveys by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, the number of share house properties in Japan exceeds approximately 5,000, with an estimated 60,000 or more residents. Beyond purely economic reasons like "wanting to save on rent," social needs such as "wanting new encounters" and "wanting to avoid the loneliness of living alone" are driving share house popularity. In this article, drawing on experience as a share house consultant who has surveyed over 1,000 properties and assisted over 500 prospective residents with housing consultations, we share all the knowledge needed for choosing a share house.

Types of Share Houses — Choose by Scale and Concept

Share houses come in many different forms. First, categorizing by scale: "small-scale type" (4–10 people), "medium-scale type" (10–30 people), and "large-scale type" (50+ people). Small-scale types are often renovated single-family homes, with a homey atmosphere that makes it easy to balance privacy and interaction. Large-scale types consist of entire apartment buildings converted into share houses, with abundant shared facilities like movie theaters, gyms, and coworking spaces. Recently gaining attention are concept-based share houses: "For programmers only," "International exchange type," "For entrepreneurs," "Single mother support type," "Agricultural experience type" — residents with shared interests and lifestyles form deeper communities. For example, "Tech Residences" in Shibuya, Tokyo, caters to engineers with high-speed internet and monitors for work, while the "Machi Employees' Cafeteria Share House" in Kamakura is popular for naturally fostering interaction through shared meals.

Full Picture of Costs — Comparing Initial Expenses and Monthly Fees

The biggest economic advantage of share houses is low initial costs. With typical rental properties, 4–6 months of rent is required upfront (security deposit, key money, agency fees, advance rent), but most share houses require only one month's security deposit (or 30,000–50,000 yen deposit) plus first month's rent and common area fees. Most properties have no agency fees, and since furniture and appliances are included, you don't need to purchase them. You can start a new life for around 100,000–150,000 yen total. Monthly costs average 40,000–80,000 yen for private rooms (within Tokyo 23 wards) and 25,000–50,000 yen for dormitory-style rooms, plus 10,000–15,000 yen in common area fees (utilities and internet included). Compared to standard one-room apartments (65,000–90,000 yen + utilities 10,000 yen + internet 5,000 yen in Tokyo 23 wards), most cases save 20,000–40,000 yen monthly. Regional cities are even more affordable—in Sendai or Fukuoka, you can find private rooms for 30,000–50,000 yen. However, choosing based on price alone often leads to dissatisfaction with facilities and management, so it's important to balance cost and quality.

7 Essential Points to Confirm Before Moving In

For comfortable share house living, be sure to confirm these 7 points before signing a contract. First: "Viewings are essential." Photos and real-world impressions often differ significantly; verify the common area cleanliness, soundproofing, and natural light yourself. Second: "House rules." Visitor policies, curfew existence, common area usage hours, and cleaning rotation systems vary greatly between properties. Third: "Move-out conditions." Confirm minimum occupancy periods (typically 1–6 months) and notice period for moving out (usually 1 month). Fourth: "Condition of shared facilities." Check kitchen utensils, washing machine count and usage rules, and the number and cleanliness of showers and toilets. Fifth: "Internet environment." For those who work from home, it's best to have the line speed measured. Sixth: "Management system." Confirm whether the management company conducts regular inspections and what the contact information and response time are for issues. Seventh: "Atmosphere of current residents." If possible, arrange to talk with current residents in the common living room and get a sense of the interpersonal dynamics.

Tips for Comfortable Share House Living

Here are some tips for comfortable living after moving in. First, "maintaining appropriate distance" is important. While interaction with housemates is enjoyable, constant closeness becomes tiring. Be conscious of balancing time in the common living room with alone time in your room. In the kitchen, following basic rules like "wash immediately after use," "respect refrigerator space," and "don't use shared seasonings without permission" prevents most conflicts. Sound management is also crucial; after 10 p.m., use headphones, take calls in your room, and close doors quietly—small considerate gestures build trust. If conflicts arise, first have a calm discussion between those involved, and if unresolved, consult the management company in appropriate order. Avoid complaining on SNS, as it only worsens relationships.

How to Find a Share House Right for You

Using specialized portal sites is efficient for share house hunting. "Hitsuji Real Estate" has high-quality listings with abundant photos and floor plan information. "Share Share" has user-friendly search functions with filtering by concept and move-in conditions. "Oak House" focuses on self-operated properties with abundant large-scale share house options; with many international residents, it suits those seeking an international environment. When comparing properties, don't forget to check distance to the nearest station, surrounding shopping environment, and commute/commute convenience. Also, increasing numbers of properties offer "trial stays," short-term plans (1 week to 1 month at around 2,000–4,000 yen per night) where you can experience actual living before committing to a full contract. SNS communities and blogs by share house residents are also valuable for information gathering. Real voices from people actually living there are invaluable hints for understanding daily atmosphere beyond what official sites convey. Share houses are not merely cost-reduction tools, but places to encounter new human relationships and values. For those troubled by loneliness in solo living, those relocated for work or school to unfamiliar places, and those seeking new stimulation at life transitions, share houses offer surprisingly rich options. SOROU.JP features extensive information about residential environments and lifestyle convenience in various regions, so use it as reference when selecting a share house area.