Basic types of share houses
Some share houses have their own theme or concept, but here we will explain the basic types.
- Typical share house
- Shared house for students
I will explain each one.
Typical share house
A share house is a rental property where multiple people live in an apartment or detached house, sharing the kitchen and bathroom. Many properties include the cost of common items and utilities in the common area in the common area fee, so it is attracting attention because it allows you to live at a low cost even when combined with the rent. There are many types, such as private rooms where you have your own space and dormitory-style rooms where you share a room.
According to a survey by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, 56% of residents are in their 20s and 30s, with more than half of them being students or full-time employees.
[Source] Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism: Market Trend Survey Results for Shared Houses
https://www.mlit.go.jp/common/001151588.pdf
Shared house for students
Like student dormitories, student share houses are shared living spaces for multiple people, but the difference is the freedom of living. Students are not subject to school policies such as curfews, and can manage their own schedules. Each share house has different facilities and features for students. Below are some examples.
- Working lounge as a study space
- Watching a movie with your roommates in the theater room
- Free internet and Wi-Fi
Students can expand their network through interaction with each other through study meetings in common spaces and regular events. Living together will help them develop social skills, which will be useful in their social lives after graduation.
Share house for young professionals
Share houses for working adults are characterized by an environment where you can balance your work and private life. They have facilities such as working spaces exclusively for residents, which can be used for teleworking and interacting with other residents. The facilities listed below are some examples.
- Telework-enabled working space
- A comfortable network environment even with simultaneous connections
- Meeting Rooms
- Printer/Multifunction Device
- Private booth
Some properties have facilities for relaxation, such as fitness rooms and theater rooms, and shared spaces are cleaned by a professional, so you can concentrate on your work. Since it is only residents, it is easy to develop horizontal connections, which may lead to business opportunities.
Types of share houses by theme
Share houses are becoming increasingly diverse in theme, but here we will introduce some representative examples.
- Share house for creators
- Business Share House
- International Share House
We will introduce them according to their purpose.
Share house for creators
This share house is aimed at people engaged in creative activities, such as designers, illustrators, and art students. The shared spaces are equipped with facilities such as studios and galleries, making it an attractive environment where you can concentrate on your creative activities. The facilities listed below are some examples of these facilities.- Atelier and photography studio
- Large projector and work desk
- A book salon with specialized books
- Event Space
You can also get the stimulation that only a share house can provide, such as receiving opinions from creators in different industries and working together. There are also properties where the residents are the ones who take the initiative in disseminating information and hosting events. Interacting through creative activities will help you improve your skills and broaden the scope of your activities.
Business Share House
Business share houses are properties aimed at entrepreneurs and engineers, and offer a variety of benefits for business. They are characterized by facilities that prioritize ease of working and an environment that is conducive to the creation of new business connections. The facilities listed below are some examples of such facilities.
- Coworking Space
- High-speed Wi-Fi for business use
- Large monitors and projectors
- Printer/Multifunction Device
- Seminar Room
According to a survey by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, among the disadvantages felt with teleworking are "difficulty in drawing a line between working hours" and "difficulty in switching on and off work." Many business share houses are designed with office-like features, such as lounges, to make it easier to switch on and off work.
[Source] Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism: Current situation regarding telework
https://www.mhlw.go.jp/content/11911500/000662173.pdf
There are also opportunities to connect with entrepreneurs both inside and outside the house, such as through study sessions and social parties attended by alumni, which is expected to expand business opportunities.
International Share House
Living in an international share house with residents from many different countries allows you to experience studying abroad while still in Japan. It features an ideal environment for language learning, intercultural exchange, and broadening your international perspective. There is ample support for daily life, including bilingual management staff. The following are some examples of the features:
- Multilingual management staff
- Language exchange programs
- Taking English conversation lessons
- Hosting parties for cultural exchange
Some people feel that it is difficult to move in if they cannot speak English, but there are also foreigners studying Japanese. You can learn from daily interactions and grow together by improving each other.
Future trends in share houses
The number of people choosing flexible work styles, such as teleworking and "digital nomads" who can work from anywhere, is on the rise. In response to diversifying needs, an increase in themed share houses is attracting attention. As the move-in process is simple and short-term stays are possible, demand is expected to increase.
Theme-based share houses are on the rise
The increase in theme-based share houses is largely due to changes in lifestyles and values in modern society. This is due to an increase in people who want to live in a community with the same hobbies and ways of thinking. While single occupancy was the norm until now, diversification is progressing, with options for families, allowing pets, etc.
There are many concepts that match the characteristics of the region, such as rural living in agricultural areas, or seaside share houses for people who enjoy marine sports. It is expected that various types of share houses will continue to be created in the future.
Summary: Enjoy a fulfilling communal life in a share house!
Share houses have more to offer than just a place to live. Living together in a community with a theme that suits you is one option for leading a richer life. However, you should communicate with the managers and residents in advance to make sure the living environment suits your lifestyle. We hope this article will be helpful when choosing a share house.
