How to Choose a Share House in Japan: 8 Things to Check
Share houses in Japan can be very different from each other. Some have only a few residents, and others have dozens. Some are quiet, and others hold parties every month. This guide lists the things to check so you can find a house that fits your life.
1. Location and commute
Start with where you will work or study, and check how long the trip takes door to door, not just the distance. A house farther from the city center can be much cheaper, but a long daily commute takes a lot of time and energy. Also check the walk from the station, especially if you will come home late. Of the houses we list, 95 are within a five-minute walk of a station.
2. The total monthly cost
Look at rent plus the common fee. The common fee often covers utilities, Wi-Fi, and shared supplies, but not always. Ask what is included, and whether there is an extra charge for things like air conditioning. A room with lower rent can cost more in total if utilities are separate.
3. Your room
- Private or shared. Many people choose a private room. Shared rooms (dorm rooms) cost less but have little privacy.
- Size and furniture. Ask for the room size and what furniture is included. Check whether there is a window, and whether the room has its own air conditioner.
- Lock. Check that your room has a door you can lock.
4. The size of the house
On ShareClip, houses are grouped by their total number of rooms.
- Small houses (up to 9 rooms) feel more like home, and it is easier to get to know everyone. Of the houses we list, 49 are small.
- Medium houses (10 to 29 rooms) have more people to meet but are still not too crowded. Of the houses we list, 229 are medium-sized.
- Large houses (30 or more rooms) often have more facilities, such as bigger kitchens and lounges, but the shared spaces can be busy. Of the houses we list, 24 are large.
5. Who lives there
Decide whether you want a women-only house or a mixed-gender house. Of the houses we list, 99 are women-only. It also helps to know the mix of residents. On My Heya, listings show the percentage of international residents when the operator provides it. The house’s page on ShareClip, our sister site, shows more details, such as the gender balance and age groups.
6. How social the house is
Some houses hold regular events, and residents cook and eat together. In others, people mostly stay in their own rooms and just say hello. Neither is better. Think about what you want, and then check the house’s page on ShareClip, where operators describe how often events happen and how much residents interact.
7. Facilities
- Kitchen and fridge space. Ask how many people share the kitchen and how fridge space is divided.
- Bathrooms. Compare the number of showers and toilets with the number of residents. If you like to take baths, note that 51 of the houses we list have a bathtub.
- Laundry. Check whether washing machines are free or coin-operated, and where you can dry clothes.
- Cleaning. Ask whether staff clean the shared spaces, or whether residents take turns.
- Pets and instruments. A few houses allow pets (6 of the houses we list) or musical instruments (12).
8. The contract
- Minimum stay. Some houses accept stays of a month or two. Others ask for three to six months.
- Leaving early. Ask how much notice you need to give, and whether there is a fee if you leave before the contract ends.
- Move-in cost. Ask for the total amount you must pay before you move in, such as the contract fee, deposit, and first month’s rent.
- Deposit. Ask how much of the deposit comes back, and what cleaning fee is taken out when you move out.
- Rules. Check the rules about guests, overnight stays, quiet hours, and smoking.
Viewing a house
If you can, visit the house before you decide, and look at the shared spaces as well as the room. If you are not in Japan yet, ask for an online viewing. Of the houses we list, 37 offer online viewings.
Sending an inquiry
Every house on My Heya accepts inquiries in English. On any listing, tap or click Ask in English to open the inquiry form on ShareClip. Say when you want to move in and how long you plan to stay, and ask any questions from the list above. When you apply, operators usually ask to see your residence card or passport. To write the message quickly, use our inquiry message builder.
