What Is a Share House in Japan? A Simple Guide
A share house is a home where you have your own room and share the kitchen, bathroom, and living space with other residents. In Japan, share houses are one of the easiest ways for newcomers to find a place to live. This guide explains how they work, what they cost, and who they are good for.
How a share house works
Most share houses in Japan are run by a company. This company is called the operator. You sign a contract with the operator, not with the other residents. The operator looks after the building, sets the house rules, and handles problems.
- Your room. Usually a private room with a bed, a desk, and storage. Some houses also have cheaper shared rooms (dormitories) with a few beds.
- Shared spaces. The kitchen, living room, bathrooms, toilets, and laundry area are shared.
- Size. Houses range from small ones with a few residents to large buildings with 30 or more rooms.
What it costs
You usually pay two things every month:
- Rent for your room.
- A common fee. It often covers electricity, gas, water, Wi-Fi, and shared supplies such as toilet paper. Check what is included, because some houses charge for utilities separately.
Among the 303 share houses we list, the cheapest room in most houses costs between ¥35,500 and ¥58,000 a month, not including the common fee. Location makes a big difference: rooms in central Tokyo cost more than rooms in the suburbs.
Moving into a share house is also much cheaper than moving into a studio apartment. Instead of key money, a large deposit, and an agency fee, a share house usually asks for a contract fee and a small deposit, plus the first month’s rent. Many do not ask for a guarantor. Use our move-in cost calculator to compare.
Benefits
- Easy to move in. Rooms are furnished, and the kitchen already has appliances. You can move in with just a suitcase.
- Lower cost to move in. No key money, and usually a smaller deposit.
- Welcome foreign residents. Many operators have English-speaking staff, and some offer contracts in English.
- People around you. It is easier to make friends and get help with daily life in Japan than when you live alone.
- Flexible stays. Many houses offer shorter contracts than apartments do.
Things to think about
- Less privacy. You share the kitchen and bathrooms, so you may have to wait at busy times.
- House rules. Most houses have rules about cleaning, noise at night, and visitors. Some do not allow overnight guests.
- Room size. Private rooms are often small, so bring only what you need.
Who share houses are good for
- People who have just arrived in Japan and need a place quickly
- Students and people on a working holiday
- People who want to save money, or try living in an area before signing a long contract
- People who want to meet others and practice Japanese or English
Types of share houses
You will see a few common types:
- Women-only houses. Of the houses we list, 99 are for women only. See women-only share houses.
- Mixed houses for both men and women. Some have separate floors or bathrooms for women.
- Houses with shared rooms for the lowest rent. Of the houses we list, 7 have them.
- International houses where many residents are from outside Japan. In the houses we list, about 41% of residents are from outside Japan on average, according to the operators.
Questions to ask before you apply
- What does the common fee include? Are utilities and Wi-Fi covered?
- How long is the contract, and what happens if I leave early?
- What do I pay when I move in, and is the deposit returned?
- How many people share the kitchen and bathrooms?
- What are the rules about guests, noise, and cleaning?
- Can I see the room online before I decide?
Every house on My Heya accepts inquiries in English, so you can ask these questions directly. Our inquiry message builder can write the message for you, in English and Japanese.
How to find a share house
Start with the area where you will work or study. Then compare the rent, the common fee, and the distance to the station. When you find a house you like, open its page on ShareClip to see the details and send an inquiry.
