To start, when entering a sharehouse, promptly remove your shoes and neatly place them either in the genkan or in the provided cabinet. If you are unfamiliar with a “genkan,” it is a term in Japanese culture that refers to the traditional entryway or vestibule of a house where shoes are removed before entering the living space. This practice is deeply rooted in cleanliness and respect for the home, and the genkan acts as a designated area for this routine.
Secondly, it’s crucial to separate your garbage into distinct bins. In contrast to the United States, you must separate waste into categories such as burnable (kitchen waste, food scraps, vegetable peelings, leftovers, etc.), non-burnable aluminum, glass, etc.), plastic, cans, and PET bottles (PET refers to plastic bottles made from polyethylene terephthalate, or PET).
Thirdly, a communal fee box exists for collective household purchases, including toiletries. In this share house, a monthly contribution of 500 JPY is made by each resident, along with receipts showcasing the items purchased for the household. The system for managing these funds may involve a designated person making bulk purchases or individuals purchasing items as needed. It really depends on the system that is used upon. When I was at Omori 2 sharehouse, we actually did both.
Forth, laundry shouldn’t be done after 8 pm, especially if utilizing an outdoor washing machine, as seen in the Omori2 share house located on the rooftop. This would obviously disturb your neighbors.
Fifth, residents are responsible for their own dishwashing. Mama’s not doing it for you. Each reside is expected to wash their dishes promptly. This expectation is rooted in the cultural norm of self-sufficiency, particularly emphasized in Japanese share houses. But even without the cultural element, it’s the cleanliness aspect that matters to maintain the home, especially when living with others. I had no issues during my time, and the worst that had happened was someone sent a text message on our group chat asking who left a few bowls in the kitchen sink. Soon after, the person cleaned it up. Proper communication is key.
These re just 5 rules that I mentioned, and there are others as well, but this gives you an idea of the rules to keep in mind when living in a share house in Japan.
Once you do, send me an email at hello@lindokorchi.com and I’ll send you a free PDF on the 5 things you need be aware of when living in a share house in Japan.
@lindokorchi Fun to put together! #sharehouse #sharehouselife #lifeinjapan #japanhouse #japanesehouse #tokyohouse #houserules #visitjapan
Hand picked resources for those intending to travel, study, or work in Japan:
Book Your Accommodation:
You can book your accommodation at Borderless House. They offer a shared home where you can have your own private room, live with Japanese and foreign residents, practice your Japanese, and make friends in a new country. When you do, send me an email at hello@lindokorchi.com for a free PDF on the 5 things you need be aware of when living in a share house in Japan.
Book Your Japanese Language Class:
You can book a short term (3 months), long term (6-12 months), or online Japanese course at Akamonkai Japanese Language School. They are known to be arguably the most challenging Japanese language school in Tokyo. Great for individuals interested in learning Japanese swiftly and enjoy an academic learning structure.
There’s also ARC Tokyo Japanese Language School, which is great for those who want to learn Japanese, but without the high intensity and workload. Before enrolling, send me an email at hello@lindokorchi.com for a free PDF on the 3 best ways to maximize your time studying Japanese at a language school.
Entering a University in Japan (courses taught in Japanese):
If you’ve already graduated high school and are planning to enter a university in Japan, with courses taught in Japanese, you may want to consider ARC’s University Preparation Course. It’s a 1.5 year – 2 year program where you learn Japanese, mathematics and civics, (taught in Japanese), and prepare you for the university admission examinations.
Disclosure: Please note that some of the links above may be affiliate links, and at no additional cost to you, I earn a commission if you make a purchase. I recommend only products and companies I’m familiar with and who will actually provide value to my audience.
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About Me
I’m Lindo Korchi, a social media influencer here in Japan. After creating to-the-point educational videos about Japan, accumulating 600K followers and 110M video views across social media, I decided to create this website to provide more in-depth value to foreigners who are interested in visiting, living, or living long-term here in Japan. My goal? to provide you with educational content about Japan that would make you feel prepared before arriving. From detailed travel guides to experiences of foreigners in Japan, from unique businesses to pursuing education in Japan, interviews, resources, and more, you’ll be able to find it here.