7 Best Share Houses in Tokyo (where I stay + more)
I spend nearly half the year in Japan. I take multi-month trips at a time and I always stay at a share house when I’m there. They’re just too convenient not to use!
So after a few years of testing different companies, I’m sharing my favorites. These are the best share houses in Tokyo.
My top two picks are Borderless House and Oakhouse, which is where I usually stay. But there are a few more worth mentioning.
So let’s do this!
Table of Contents Show
Why Stay at a Share House in Tokyo?
I love share houses. They make my life as a digital nomad so much easier. And Tokyo has a ton of great options — honestly, we’re spoiled for choices!
But before getting into my top picks, let’s look at why share houses so great and some things to keep in mind.
Benefits of Tokyo Share Houses
No long-term contracts
No utilities bills
Usually furnished (or can be for a small price)
It’s an instant community
Many planned social events
A lot cheaper than an apartment
Downsides of Tokyo Share Houses
Can be messy
You can’t choose your housemates
You need to share bathrooms, common areas and kitchens
Rooms for desirable spots and houses not always available
Explore more:
➤ Pros and Cons of Living in Japan
7 Best Share Houses in Tokyo
1. Borderless House
Feels like home
Borderless House was my first love. It’s where I stayed after deciding to become an English teacher abroad. I ended staying with them once more, a couple years later.
And honestly, I’ve had the best experiences in Tokyo while staying with them. My roommates were always amazing (still great friends to this day) and the staff were always incredible too.
So rest assured you’re choosing a good company with Borderless House.
Pros
Easy-to-use website
Cleaning staff
Run frequent discounts
Have houses in Osaka and Taiwan too
Lots of houses to choose from
Good diversity – each house has an equal balance of women to men and foreigner to Japanese residents
Cons
Limited availability
More expensive
Age limit (wide range though: 18-39)
2. Oakhouse
Membership perks and a big inventory
Oakhouse is my other go-to share house company (beside Borderless House). They have tons of inventory, a smooth process and their site makes it easier to search for properties.
Plus, they have lots of ways to save with membership points and a tenant portal that makes it easy to manage your account, fill out forms (like move-out applications) and pay rent.
Pros
Huge inventory
Weekly cleaning
Online payment system
Easy to search properties on their website
Smart membership option to save money
Earn “PAO points” with their affiliate program
Cheaper rooms available
Female-only options
Toiletries and kitchen goods included for many houses
Cons
Not always an equal tenant ratio
3. Sakura House
Have rooms for many different types of travelers
If you’ve searched up ‘share houses in Tokyo’, you’ve probably seen Sakura House. They’re a popular choice and specialize in private rooms, dorm-style rooms and apartments for people with a non-Japanese passport, such as visitors on a tourist visa.
They also have a Sakura Hotel and Hostel for short-term visits (of a few days or a few weeks).
Pros
Nice staff and good customer service reviews
Good locations and lots of inventory
Affordable hostel and dorm-sharing options
Room options for families or groups
Options for staying less than one month
Cons
Pricier for private rooms
4. Come On UP
The ‘mom and pop shop’ of share house companies
I first heard about Come On UP through my job as an English teacher with GABA. They offered a discount to teachers if you stayed with them. So they are legit! Their website just needs some love.
Some pages on their site either don’t load correctly (need to be refreshed) or aren’t filled out completely (like the staff page – it has no staff information).
Their inventory is limited, but the houses look cozy and quaint. For me, it feels like the mom and pop shop of share house companies – which I can appreciate.
Pros
Small and cozy house options (5-9 people)
They have 1 pet-friendly property
Cons
Website isn’t great
Small inventory
More expensive for stays less than 1 year (¥30,000 deduction from the deposit)
5. Kimi
The multi-service share house company for foreigners
Kimi Information Center is more than a share house company – they provide various ‘life services’ for foreigners in Japan. They have a translation service, a telephone answering service and various job listings.
But let’s focus on the share house side of things.
They have a large inventory of many affordable and flexible share house rooms for rent. It’s easy to search on their site and they include lots of information for each room on listing pages.
Pros
Easy to search rooms and use their website
Large inventory
Many affordable options
Short-term stays available
Cons
Dated website
6. Social Apartment
For longer-term Japan residents who want a stylish stay
Social Apartment is Boujee. They’re stylish and give tenants awesome amenities, great locations and vibes to boot.
The biggest downside is you’ll need a Japanese bank account (i.e., you need to be a resident, such as an English teacher or worker). Plus, they require 6-month leases for most properties.
But honestly, the houses they have listed look super cool – it’s worth at least browsing. I’m tempted to get another teaching job just to chill here for a few months lol.
Pros
Aesthetic, stylish and luxurious
Many amenities in house
Variety of tenants and no age limit
Cons
Mostly unfurnished
Requires residence card and Japanese bank account to pay rent
6-month minimum stay (some 3 months options)
7. Tokyo Sharehouse
Explore multiple companies with advanced filtering
Tokyo Sharehouse is more like a “portal site” for listing rooms from many different companies. I like them because it’s a convenient search tool to see what’s out there.
You can even search based on your needs and lifestyle preferences.
Pros
See inventory from multiple share house companies
Advanced search filtering
Cons
Website can be overwhelming (too many options)
Can feel a bit confusing about who you’re actually renting from
Choosing a Good Share House in Tokyo (4 quick tips)
Do a House/Room Viewing
A room viewing before you commit to a contract is a smart move. And if you’re overseas, most share house companies can do an online viewing (through Skype). You’ll have this option when putting in an application and connecting with the company.
Given my cavalier attitude, I always just winged it and moved in based on the photos. I never had major issues (except for one share house company, which isn’t listed here).
Explore more:
➤ My Top Tokyo Travel Tips
Ask About the Current Tenants
Many share house companies will want to hop on a quick Skype call with you. This is just a formality to get to know you (and make sure you’re a real person). It’s super low-stress.
But while you’re on that call (or through email), it never hurts to ask about the current tenants – their hobbies, age range, the general vibe…
I’ve done this before. And it’s nice to know what you’re moving into.
Check the Distance to the Nearest Station
If you can find a place that’s super close to the train station, that’s awesome. But many share houses I’ve stayed at had a long walk (15-20 minutes). This is pretty normal for Tokyo living, but if you can, opt for one closer to the station.
You’ll thank yourself when you’re lugging heavy suitcases or dealing with the Japanese summer heat (which is intense).
Explore more:
➤ Unique Things to do in Tokyo
Plan Ahead
To ensure you get a good house (maybe even your top pick), plan ahead. You can sign up for alerts, give your preferences and put down a deposit months in advance for many companies.
And if there’s a house you really want to live in, you can ask about getting put on a waiting list or get notified when it’s available.
Just don’t wait until the last minute unless you’re super flexible and just need a room somewhere in or near the city (I’ve done this too).
Explore more:
➤ How to Keep Travel Stress-Free
Later ✌️
Tokyo has a ton of share house companies. And choosing the right one is important. The companies listed above are ones I either have direct experience with or come recommended through my previous work as an English teacher.
Check for important things like visa requirements, contract length, furnished vs. unfurnished rooms, location, additional fees and the current tenant situation.
But share houses are super fun and an amazing way to meet other travelers and Japanese locals.
I’ve had incredible experiences in Tokyo through them and have met some of my closest friends there.
So enjoy! And do some epic Tokyo exploring.
Want More? Nice. Here’s More.
