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Contents📖 ~5 min read
🎊Japan Share House Complete Guide 2026 — Long Stays from ¥40K-80K / Month, International Exchange and Foreigner-Friendly Properties
⚡ 30-second answer: 5 main share house categories in Japan = 1) International exchange type (OAKHOUSE, ¥50-80K / month) 2) Women-only 3) Student-focused 4) Foreigner-friendly (GaijinPot-recommended) 5) Short-stay-OK properties (1 week to several months). No shikikin (deposit) or reikin (key money), no guarantor required, furniture and appliances included — ideal for tourists and long-staying foreign residents.
Quick reference
Value
International exchange type
¥50-80K / month
Women-only
¥40-70K
Student-focused
¥30-60K
Shikikin (deposit)
Not required
Short-stay OK
From 1 week
Last verified
June 2026
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This is yenfinder.com's 380th article, presenting a complete guide to share houses in Japan.
30-second answer
Share houses are the strongest housing option for foreigners in Japan. No shikikin (deposit), no reikin (key money), and no guarantor required, plus furniture, appliances, and built-in international exchange — a top-tier option.
🏠 Top 10 share house operators
1️⃣ OAKHOUSE
Properties: 200+ nationwide
Price: ¥40K-100K / month
Notable: International exchange type, major operator
Languages: Full English, Chinese, Korean
2️⃣ Cross House
Properties: 80+ in Tokyo
Price: ¥40K-80K / month
Notable: Reliable + multilingual
3️⃣ Borderless House
Properties: 30+ nationwide
Price: ¥45K-90K / month
Notable: International exchange focus
4️⃣ GG House
Properties: 50+ in Tokyo
Price: ¥50K-90K / month
Notable: Tourist-friendly
5️⃣ First House
Properties: 30+ in Tokyo
Price: ¥40K-70K / month
6️⃣ INVERSE House
Properties: Major cities
Price: ¥50K-80K / month
7️⃣ Social Apartment
Properties: Premium
Price: ¥80K-150K / month
8️⃣ Hitoyume Hotel
Properties: For short stays
Price: ¥3K-6K / day
9️⃣ Tokyo Borderless House
Notable: High share of foreign residents
Price: ¥50K-80K / month
🔟 Kyoto International House
Notable: Traditional Kyoto setting
Price: ¥45K-75K / month
💰 Pricing breakdown
Monthly rent
Budget: ¥30K-50K
Standard: ¥50K-70K
Premium: ¥70K-150K
Initial costs
Shikikin (deposit): Not required
Reikin (key money): Not required
Guarantor: Not required
Registration fee: ¥10K-30K
Cleaning fee: ¥15K-30K
Total: ¥25K-60K
Monthly extras
Utilities included: At most properties
Wi-Fi included: Standard
Cleaning included: At many properties
Short-stay surcharges and long-stay discounts
Less than 1 month: Surcharge
6+ months: -10-20%
1+ year: -20-30%
🌐 Pros of share houses
1️⃣ No deposit or key money
Regular rentals require 5-7 months' rent: Skipped here
Initial costs ¥20-60K: Much cheaper
2️⃣ No guarantor needed
No discrimination against foreigners
Tourist-friendly properties available
3️⃣ Furniture and appliances included
Bed + bedding
Desk + chair
Refrigerator + washing machine
Kitchenware
4️⃣ International exchange
Multinational residents
Language exchange
Making friends
5️⃣ Utilities included
Utilities: Included at most properties
Wi-Fi included
Easy to budget
🌐 Cons
1️⃣ Limited personal space
Small private rooms
Large shared spaces
2️⃣ Noise
Roommates
Soundproofing varies
3️⃣ Cleaning and manners
Shared areas
Kitchen mess
4️⃣ Short-stay surcharges
Less than 1 month: More expensive
2-3 months recommended
5️⃣ No pets
Banned at most properties
👥 International exchange type vs. general type
International exchange type
Foreign residents: 30-70%
Common language: English
Many events
¥50K-80K
General type
Mostly Japanese residents
Quiet
Japanese required
¥30K-60K
📋 Move-in process
Step 1: Pick a property (1-2 weeks before)
Official site + multilingual
Online application
Step 2: Viewing
Online or in person
Multilingual support
Step 3: Apply + screening
Online
3-7 days
Step 4: Contract
Online contract
Pay initial costs
Step 5: Move in
Same-day move-in possible
Receive house manual
📋 Required documents
Required
Passport
Credit card
Email address
Required at most properties
Residence card (foreign residents)
My Number (if you have one)
Emergency contact
Required at some
Proof of income
Student ID
Proof of employment
🌐 Recommended areas
Tokyo
Shinjuku / Shibuya: Tourist center
Ikebukuro / Ueno: Good value
Kichijoji: Student-friendly
Shitamachi (old town): Quiet
Osaka
Umeda / Namba: Central
Tenmangu: Good value
Kyoto
Near Kyoto Station: Convenient for sightseeing
Arashiyama: Tourist area
Student districts
Fukuoka
Hakata: Central
Sapporo
Odori Park area: Central
💰 Monthly budget
Budget (student)
Rent: ¥40,000
Food: ¥30,000
Transport: ¥10,000
Communications: ¥3,000
Other: ¥15,000
Total: ¥98,000
Standard
Rent: ¥60,000
Food: ¥40,000
Transport: ¥10,000
Communications: ¥5,000
Entertainment: ¥30,000
Total: ¥145,000
Premium
Rent: ¥100,000
Food: ¥60,000
Transport: ¥15,000
Communications: ¥5,000
Entertainment + travel: ¥50,000
Total: ¥230,000
📅 Stay length
Short-term (1-3 months)
Tourists
Surcharges apply
High flexibility
Mid-term (3-12 months)
Standard
Available at most properties
Long-term (1 year+)
Discounts available
Commitment required
🌐 Multilingual support
Full English, Chinese, Korean
OAKHOUSE: Industry No. 1
Cross House
Borderless House
Mostly English
GG House
Many others
Mostly Japanese
Small properties
Traditional houses (kominka)
💳 Payment methods
Accepted at all operators
Credit cards: Standard
Overseas cards: Mostly OK
Online payment
Tourist support
Multilingual checkout
PayPal: Some
Wise / Revolut: OK
⏰ Check-in
Standard
After 15:00
Same-day manual provided
Early arrival
Luggage drop-off only
Late arrival
Must notify in advance
24h support: At some
🌐 Share house popularity by country
🇺🇸 American visitors
International exchange type is very popular
Central Tokyo
🇨🇳 Chinese visitors
Women-only is very popular
Quiet properties
🇰🇷 Korean visitors
Value-focused
Shin-Okubo
🇪🇺 European visitors
International exchange type
Central Kyoto
🇮🇳 Indian visitors
Long stays are common
⚠️ Cautions
Cultural etiquette
Take shoes off: At the entryway
Stay quiet: At night
Keep the kitchen clean
Roommates
Roommate manners
Language barriers
Facilities
Free Wi-Fi: Standard
Shared fridge: Follow the rules
Pets
Mostly not allowed
Certain properties: OK
5 common mistakes tourists make
Trying to sign a long-term contract on a tourist visa
Giving up because of language barriers → use multilingual support
Breaking house rules → roommate problems
Picking the wrong property → always view first
Paying late → forced move-out
Pre-trip checklist
Decide on stay length + budget
Pick an area
Search for share houses
Apply for viewings
Prepare required documents
Prepare initial costs
FAQ
Q: Can I stay on a tourist visa?
A: Mostly OK, but for long stays a student or work visa is recommended.
Q: Are short stays possible?
A: Most allow from 1 month, with surcharges.
Q: How's the multilingual support?
A: OAKHOUSE and others cover English, Chinese, and Korean; smaller operators are more limited.
Q: Are pets allowed?
A: Mostly not, but certain properties allow them.
Q: Are there women-only options?
A: Yes, at most operators for peace of mind.
About: Yen Finder Editorial / Last verified June 2026. Prices and vacancy info change frequently — please check OAKHOUSE official (https://oakhouse.jp) and others for the latest details.
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