I assume that a lot of people have wants to experience the foreign cultures and natures. Well, what would you do to learn English? There’s plenty of ways to learn without actually going abroad, such as altering language setting to English on your smartphone, take online classes, watch TV shows on Netflix, and so on. The problem is that you cannot feel the difference if you don’t continue. Of course, to acquire something, you need duration and continue the work, but wouldn’t it be great if you could learn efficiently? Imagine if you could use English every day as if you take a shower…. It is possible to create situation that you must use English in daily life in Japan by living with foreigners. From this aspect, I will introduce you today the English centered share house among all others.

Find out more about “First house Mizonokuchi 100+b”     

Inter wow Inc. is a corporation that runs various sized share house around Tokyo and Yokohama area. “First house Mizonokuchi 100+b” is a new comer. It opened this May and can have up to 40 residents. It is gradually getting occupied after 3 months from opening. The character of share house depends by the people who live there. The residents here are 60% foreigners and we can definitely say that this is a hyper international share house. For your information, sister house  “First house Mizonokuchi 100+a” which had opened last year is just around the corner. The source of the house names are combination of the number of accommodable residents of a and b, which makes it 100.

Unified theme of design is “American Vintage

The open living room area is divided into 5 different sections. You may choose depending on the situation like dining, chit chatting, or spending time alone. The living rooms have lots of furniture made of leathers and irons. They are from furniture shops in Jiyugaoka and Futakotamagawa, both known as fashionable town in Tokyo. They have chosen dark tone wood for the floor to make the rooms’ look wild and vintage.

Communication is all about “having fun”.

This  play area is like American dinner, the one you see in TV action shows . It has a whole new image. Record jackets on the wall and block check designed tiles make this place definitely photogenic. In fact, your friends will ask where you are right now by posting the photo on SNS. The billiard table at the center is popular among residents. Beginner can start by asking how to play, and there’s high chance of  naturally getting along with others. You will get better at it too. Sometimes they do country matches! Imagine, isn’t it exciting?

Big island type kitchen; usable for many people at the same time.

This may be a familiar picture to you. Yes, it is a western type kitchen. The table is stand-alone type so more than 1 person can use the kitchen at the same time. You can take a sneak peek of what everyone is cooking!

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Residents’ voice ~People living in the First house Mizonokuchi +b~

The two in the picture is Felix from Germany (on the left) and Amanda from America (on the right), both the residents here. Surprising facts came up through this interview.  Various nationalities exist in the house, and surprisingly some of them came to Japan to join internships. Interns tend to be young aged and no exception for Felix. Japanese look much younger at the same age, doesn’t it!

  Amanda from New York, USA has been living in Japan for three months now. She wished to live near big city like her hometown and chose this place, near Shibuya. She is temporarily absent from college and came to Japan to study about car business by joining internship at the firm. Students joining internship mostly have chose Japan as their first choice. By living with Japanese in the same share house makes foreigners easy to learn more about culture, history, and their language, and vice versa.

They both answered that one of their reason to be interested in Japan is that they like Japanese anime! Manga and animes of Japan are appreciated abroad, more than Japanese imagine. Titles like Dragon ball or Sailor Moon is  known by a lot of people from other countries. They have studied Japanese from the time they were children by watching animes. Talk about manga and anime you like for starter and you may get along well with them!

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How’s the daily life here?

When making decisions whether to join the share house or not, you should know about how the residents spend their daily life and how the relations are in advance. You wouldn’t want to feel the gap between the reality and the image you had. Some Japanese may be concerned that there’s lot of party going on every day or gets noisy every night, but in fact, those things are not to be worried about. Owner has full support and controls the situation.

 It is basically quiet around the house except when people gather. Isn’t it surprising? Most cases, it is tend to be busy around the sharing space in the house since people have their own life rhythms and it won’t match one another. It happens not only with lot of foreigners but even if the residents are mostly Japanese. The party held by the owner regularly is also open for their friend too so the whole house will be crowded, but it’s the only exception.

 For Amanda, the home is quiet but it is not too silent and people there at home will make her feel safe.

On weekdays, people gather at dinnertime and eat together or play billiard.

Some were cooking at the back kitchen while we were interviewing. Different from the Japanese-driven share house, the house members here tend to act as a group than individually. Don’t worry about not being able to join the existing community. The staff living together at the house will take good care of the new comer and help create new connection between them.

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Condensed cross-culture experience in Japan

 Although recommended that you to stay there at least half a year to build relationship with other residents and experience things only acquired from share housing, if you’re in certain conditions, it is possible to live here from 1 month term. This may be attractive to some people. Many foreigners have problem concluding contract with apartment owners due to insurance issues. It makes the share house popular for them to live since it doesn’t require guarantor or hire Guarantee Company. Residents stay over a year at share house run by Inter wow Inc. They assume that live-in staff brings good effect for the residents to have smooth communication and build a comfortable environment for all.

 There will be some changes but you can expect to meet different people. (Of course it is always sad to say good-bye…) It is rare to build relationships with people of different nationalities in one place. Sometimes former residents join house events and some of them even wish to come back, asking for vacancy.

These two who took their time on interview was also very friendly! Thank you so much for the opportunity!

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How did you like it? You may not believe it is located at Mizonokuchi when you visit the First house Mizonokuchi 100+b, with international living room and kitchen and foreign residents. Although official language in the house is English, you can communicate in Japanese with foreigners studying Japanese. Everyone including Europeans and Asians speak English fluently made me realize how we Japanese can’t speak English.

Both the residential staff and the residents themselves solve the anxiety for “comfortableness” that Japanese have. There seems to be no border between residents and the staff, and they all together create a one big community. Inter wow Inc. holds meet-and-greet events with other house residents. I recommend this share house to those who would like to communicate with people with various nationalities and experience the unique culture and sense of values.

Author / Sho

I take photos of share houses and write articles. On weekdays I live in a large-scale property of 60 people in Yokohama, commuting to Shibuya. I am flying about Tokyo and taking pictures. Surfing in Shonan on a holiday based on 10 sharehouses in Kamakura. I would like to spread the admiration lifestyle that can be realized with a share house!

 

 

 

 Up to 30 residents can live here. Entrance is broad enough so you won’t feel stressed out with many people going in and out.

Near the entrance, there’s a concierge’s room which no longer has been used. It is the remains from the company dormitory. Please don’t enter since it has not been used for some time.

The isle on the right leads to living room. The sign says “Reception is here”. Private viewing event was held on the day we visited.

This is the photo of the living space we shot before the event. It’s neat and very clean since it has just opened.

At the center, symbolic tree of tabicco is standing, growing straight to the ceiling. Pictures of memories here at tabicco is planned to be tied to the tree branch. The idea to resemble pictures as a leaf is very unique!

There hangs a hammock besides the tree.

The room looks bigger from this angle. You can go to the kitchen straight from the living room.

There are 3 cooking stoves and 2 IH plates. You probably won’t feel inconvenient event when the timing of cooking overlaps.

A red pot looks nice in the kitchen. Good thing about share house is that there’s full line up of dishes and cooking items needed for living.

From now on, we would like to follow the people gathered for private viewing.

Seeing it for the first time, they seem to be fully interested at the share house.

People are looking into this shower box. Compared to the ordinary share house, you may get the impression that the dressing space is bigger.

Don’t worry! There is bathtub for those who want to soak in.

Near the entrance is a bathroom exclusively for women.

This is it! The bathtub is wide enough to fit 2-3 people at the same time. Big bath is pleasant to take every day.

Enough viewing the 1st floor, let’s move on to the second floor of private rooms.

By climbing up the steps with sunlight pouring

you will get to the room with both bathroom and laundry, and the isle that leads to private rooms.

The bathroom has bidet function and a heated seat!

The layouts are similar on the third floor but space with bathroom is exclusively for women. Slightly special than the second floor!

It’s great to have a big mirror when putting on a make-up

The place has 2 washing machines on the third floor.

And this is the room of the tabicco.

This room is designed as a model room for women.

The wall paper differs in each room so you can pick one of your favorite as long as it’s vacant.

Every room has a closet this big. No worries for people with lots of belongings.

In addition to 3 floors of spaces, there’s rooftop free to use.

Above your head you can see beautiful blue sky of Osaka. They covered up the floor with wood tiles recently. You may enjoy BBQ with your share house family.

Just about the time we finished looking around the tabicco, setting for the event has been completed in the living room.

Beer bottles are lined up. The brands are from all over the world. I see, it’s to travel the world through beer.

Like a wine list, there were lists of the names and character of each beer. You may understand the feeling of drinking local beer when traveling.

The meal served was combination of Osaka and the countries around the world. The base is Takoyaki, the Osaka’s soul food, and there combined different country’s appetites. They were all so delicious and had sold out in a blink of an eye.

Confirming that everybody took a bottle of a beer, along with the toast of manager, opening party begins!

Since some were rare brands, the beer sold out fast, too.

People are strangers but most of them seemed to be friendly. Maybe travel lovers tend to have similar characters.

Taking a seat in the living room, chitchat goes on.

Some guests brought gifts (consumable goods like tissues and detergents) for the opening celebration. Things are very useful at the share house!

At the party, there was a live painting performance.

Painting the message to memorialize the opening of tabicco in a smooth manner with BGM.,

Finished! We took a picture together with the completed work. I didn’t notice there were this many people participating. Party went on with everyone smiling from the beginning to the end.

How did you like it? The share house “tabicco” we introduced today is run by Kizunabito Inc.

They use the best of their knowledge of running 4 share houses of their own brand to build the first share house in Osaka of 30 residents. The core concept of the Kizunaya brand is “Finding second family”. They throw events that enable to deepen the relationship between residents. At tabicco, they plan events with theme of travel as it is the concept of the share house. As for now, it is due to invite teacher every month to hold a cooking class with theme of dishes around the world. You may encounter recipes with less chance of learning and eating without this opportunity. This could make you interested in various countries via food.

For those with great experience in traveling or even beginners, tabicco will provide you a chance to meet people with same interest and further more “making family-like friends”. Travel around the world starts here at tabicco. How about traveling with your share house family?

/Author: Inamine 

Everyone is really friendly and fun to be around. I really felt the team had a great relationship with each other, calling everyone by their nicknames regardless of age.

The Motomachi Mets captain. What a great smile. The best thing about Izu Oshima is the people.

We were then shown around the area damaged by last year’s typhoon by the boss of Itadori, Mr. Aiko. The island recorded their largest documented rainfall at that time with 824 milliliters of rain, and even now the residents are still traumatized by the disaster. With that in mind, Itadori is working towards breathing new life into the community here.

On my last day I went with Mr. Endo, the leader of the support project Pikari, to a meeting about turning a to-be-demolished house into a sharehouse. I believe that with the cooperation of the island folk it will develop into a lively house welcoming many different people to the town.

If this article has piqued your interest in Izu Oshima then you should definitely visit the area for yourself. Once you’re there, don’t just indulge in your surroundings but reach out a friendly hand and get to know the locals.

You’re sure to experience more than this article could ever introduce to you. Your breath will be taken away by the unique, natural landscapes here, and by seeing the aftermath of the typhoon you will also appreciate the ferociousness of mother nature.
Watching the locals it is obvious that they are strong and proud people.

Itadori’s sharehouse is the place to connect you with amazing encounters and experiences like these, and by living here you are sure to experience the island in a way you couldn’t even imagine from being just a tourist.

I’m sure there are many of you who are unaware that you can get to Izu Oshima from Tokyo. You can, and now that you know I hope you make the trip to the island to visit time and time again.

The residents of the island are sure you welcome you warmly and allow you to integrate into the community and experience the island life.

/Author: Watanabe

「Dormitory Nishimagome」House Detail Page

An elegant hotel entrance You will arrive at Dormitory Nishimagome by crossing the road after alighting at Nishimagome station. There is a convenience store behind the building, which is very convenient for a spot of shopping. Heading inside, you will feel like you are in a hotel.
The building stands out with a shape almost like that of a staircase. There are cherry blossom trees nearby. The massive double-door entrance exudes dignity. Step inside into the spacious former hotel lobby. The lobby interior has been tastefully decorated. Areas remain that were used when the building was a hotel. There is a café lounge left of the entrance for communal use of tenants. Free breakfast service (toast and coffee) in the café lounge Use this lounge, reminiscent of a western-style restaurant, as you please, be it as a café when chatting to friends or just for enjoying dinner. Coffee cups are stored next to the entrance of the café lounge. Waking up with a strong coffee is a great way to start the day. There are counter seats as well as tables. You might be inspired to have an alcoholic beverage or two, but warned – no drinking allowed in here! There are two toasters at the counter and bread is provided in the mornings. Behind the counter are two mini-kitchens available for use. There are also sofas, making it a great place for those wanting to enjoy leisurely conversations!

All rooms equipped with bathrooms Rooms are equipped with a bathroom including bathtub, toilet and sink, as well as a bed and television. Pretty much exactly how they were used when the building was a hotel. This is what a standard room looks like. You can even use the space beneath the bed as storage. The renovated bathroom. There is a laundry room on the 1F. This picture only shows two machines, but will be increased to as many as 4. Let’s have a look at one of the slightly larger rooms. Spend your private time relaxing in this spacious room. Higher floors have great views that look out far as you can see.

Managing Dormitory Nishimagome is Nishimagome Daiichi Hotel group, which is run and operated by one family, so you can sense a kind of warmth associated with family management teams. Moreover, one appeal of the house is that a member of staff is stationed there permanently, so if ever anything happens you can consult them immediately.

There is relatively good transport access, and from nearby Nishimagome station you can get to Gotanda station in 8 minutes, which connects to the Yamanote line. The best thing for busy working women, though, is the fact that the distance between the station and the house is so short.

With this visit, we felt that it is a place where working women driven by time can reduce their work or school commute and spend more time for themselves, or enjoy chatting with friends without any time constraints.

Spending a luxurious morning sitting down in a chair with a toast and coffee before you is something you can only experience here at Dormitory Nishimagome.

/Author: Kagawa