A Look Inside Japan’s Most International Co-Living Network
When I, a Korean, first came to Japan, it was my first time living away from home — the first time living abroad, the first time being truly independent. As a foreigner who wasn’t fluent in Japanese, I had all sorts of worries. But before I knew it, I had stumbled upon something unexpected — a place where I ended up sharing meals with international students attending universities in Tokyo, going for late-night drives with Japanese friends, and arguing etiquette in a mash-up of languages.
That place is called OAKHOUSE, one of Japan’s biggest co-living (shared housing) companies. Established in 1992, OAKHOUSE currently manages over 4,800 rooms, 200 properties in Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto, and nearby cities. Their houses offer everything from simple dorms to private studios — but the real story lies not in the walls, but in the people.
Majority Non-Japanese Residents
According to the company data, about 66% of OAKHOUSE residents are non-Japanese, with tenants from 96 different countries.
Among these, France and the United States represent two of the largest groups, alongside residents from other EU countries and Asian countries. That kind of diversity is almost unheard of in Japanese housing, where strict rental contracts and language barriers usually scare off many foreigners.
Curious how such diversity is even possible in a country known for its strict rental norms, I reached out to the OAKHOUSE Sales Promotion Department and spoke with Mr. Katayama, who has been closely involved in building the company’s community-based model over the years.
“We operate with the philosophy of ‘enjoy living’,” he told me. In fact, OAKHOUSE organizes over 300 events annually to help foster daily interaction among residents. Katayama explained that the variety of cultures, languages, and lifestyles within each house isn’t just a feature — it’s what makes community life more dynamic, engaging, and, for many, worth staying for.
Who Actually Lives Here?
The resident population at OAKHOUSE tends to be young and dynamic: about a quarter are aged 25 to 29, with people in their early 20s and early 30s also making up a significant portion.
According to Katayama, Gen Y and Z are the main target, but there are some older adults as well. “There is a woman in her 60s who teaches at a famous university in Tokyo, and a gentleman in his 70s who was an executive at a world-famous IT company, so the tenant body is very diverse and unique,” he grinned.
The tenants come from all walks of life: full-time employees, language school students, university students, freelancers, and people working part-time or on short-term contracts. It’s a diverse mix that reflects the flexibility and social nature of the co-living model OAKHOUSE has built.
Living in a Multilingual Environment
Despite being in Japan, English is often the go-to language inside OAKHOUSE properties. Whether you’re in the shared kitchen or the lounge, chances are you’ll end up chatting in English with fellow residents from around the world. Staff are also generally able to assist in English, making it easier for non-Japanese speakers to feel at home from day one.
But don’t worry — you get Japanese language learning opportunities every day, anywhere, anytime. Cooking together leads to language exchange sessions, and eating together results in promises to go out on weekends or after work. This is how I learned Japanese. Some people are here short-term, some are working full-time, others are on a working holiday or studying Japanese. It’s this mix that makes it feel less like a dorm, and more like an international hub that happens to have a rice cooker.
For the Newcomer in Japan, It Just Makes Sense
Let’s face it — renting an apartment in Japan can be complicated, especially if you don’t speak Japanese or have a local friend to help you out. That’s where OAKHOUSE stands out: no complicated contracts, and you can usually move in within a few days.
Sure, co-living isn’t for everyone. But if you’re looking for a more social, flexible, and international experience while living in Japan — or if you just don’t want to eat every meal alone — living together can be a great option. (By the way, they can help you find a private apartment too, of course.)
What started as a working holiday turned into a new chapter. I got a job, a visa, and a home where I may sometimes be by myself—but never lonely.
Without this home, my life in Japan wouldn’t have been this easy.
