The entrance is located on the end of the brick-style wall.

On the wall hangs ARDEN Higashi-Shinjuku’s nameplate. A notable service ARDEN provides are regular English conversation and activities where participants can connect with foreigners and study English called ‘English Community’.

The entrance is opened by use of electronic key.

After entering through the entrance, you can see the washroom and rooms all on one floor.

All five rooms are lined up along the hall on the first floor. The washroom is behind the last door down the hall.

And with that, let’s take a look at the rooms.

Every room has this particular furniture set-up. While some of the rooms differ slightly in size, they’re essentially all the same.

Plopping down on the bed feels great and is very comfortable.

The beds installed in every room are of the Mujirushi brand.

Next up is the restroom; let’s check it out.

The mirror, towels and even lights are all high-end items.

One bathroom is put together very simply. 

The bathtub is around the same size as one would find in their house. Smaller females may have an abundance of room in it.

Aside from the bathtub is the shower room. The shower room is quite popular and can get crowded, so if you give it up to the other females in the house you may gain some brownie points. The toilets, of course, are fitted with washlets. 

The second floor is set up identically to the first floor, fitted with rooms and the washrooms, so let’s go up to the co-living space on the third floor.

The co-living space on the third floor also has two rooms. While having a room next to the co-living space may be a problem for some, the doors are fitted with soundproof materials; as long as people aren’t shouting, you apparently can’t hear anything. Let’s now take a look at ARDEN Higashi-Shinjuku’s main space!

The living room, reminiscent of an overseas hidden cafe, welcomes you!

While it’s a new building, the vintage taste of the furniture produces a comfortable old-style feelings.

The third floor co-living space is about the same size as an LDK (living room, dining room, kitchen) apartment. Let’s take a look at the living space with the sofa first.

The box-style shelf a fancy addition. It’s a luxurious item on display.

Watching television on the large TV while drinking alcohol from a glass; in this space, you can enjoy the delights of an adult on another level.

ARDEN Higashi-Shinjuku’s concept is ‘Vintage cafe style’, we’re told. Even the tiniest item of furniture exudes refinement and class.

By accenting a bit of green into the room, the strong vintage flair of is naturally balanced out into a bright atmosphere.

By playing some Jazz or R&B from the music speaker, the atmosphere of a Friday night bar comes alive.

Next up is the dining room.

The dining room table and chairs are all made of wood. Mai took note of how each chair had a different design.

The open-hanging style light bulbs, and their pendant design, really adds to the atmosphere!

And the kitchen, designed with wood and plenty of silver and brown accents, gives off a cool vibe for this manly kitchen.

Instead of a direct flame, the fire source uses three IH plates. It, of course, also has a fishing grill.

The unit kitchen’s drawers are also filled with tons of cooking supplies.

As long as you don’t have a very specific cooking style that requires special tools, you shouldn’t have any problems cooking. There are also three kinds of kitchen knives: santoku-knives, petti-knives and bread-knives.

Since the surroundings of the sink are widely used, the counter can be used to place food on. The finished product can be passed out to the rest of the room easily. 

From the kitchen, you should be able to send out a delicious smell to your housemates in the living room and dining room. So how about it? – ARDEN Higashi-Shinjuku.

While sat in the corner of the metropolitan Shinjuku, the house itself is placed in a calm and quiet residential area. However, even in the midst of such a city as Shinjuku, this stylish and modern sharehouse has the kind of atmosphere that fits its surroundings and really stands out. Sharing while living in the city means you can save your time, money and a bit of something more. With ARDEN, you can learn more about communities like this and live an intelligent urban life.

Your new lifestyle is on the way. How about shaking things up a bit and trying out a new way to live that’s not the norm?

/Author: inamine 

ShareAmbassador/Mai

Taking a college education up to Tokyo from Kumamoto.  Campus Collection 2016 in Tokyo and elected to MissCC Finalist.  Currently doing model activities, we are working at TOKYO SHAREHOUSE as a share ambassador to convey “extraordinary experiences”.  Twitter account: @ 0525 _ 9

「TOKYO SHARE MBA ICHIGAYA」House details page

Detached home in great location just 3 minutes to Shinjuku from local station! While the concept of the house is appealing in itself, the living environment within is also top-notch. The house is in a public transport friendly area with two train stations nearby, Ushigome-yanagichō and Akebono stations on the Toei Oedo line respectively 5 and 6 minutes walk away. There are also a number of bus routes running in the area.
Well-known business schools such as Globis University Graduate School of Management, Waseda Business School and BBT are located nearby. The property itself is made up of two houses attached and renovated together.
The common room is multipurpose can be used as living room, workspace or party room. The workshop area is permanently equipped with a whiteboard, printer and a library of business manuals and can be used for seminars, study groups and business meetings. English conversation workshops, business school study groups and events for residents to deepen their knowledge of the industry while interacting with each other are held here.
Connect your computer to the television and use the display as a projector. This set up will be of great use during seminars. The living room can be partitioned off and used as workspace for small groups.
With the kitchen located next to the living room residents can also interact over meals. The washing machine and dryer are free to use. There is a bathroom with a tub and a separate shower room. There are two types of room, Japanese-style and Western-style. All rooms are furnished with bed, desk and refrigerator. (Above is Room 1B) Room 1C. Room 2C. Room 2D. Room 2E Room 2F.
English Conversation seminar Let’s have a peak at an English Conversation seminar that was held in the house with two popular English language school teachers. This lesson wasn’t just a lecture, it was an interactive class on English learning techniques through communication.
The venue was small and cozy, and perhaps being in such close proximity to others was what encouraged the neverending chatter over lunch. A powerpoint presentation and relevant images were displayed on the television screen by connecting the computer to the TV.
Sharehouses aren’t simply places to live, they are also places of study that open up a whole new world of possibilities. After class it was time to mingle, the classroom becoming relaxed and its students getting to know each other on a deeper level.

This sharehouse is managed by the Almater Corporation. It was created around a concept with ‘MBA’ as its focal point, and the brains behind the operation is an MBA holder himself. It is his hope that through sharing knowledge and information residents can come in contact with a variety of different people and acquire the skills needed to push them up to the next level, and act as a support system for new startups.

Upon visiting the house myself, I found myself thinking that having a comfortable environment doesn’t necessarily make it possible to concentrate. What helps with concentration is having peers with you inside that environment, people who may have different objectives but the same dedicated spirit to study, learn and cultivate one’s self with.

You can spend time as you please here, using the common area as a cafe or workspace or relaxing by yourself in your room when you want to be alone. This is the perfect home for people working hard day after day who want to improve their skills and achieve self-fulfillment

Changing one’s living environment is also a great idea for people who want to get a business started but can’t seem to take the first step to achieve it.

You may look back at this move in years to come and recognize it as the reason for your future success. Just by doing something as simple as moving house you could be setting up for something great to happen.

/Author:Kagawa

「ARDEN Shinjuku」House Details Page

3-storey sharehouse with 25 rooms in quiet residential area newly constructed in 2015 Nearby a train station in the middle of the city, the white sharehouse Arden Shinjuku sits in a quiet residential area off the main street.
The front entrance is reminiscent of a mansion estate with its double doors, accessible by pinpad. Inside, the front hallway is spacious with a ventilation fan in place to ward off the smell of shoes.
Mailboxes for each resident line the wall beside the door. There is also a sign properly in place. Nearby a friendly cat who will surely become the house unexpectedly makes an appearance.
Polished interior design has a Brooklyn N.Y cafe/library vibe. The shared living room is on the third floor, with a high ceiling and window facing south creating the perfect atmosphere. Lower the blinds for the warm lighting and wooden furniture together to heighten the mood instantly.
While having a high ceiling creates space, it gets cold during winter. This house is fitted with floored heating, however, warming your body up from your toes to your fingers. The open kitchen design also works to create space in the house.
With the warm lighting in this room residents can really sit down and relax on the provided sofa. The ceiling is lower here than the dining area, creating a relaxed mood. Indirect lighting placed around here and there accent the room nicely. The dining room is just the right size, without being too big or too spacious, perfect for residents to interact and mingle in. There is window space above the installed blind-style curtains… …from which residents can enjoy the beautiful night sky and see all the way to Shinjuku’s famous buildings without anything obstructing the view. The kitchen has two gas stoves and sinks and plenty of room to cook in. An oven is a rare find in Japanese households, and the non-Japanese residents get a lot of use out of this one. All the kitchen appliances you could need are available to use whenever you please.
Bath and toilet possess both design and function It goes without saying that the design of the bathrooms and washbasins around the house are of excellent quality, and so is the functionality. The nozzles on the freestanding washbasins are actually showerheads, which can be pulled out and lengthened as one desires.
This is the powder room. This kind of room and its design will certainly please the ladies. Getting ready here in the morning will no doubt get you excited for the day.
There is a laundry room on the third floor with washing machines and dryers free to use. A balcony with some outdoor furniture is accessible from the laundry room. Residents can hang their washing to dry out here on sunny days.
Comfortable and fully furnished private rooms Rooms come furnished with a bed, desk, chair and storage cupboard so you can pack up and move in with nothing but a suitcase in your hand.
All the rooms are same mostly for layout and the size. Sharehouses aren’t all about having fun with your sharemates — you can have your private time, too.

Operating ARDEN Shinjuku is Sharestyle. This company is the forerunner in English conversation concept sharehouses, and with their experience gained from many trials and tribulations in the industry they provide not just a beautifully designed space, but a home away from home to support their residents.

Should any trouble occur in the house a staff member will be their for support on all levels until the situation is resolved, and continue to look in on everything for three months afterwards in a very thorough way.

The English conversation concept does not involve sitting down in a classroom, but is realized in a fun and enjoyable way through bi-monthly activities such as parties and other events. The hosts of these events are usually non-Japanese people living in other houses, so not only will you be able to interact with those living in your house, but with people from other houses as well.

The best thing about sharehouses is they have everything you could possibly want, which is impossible to find in a regular rental property.

Living in a great place is the first big step towards creating a better lifestyle for yourself. ARDEN Shinjuku is just the place to do that, and will surely enrich the lives of everyone calling this sharehouse home.

/Author:Kagawa

「Cocoro Mejiro」House Details Page

The black color-scheme and indirect lighting interweave to create a calm yet elegant entrance 5-minute walk from Mejiro station on the Yamanote line. You will see the building housing Cocoro Mejiro after walking straight along Mejiro-dori towards Ochiai. The entrance was renovated this year to a chic, calm design.
The sharehouse is on the 10th floor, the top floor of the building. It is accessible by elevator and you’ll feel like you’re living in a high class apartment building. The front entrance. With a skylight in the ceiling I get the impression that it would be bright and cheerful in here during the day without turning the lights on. The shoe storage shelves are of high capacity. There is also space to store boots.
The living room boasting excellent views and natural lighting is furnished by IDEE furniture in a simple yet quality design The living and dining area creates an almost too comfortable atmosphere with natural light shining in through the large windows, top quality IDEE furniture and solid birch wood flooring. A cityscape extends out beyond the window as the view from the 10th floor.
The open kitchen is itself quite enclosed and is quite attractive as the sink and bench are not visible from the living room. The sofa in the living room is impressive in shade of sky blue and the area can be used in many different ways.
The chairs at the dining table have beautiful curved backs and are comfortable to sit on. The dining table is arranged right next to the kitchen. You can just imagine the spirited conversations that could take place around this table. You can look out over the city from the verandah. The view dramatically changes at night.
The mosaic-tiled kitchen is spacious enough to please those who love to cook with plenty of storage space This kitchen has all the qualities of both an open and closed kitchen and is quite an extravagance when you realize that it will be used by a maximum of 6 people. Those who like to cook will love the large sink, bench space and the wide passage. There is also plenty of refrigerator and cupboard space.
This is the ‘closed’ section of the kitchen, great for people who take their time cooking without worrying about what is going on around them. The mosaic tiles give an accent to the otherwise simple design.
Here are the washbasins. There is shelving behind the mirrors to store toothbrushes, styling products and hair dryers. There is one shower and one bathroom, both spacious. The laundry room is located beside the bathroom. Opposite the washing machines are shelves to store soaps and detergents.
Rich array of rooms for you to enjoy arranging in your own style There is a total of 6 rooms, each with its own layout. Rooms are also of a simple design, the appeal being to enjoy arranging and decorating them in one’s own style. (Room 1004)
Room 1001 has a walk-in closet with satisfactory space and storage facilities. Room 1003 is a loft-type room with its own balcony.
Room 1002. This room also has a walk-in closet. Room 1005. Room 1006.

Managing this house is Arco Design Works. The manager worked for a company designing hotels and houses before breaking away to go independent and now develops houses with design and convenience in mind. The ‘Cocoro’ series of sharehouses are unified by a consistent theme, characterized by solid birch wood flooring, IDEE furniture and the use of mosaic tiling within the house.

Talking with the manager I could just tell that every last detail had been taken into consideration. In regards to storage, for example, he says that if tenants are not allowed to keep personal items in the common areas then a suitable storage area must be provided elsewhere. And sure enough, what surprised me the most when visiting the house myself was of course the design of the common areas, but also its functionality and storage facilities.

Storage facilities are not just random empty spaces around the house, but arranged specifically in places upon consideration of the tenant’s daily lives and in easy-to-use positions. Because of this, residents will become accustomed to using something then putting it back in its place immediately.

This is perhaps due to the knowledge gained from years of experience managing other sharehouses, however I do believe that all of the trial and error in making houses in the past has lead to this house being as charming as it is.

While rules and established routines are also important, a great community is sure to blossom in a residence built in a way that helps residents to keep things neat and tidy without a second thought.

/Author: Kagawa

「Cozy Village Jasmin」House Detail Page

About a 10 minute walk from the Ochiai Minami Nagasaki station We’ve arrived at the women’s only share house Cozy Village Jasmine (5 rooms total) complete with a wooden deck and garden.  In the beginning of summer, the spacious living room is wrapped in the sweet smell of Jasmine.  In such a tranquil environment, we have the feeling a small number of women living together are sure to get along together quite well here.  Those who take a look at this house and instinctively think “Oh, I can start a new life here!”, we think it’d be best to trust your instincts.
Well then, let’s start with a look at the entrance.   There’s also a sign by the entrance.  Now let’s step inside.   Stepping into the entranceway you’ll see stairs leading up to the 2nd floor as well as a door leading to the living room.  Since we’re starting on the 1st floor, lets head to the living room.

The sofa also seemed to have more than enough room to relax on. I can picture everyone relaxing together watching TV. Here’s a closer look at the TV and DVD player.  Everyone’s sure to watch movies together in a setting like this.

We also wondered if the items on the wall were shared by the residents. A quick look at the wallpaper. Here we have the dining table.  Perhaps this is where the English lessons are held.

You’ll also notice there’s a blue carpet and a large window accenting the living room.  We found the great lighting and view of the courtyard through the window to be quite pleasant. The living room also has a shared computer. Stepping outside of the living room, you’ll see the large courtyard and wooden deck.  Great to hang your laundry to dry, or to simply spend time together with other residents.

Personally, we really liked all the greenery outside of the living room. There’s also space outside for the large trash box.  Now let’s go back inside.

Another look at the kitchen.  There’s sufficient space for cooking in here. Complete with a microwave, toaster, and rice cooker. There are two induction cook tops.
The house is already fully equipped with cookware, so you can save a little money when you move in. Naturally, garbage is sorted here.  Since everyone lives together here it’s very important. There’s a door leading outside next to the kitchen as well.
The intercom is also equipped with a camera, so it’s easy to deal with sudden visitors. Here’s a look at the stairs leading up to the 2nd floor. A quick shot of the lighting.
Here is the 2nd floor hallway. There’s also a bathroom on the 2nd floor.  A bath in a share house is a rare sight, but its sure to be a great addition for the ladies here. Here’s the message board.  Its use depends on the residents.
Every floor has a restroom.  This is the 2nd floor restroom. The restroom on the first floor is very spacious and has a stylish feel to it.  Of course, it includes bidet functions. Further in past the kitchen there’s a washing machine.

Private room Unfortunately, there were no vacant rooms when we came to visit, so all photos here have been provided by the manager.  This is a photo of room 203.  There’s also a loft, so the extra space can offer a lot of use.

Room 201 Room 101 Room204

Although it’s been said in a book that “the shortcut to learning a language is speaking”, there are certainly people who are thinking “I have no opportunities to speak” or “even if I learn how to speak at a language school, it’s not easy to remember.”  In that sense, whether it’s you as the teacher or the person studying language, we thought learning a language through day-to-day living is extremely effective.

Although we mentioned it in the initial review, living together with residents of a different nationality and having daily conversation in a different language is sure to be interesting, and for teaching English you can live in the share house for only half price.  I’m sure some of you are thinking, “even to say I’m an English teacher, it’s only a few hours a week so what am I’m teaching?” and that’s definitely a good question to ask.

 “I can speak English, but I want to blend in more with Japanese and learn about Japanese culture.”

“I’d like to live in a nice location in the city at a reasonable price.”

“At any rate, I’d really like to make more Japanese friends.”

If this sounds like you, why not consider living at this share house? 

For the record, because this share house is women only, of course the English teacher has to be a woman.  The Manager prioritizes offering a “peaceful life,” so we believe you’ll have many great encounters living here.

/Author:moriyama

The detail page of “OLIPO Nishi-Shinjuku”

Living The high ceiling of the spacious living room and kitchen is made of undressed concrete, while the floors are made of concrete mortar accented by orange chairs creating a stylish urban atmosphere.  Whether cooking or just enjoying a meal, everyone can have a good time together here. Kitchen The open space of the kitchen is very attractive with its 4 burner gas range that even comes with a chair.  In addition, so all of you cooking fans can get together, the kitchen has also been furnished with 3 large refrigerators for the 13 residents.

First things first, a look at the outside of the share house.  On the other side of the gate is OLIPO Nishi-Shinjuku. A quick shot of the OLIPO sign. Going up the stairs just past the mailbox leads to the entranceway.
The stairs leading into the entranceway have been made with brick. As soon as you go into the entranceway, there’s a blackboard resembling a café menu. All residents have separate letter boxes, and underneath are hangers for umbrellas.
There is piping across the ceiling and the floor is made of concrete mortar, but it looks like it was made so you can wear your shoes on it. Here’s a shot from the kitchen.  In the forefront is the kitchen work table. A full view of the kitchen.  Although the ceiling and floor are made of concrete, the tables and counters are made of wood.
This unit referred to as a “system kitchen” in Japan includes a one legged chair.  You’re sure to get plenty done cooking in here. Looking closely at the gas range, you can see it has 4 burners. Brand new, still unused kitchenware., all with a uniform color.
Frying pans are also on hand in three sizes. Below the kitchen work table is storage space for kitchenware. Here’s a shot of the kitchen from the other side, and as you can see the washing machines are hiding on the side.
These two large refrigerators (plus 1 more) are shared by the 13 residents. Across from the work table you’ll find the kitchen appliances. And up above you’ll find a clock reminiscent of clocks seen in schools.
Here’s a quick look at the glasses. Round trash cans, a bit like the ones you’d find at an art museum perhaps. They also have charming teacups.
Next to the kitchen there’s a storage space that looks like a closet, but if you open it up… You’ll find the washers and dryers we showed you earlier. Now, let’s take a look down the hallway.
A nice warm carpet has been laid on the floor. The bathroom sign piqued our interest, so we took a quick shot. Here’s the entrance to the shower room.
And here is the restroom with a fairly large window. Also a look at the toilet paper holder. The shower is coin operated.
Every floor has a wash stand including a large mirror. Looking closer at the faucet, it’s long and fairly high up making it easy to use when washing your face or brushing your teeth. There’s also a smaller mirror attached to the wall.
And to the side you’ll find the light switch. On the ceiling of the hallway in a fairly inconspicuous spot is the wireless network router. 廊下の様子を１枚。
And here’s a quick shot of the hallway. Behind the blinds here in the hallway is a bit of room to put away furnishings.

Here we have room 203. It has a large window and a large mirror to match. Here’s a look at the flooring. A shot of room 202.
Room 303 accented with green wallpaper. Here’s room 304. Next up is room 301.
Here’s a look at room 305. Above the door is a tiny glass window. We’re up one floor now looking at room 404.
Here’s room 402. The corner has a concrete pillar that’s been left as is. Every room includes a television and mirror.
Under the desk are hooks to hang items such as bags. Room 403 has been accented with blue wallpaper. Last but not least, we have a look at room 401.
A quick view from the verandah. Every room also includes a shelf. The lighting was so charming we just had to get a picture.
A picture with Mr.Tanda from Office Shintou Co.ltd.  We managed to get an interview. The persimmon trees on the premises were bearing fruit. (picture taken on 10/24) Next to the share house there’s also a park.  Truly an oasis in the heart of the city.

Quite frankly, to be fortunate enough to have such a great location for roughly 60,000 yen per month (plus 8,000 yen for utilities), we thought this was an extremely attractive offer.  The atmosphere inside the house has an urban flare, and although there are probably a lot of working people living here, you can expect a co-ed share house life in the city to be pretty interesting.　

/Author: カガワ