At WARAI, Japanese and international housemates of different ages and backgrounds share everyday life. Perhaps you want to use more English, discover other cultures, or live with Japanese people while improving your Japanese. Here is what life at WARAI can offer.

For Japanese residents: Make language and cultural exchange part of everyday life

When an international housemate lives in the same home, a chat in the kitchen or a meal together can become a natural chance to use English and learn about another culture. You do not need to be fluent. Housemates can share words and expressions with each other and enjoy conversations at their own pace.

People from the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, Italy, Korea, Taiwan, and many other places have lived at WARAI. To keep opportunities for Japanese and international residents to live together, we continue to set aside rooms for international residents at Organic and Grand Blue. Residents and room availability change over time, but these homes are especially worth exploring if you are interested in international exchange.

Jason, a housemate from Australia

Cultural exchange is about more than speaking English. Cooking together, learning about different customs, and making room for each other’s ways of living are part of it too. Shared meals and community events also offer chances to meet housemates from other WARAI homes and people in the neighborhood.

For international residents: Live with Japanese housemates and practice Japanese

WARAI welcomes residents of all nationalities. Living with Japanese housemates gives you opportunities to use everyday Japanese during greetings, meals, and conversations about shared spaces—situations you may not encounter in a textbook. If you want to improve your Japanese, meet Japanese people, and make friends in Kobe, shared living can be a rewarding way to do it. The owner and his wife can also help with simple questions in English and Mandarin Chinese.

Housemates Stephan and Jessica

You do not need to speak perfect Japanese before asking about a room. In a shared home, consideration matters as much as language ability: housemates talk through differences in habits and respect one another. For a resident’s perspective, read Yuki’s advice on living in a Japanese share house.

Rent discount for international residents

This rent discount is for international residents from English-speaking countries, or international residents who speak English at a native level, who plan to stay for at least six months. It applies only at Organic and Grand Blue, to one eligible resident per house. The following amount is deducted from the monthly rent, based on the room’s rent before the discount:

• Room rent below ¥40,000: ¥2,000 off
• Room rent from ¥40,000 to below ¥50,000: ¥3,000 off
• Room rent of ¥50,000 or more: ¥4,000 off

Please ask us which rooms are eligible, what conditions apply when moving in, and which rooms are currently available.

Enjoy time together—and time to yourself

Francesco, a housemate from Italy

WARAI has also held language and community events, including English conversation gatherings. You can join an event, share a meal at home, or connect in your own way. There is room for both community and quiet time in your private room.

A shared meal at an English immersion gathering

Visit or get in touch

Wondering who lives here or which room might suit you? Explore Organic and Grand Blue, then contact us in English about current availability, a viewing, or moving in. We look forward to hearing from you.

After our monthly share house viewing, we get together for dinner. In September, new housemates joined us, and 18 residents and visitors gathered around the table.

Dinner with 18 people, including our newest housemates

WARAI regularly hosts viewings of our share houses in the Tarumi and Maiko areas of Kobe. Afterward, residents and visitors can share a meal and chat. This time, two new housemates—one from the mixed-gender Grand Blue and one from the women-only Arch—joined us too.

Our usual caterer was unavailable, so I made seasoned rice and miso soup using recipes my wife taught me. We also roasted pumpkin from an organic vegetable box. We started with a toast, then relaxed into conversation as we ate. Before long, people who had just met were chatting comfortably.

Introductions that lead to new connections

Once everyone had eaten, it was time for our usual round of introductions. Each person shared a nickname, hometown, what they do, what they enjoy, and something they would like to do with their housemates. People came from all five WARAI houses, so it was a chance to hear from neighbors we do not often see in daily life.

One idea can turn into plans to do something together, or a conversation can lead to exchanging contact details. I mentioned that I have been practicing walking for a future trip along the Camino de Santiago and invited everyone to join my next walk. Listening to each person’s voice helps us get to know one another a little better.

Lots of laughter over an introduction game

After clearing the dishes, we played an introduction game with the children. Everyone answers a question, then tries to remember who gave which answer. For “What one thing would you take to a desert island?”, an unexpected answer and a playful mix-up had the room laughing. A question about a child’s favorite cookie soon turned into a lively word game, too.

A housemate attending for the first time later told me how much fun they had. I was happy that, amid all the laughter, we had also made time to learn a little about each other.

For more first-hand perspectives on everyday life here, explore our resident interviews and videos.

Looking for a share house in Kobe?

If you are looking for a share house in Kobe, Tarumi, or Maiko, our viewing and dinner gathering let you meet the people who live here as well as see the rooms.

Upcoming viewings and gatherings

• Saturday, October 17 and Saturday, November 21, 2026: Meet at the ticket gates of Sanyo Kasumigaoka Station at 4:00 p.m. After viewing houses with available rooms, join us for dinner at WARAI Organic in Tarumi from 6:00 to 8:30 p.m.
• Saturday, December 26, 2026: Meet at the ticket gates of Sanyo Kasumigaoka Station at 3:00 p.m. After the viewing, we will have a Christmas party at WARAI Organic from 5:00 to 8:30 p.m.

You can join either the viewing or the gathering on its own. For reservations and trial-stay inquiries, see our share house viewing and gathering page. Under the 2026 summer–autumn campaign, a rent discount is available to those who move in within 60 days of the viewing. Please check the current conditions, vacancies, and rent on our availability and rent page.

We are also renovating a new share house in the Maiko area called WARAI Nagi, aiming to open in December. We will share details about early viewings and reservations on our website and social media once they are settled.

I look forward to sharing another meal with you!

WARAI holds monthly house viewings, dinner gatherings, and optional trial stays in 2026.

Saturday, October 17 & Saturday, November 21, 2026: House viewing & dinner gathering
Meet at the ticket gates of Sanyo Kasumigaoka Station at 4:00 p.m.
Visit share houses with available rooms, then travel to WARAI Organic.
Dinner gathering: 6:00–8:30 p.m. at the WARAI Organic event space in Tarumi.
We can take you to your trial-stay property afterward if requested.

Saturday, December 26, 2026: House viewing & Christmas party
Meet at the ticket gates of Sanyo Kasumigaoka Station at 3:00 p.m.
Visit share houses with available rooms, then travel to WARAI Organic.
Christmas party: 5:00–8:30 p.m. at the WARAI Organic event space in Tarumi.
For the gift exchange, please bring a gift worth about ¥1,000 or a nice new, unused item from home. We can take you to your trial-stay property afterward if requested.

You may join either the viewing or the gathering on its own, and leaving early is fine. Please contact us to book. Individual and online viewings can also be arranged.

2026 summer–autumn campaign: Move in within 60 days of your viewing and receive a rent discount. The usual period is 30 days.

WARAI owner Inoji and his daughter

Current vacancies and rent are available here.

Contact us

What are WARAI house viewings and community gatherings?

At Kobe Share House WARAI, we first show you the property you are interested in. Then we move to our main house, Organic, for a gathering where you can share a meal with current housemates.

• Current WARAI housemates
• People considering moving into a share house

This is a members-only gathering for the people above, making it a good chance to casually ask current housemates what living in a share house is really like.

The purpose of the gathering

WARAI operates five share houses between Tarumi and Maiko in Kobe. We also have several rental houses for families and for people who would like to use an entire house on their own.

All of the properties are within walking distance, but in everyday life there are few chances to meet members from houses other than your own. We started the WARAI Family Dining Table to help everyone get to know one another better.

We hope it can be a place where people can speak openly and enjoy comfortable relationships.

Dinner with housemates from all five houses (monthly, on the viewing day)

Housemates from WARAI’s five houses and visitors share a meal at Organic after the monthly viewing. Conversations often begin around the table and continue across the houses. To get a feel for one evening, read the September gathering report. You can also hear about day-to-day shared living in our resident interviews and videos.

◆ Venue
Kobe Share House WARAI Organic
After the viewing, we will travel there together by car.

It is a 7-minute walk from Tarumi Station, and parking is available.
Please see access to Share House WARAI for details.

◆Participation fee: ¥1,000 for visitors; free for current WARAI housemates.
Meal and trial-stay fees will be fully refunded to guests who move in.
*The refund is available to people who stay for at least six months.

Enjoy catered food from Hana of Atelier Chez Marie.
There will be plenty of delicious homemade dishes, including vegetarian-friendly options.

Please feel free to let us know about dietary restrictions or preferences, including vegetarian, vegan, or halal meals.

Trial stays are also available【advance reservation required】

◆ Fee: ¥3,500 per night

Meal and trial-stay fees will be fully refunded to guests who move in.
*The refund is available to people who stay for at least six months.

*A stay can be arranged either on the viewing day or for a later date.
*Bedding is provided.

How to reserve

Please use the link below to make a reservation or ask us any questions.

Contact us

【Questions about viewings and gatherings】
*If you would like to join on the day without a reservation made by the previous day, please call one of the phone numbers below.
We may not notice an email in time. Thank you for your understanding.
*Without an advance reservation, we will not be able to meet you at the meeting point.

• Inoue: 090-9866-1059
• Kanehara: 090-1958-1829

I want to introduce Warai: an amazing place and an amazing community—one of the best ways to experience life in Japan.

I moved into Warai as soon as I came to Japan and stayed for more than two years. Eventually I had to leave Kobe because my circumstances changed, but if I could have chosen, I would have continued living there with everyone for years.

From day one, the owner Inoji was incredibly kind, generous and fun. We are now good friends, as are the many people I met at Warai.

“Share house” does not fully describe Warai. It felt like a community—a nakama, or group of companions. We helped one another, explored the area, worked in the garden and held monthly events with food, drinks and music.

There were events for health, yoga, exercise, parties, food, music, farming and gardening, English conversation and local markets. That variety is what made Warai so special.

Everyone helped me learn Japanese, and many residents spoke great English, so I always felt at home. My two years here were beautiful. Whether you are looking for a place to live or want to experience the events and scenery of Kobe and Tarumi, I recommend Warai.

Related reading

• More resident interviews and videos

Here I share five months of share-house life. After living alone in Kansai for a long time, I grew tired of city life and strongly wanted to live closer to nature. That wish brought me to Warai.

A friend lived in another Warai house, Arch, but I still wondered whether I would get along with the other residents. I visited several times before moving in.

I chose the Organic house because the sea is only a ten-minute walk away and the rooftop has a beautiful ocean view. The garden vegetable patch and even chickens that lay eggs were also irresistible.

Living there, I was inspired and comforted by the other housemates’ free-spirited personalities. Someone might be preparing fresh sashimi after work, or inviting us to compare delicious local tofu. There were always tasty ideas in the house.

I made red shiso juice in summer and organized a natural-dyeing project using onion skins from Awaji Island.

On days off, we borrowed the shared car and drove to Tamba-Sasayama. Warai showed me that even as an adult, you can find friends you can laugh with deeply. Our jobs and values differed, but under one roof we respected each other without being overly dependent.

Although I now live elsewhere, Organic life made me truly want a lifestyle closer to nature—and perhaps to try farming someday.

Related reading

• More resident interviews and videos
• Organic house details

I would like to share what life at Warai was like for me. I am from Russia and worked in Tarumi as an English teacher. Grand Blue is close to Maiko Station, so commuting by bus was easy. The large supermarket connected to the station also made everyday shopping very convenient.

Maiko Park and the Maiko Marine Promenade, with their sea views, became my favorite places. I also enjoyed shopping and dining at Mitsui Outlet Park Marine Pia Kobe, and relaxing at Taihei-no-yu, a large public bath with a stone sauna.

Who lived in the share house?

There were people preparing to join overseas volunteer programs, as well as residents from Thailand, Taiwan, and many other backgrounds. We had a wonderful time together and I even gave private Russian lessons to a few people.

Memories of shared life

In spring we enjoyed cherry-blossom gatherings and shared meals. In summer, residents and the landlord had barbecues and went octopus fishing by the nearby sea. At night, we watched fireworks and sea fireflies; swimming in the sea at night was especially memorable.

I also wanted to keep a ferret. After Inoji asked the other housemates and everyone agreed, I welcomed Zucchini. When Zucchini needed surgery, Inoji kindly drove us to and from the hospital. He also checked in on me with care during a difficult time for Russian people.

My room, Grand Blue 204, was spacious with plenty of storage. Its large balcony had an ocean view, and on sunny days I would sit outside with tea or a book.

I loved the neighborhood, the people, and the room. After two happy years at Warai Grand Blue, I moved to the Kanto area to live with my partner. I highly recommend life at Warai—if I return to Kobe, I would love to live in Grand Blue 204 again.

Related reading

• More resident interviews and videos

This is an interview with Miho, a resident of the women-only WARAI Garden. She shares why she chose Garden, what she loves about the Tarumi–Maiko area, and how life in a share house has given her room for gardening, friendship, and baking.

About Miho

Miho moved into Kobe Share House WARAI Garden in January 2020. Born and raised in Kyushu, she had no previous connection to Kansai and describes herself as a free-spirited traveler.

How did you find WARAI?

A meditation friend told her, “If you come to Kansai, I know a share house I can introduce you to.” Moving was on her mind, but neither Kobe nor shared living had been part of her original plan. Following her intuition, she stopped in Kobe on the way from Hakata to Osaka, learned more, toured several homes, and chose Garden.

Why Garden?

“The sea is incredibly close!” Miho has loved the ocean for many years, with experience in windsurfing, wakeboarding, bodyboarding, and a small-boat license. Being able to walk to the sea was the deciding factor. The women-only environment also gave her peace of mind.

Miho works mainly from home or travels for work as a meditation practitioner and media creator. This lifestyle naturally led her to enjoy more activities at home.

Daily life at Garden

Garden has a small yard where residents can grow vegetables. They enjoy home-grown cucumbers, sweet potatoes, seasonal flowers, and the changing seasons together.

Miho’s favorite feature is the excellent gas oven. She bakes bread with natural wild yeast, enjoying the simple process of making it without relying on dry yeast. The shared kitchen makes room for hobbies such as baking while living with others.

During the pandemic, residents held weekly meals, went walking and shopping together, and even took trips. They used WARAI’s shared car for a group trip to Okayama and Tottori, including a visit to the natural-yeast bakery and craft-beer shop Talmary.

A message for people considering a share house

A share house is not for everyone, but for people who enjoy living with others it can be a truly enjoyable choice. Miho says she has been very satisfied with life at WARAI—and if the timing is right, you may even get to taste her bread.

WARAI welcomes viewings throughout the year and holds regular viewing and community events. Resident interview videos are also available on WARAI’s YouTube channel.

Related pages

• More resident interview videos
• Women’s share-house living at WARAI

In this interview, we speak with Mari, a former resident of WARAI Garden in Kasumigaoka–Maiko. Curious and an excellent listener, Mari brought a warm, reassuring presence to the house. She shares her thoughts on share-house living and life in Kobe’s Tarumi area.

About Mari

• From: Hokkaido
• Stayed at: WARAI Garden, Kasumigaoka–Maiko (December 2017–October 2018)
• Interests: Watching wild birds while walking in mountains, fields, and along rivers
• Why Kobe: She came to study for a Japanese-language teaching qualification while exploring a new chapter in life.

Why did you choose WARAI?

While looking for a home, Mari found WARAI by chance. A share house meant she would not need to move a large amount of furniture, and the photos of events made it look like a lively, welcoming place.

She also appreciated that WARAI’s website and blog showed the owner’s face and voice. That sense of knowing the person behind the house helped her choose it.

How was life at WARAI?

“I wasn’t lonely. I wasn’t alone. The sense of security was incredible.”

What did you enjoy about Tarumi?

Mari found the seaside scenery in Tarumi remarkably beautiful and calming. Akashi is nearby and Kobe is easy to enjoy. The town has a relaxed, lived-in feeling: she loved its shopping streets, the sea, shrines, and its nostalgic character.

What were you doing at the time?

Mari attended a school in Sannomiya to earn her Japanese-language teaching qualification. Before coming to Kobe, she worked in elder care in Hokkaido.

What is special about WARAI?

For Mari, the appeal was connecting across generations. Meeting many housemates and sharing everyday experiences made her world feel wider.

Her message to readers: “WARAI had gentle, warm connections. You can meet many different people, and it is a lot of fun.”

At Mari’s farewell party, around twenty housemates gathered and some were moved to tears. Her kindness and smile had brought people together.

WARAI welcomes viewings throughout the year and holds regular viewing and community events. You can also watch resident interview videos on WARAI’s YouTube channel.

Related pages

• More resident interview videos
• About WARAI Garden

We have started sharing video interviews with residents of Kobe Share House WARAI.

To understand what it feels like to live at WARAI, nothing conveys it better than the real voices of the people who live here. Alongside our written interviews, these videos share residents’ expressions, energy, and voices.

All videos include Japanese and English subtitles. Enjoy!

Yuki | Grand Blue, Maiko

Yuki, an Italian-Japanese former resident of Grand Blue, shares his authentic experience of life at WARAI. Known for his warm, straightforward personality and his pizza parties, he talks about challenges, memorable moments, and advice for people considering shared living in Japan.

Read Yuki’s interview, Part 1 / Part 2

Kentaro | Arch and Grand Blue, Maiko

Kentaro lived at Arch and connected daily with residents at Grand Blue. He explains how monthly conversations make it easier to discuss living sounds and other concerns, and how consideration from housemates creates reassurance. He also shares his Maiko routine: growing around twenty kinds of vegetables and taking early-morning walks to the beach.

Read Kentaro’s English interview

Shiori | Organic, Tarumi

Shiori moved to WARAI from a family home where her mother loved cooking. A skilled cook and baker herself, she speaks openly about sharing daily life with others, drawing on her experiences of living alone and overseas.

“Living with someone can be much easier.” “Since moving here, I have realized how happy it feels to receive something made by another person.”

Read Shiori’s interview, Part 1 / Part 2

Miki | Organic, Tarumi

Miki lives at Organic with her partner Inoji and their two daughters. She speaks honestly about raising children in a share house and the unique support that comes from having many trusted housemates around.

Read Miki’s interview, Part 1 / Part 2

Inoji | Owner and resident, Organic, Tarumi

Inoji is both the owner of Share House WARAI and one of its residents. Having operated share houses and whole-house rentals for many years, he talks openly about building relationships where people can speak honestly, renovating with natural materials, organizing events, raising a family, and living alongside residents.

Read Inoji’s interview, Part 1 / Part 2

Yurari | Organic, Tarumi

Yurari describes WARAI as “the reassurance of having people around” and even “heaven.” She lives at her own pace while remaining thoughtful about shared spaces, and shares her honest impressions of life at WARAI.

Read Yurari’s interview

How housemates meet across the five houses

After the monthly viewing, WARAI holds a dinner at Organic where housemates from all five houses and prospective residents can meet. Current housemates join free of charge. The September gathering report shows what one evening was like.

Whenever someone new moves in, housemates gather to welcome them and make time for “sharing”: each person can talk about what helps them feel comfortable in shared living and what matters to them. Understanding one another’s values helps shape a comfortable home together. For upcoming dates and participation details, see the viewing and dinner gathering guide.

More resident stories

WARAI has several share houses in Kobe’s Tarumi and Maiko areas. Residents connect naturally through everyday life, events, work, and hobbies. We welcome enquiries about visits, events, and vacancies.

• WARAI website
• Facebook
• Instagram
• YouTube

Yumi lived at Ocean from 2012 to 2013 and later helped WARAI with operations and renovation work. She reflects on finding friends, enjoying Tarumi’s local atmosphere, and maintaining lifelong relationships after moving out.

Read the Japanese version

Watch the full interview

リフォーム隊に復活！

This article has been edited for clarity while preserving the meaning of the original interview.

Yumi’s Year at Ocean in Tarumi

Why She Chose WARAI

Yumi found WARAI through its blog. Photos of residents gardening, enjoying cherry blossoms, and spending time together made the community look lively and welcoming. She thought it would be a place where making friends could happen naturally.

Living with people whose routines and backgrounds differed from hers was fascinating. At the time, share houses were still uncommon in Japan, so the experience felt especially valuable.

The Local Atmosphere of Tarumi

Yumi loved Tarumi’s friendly, old-neighborhood atmosphere. Local greengrocers and fish shops made everyday shopping feel connected to the town rather than anonymous.

Work, Renovation, and Life Before WARAI

While living at Ocean, Yumi worked at a bakery. She later helped with WARAI’s operations and renovation projects, including painting and applying traditional plaster. She also wrote blog posts about residents. After leaving, she became a gymnastics teacher for children.

Before WARAI, Yumi spent two years in Laos as a Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteer, teaching physical education to high-school students. She then joined a one-month work exchange on a macadamia-nut and coffee farm in Hawaii.

Friendships That Continued After Moving Out

Yumi says WARAI gave her many meaningful connections. Even after moving out, she stayed with former housemates, went hiking with them, and formed friendships she expects to keep for life. After marrying, she continued to return for renovation work and events.

Her advice to anyone who is uncertain is to attend an event or house viewing once. Experiencing the people and atmosphere directly can make the decision much clearer.

Inoji remembers Yumi as an energetic person with a bright smile and hopes their families will remain connected for years to come.

Explore WARAI

• See the Ocean property page
• Watch more WARAI videos on YouTube