Do Share House Living Sounds Cause Problems? Kentaro on Talking Things Through at WARAI in Maiko, Kobe

2026.08.29
2026.08.29

Hello.
I’m Inoji from Kobe Share House WARAI.

In this resident interview, Kentaro shares what daily life was like at Arch, our share house in the Maiko area of Kobe.

Grand Blue, another WARAI house, stands directly across the passage. Kentaro talks about residents moving naturally between the two houses, connecting across generations and nationalities, growing vegetables in the garden, and walking to the nearby beach.

He also speaks honestly about one of the biggest concerns people have before moving into a share house: living sounds and relationships with housemates. His experience shows how open conversation and mutual consideration can make shared living feel safer and more comfortable.

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Watch the full interview

This article has been edited for clarity while preserving the meaning of Kentaro’s interview.

Kentaro’s Life at Arch and Grand Blue in Maiko

Living Across Two Houses

—What was life at WARAI like?

At the time of the interview, Kentaro had lived at Arch for about nine months. Arch has three private rooms, and Grand Blue is located just across the passage.

“It is so close that you can carry a pot of food straight across. It feels as if we are sharing both houses together, and I really like that,” he says.

When someone leaves home, a Grand Blue resident might call “Itterasshai—see you later!” from a second-floor window. Arch residents also greet people they notice outside. These small exchanges became a natural part of everyday life.

See the Arch property page / See the Grand Blue property page

Connections Across Generations

At the time, residents at Arch and Grand Blue ranged from their twenties to their fifties. Some stayed for a shorter period, while others made WARAI their long-term home.

Although the members change, each new encounter brings something different. Kentaro describes it as an “ichigo ichie” experience—treasuring the people and moments that may happen only once.

Morning Coffee and an Italian Pizza Party

One of Kentaro’s favorite memories was drinking coffee in the morning sun on the steps between Arch and Grand Blue with an Italian resident who lived across the passage.

They later decided to hold a pizza party featuring the resident’s authentic Italian pizza. The dough was prepared in Arch’s kitchen, and pizza gatherings were held not only in Maiko but also at Organic in Tarumi. Friends joined the preparation, and residents from different WARAI houses gathered around the food.

Visiting Events at Other WARAI Houses

Life at WARAI was not limited to the Maiko area. Kentaro joined a homemade curry gathering and a local market in the Kasumigaoka area, as well as events at Organic.

Sometimes there was no event at all. He could simply message someone at another house, ask if they were free, and drop by for tea. For Kentaro, this ability to connect beyond one building was a special part of WARAI life.

Do Living Sounds Become a Problem?

—Was anything difficult about shared living?

At Arch, residents may hear the front door, sliding doors, or footsteps on the stairs. Kentaro did not mind these sounds, but his partner was more sensitive to noise. Because housemates had different daily schedules, footsteps and doors sometimes made it difficult for her to sleep.

People have different routines and different levels of sensitivity. The answer is neither to silently endure discomfort nor to demand that someone completely change their lifestyle.

A Monthly Time to Talk About Concerns

At WARAI, housemates meet once a month to talk together. They prepare and eat dinner, have tea, and discuss concerns that may be difficult to mention in passing.

When they talked about living sounds, the message was not, “You must change your schedule.” It was, “This is something we are struggling with, and we would like you to know.”

Kentaro explains that the relationship between people—and knowing that the other person is being considerate—can matter as much as the volume of the sound itself. Even when a sound is still audible, it feels different when you know your concern has been heard. As residents come and go, the house continues to learn and adjust together.

Growing Around 20 Kinds of Vegetables

Arch has a small garden that residents are free to use. Kentaro enjoys working with soil and grew around twenty kinds of vegetables, including pumpkins, eggplants, and tomatoes.

There is also a large loquat tree planted by earlier residents. Its fruit is a pleasure to harvest, while its fallen leaves also need to be cleaned from the shared steps. Because neighbors use the same surroundings, Kentaro values both caring for the space and greeting people properly.

Early-Morning Walks to the Beach

The sandy beach is about a five-minute walk from Arch. Kentaro and other residents sometimes woke up early and walked to the sea together, creating a morning routine of enjoying the ocean.

Arch offers a spacious living room and a garden, while Grand Blue has two kitchens and two sets of bathrooms and toilets. Each WARAI house has its own character, and Kentaro encourages prospective residents to explore the website, contact Inoji, and find the house that suits them best.

He ends the interview with a warm invitation: “I hope more interesting people will come and join us.”

Interested in Shared Living in Maiko?

Viewings are available throughout the year. We also hold a monthly house viewing, social dinner, and trial-stay event. Online viewings are available for people living farther away.