Can You Live in a Japanese Share House Without Speaking Japanese? Yuki’s Interview (Part 2)

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

In the second half of Yuki’s interview, he shares practical advice for international residents: how much Japanese helps, why consideration matters in shared spaces, and how to enjoy the community around you.

Read the Japanese version

Watch the full interview

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

Advice for International Residents at Grand Blue

Can You Live Here Without Speaking Japanese?

Yuki believes you can. Several residents speak English, and some speak Spanish, so people who do not yet speak Japanese can still enjoy life at the house.

However, he recommends learning at least basic Japanese. Even a little makes it easier to understand local culture and communicate with people who do not speak English.

Remember That You Are Sharing a Home

His most important advice is to remember that you are not living alone. Every resident has different needs and different standards for cleaning, hygiene, noise, and shared space. What feels normal to one person may feel uncomfortable to another.

Yuki once lived with someone whose standards were stricter than his own. Rather than seeing that only as a restriction, he treated it as a chance to broaden his perspective. Paying attention to other people’s needs is essential to living well together.

Leave Time for Community

Yuki also recommends keeping some free time in your schedule. Shared meals, lunch, coffee, tea, and spontaneous conversations are often how friendships begin. If every day is completely full, it is easy to miss the small community around you.

His final message is to arrive with an open heart and an open mind. That attitude can help you find both new friends and a new home.

Interviewed by Kuboken, a resident of Arch.

Read Part 1: Yuki’s memories of life at Grand Blue

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