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Inside Borderless House Tokyo’s Halloween Night 2025: Costumes, Laughter, and New Friendships

The spooky and thrilling season has arrived once again! 

On October 11, 2025, Borderless House hosted its annual Halloween Party, bringing together residents from across our international shared houses in Tokyo. 

Many of you may already know about this exciting tradition, but this event is always a perfect opportunity for everyone to come together in their most creative costumes, enjoy delicious food, and celebrate Halloween with housemates and international friends.

This year, over 80 residents and friends from our Tokyo houses gathered in Iidabashi, dressed in their best Halloween outfits for an evening  full of cultural exchange and new friendships.

From the very beginning, the atmosphere was lively, cheerful, and filled with excitement, as everyone connected with members from different Borderless House communities across Tokyo.

Moments from the Tokyo Shared House Halloween Party 

The room quickly filled with laughter and chatter as residents arrived in creative costumes – from spooky ghosts and witches to playful characters like Son Goku, Pikachu, and even a few animals. The decorations transformed the space into a cozy, festive corner of Tokyo!

As people arrived, the energy in the room grew warmer and livelier. Housemates who had only met online finally saw each other in person, exchanging smiles and compliments on their costumes. Some gathered near the snack tables filled with chips, candies, and homemade treats, while others headed to the card game corner or took turns snapping photos in front of the event backdrop. 

Laughter echoed through the room as residents tried out silly poses for photos and taught each other how to say “Trick or Treat!” in their own languages. It was one of those nights where every small moment, like a shared joke, a new friend, or an unexpected costume, reminded everyone why Borderless House is more than just a place to live.

One of the best parts of living in an international shared house is meeting people from different cultures and backgrounds. The mix of languages, laughter, and spontaneous friendships perfectly captured the Borderless House spirit, creating memories that will last long after Halloween night.

Residents’ Voices: What Our Residents Loved Most About the Event

We asked a few residents to share their impressions of the night: 

• A new tenant from France ( Komagome House )

“I just arrived a few days ago, and this was my first Borderless event. I really enjoyed the Japanese food and it was a great way to connect with other tenants.”

• A Japanese resident from Komagome House

“This was such a great way to meet people from different Borderless Houses! Everyone was so open and friendly!”

• Another Japanese resident from Omotesando House 

“I was a little hesitant to come, but I’m so glad I did! The Mario Kart competition and the bingo were super fun!”

Hearing their stories remind us that every Borderless House event is more than just a party – it is a great opportunity to meet new people and share memorable experiences.

From Mario Kart to Bingo: How We Celebrated Halloween Together 

The party featured a bar area, food booths and plenty of interactive games, creating a cheerful atmosphere where residents could mingle freely. The room was filled with laughter and people complimenting each other’s creative costumes.

One of the highlights of the evening was the Mario Kart competition. People gathered around the big screen, cheering loudly for their housemates. Even those who were not playing joined in on the fun. The winners of each round competed with each other until there was one lucky winner. 

Towards the end of the evening came Bingo, with the lucky winners receiving great prizes – including up to 30,000 yen in rent discounts! Everyone was super invested and eager to win. For one of the prizes, three people got Bingo, so they had to rock-paper-scissors to decide the lucky winner. 

Building Friendships Beyond Halloween: The True Spirit of Borderless House 

Many people join the Borderless shared houses to experience international exchange in Japan,  improve their language skills and live in a social and inclusive environment .

Events like the Halloween parties are great ways to expand your circle beyond your own house – meeting people from different countries, cultures and backgrounds. What truly makes Borderless House special is that the exchange does not stop when the event ends. Even after the event, residents keep in touch, sharing moments that turn into long-lasting friendships.

Thank you to everyone who brought their energy, smiles, and open hearts to this year’s Halloween party. We can’t wait to create more memories with you in the next event!

Want to experience this kind of community yourself? Check available rooms at Borderless House Tokyo: Tokyo Shared House List

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My Experience Living in Sendai as a Foreigner: Shared House Life, Food and Hidden Gems

Hi! My name is Aya. I have been living at Borderless House in Sendai for about a month now – and I already wish I could stay longer! I am from Denmark, but I also lived in Tokyo a few years ago.

I am currently studying and working as an intern for Borderless House, and was given the amazing opportunity to spend part of my internship living here in Sendai. I said yes immediately, excited to experience a different side of Japan, somewhere calmer, closer to nature and not as busy as Tokyo.

 Why I Chose Sendai For Living in Japan over Tokyo

Even though Sendai is often described as part of the Japanese countryside, it still feels lively and full of things to do. There are plenty of events, festivals and cozy city spots to explore, while still having beautiful nature close by. It really feels like the perfect mix between nature and city life. 

I personally think the shared house is:

  • ● Located perfectly – only 15-20 minutes to Sendai Station and Aboba-dori Ichibancho Station
  • ● Many cafes, restaurants and shops in the city
  • ● Just a short walk to the peaceful Hirose River and the green Aobayama Park. I love going for long runs by the river – it is quiet, calm and surrounded by nature

Life in a Share House in Sendai (Borderless House Experience)

Moving to a new city can be lonely, but living in a shared house has made all the difference – and this is my honest opinion. Since I am working remotely during my internship, I worried that renting an apartment might become too isolating. But living in a shared house has made me feel much more connected and helped me adapt to life in Japan faster. 

Many of the housemates are students, but there are also full-time workers and the mix of Japanese and international residents makes every day interesting.

Together we:
● Make dinner – sometimes even using the vegetables together we have grown in our garden 
● Play board games and watch movies 
● Attend local festivals and events 
● Have house parties 

The people who want to join are always welcome! 

Balance Between Social and Independent Living

When I work all day remotely in the living room, it is nice to have small interactions and conversations with my housemates throughout the day chatting when they are cooking or relaxing in the living room. These casual moments bring a cozy, homelike feeling to daily life.

I like that there is a good balance between being social and also having the freedom to be independent. Some days are busy and filled with conversations and activities, and other days are peaceful and calm – it is completely up to you! 

This flexibility makes the house feel like a real home and it has been one of the best parts of shared house life in Japan. 

Borderless House Housemates’ Favorite Places in Sendai

One of my favorite things about living here is hearing everyone’s stories and discovering the city through their eyes. Recently, I asked two of my housemates to share their favorite local spots and hidden gems around Sendai. 

Finlay from the UK

Finlay has been living at Borderless House Sendai for two months. He loves exploring the city, enjoying nature and spending time with friends at the game center. 

“My go-to place is the International Center. There’s a cozy cafe on the second floor with big windows overlooking the river and greenery. It’s just one stop from the shared house, so it’s super easy to get to.”

The area is also great for riverside walks and relaxing in the park – a perfect escape into nature.

“Another hidden spot I love is Kameoka-Hachiangu Shrine. It’s a short hike up some stairs, but once you’re there, it’s so peaceful and a great place to clear your mind and recharge.”

And of course, like many of us here, Finlay recommends gyūtan (grilled beef tongue) which is Sendai’s most famous dish. “It’s absolutely worth a try!” 

Yuiko from Japan

Yuiko has lived at Borderless House Sendai since they opened and knows all the best spots – from affordable bento shops to trendy cafes and scenic viewpoints. 

“Definitely Ofukuro-bento! Their karaage-bento is iconic, delicious, and super affordable. It’s just a 5-minute walk from the house — perfect for lunch or a lazy dinner when you don’t feel like cooking.”

Photo is from Darestore’s Instagram

She also recommends one of her favorite cafes, Darestone Coffee & Eatery, known for its amazing coffee and sweets.

“A roommate from Austria who loves coffee joined me there, and he loved it too.”

Right across from the café is Black Tide Brewing Sendai, a local brewery from Kesennuma City offering 15 types of craft beer.

“Having a cup here is the greatest treat for me.”

Yuiko also shared a few great viewpoints:

“I love the night view from Sendai Castle, especially during the Luminact event (Luminact). Another favorite is walking across Okinosebashi Bridge at sunset – you can see the city, river, mountains, and trains all at once. It’s so refreshing!”

 Food in Sendai: Gyutan, Zunda Shake and Local Culture

Trying local foods has been one of my favorite parts of living in Sendai. Sendai is famous for gyūtan. It tastes much better than it sounds and is a must-try dish when visiting here. 

Another must-try is the Zunda Shake. It is a sweet, creamy drink made from mashed edamame. It is originally from the Tohoku region and has a unique flavour you cannot find anywhere else, so I think it is definitely worth a try! 

Sendai also has many great tourist attractions that are worth visiting, such as:
● Aoba Castle, which has an amazing view of the city 
● Zuihoden mausoleum – surrounded by tall cedar trees. The mix of history, nature and modern city life makes Sendai feel very special

Best Day Trips from Sendai: Visiting Yamadera Temple 

One weekend, I took a day trip out to the deeper countryside of Japan. I went to Yamadera, which is about a one-hour train ride from Sendai Station. 

The hike up nearly 1,000 stone steps through the forest leads to ancient temples and a fantastic view over the surrounding mountains and village below. It was one of the most peaceful and spiritual experiences I had so far – I would definitely recommend this if you are staying in Sendai! 

Final Thought: Living in Sendai as a Foreigner

Even though I have only been here for one month, Sendai has already made a big impression on me. It is a city where life feels peaceful but never boring and living in a shared house has made the experience even more meaningful. I feel grateful for the friends and people I have met and the memories we have shared. 

I hope this will inspire you to live in Borderless House Sendai and experience the city too!