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Discover unique cultural experiences and interactions beyond hotel stays through our exclusive “BORDERLESS TRAVEL” program for residents!

Hello everyone! Welcome to Borderless House.

Here at Borderless House, the new friendships and interactions under one roof provide a unique sense of fulfillment that only comes from living it.

Japanese residents might find themselves teaching Japanese to their new international housemates, assisting with various administrative procedures, and adapting to life in Japan. This mutual support mirrors the help we would seek if we were traveling or living abroad ourselves.

Stepping out of the comfort of home takes courage, but a warm community waiting at your destination can make any overseas adventure enjoyable and reassuring.

Today, we’re excited to introduce BORDERLESS TRAVEL, where you can enjoy short stays at Borderless Houses in different countries and meet new housemates across borders.

We’ll share the story of Yuzuki, who ventured from Kyoto’s Nishijin House to spend a week in February 2024 at KORYODAE2 HOUSE in Korea. Yuzuki will tell us about her experiences in Japan, her adventures in Korea, and the allure of BORDERLESS TRAVEL.

We also have comments from Robin, the manager of BORDERLESS KOREA, so stay tuned till the end for more insights!

Click here for more details on BORDERLESS TRAVEL!！

Embracing English: Yuzuki’s Journey at Nishijin House

Yuzuki’s time at Nishijin House brought about a significant shift in her views on English and international interactions. She explained that her decision to move there stemmed from a desire to conquer her fear of English and engage with people from different countries.

Although she initially enjoyed English, the stress of exam preparation diminished her passion, and she struggled to speak fluently. Yuzuki realized the limitations of speaking only Japanese and saw the potential of English to connect her with diverse cultures and ideas.

Driven by the need to immerse herself in an English-speaking environment, Yuzuki chose to live at Borderless House.

───Did you consider any other share houses before choosing Borderless House?

Yuzuki: Actually, I didn’t look anywhere else. I decided to move into Borderless House the same day I visited. The environment offered the perfect mix of English practice and social opportunities, all within my budget. Plus, I was planning to study abroad the next year, so the idea of practicing for that experience while still in Japan seemed perfect to me.

─── Could you tell us about your housemates at Nishijin House?

Yuzuki: On my first day, one of my housemates surprised me by inviting me to a party right away, which was unexpected (laughs)! Initially, I was nervous, but everyone was so welcoming that I quickly warmed up to them.

I formed a close bond with a foreign housemate, and we often went out together. I also shared unique insights with a working professional housemate. Whenever we faced challenges or disagreements in our shared living situation, we were able to discuss and resolve them during our regular house meetings at Nishijin House. It truly was a great community to be a part of.

───Have you noticed any personal growth or changes during your time at Nishijin House?

Yuzuki: Absolutely! Initially, spending time with people from other countries was out of the ordinary for me, and it came with a bit of tension. But after living in Borderless House, I’ve become comfortable engaging freely in conversations without considering race or nationality.

It’s been incredibly enriching to learn from the diverse perspectives and strong convictions of my housemates.

Embarking on My First Solo International Journey with BORDERLESS TRAVEL!

───How did you become interested in BORDERLESS TRAVEL?

Yuzuki: I’ve known about the program since I moved in and always wanted to try it. I felt staying at a Borderless House abroad would be more enriching than solo hotel stays, allowing me to learn the language and engage with locals.

It seemed like a perfect way to prepare for my first solo international trip before studying in Canada this summer.

─── Your first experience living abroad was with BORDERLESS TRAVEL. Did you encounter any challenges during your travel?

Yuzuki: It was quite nerve-wracking, especially going through immigration for the first time and figuring out train transfers on my own. But luckily, everything went smoothly without any major problems!

Yuzuki: When I got to Koryodaes House, I was greeted by Robin, the staff member I had been communicating with by email. Meeting him in person really helped me settle in. He showed me around and shared some local tips and places to visit.

───Traveling abroad for the first time can be quite daunting. Did you notice any notable differences during your stay in the Borderless House in Korea compared to Japan?

Yuzuki: Definitely. For example, I had to separate organic waste from burnable trash, and in public restrooms, I couldn’t flush toilet paper but had to discard it in a bin.

Living in an environment close to the local lifestyle, unlike a hotel stay, made me more aware of these cultural differences. This is one of the unique advantages of BORDERLESS TRAVEL.

Language Learning, Cultural Exploration, and International Connections: Maximize the Benefits of Short-Term Stays!

───During your seven-day stay, did you make any specific efforts?

Yuzuki: I focused on being proactive in starting conversations with my housemates. It was my first time in a shared room overseas, and I quickly hit it off with my Italian roommate on the first day. She left for Tokyo the next day, so we couldn’t meet again, but we kept in touch through Instagram, sharing messages and updates about her trip.

Many of my housemates were interested in Japan, so we enjoyed mingling and conversing in Japanese, English, and Korean.

───Did you also converse in Korean during your stay?

Yuzuki: Yes, I’ve been a fan of Korean dramas, which helped me learn the language pretty naturally. I actually speak Korean better than English! While there, Robin invited me to a Language Exchange event, where I got to meet and chat with people outside the house, making my stay even more enjoyable.

───It sounds like you made the most of your 7-day stay! What other activities did you do?

Yuzuki: I visited historic sites and museums that caught my interest. I dressed in traditional Korean clothes and explored Gyeongbokgung Palace, and I also went to the DMZ near the North Korean border.

I participated in a tour aimed at Japanese visitors and connected well with other participants. We discussed how the conflict known in Japan as the “Korean War” is referred to in Korea. Learning about Korean perspectives on their history was incredibly insightful.

─── Reflecting on your 7-day stay, could you highlight what makes BORDERLESS TRAVEL so special?

Yuzuki: Definitely! The program offers deep cultural experiences and meaningful interactions with local housemates that you just can’t get from staying in a hotel. It allows you to live much closer to how the locals do, which is unique to BORDERLESS TRAVEL.

I think even short stays can provide significant learning and insights. I recommend starting with a stay in a domestic Borderless House to get a feel for international exchange before trying out the program.

A Message from Robin, Korean Operations Staff

BORDERLESS TRAVEL, with its strong emphasis on tourism and travel aspects, offers an exciting experience that’s a bit different from our usual resident support. It was Yuzuki’s first solo international trip, so we actively shared information about tourist spots and recommended gourmet spots to ensure she could fully enjoy her time in Korea.

With a recent expansion in our staff at Borderless House Korea, we’re now even better equipped to support our guests in a variety of ways.

I enjoy keeping up with the latest trends and sharing new information, so I encourage you to take advantage of BORDERLESS TRAVEL and come visit us in Korea.

I’m looking forward to meeting you!

 

 

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BORDERLESS TRAVEL, part of the Borderless Mates program, is an exclusive initiative for residents that offers connections beyond the typical share house experience.

Please note that due to the availability of vacancies at the destination, we may not be able to accommodate your preferred timing or house. We recommend contacting us before booking your flight.

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[November/Community Event] Ice Skating Day!

a small world in Seoul where young people 
from all around the world live in one house
and exchange cultures and languages!

Hello! We are “Borderless House Korea”,
a sharehouse for cultural exchanges!

 

Hello, Everyone!
This is Borderless House Korea.


a beautiful snowy landscape of winter in Seoul!
The weather is way too cold to visit Korea in winter,
but still it’s worth it because this landscape is
can only be seen in this season.


To fully enjoy this winter wonderland,
we had gathered and spent our time together.
For the community event for November,
we’ve been visited the Lotte World Ice Skate Link!

 

Ice skating, Running, Soccer, Basketball, Tennis..
Sports giving us more fun if we have mates who can do with us!
and here are the mates for you, in our Borderless House. 🙂 
​

Friends from all around the world includes Korean.
You can hang out with these
and also study Korean language at the same time.

​
Us, Borderless House Seoul make an community event for a month.
Various tenants of our 5 houses are gathered in this event day,
and hanging around together.

 






This ice skating day was especially attended
by many foreign mates living in Korea!

 


Since they can enjoy all the amusement parks and leisure activities that are a bit burdensome to come alone in Korea, so the mates couldn’t help but had been satisfied 🙂


Our mates were so busy to taking pictures even though they were just wearing skates! Amusement parks seem to have a charm that makes everyone go back to their childhood.

 

 

 


Deeds are better than words,
Ice skating helps each other to make friends faster!

On this day, housemates who are good at ice skating were with us,
but the mates who is in the beginner level that barely can take a step also participated.

​


Skating with nobody would be dangerous situation if you were alone.
However, our foreign mates come up to the beginner mates and help them first.

​


It was a very safe and fun time
because they taught the mates how to ride it in detail
and stayed with them until the end.

 



Gangnam, Wangsimni, Koryodae,..
have friends living all over Seoul!

 

On this ice skating day
the housemates of Gangnam, Koreodae 2, and 3
mainly participated.

​

Borderless House has 5 sharehouses in various areas in Seoul, such as Korea University, Hongdae, Gangnam, Wangsimni, etc.


​

So this community event is not just the time for making a friends who live in the same house, it’s more like making a new mates who are from other houses. It’s a great chance to get close to new friends!

 

 


 

Borderless House is a cultural exchange share house where you can have Korean neighbors right next door just by starting living alone, and you can naturally become friends while living together!

​

It’s an opportunity to enjoy a new daily life with a new friend in your daily life, even if you don’t go far away or try to find a like-minded friend.

 

 

A communal dwelling where people of various nationalities come together to communicate with each other beyond the background and culture of living with each other and join forces to create a peaceful daily life!

 

The Borderless House is the place where true co-living begins.

​

In fact, when we eat after the event and share our concerns and feelings in Korea, our staff also feel how precious and precious the relationship of housemates we met through our house.

 

 

2023 is just around the corner, but event ideas for housemates in Borderless House are a long way off!

Now, there’s only one event left for 2023!
What will be waiting for the next event?

​

We’ve prepared an event that can’t be missed at the end of the year, so please look forward to the next review! 🙂

 

[ Inquiry / Contact us, Contact to borderless world!]
We have 5 sharehouses in Seoul for you.

Find your House | Sharehouse in Seoul, Korea | BORDERLESS HOUSE
Enjoy the cultural exchange in our sharehouses!

FAQ｜Multicultural Sharehouse | BORDERLESS HOUSE
Any questions are welcomed!

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[October/Community Event] Hi! High! Hiking!

 

 

“A small world in Seoul where young people
from all over the world live in one house and
exchange cultures and languages!

We are “Borderless House Korea”,
a share house for cultural exchange!”

 

 

Hello, everyone!
This is Borderless House Korea.

The summer that didn’t seem to end is surprisingly over already!
It’s a cool autumn weather in Seoul.

In the long-awaited fall,
Borderless housemates gathered for the first time in a while
and spent time together .

 

 

 

 

​

“Foreigners and Korean residents living in various houses such as Anam, Gangnam, Wangsimni, and Hongdae! !”

The reason why our housemates has been gathered each other is!

It was because of  Borderless House’s community program,
hiking event that took place after a very, very long time!

This time, a total of 9 people spent time together, including Gangnam House, Koryodae 2 and 3 house mates and Borderless House staff.

 

 

Achasan Mountain-Yongmasan Mountain Course Climbing
(It takes about 3 hours including rest time)

Hiking difficulty: ☆☆ (first-timer level)


A hiking course that anyone can easily visit if you use Subway Line 5!
Achasan Mountain-Yongmasan Mountain Course.

Not only was this course easy to climb,
but it also had the advantage of being able to see two towers
representing Seoul and city scenery at once.

For foreign housemates who are new to living in Seoul,
it was a time to feel the charm of Seoul.

 

A hiking course that anyone can easily visit if you use Subway Line 5!
Achasan Mountain-Yongmasan Mountain Course.

Not only was this course easy to climb,
but it also had the advantage of being able to see two towers
representing Seoul and city scenery at once.

For foreign housemates who are new to living in Seoul,
it was a time to feel the charm of Seoul.

 



The meeting participants who met for the first time on this day as well,
also talked up the mountain together and supported each other on the steep mountain path.

so when they came down the mountain, they  became friends finally.


In fact, there are many people who are interested in English conversation or making foreign friends, but most of them worried about whether it is okay to  trust people they meet through the app.  and sometimes there is a  cost burden  as well.

By the way, Borderless House has foreign friends in the next room just by living in here, and  regularly holds social events for free at least once a month  where you can hang out with other foreign friends, so the satisfaction of the tenants is high!



 

After hiking, we should definitely eat delicious food together, right?

Both foreigners and Koreans exchanged their own food culture while sitting around at a secret restaurant that only the staff knew. We had a great time, wondering each other and laughing a lot.

 

 

Now this was a special event with Borderless House and housemates,
“hi! high! hiking!”

Warm and pleasant exchange with the world I never knew before!
Borderless House is planning the next social promotion event for tenants.

See you at the next event!!

 

[ Inquiry / Contact us, Contact to borderless world!]
We have 5 sharehouses in Seoul for you.

Find your House | Sharehouse in Seoul, Korea | BORDERLESS HOUSE
Enjoy the cultural exchange in our sharehouses!

FAQ｜Multicultural Sharehouse | BORDERLESS HOUSE
Any questions are welcomed!

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We are Social Business – BORDERLESS HOUSE

Do you know that Borderless House is a “Social Business”?

Perhaps I should have asked – Have you heard of Social Business? 

In general, it refers to a company or a business that tries to create value or impact society in a positive way by offering a service or a product that meets the needs or by presenting new solutions to challenges brought on by society.

And there are more and more people talking about it around the world, actually, you can also find some TED TALK videos talking about it too! 

Even though “Social Business” is a term that you should know, it may sound a little complicated. But don’t worry, let me clearly explain it in a simpler way below.

What is Social Business

The phrase ”Social Business” refers to a brand of entrepreneurship rooted in funding or implementing solutions to cultural, social, or environmental problems. 

Image credit: Devon Bunce/Digital Storytellers

Social Business seeks to maximize profits while maximizing benefits to society and the environment, and the profits are principally used to fund social programs.

The key traits and characteristics of Social Business

• The primary aim is to address a social problem
• It is financially self-sufficient
• It does not pay dividends to its owners
• It is guided by how its operations benefit the causes and communities of interest

What’s the difference between social business and regular business

Maximizing profits is not the primary goal of a social business as is with a traditional business – What sets a social business apart from a traditional business is that while the traditional business’s ultimate goal is to create wealth, the social business seeks to create lasting societal change.

What’s the difference between social business and non-profit organization

Unlike a non-profit, a social business is not dependent on donations or on private or public grants to survive, and to operate it is self-sustainable. While non-profit organizations where funds are spent only once on the field, funds in a social business are invested to increase and improve the business operations on the field on an indefinite basis.

Why is Social Business Important

Now, let’s go a little bit in-depth to see why social business is important, especially in our society and globally.

  • Social businesses have the potential to change society and the world.

As social business concentrates on developing, financially backing, and executing ideas that contribute to finding solutions for social, cultural, and environmental concerns, it can make a huge impact on our life, in a positive way – and that’s why social businesses are much-needed, considering the times that we’re living in. The vision of a social business is usually social well-being related and a broader idea to excel as a community.

So social business is also a business that gets everyone in the world involved. People say that change-makers are those who take creative actions to solve social problems for the good of all – and this is who we are.

‘Creator’ of Multicultural Society – BORDERLESS HOUSE

So, for Borderless House, the social problem that we aim to solve with our business is – Prejudice and Discrimination.

We aim to build relationships among people with different backgrounds, such as different nationalities, races, and religions, and gather them together to live under the same roof in our share houses.

There are not only benefits but also conflicts sometimes when living in a mixed-culture environment. However, by sharing thoughts and feelings from time to time with each other, people can build a strong relationship in which we can understand other cultures and perspectives deeply.

Creating such a connection is the greatest value of BORDERLESS HOUSE.

The goal of our business is to create a multicultural society where people can mutually understand each other’s background regardless of race or nationality, and without prejudice or discrimination.

Our Vision

As more and more foreigners are settling in Japan, and it is important that there are places where they can live in peace and harmony. We believe that this solution which gathers people from around the world to live in a share house together is essential in a multicultural society.

As a ‘creator’ of Multicultural Society, we hope to accelerate the creation of an ideal society and to provide more people with opportunities for international living experiences, we aim to keep expanding our business and keep offering and creating opportunities for In-depth international exchange.

Planting the seeds of world peace is our mission and we welcome you to be a part of BORDERLESS HOUSE.

 

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BORDERLESS MATES Program▏Mate’s Voice of BORDERLESS MATES LIBRARY (Part.1)

Until now, over 100 Borderless Mates have registered to BORDERLESS MATES LIBRARY program! In this blog article, we’d like to let you know more about this special program that is designed for our residents and help them connect with Borderless House Mates around the world by interviewing our resident!

 

What is BORDERLESS MATES LIBRARY?

Borderless Mates not only have diverse nationalities and language abilities but also have a range of international experience in specialized careers and hobbies. Undoubtedly there are Borderless Mates around the world who have the same interests or areas of specialization. Through BORDERLESS MATES LIBRARY, we would like to connect all these knowledgeable and passionate people with each other!

We imagine each Borderless Mate as a single book in the expansive Borderless Mates Library, which is comprised of both current and past residents.

Then let’s hear out the real voice from our resident, Ash about her experience of using BORDERLESS MATES LIBRARY!

※Aboved pictures are Ashleigh meeting other Borderless Mates from different share houses in person after exchanging messages through Borderless Mates Library!

Tenant’s ‘Borderless Mates Library’ Story and Experience

Please introduce yourself first!

To quote my self-introduction on Borderless Mates Library, “G’day! I’m Ash and I was in Perth Australia until I moved to Japan… I love meeting new people, traveling, photography and I want to learn Korean, Chinese, and Spanish.” I have been living in Itabashi-kuyakushomae House since I moved here in March 2018 and am currently an English teacher at a bilingual kindergarten.

Why did you sign up for Borderless Mates Library?

Being in Borderless for over 3 years, I used to go to almost every event and was even the MC at the Borderless Olympics and Christmas Party in 2019. I loved that it created a community with members from other Borderless Houses and I was able to make friends living in different houses. Everyone has their own interesting background and we can create a connection from living in the same busy city. However, since the start of the pandemic, Borderless has been unable to run these events and I was unsure how to continue creating connections with other houses. Many of my foreign friends that lived in Borderless had to go home and I was left to my own devices to find more Borderless members. I was excited when Borderless announced its Borderless Mates Program. I thought that maybe it was a way to connect with people from other houses again and hopefully have inter-house parties in the future.

Could you please explain to us how it works?

Within the program, Borderless Mates Library peaked my interest the most, as you can post a profile and also look at other people’s profiles who have or are living in a Borderless House. Only those who have created a profile can send you a message because the site is password restricted. If you want to connect with someone after reading their profile, all you have to do is click “I want to contact this mate!” at the bottom of the page and it will lead you to a google form asking why you want to contact them and to write a message to them. The message is then moderated by Borderless Staff before being sent. As I read my profile again, it looks like I might have to update it, but at least that didn’t stop people from messaging me!

Making friends!

After making my profile soon after Mates Library started in September, I was eagerly waiting for someone to contact me. After a couple of months, someone finally reached out to me. I almost forgot that I had created a profile by this time, but was glad that Eiji, who had recently moved into Kikukawa 2. Being my first time to reply to a request, I used the template that Borderless adds to help me respond. Having our interests and hobbies written on our profiles made it easier to make a conversation and we soon exchanged Line IDs to arrange to meet up at a cafe. Being the first Mate to meet, I was nervous but excited! When we met, Eiji told me he was moving to Honancho!

What do you think is the best thing about joining Borderless Mates Program?

The great thing about the Borderless Mates Program is that you can sign up for multiple activities. During the Language Exchange in February, I had the chance to talk to Moe and so I was so glad to see that she reached out to me through Mates Library shortly after! Moe was moving into the same house as Eiji had moved to and she also contacted my housemate Dani, so we arranged for the four of us to get dinner together.

The most recent Mate to contact me is Shinjuku-Nakai member, Shun. Not many Australians are in Borderless right now because they decided to go home, so he reached out to me to make an Aussie friend. We have been hanging out a lot lately and he introduced me to his housemates. Eiji and I even made a small event and I asked Shun to invite his housemates, so we had people from different houses there. It was great to meet others who were interested in being involved in the Borderless community! What I love about this program is that you don’t form just one friend, but many.

※Image of BORDERLESS MATES LIBRARY platform 

There are more interesting stories from Ash that we would like to share with you in our next article, please look forward to it!! 

About BORDERLESS MATES PROGRAM & How to join

Not just BORDERLESS MATES LIBRARY, we also have LANGUAGE EXCHANGE that allows you to brush up your language skills while having fun chatting with other Borderless Mates via 1 on 1 language exchange online, and  CLUB ACTIVITIES to meet people who share common interests and hobbies as you, also BORDERLESS TRAVEL that helps you to meet locals, start an interesting journey! You can find more details from the webpage of BORDERLESS MATES PROGRAM!

Once you become our tenants, you can join and enjoy those programs for free!

We are now offering foreigners who are currently living in Japan a rent-free room for up to 2 months with 【Trial Stay Campaign】! 
This is a great opportunity to try out living in a shared house while enjoying the special program!

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【Quarantine Experience】Tenant’s Review of Government Facility (2)

What do you expect when you do quarantine at Government facility?
We are again sharing how our tenant did before and you can check how she thought about the facility managed by Korean government below.

We hope you would enjoy the rest of her stories!
If you miss the first her story, please check our first update for her!

Quality of Government Facility

I was very pleased with the facility. I stayed at Hotel and the room was clean with various amenities that I would need during my 14 days. There was also a pack provided with information regarding the quarantine process, a thermometer to record our body temperature, face masks and other items. Before coming to Korea, I read that I should be prepared to pay anything between $1400 – $2100 USD for the accommodation and luckily my total was in the lower spectrum; roughly $1500 USD. Meals are provided 3 times a day and staff members make announcements through speakers in the room when the meal has been delivered in front of your room door. The meals are nutritious and mostly include rice, a meat dish, several vegetable side dishes, fruit and soup. I definitely found the meals tasty and filling. Sometimes they give ramen along with the dinner if you get hungry later. There are waste bags provided to put all your rubbish in and you are advised to leave it outside your room after lunch everyday. This way, you don’t have to worry about food waste smells in the room. If there are any other items you may need such as tea/coffee, water, toilet tissue etc, you can call the front desk and they would send them up to your room. On top of recording your temperature on the app every morning and night, the nurses also came every afternoon to do temperature checks.

Personal tips or recommendations 

the people staying at the government facilities also do the test 2 times during quarantine. Nurses came to my room on the morning of Day 2 to do the PCR test and I will have one more test done on the morning of Day 13.

the hotel has provided me with a form to fill out to let them know what my preferred means of transport will be. If I choose for someone to pick me up from the hotel, they can either come just before midnight on the day before I am allowed to leave or 6:00am on the release date. A shuttle service can also be accessed and the two destinations offered are Seoul Express Bus Terminal and Seoul Station. From there it is up to you how you travel to your final destination. These are the options for the particular hotel that I am staying at and may be different depending on which government facility you will be taken to.

Some tips I have include possibly moving furniture in the room to make it more spacious. In my case, my room had an additional bed and its positioning made the space a little tight. Once I moved the bed to a side, the room definitely felt a lot less cramped. Of course remember to move things back to their original place before you leave. I would also suggest bringing snacks if you have a sweet tooth. I have heard some other facilities provide a lot of snacks but at the facility which I am staying at, they mostly stick to the healthy fruit. For me, the meals were more than enough to satisfy my appetite (I still have lots of ramen, juice and yogurt stocked up) but others may not feel the same. In that case, it would be good to bring preserved food like canned tuna, ramen etc. As I drink a lot of tea and coffee, I made sure to bring a lot with me, just in case the hotel did not provide it, and I also brought long life milk that I was able to stick in the fridge as soon as I opened the carton. Although thinking about how to pass the time may be one of the first things people think of, I would just like to stress again to make sure you have plenty to keep yourself occupied. Whether that is bringing your electronics to watch netflix all day or bringing textbooks to study a language, I think it’s really important to have plenty to do to avoid boredom. Establishing a rough routine could be helpful; I know it has worked for me and days pass a lot quicker which is a shame because I do find quarantining rather comfortable.

We have a lot of the other tenant’s experience which we have not uploaded yet.
However, all updates we have shared are enough to help your plan coming to Korea. If you do not really know well even you check this all, please do not hesitate to contact us. We are always ready for your inquries.

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【Quarantine Experience】Tenant’s Review of Government Facility (1)

If you plan to visit Korea for a short term stay less than 90 days,
this blog helps you do understand and prepare what you need for future plan .

As we many times share about quarantine experiences , please check this all in detail if you do not have a specific visa and come to Korea for just a trip . 

One of our tenant who just was done her quarantine at Government facility shared how she made for 14 days in Korea!

How she got quarantine info before coming

I was aware of the quarantine rules in Korea. I did a lot of research on quarantining before coming and my friends who were already in Korea also shared their experiences with me. I found out that long term visitors were given the option between sourcing their own appropriate accommodation to quarantine in or quarantining in a government facility. However, for short term visitors it is mandatory to stay in a government facility. Most of the information I found was either from the Korean embassy website or YouTube videos.

Procedures after arriving at Incheon airport

When I arrived at the airport, there was not much information provided. At various stages of going through immigration security, I was handed different pieces of paper stating that I will be going into mandatory quarantine for 14 days but I was not told exactly where I would be quarantining. I ‘m sure if I had asked someone, they would have been able to give me some more information but I simply went with the flow and trusted the process that I would eventually get where I was supposed to be . While waiting to be boarded into a bus going to our quarantine facility , I overheard an airport worker mentioning the name of the hotel we were going to and I was able to look it up briefly before arriving at the hotel .

To give you more details on arrival date ,
When I got off the plane, there were around 5 stations of processing which I needed to go through. At the first station, the airport staff checked my passport, my negative PCR test and took some of the documents which I had to fill out while I was on the plane. At the second station, the staff called my Korean contact to verify that they knew me and then they helped me install an app to upload my temperature and symptoms if any were to arise. the third station was the standard border security where they took my fingerprints and picture. They checked if I had a visa but as I have a British passport, I was allowed to enter the country without a visa. They gave me a lanyard with a red card which signified that I did not have a visa and that I would be staying at a government quarantine facility. At the fourth station,they took my fingerprints and photo again and verified my purpose for travelling. They then gave me 2 papers which were official notices of my quarantine period. At that point, I was able to collect my luggage and begin to exit the airport. As I came out to the area where people are greeted by their family and friends, airport staff noticed my red card and guided me to the final station where they checked my passport again, wrote down my details and advised me to wait until I am called to board the bus. the bus journey took about 20 mins to arrive at the hotel. At the hotel, the staff made sure everyone had the correct app downloaded and we filled out a form to state if we had any ongoing medical conditions or any special food requests ( eg vegetarian food, Halal food etc). After handing in that form,I paid for my stay and finally got to go to the room.

Not only tenant’s review who used Borderless Quarantine Support,
But Borderless House Seoul would like to share all kinds of experiences which are really helpful for those planning the quarantine in Korea.

We next time would share how Government facility is nice and well organized.
Thank you for your interest and time. Meet you again and Stay safe!

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＜Program Review＞ An island where you can meet living dinosaurs !? Virtual Local Trip in Indonesia!

Hello! I am Daijiro!

I usually work as a photographer in Tokyo, but sometimes I participate in Borderless House events as a language exchange facilitator. This is my first time participating in “Virtual Local Trip”, so I will tell you about it!

“Virtual Local Trip” is an online event where the host introduces his/her hometown with various topics. This event is held in English and Japanese, and it is a great way to enjoy unique local stories! I will recommend this event not only to those who are interested in foreign cultures and international exchanges, but also to those who like traveling and eating, and those who are thinking of traveling after the Corona pandemic is over!

This time, a former resident of Borderless House from Indonesia told us many stories about cultures such as local tourist spots, popular dishes, and traditional costumes. If I tell you all of them, it will be more than 10,000 characters (lol), so I will introduce some impressive episodes!

Living dinosaurs!? Komodo island where you can meet Komodo dragons

Participants are from various countries, mainly current residents of Borderless House, and even the host’s friends who live in Indonesia participated at the last minute! It was a gathering of multicultural people.

A relaxed atmosphere from beginning to end with surprises and laughter during the event.
The host told us the charms of the local areas with an introduction video of Indonesia and lots of photos. We could ask questions anytime during the event, so you can feel free to ask any questions you may have. By the way, I asked a lot of questions. (Lol)

When it came to the topic of Komodo Island, everyone was asking a lot about “Komodo Dragon”. It’s really famous! They say that if you go there, you’ll almost certainly see them up close! First-hand information you can get from the natives is very interesting!

Indonesian traditional costume “Batik” 

At the event, they introduced us to Indonesian tourist destinations, history, traditional food, etc., but what impressed me the most was their traditional costumes.
A specialty of Indonesia is a fabric with a beautiful pattern called “batik”. “Batik” is used in many clothing items such as shirts and dresses, and those clothes are also popular as formal wear.

Patterns range from geometric to flower motifs. On the day of the event, the presenters actually wore shirts made of “batik”. They showed us the batik clothes and told us what kind of pattern it is, which was very interesting!
This is also the information the host gave me, but it seems that there are traditional patterns and colors of “Batik” and those for young people! In that respect, it’s similar to Japanese “furisode” and “hakama”, which is interesting!

He told me that “Batik” had collaborated with Japanese kimono at international events. When a kimono fashion show with themes from all over the world was held, it seems that one kimono was made using the dyeing of Kyoto called “Kyoyuzen” and the technique of “batik”. He actually showed me the photo, and it was very impressive to see the flower pattern of “Batik” shining on the cloth dyed in red and white unique to Japan.

Cultural exchanges that connect countries take place in various places and we just don’t know about them. I think it is one of the great things about the event to know these kinds of stories.

Am I able to talk with people I meet for the first time at an online event?

Under the current pandemic situation, I talk to people online more often, but I’m still not used to it.
Moreover, this was my first time participating in this kind of event. Just between us, I felt nervous until I participated.

However, as I said earlier, the event had a relaxed atmosphere from beginning to end, and when I noticed, I was leaning forward and enjoying myself.
I cannot fully understand English, but I could still enjoy the presentation because it was explained also in Japanese!

During the event, I often wondered “How can I ask this in English?”, and found it annoying that I couldn’t say it well in English. But, it is a good learning opportunity, and it also motivates me to learn English every day like “I will definitely be able to ask questions in English by the next time!” I was relieved that all the participants were willing to listen to the questions.

If I think about it, all the participants are those who have learned a second language and they know how difficult it is to learn a new language. I think that is why we could have such considerate communication beyond words.

What makes VLT so appealing? The fun of getting to know new places through the host!

It was exciting to feel the culture of a new land I have never been to, especially when it is difficult to go out due to the Corona pandemic.
Virtual Local Trip will be held in other countries/regions in the future !!!

“Where should we go when the pandemic is over?”
This event made me feel such excitement! I will definitely participate again!

Also, please visit the website below for other Borderless House original programs such as Language Exchange I mentioned at the beginning.

<Borderless Mates Program>

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For Tomorrow’s Bright Future with a New Year 2021 ~What BORDERLESS HOUSE can do~

Hello! I’m Lee, the president of BORDERLESS HOUSE.

The year 2020 is gone, leaving us a lot to wish for in the new year. As the world is still being overshadowed by the pandemic, we would like to think that this is a moment for reflection and a chance to embrace hope for 2021 ahead.

As you may know, Borderless House operates primarily with the support of tenants from abroad, and “international exchange” is one of the most important aspects of our core values.
In response to the pandemic crisis, measures and restrictions on travel and entry of each country are changing all the time. Due to the extraordinary circumstances surrounding the worldwide, our business has been affected by it, and unfortunately, we predict that we will still face a lot of challenges and difficulties in 2021.

Despite these difficult circumstances, there were still many people who moved into Borderless House and chose to start a new life from here in 2020.
At the moment, more than 700 residents of 96 Share Houses in Japan, Korea, and Taiwan are living and working together in this challenging period.

In January 2021, Japan declared a state of emergency again as COVID-19 cases hit record high, anxiety and depression levels are raising during the coronavirus outbreak once again. It made me want to share our current situation of BORDERLESS HOUSE on the blog with you.
I would like to talk about the current state and our business direction and expectations for the year 2021.

Fight against pandemics in 2020

Due to the lockdown of countries around the world in response to the pandemic outbreak, foreigners who were scheduled to start a new life abroad in the spring and summer of 2020 are canceling or postponing their plans.
Besides, while most of the universities are conducting online courses and many companies started teleworking have reduced the number of new tenants compared to previous years.

In spring, Borderless House started an online service with the theme of “Language Exchange”. By having international exchanges online, interactions would not be restricted by time or space. We provide a space for Borderless Mates to learn new languages and make lasting friendships when it’s a hard time for everyone to meet new people.

Online Communication Matching Service “~Build bridges, not walls! Language Exchange”

In addition, we have created a new special platform with a variety of services for all of our tenants = “Borderless Mates”, including former tenants of Borderless House. At this community platform where we gather and connect everyone that every mate can enjoy the experiences of international exchange continuously.

BORDERLESS MATES PROGRAM (Travel, Languages, Club activities and more)

In October 2020, Japan gradually eased travel restrictions for foreign travelers. We have been waiting for a long time to welcome a lot of Borderless Mates who are waiting to enter the country. From October to December 2020, there were 184 people moved into Borderless House to start their new life.

BORDERLESS HOUSE, your another home


Share House is like a big family. Many people are concerned about the risk of living with others in such an environment during the pandemic.
However, now we have less interaction with the people outside, tenants at Borderless House have been able to make their own rules and have fun living together and have each other’s accompany.

Whether it’s a time break from work or online classes, tenants enjoy chatting with their roommates or cooking together.
Also for those who are looking for a new job during the pandemic, they would get advice from their housemates, or practice for interviews together.
People at BORDERLESS HOUSE live a meaningful life by keeping each other company and pushing each other to get better every day.

See more about the real-life of Borderless House tenants!



The happiness, support, and fun experiences that you can’t get while living alone.
The staff at Borderless House are striving to create a supportive and comfortable environment for everyone.
We are also proud of the unique value that Borderless House provides to our tenants and partners.

Borderless House is taking the following measures considering the safety and health of our tenants, partner companies, staff, and their families.
Regarding our policies in prevention of spreading of COVID-19(2021.01.19 updated)

We will continue to support each of you as you pursue your dreams in 2021!


We believe that it’s not easy to start a new life while the pandemic is still around.
Therefore, we are trying our best to develop various services to minimize your anxiety and distress at this difficult time.
Here, I would like to once again introduce our recent plans and services in Japan.

● Online Room-Viewing and Online Information Session!
I want to know more about Borderless House as a company! I want to have a real-time house tour at an international share house!
For those who will move in from overseas or different cities, you will have the opportunity to see what the current condition at the house that you are interested in looks like. We will show you the details of the house environment and offer you all the information that you may need. It’s a great opportunity for you to feel the house atmosphere in person and know about the house community, house rules, and your future housemates!

Details of the “Online Room-Viewing” →

Details of “BORDERLESS HOUSE Online Information Session” →  


● We will hold your room “free of charge” until the day of your arrival!
If you are unsure about your arrival date in Japan due to the pandemic, or if you have to change your move-in day, or to postpone your plan, we will keep your room for free until April 15, 2021.

Spring Promotion Campaign→ 


● I want to work in Japan! Housing & Career Support Program for foreigners!
From August 2020, Borderless House started the collaboration with Sociarise that provides professional career support for foreigners living in Japan, such as counseling and advisory services, tips for job-hunting in Japan, Japanese business manner, etc.
Through our regular seminars, you can learn more about job hunting skills for foreigners in Japan, and your housemates will help you to revise your resume or have interview practice with you. We are happy to support you in your job hunting journey in Japan!

Check 【Ē・SHOKU・JŪ 】Housing & Career Support Program → 


● Embracing cultural diversity: Learning and thinking about the values of a multicultural society!
The discussion forum is conducted in Japanese, and the purpose of the forum is hope to foster values in mutual understanding through in-depth interaction among young Japanese people.
In a time of pandemic where face-to-face communication with people from different countries is hampered, we provide an opportunity for everyone to think about cross-cultural understanding, multicultural society, and diversity.

Learning and thinking about multicultural coexistence, check out the details of the discussion forum (in Japanese) → 



There are still many difficulties and challenges, but we will strive to develop more services
that continue to provide the unique value of Borderless House to everyone.
While we look forward to a bright future, we will focus on what we can do now and make the best of it.
We look forward to welcoming many Borderless Mates to BORDERLESS HOUSE and ensuring your stay with us is everything you could wish for.
We can’t wait to help you to start a new chapter in life!

January 19, 2021
Representative of BORDERLESS HOUSE, Seiichi Lee

※Read More
I want to know more about BORDERLESS HOUSE! The Ultimate Introduction!　

 【Tenant’s Story】Greater Connections with Housemates during COVID19　

★2021 Special Offer Discount★ Reserve a room with Borderless House now!　

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Choose The Best Locality To Rent A Share House In South Korea!

The concept of a share house has become a popular one in a small time frame. Expats love renting these spaces and they enjoy the time they spend living here sharing the same roof with other people belonging from different backgrounds and cultures. The tenants claim that they relish this experience and that it helps them in developing their thinking horizons, and it makes them more appreciative of other cultures and traditions in general. People say that living with individuals who do not share your history and who have an altogether different approach towards life makes the experience of living in a share house so much more interesting and fun!

Apart from this, the tenants also share experiences where they claim that living in a share house has enhanced their culinary and language skills. After living in a share house most people claim that they can cook at least two types of cuisines, and can understand (if not fluently speak) more than one language. This is huge progress, especially for those people who consider themselves extroverts, and who like touring the world and visiting new places. Many share houses ex-pats that we have interviewed have also confessed that living in share houses for them was akin to virtually touring a new world.

Now, these are probably a few reasons why people who visit a new country opt for living in a share house instead of booking a hotel or renting a flat. Now, in the last years, this trend of renting the share house has registered an increased demand in countries like South Korea also. South Korea, a nation that has a very well-developed health infrastructure and a promising education system registers the influx of international students and ex-pats from foreign countries every year in large numbers. Many people who come to South Korea in search of education and jobs or for learning opportunities prefer renting share houses for accommodation purposes. These low renting properties prove for them perfect residences.

However, it should be noted that the newcomers who visit South Korea for the first time are usually unsure about the localities and cities where they should try to find a place to stay. People are often either confused about the areas that will serve their needs or if they are sure about the locality they do not know if or not they will find a share housing services such as BORDERLESS HOUSE to rent in that locality. Hence, to help such new visitors, today, we have prepared a list of localities that you can consider renting in South Korea if you are looking for shelter.

What are the best localities to rent in South Korea?

South Korea is a prosperous nation that is known in the world for its developed and strong infrastructure. Every year many ex-pats cross the border of this nation in the hope of building a new life here either temporarily or for a permanent time. So, if you are also visiting South Korea shortly and you are planning to stay here just for quite a few months, then here is a list of some places that you should try to find a residence in!

● So you want to stay near your workplace?

If you have come to Seoul in search of exceptional job opportunities in the media, entertainment, or IT industry, then we guess that you will probably be working somewhere in or near the Digital Media City. Well, if that is the case then our understanding is that you would also like to rent a space in the close vicinity of this locality as that would reduce your time to and from work which will make your life easier. Now if this how things are, then you should be happy because in the Digital City there are many cheap and comfy share houses available for renting purposes.

● Do you want to live in a space that has an exciting life?

If you are moving to South Korea and you want to live an exciting life there, checking-out new upscale places, and losing yourself to the beat of nightclubs, then you should check out the share houses situated in the Gangnam locality. Now, Gangnam is known for its modern and open lifestyle, stylish nightclubs, gleaming skyscrapers, and designer brands. On top of this, if you are a food-loving person and you enjoy eating out, then in Gangnam you can also find high-end restaurants and bars that can keep you full and entertained.

● Do you want to live near your school?

South Korea has a remarkable and celebrated schooling system. People from all over the world come to this country for their higher education. So, if you are also moving to South Korea on an educational pretext and you would like to stay someplace near your school or university, then check out the Dong-Daemon area in Korea that houses the Korea and Sungshi University, or the Hongdae area that is situated right in front of Hongik University. Finding a share house in the Dong-Daemon or Hongdae locality will help you in saving both time and energy.

● Want to live in a place that has a historical taste?

If you are a history geek and you love everything that has some historical value or story behind it, then you would probably love to find a place to stay in the Jung-gu or Dong-Daemun area. Now, Jung-gu is the historical center of Seoul that houses the famous Deoksungung Palace and is full of large traditional markets that sell trendy and elite clothes and cosmetics. Dong-Daemon, on the other hand, is a famous spot for its traditional vibe and the history and culture park that it houses. So, if you want to rent a place in any of these spots, you would probably be glad to know it is possible.

 

So, these are few places in South Korea that are known for their history, fancy lifestyles, or for their close vicinity to educational or IT companies. Now, if you are moving to South Korea soon and you would like to find a residence in these localities, then be glad because locating a share house in these places is not going to be impossible!