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From Special Events to House Parties! Everyday Life in an International Share House

Hello there! In our previous blog post, we gave you an exclusive peek into the daily life at the international share house “Borderless House”! Have you had a chance to read it? (For those who haven’t, you can read it right away by following the link below!)
▶“Cultural Exchange Every Day!?” A Revealing Glimpse into the Daily Life of an International Share House!

This time, in our second blog of the “Everyday Life in Borderless House” blog series, we’re here to show you the latest updates from Borderless House!

“I am interested in interacting with people from other countries, but unsure about living in a share house…?”
“I’ve checked out Borderless House share houses, but how do people actually spend their time there…?”

For those of you with such thoughts!
By reading this blog, you should get a glimpse of the unique daily life that Borderless House offers, unlike other share houses.

Furthermore, in this blog post, we’ll also introduce you to the community of a newly-open share house – “Borderless House Ikebukuro Oyama1“! Not only that, we’ll explore Borderless Houses in Kyoto, Osaka, and Kobe, beyond Tokyo!

We hope you’ll read until the end and take it as the first step toward starting life at Borderless House!

Creating a ‘Special Everyday’ through Encounters at Borderless House

Daily Life in the New Share House @ Borderless House Ikebukuro-Oyama 1

From the newly-opened share house “Borderless House Ikebukuro Oyama 1,” we’ve already received updates about their daily life! This share house, which is home to language learners from around the world and Japanese university students, seems to be bustling with activities. Bowling nights and outings to izakayas (Japanese pubs) make up their lively routines!

Farewell Party Filled with Memories @ Borderless House Itabashi-kuyakushomae

A farewell party was held for Simon, a resident of one of the largest share houses at Borderless House, “Borderless House Itabashi-kuyakushomae”!

“Even though I only had a month of life at Borderless House, it was truly enjoyable! Look, I even received messages from everyone!” With great joy, he showed off a gift card filled with heartfelt messages to our staff!

While expressing his desire to return, Simon embarked on his next journey to Hawaii. As a member of the Borderless House community, we’re here to cheer him on!

Bringing Housemates Together: ‘Borderless House Home Party’

Heart-Pounding Welcome Party” @ Borderless House Kobe-Motomachi 1

As residents from various countries gather at Borderless House, farewells are accompanied by numerous encounters. From the only share house in the Kobe area, “Borderless House Kobe-Motomachi 1,” we bring you the scene of a welcome party for new residents♪

The new housemates’ requested menu was a uniquely Japanese combination of “Curry Udon and Takoyaki.” The housemates all joined in, answering the request and creating a warm and cheerful party atmosphere.

Classic Takoyaki Party! @ Borderless House Shinjuku Nakai 1

Currently hosting 14 individuals from 6 different countries, “Borderless House Shinjuku-Nakai 1” hosted a beloved event in its spacious living area—an all-time favorite “Takoyaki Party”!

What’s intriguing about a Takoyaki Party is that it naturally fosters communication among participants. Indeed, at this party, current housemates, former housemates, and friends of housemates gathered around the table, creating a lively and friendly atmosphere.

A One-time Opportunity!? – Special Events PART1

Summer Tradition! Nagashi Somen Event @ Borderless House Asakusabashi 1

When it comes to summer in Japan, it’s all about ‘nagashi somen’ (flowing noodles)! With the idea of ‘Let’s experience Japanese culture together as the Borderless House community,’ residents from multiple share houses enjoyed a nagashi somen event.

Despite the scorching heat, a total of 19 people gathered to deepen their connections through games and the experience of nagashi somen. It provided an opportunity to meet residents from other share houses, resulting in many new friendships being formed.

Gazing at the Spectacular View with Housemates! Climbing Mount Fuji @ Borderless House Osaka-Bentencho

In the cozy atmosphere of Borderless House Osaka Bentencho, featuring 8 residents in a small-scale house, four residents took on the challenge of climbing Mount Fuji! As Japan’s tallest mountain, it was undoubtedly exhausting… Two out of the four-faced altitude sickness, but the remaining two were fortunate to witness the beautiful sunrise.

The stunning view of Mount Fuji is evident in the photos. Climbing Mount Fuji with housemates would surely become an even more memorable and moving experience.

Fostering Stronger Bonds Across Share House Boundaries! – Special Events PART2

A joint bowling event was held by the Borderless Houses in Kyoto!

A joint bowling event was held by the Borderless Houses in Kyoto! Many residents participated, creating a lively atmosphere. During the group play, the sight of housemates naturally exchanging high-fives was prominent, indicating that their relationships had deepened further.

Sports events like bowling are popular among Borderless House residents because they can be enjoyed regardless of nationality. Moving forward, more events will be planned to help residents become even closer.

Enhancing Language Skills While Having Fun! Language Exchange @ Borderless House in Osaka

Meanwhile, in Osaka, a joint Language Exchange event took place! Seven participants practiced speaking Japanese and English, deepening their connections. Some even expressed joy at having engaging conversations beyond language learning.

Borderless House regularly hosts Language Exchange events, providing a relaxed and enjoyable opportunity to enhance English skills. Feel free to join in for a chance to improve your language abilities!

Discover Your Ideal Japanese Experience with BORDERLESS HOUSE

✓ Planning to visit Japan for Japanese language studies or work holidays
✓ Aiming to improve your Japanese language skills
✓ Desiring an authentic Japanese living experience alongside locals
✓ Dreaming of having a second home in Japan

Borderless House aims to alleviate your concerns and fulfill your desires. How about starting the experience of “living while connecting with the world” at Borderless House?

Check out the current vacancies through the links below!

List of Tokyo Share Houses
List of Kansai Share Houses

Furthermore, we regularly post daily life at Borderless House on Instagram! Please consider following us for updates!

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Unveiling the Intern Experience: A Journey with Borderless House

Welcome! Today, we want to invite you to delve into the world of Borderless House through the eyes of our talented intern. In this article, we will take you on a captivating journey as she shares her valuable insights and experiences working with us.

At Borderless House, we believe in creating a vibrant and inclusive community that transcends borders. Our mission is to provide individuals from all walks of life with the opportunity to build connections and form lifelong friendships through shared living experiences. As an intern at Borderless House, our featured writer had the chance to immerse herself in this unique environment and contribute to our marketing team.

Join us as we unveil the intern experience and discover the fascinating aspects of working at Borderless House!

The Internship Experience at Borderless House

Can you tell us a bit about yourself and what led you to choose an internship at Borderless House?

Hey there! I’m Koko, an intern at Borderless House, specializing in social media marketing. I lived at Borderless House Kikukawa 1 for around 9 months. I’ve had the privilege of studying in Poland and doing an exchange program in the UK during my university years. Currently, I’m intrigued by the relationship between art and society, and I’m heading to the Netherlands in September to study art management for a year. 🙂

The reason I chose to intern at Borderless House is simple—I want more people to know about it! Living at Borderless House is like having a “study abroad within Japan” experience. Everyday life takes on an international flavor, fostering connections across cultures. I’m thrilled to contribute to this wonderful community’s growth through my internship. Stay tuned for updates as I explore the magic of Borderless House and celebrate the power of cultural exchange!

Could you share some details about the projects or tasks you have been involved in during your internship?

I was mainly involved in managing the English version of Borderless House’s official Instagram account, BORDERLESS HOUSE【Official】. My role included showcasing the daily life at Borderless House and sharing the stories and experiences of our residents.
In addition to that, I also had the opportunity to write blog articles like this one and conduct interviews with our tenants!

What has been the most valuable lesson or skill that you have gained during your time at Borderless House?

I believe my ability to understand user needs has improved significantly. Initially, I was in a state of confusion, unsure about which designs, wording, and information would work best. It was quite a rollercoaster ride, to be honest! lol

However, as I received feedback from the marketing team, I started to grasp the art of creating posts that truly resonate with our users.

Furthermore, I believe the greatest joy of being a marketing intern lies in being able to hear the “authentic voices” of our residents. Seeing the excitement in their eyes during interviews and witnessing the daily moments that make our hearts race fills me with immense happiness. It not only brings a sense of fulfillment but also strengthens my dedication to the work I do.

Embracing Diversity and Cultural Exchange: The Intern’s Perspective

How does the work culture at Borderless House differ from other internships or workplaces you have experienced?

In a great way, it was incredibly casual! First, let me share my experience as an intern – it was extremely flexible. There were no strict hours to adhere to or a requirement to physically be in the office. I was able to work comfortably, aligning with my own lifestyle, which allowed me to continue my internship while pursuing my own interests.

Furthermore, among the staff members of Borderless House, I never felt any sense of hierarchy. The atmosphere was one of open communication and neutral exchange of ideas, which truly embodied the concept of a “team.”

On the other hand, it was evident that each individual took their work and career seriously. The atmosphere fostered a sense of “being able to achieve what you want,” which I felt was a characteristic of Borderless House.

Overall, my internship experience was uniquely casual, allowing me the freedom to pursue my passions while working in a supportive and dedicated environment.

How has your experience at Borderless House influenced your perspective on diversity and cultural exchange?

I’ve come to realize that diversity and cultural exchange are not something extraordinary. In fact, they are so inherent in the everyday life at Borderless House that it’s almost synonymous with it.

In Japan, where conversing in Japanese with fellow Japanese often suffices, the terms “diversity” and “cultural exchange” can be seen as high barriers to overcome. However, my involvement with Borderless House has shown me that regularly engaging with different cultures in our daily lives naturally leads to the formation of a mindset that embraces diversity.

Through my experience at Borderless House, I’ve learned that diversity and cultural exchange can be seamlessly integrated into our lives, challenging the notion that they are daunting concepts.

In your opinion, what sets Borderless House apart from other companies in the shared living (share house) industry?

It’s the “Borderless Community”!

Borderless House is already unique as a multicultural sharehouse, but that’s not all!
What sets it apart, even among other multicultural sharehouses, is its ability to create relationships that feel just like “family”.

The strength of Borderless House lies in its “Borderless Community”, where you can build warm connections with friends from around the world, just like a family.

Uncovering the Intern’s Personal Growth

Have you had a specific project or task that challenged you and how it contributed to your personal growth?

Creating Instagram posts about daily life at Borderless House was particularly rewarding.
The task of summarizing events and creating posts that would capture the attention of a wider audience challenged me to think about how to make each post more engaging.
However, it was precisely because of this task that I was able to develop skills in designing and structuring content, as well as the ability to select and prioritize information, all while effectively conveying the joy of living at Borderless House.

How do you plan to leverage the lessons and skills you have acquired at Borderless House in your future, either in life or career?

I believe that I will continue to seek environments that are filled with diversity and naturally foster cultural exchange. Once you’ve experienced the joy of it, there’s no going back, right?
Through my internship and stay at Borderless House, I have truly realized the importance and excitement of regularly engaging with different cultures. Even beyond Borderless House, in my future life and career, I aspire to choose the path of continuously expanding and broadening myself.

Insights and Advice: Words of Wisdom for Future Interns


What advice would you give to future interns seeking to make the most of their experience at Borderless House and develop valuable skills?

It’s all about trial and error!
Nothing can be done perfectly from the start, and I believe it would be boring to only stick to what you can do right away. Borderless House is a safe space where you can make mistakes without worry. Even if things don’t go as planned, there are staff members and fellow residents who will offer advice and support.

I encourage you to propose ideas for projects you’re passionate about, and when given tasks, approach them without fear of failure and be open to receiving feedback. Remember that you are also a part of Borderless House and do your best for the sake of your “Borderless Community” members. Let’s embrace the spirit of trial and error together!

We hope you enjoyed this interview, offering a glimpse into the enriching journey of our intern at Borderless House. Their unique experiences and insights demonstrate the meaningful impact that an internship at Borderless House can have on personal and professional growth.

We extend our gratitude to our intern – KoKo for her contributions and dedication to our mission of fostering a borderless community.

Stay tuned for more inspiring stories and engaging content from Borderless House!

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“Cultural Exchange Every Day!?” A Revealing Glimpse into the Daily Life of an International Share House!

Hello! I’m Koko, an intern at BORDERLESS HOUSE. One of the strengths of BORDERLESS HOUSE, a multicultural share house, is that you can experience different cultures while staying in Japan! Because we are particular about the ratio of Japanese to non-Japanese tenants, you will definitely be able to enjoy language and cultural exchange with multicultural friends from all over the world.

HOWEVER, I’m sure many of you have questions like these:

“Does BORDERLESS HOUSE offer enough opportunities to get close to international housemates?”
“What is it like to live with both foreigners and local Japanese?”

And I’d like to say, YES.

So today, I want to write about “the daily life in BORDERLESS HOUSE” to prove it! In this article, I will introduce the usual daily life of each share house, as well as the lively house parties and amazing trips! I’m certain that this blog will give you a better understanding of the Borderless House Community, not only for Borderless House residents but also for our future tenants.

Read this article with imagining your bright future in BORDERLESS HOUSE with global housemates;))

Borderless House Exclusive Events – Highlights of April 2023!

April is always an exciting and bustling month for us at BORDERLESS HOUSE, and this year was no exception. We were thrilled to welcome a diverse group of new tenants from various corners of the globe to Japan! In this blog post, let’s take a moment to recap the vibrant events that took place in April and celebrate the beginning of their extraordinary journey with us!

BORDERLESS STATION

At BORDERLESS HOUSE, our commitment to fostering multicultural connections extends beyond our share houses. We are proud to introduce “Borderless Station” , a vibrant community space and restaurant located on the first floor of our office in Asakusabashi. Borderless Station offers a unique culinary experience, bringing together flavors from around the world, along with a range of multicultural events. In this blog post, I will highlight two exciting events that recently took place at Borderless Station!

  • Language Exchange
    This event provides an opportunity for our tenants to learn and practice foreign languages while enjoying the company of friends from different cultural backgrounds. It’s an event where language barriers fade away, and meaningful connections are formed.

  • BH Night
    BH Night is another remarkable event that recently took place at Borderless Station, and it was a resounding success! We offered our tenants a chance to enjoy delectable food and drinks at discounted prices. The positive response to this event has encouraged us to make it a monthly gathering, open not only to our tenants but also to non-tenants. We invite everyone to join us and experience the joy of BH Night!

Celebrating New Connections and Cherished Memories Together

Welcome and Farewell Party
This April, we welcomed a whopping 80 new residents from all over the world. The “Welcome Party” is a big event to welcome new housemates! This event is a great way to build a new friendship.

As the saying goes, “All good things must come to an end,” and so it was with April. Alongside the excitement of welcoming new members, we also faced the bittersweet task of bidding adieu to our beloved tenants. The “Farewell Party” was an occasion tinged with nostalgia and mixed emotions, and our tenants celebrated the beautiful memories they had shared.

Meeting the Best Housemates in Japan! The Everyday Life of one of our Share Houses

The tenants residing in this share house have formed strong bonds of friendship. They joyously marked the Christmas season by adorning a petite Christmas tree and donning Santa costumes! Additionally, they sometimes went out together for yakiniku – Japanese BBQ!

Sometimes, the tenants have trips together. This photo captures a moment from their visit to Ibaraki, which is the hometown of one of the tenants. Moreover, during the “Golden Week” holiday, they embarked on a collective trip to Hakone!

The living room, where everyone gathers, is a great hub for tenants to interact with their housemates. They can build a warm bond like a family there.
In fact, a resident of this share house expressed, “I am genuinely grateful to be a member of this community, and I am glad that I came to Japan.” at her farewell party.

Utilizing Your Passions and Skills! “Tenants-Initiated Events”

The Slow Food Diner at BORDERLESS HOUSE Kyoto-Nishijin
Our tenant Miko, who calls herself “sloth”, started the slow-food diner! This event was planned for the purpose of spending more time with her housemates and encouraging them to try cooking or try Japanese cuisine.

She also has an interest in the slow food movement, local consumption, agricultural issues, and dieting. The healthy food prepared based on such knowledge gave her housemates a great opportunity to interact with others and think about “diet”.

Badminton Event at BORDERLESS HOUSE Kyoto-Kinugasa
BORDERLESS HOUSE Kyoto-Kinugasa is a large and lively share house with 23 tenants from 12 different countries. This time, I want to introduce its badminton event! Playing badminton in the spacious gymnasium looks a lot of fun:) Enjoying sports together with your house mates is sure to bring you closer together!

Do You Know the Unique Party that Showcases Japan’s Charm!? “Everyday Life at BORDERLESS HOUSE in Kyoto”

The last part of this blog post is about the enchanting daily life at our three share houses located in the picturesque Kansai area: BORDERLESS HOUSE Kyoto-Nishijin, Kyoto-Kinugasa, and Kyoto-Saiin2!

Takoyaki and Okonomiyaki Party at Kyoto-Nishijin & Kyoto-Kinugasa Share Houses
“Takoyaki and Okonomiyaki Party” is one of the popular events among BORDERLESS HOUSE tenants! Gathering around the hotplate, tenants experienced the unique food culture of Japan. With their favorite drinks in hand, everyone enjoyed good conversation and food.

As you can see from this photo, it turned out to be a very large-scale and lively party. The spacious living room of BORDERLESS HOUSE Kyoto-Nishijin, which is a large-scale share house, was filled with participants! It was a great opportunity for tenants to meet new people and share a good time.

BBQ at Lake Biwa – BORDERLESS HOUSE Kyoto-Kinugasa

Under the refreshing blue sky, the tenants of BORDERLESS HOUSE Kyoto-Kinugasa enjoyed a barbecue! With the large Lake Biwa in the background, everyone is smiling for the camera, and you can tell how close they are.

The weather was perfect, and everyone’s excitement was at its peak! The food grilled with the help of all the tenants was even more delicious than usual!
The instant photos capturing the memories of the barbecue will surely become cherished treasures.

A Trip to Lake Biwa – BORDERLESS HOUSE Kyoto-Saiin2

The tenants of BORDERLESS HOUSE Kyoto-Saiin2 also visited Lake Biwa together! Weekends are the best time to get to know each other! Exploring nearby shops together or going sightseeing allows you to share a special experience with your housemates. The tenants relaxing on the sandy ground around the lake look as if they are at the beach! The beautiful scenery of the lake must have become a memorable experience for the tenants.

BORDERLESS HOUSE is a multicultural share house that allows you to experience a global everyday life alongside friends from all around the world.

If you’re…
– Feeling anxious about living alone in Japan
– Looking to improve your Japanese skill on a daily basis
– Desire to connect with people worldwide in a “real” way and meet a new version of yourself

BORDERLESS HOUSE is the perfect fit for you. Join our community and discover new encounters that will lead to a new you!

Check the availability of rooms right now by clicking the link below！
Share Houses in Tokyo
Share Houses in Kansai

Furthermore, we regularly post updates about daily life at BORDERLESS HOUSE on Instagram. Please follow us to stay connected:)

Borderless House Official Account [English Version] （@borderlesshouse.jp）
Borderless House Official Account [Japanese Version]（@borderless_house_jp）
Borderless Station （@borderlessstation）

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Celebrate Christmas & New Year together! – BORDERLESS HOUSE EVENTS

When it comes to celebrating holidays, there is one group of people we celebrate with more than anyone else: our friends and family. Christmas and New Year are the most important celebrations of the year and it is a time when we all come together, catch up, share stories, and spend time together.

However, if you are living abroad, it can be difficult. But don’t worry! International share house – BORDERLESS HOUSE is like a big family with tenants from many different countries, and we’ve celebrated these holidays together! It was really fun and a great way to meet new friends – and of course, share some great times, memories, and food! So let’s take a look at the recap of Borderless House events for Christmas & New Year!

2023 New Year Party – Tenants from 40 different share houses celebrate New Year together!

Due to COVID-19, we haven’t been able to hold any events that gather everyone together for almost 3 years, so we were extremely excited to see many of our tenants from 40 different share houses coming to this party! Because being able to build a warm and friendly community among the share houses where everyone can be friends, learn new cultures and languages, and share and experience life together is BORDERLESS HOUSE‘s mission and goal!

We played some funny games together; Borderless House also prepared gifts and rewards for our tenants!

Of course, there were a lot of food and drinks, and our staff was a DJ!

Everyone had a great time just chatting and talking to new friends, or catching up with old friends! Some of the tenants even continued the fun and went to an izakaya, nightclub, and pubs for the second parties afterward!

2023 is the beginning of a new chapter. We hope everyone has a joyous 2023, bursting with fulfilling and exciting opportunities!

Christmas Party and More International Events in 2022 held by BORDERLESS HOUSE

We had 2 small gatherings with our tenants in Osaka and Kyoto. Our tenants from 11 different share houses exchanged Christmas presents, and enjoyed the shows performed by our tenants!

Seasonal Events – Visit famous tourist spots and enjoy beautiful autumn leaves in Japan

Japan has many shrines and temples, gorgeous natures, gardens and palaces, and other must-visit spots and attractions. We also hold events that our tenants could visit these places together, to gain wonderful experiences with the people from this multicultural community! Last year, we went to Arashiyama, Nintendo world, Bamboo forest, temples and shrines, and Japanese matsuri together!

We also have picnics and indoor/ outdoor sports events from time to time where our tenants can enjoy good relaxing times and meet people who share the same hobbies! 

If you want to join BORDERLESS HOUSE big community and enjoy all kinds of events with us! Check the links below ☺

▶Share Houses in Tokyo
▶Share Houses in Osaka, Kobe, Kyoto

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Ridilover x BORDERLESS HOUSE ▏Learn about multicultural living! Activity with Japanese senior high school students

On Oct 12 and Oct 26, 2022, BORDERLESS HOUSE was honored to be invited to hold a collaboration event with Ridilover for senior high school students. At the events, the students got to have workshops and discussions on some topics regarding prejudice, discrimination, and stereotyping which are the social problems that we aim to solve by creating multicultural living environments.

Before we take you back to this event let me give you a brief introduction to Ridilover!

About Ridilover
Ridilover is a Japanese company that takes on the challenge of quickly resolving social issues by engaging in businesses that “discover” problems and work with them to create solutions. While “breaking down social indifference,” Ridilover aims to create a society with a “network of friendly concern” that includes everyone. To this end, they see every social issue as a problem that can be solved.

Part 1. The purpose of this multicultural living workshop

At the start of the workshop, our Kansai member- Mori Yuki gave a presentation about BORDELRESS HOUSE’s vision and mission, as well as an introduction to the share house and the concept.

While more foreigners are settling in Japan, it is important that there are places where everyone can live in peace and harmony regardless of their nationalities and race. Thus, Borderless House aims to build relationships and connections among people with different backgrounds and gather them together to live under the same roof in our share houses. By doing so, we hope everyone can mutually understand each other without any prejudice or discrimination.

We believe that the solution of providing more people with opportunities for international exchange can accelerate the creation of an ideal multicultural society.

Part 2. Group Discussion – Prejudice and Discrimination

After we shared our vision and concept, at the second part of the workshop, we divided a total of 30 students into 6 groups and discussed:

● What is your image of discriminatory prejudice?
● Do you actually have discriminatory prejudice around you?
● What can we do to eliminate discriminatory prejudice?

The students had intense discussions and shared their own opinions. After the discussion, we asked the students to share their conclusions with us. Here we got many great answers:
● Discrimination and prejudice are all around us, and there is various discrimination prejudice such as gender discrimination, and positive and negative personalities.
● In order to eliminate discrimination and prejudice, I think it is important to know each other more and accept the differences each other.
● Do you have any requests to the government etc. as a measure to eliminate discrimination and prejudice?

Part 3. Share House Tour! Meeting our tenants from different countries

We visited BORDERLESS HOUSE KYOTO-KURAMAGUCHI. Our sweet tenants from Germany, America, Canada, and Japan were there to welcome all the students!

Our tenants shared about their life in a share house, including how to get along with people from different countries, how to communicate with people who speak different languages, the pros and cons of sharing the house and life with others, etc. Students also asked them about the things they’ve experienced living in Japan as a foreigner.

Our foreign tenants also got the chance to practice their Japanese!

↑ Our tenant made very cute direction signs with small ducks at the entrance to welcome the students!

In the future, we hope we can have more opportunities to share our vision with the young generations and let more people know and experience multicultural and multilingual BORDERLESS HOUSE!

If you also like our vision of creating a free of discrimination open-minded multicultural society and would like to cooperate with us for any events, please feel free to contact us HERE.

Let’s promote a wonderful community that is built on mutual understanding and active participation together:)

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Towards a Society with Appreciation for Differences ▏A New Base – BORDERLESS STATION is opening!

Hello everyone, I am Seiichi Lee, the representative of BORDERLESS HOUSE Co., Ltd. Our company was founded in 2008, and the goal of our share house 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.

Almost 3 years into the pandemic, our business has been affected by COVID-19 due to the entry restrictions for foreigners to Japan, fortunately, the situation has gradually gotten better. Thus, we’ve started to create a place full of “Cross-cultural Understanding & Multicultural Coexistence”, which also will be a new base for people from around the world can gather together in Japan.

About the New Project

◆The approach to social problems

With the increased number of foreign tourists and foreign employees, the situation of “foreigners not being able to rent a house in Japan” has drastically improved in the past 10 years.

However, originally, the cause of this problem was because of the prejudice of people who think that “foreigners are different from us”, and I kindly ask you to think about it with us.

One of the surest ways to eliminate this kind of prejudice is to create an opportunity that allows everyone to interact with people from different backgrounds. 

We believe that through building relationships among people, we can learn about and embrace each other’s differences in values, in other words, foster mutual understanding.

In order to achieve that goal, BORDERLESS HOUSE has been offering the environment and experience of communal living.

We have also been proactive in building relationships between the residents and the local community, in order to provide local people with opportunities to encounter different cultures.

 “Share house” is our first step, but now, it’s time to take the next step with our new project.

What’s needed to create a multicultural society where people respect each other’s differences is to – not just learn about those differences but also directly interact with them. We believe that experience is necessary.

We have newly established a new center to provide this kind of opportunity to learn about “differences”. At the same time, we will create a community that is involved in different cultures.

This is our new project – BORDERLESS STATION.

The base of this new project is in Asakusabashi, Tokyo

We rented a guesthouse and cafe bar that was closed down due to COVID-19 and used the upper floors as a share house and the first floor as the base of this project.

It was a challenge for us to revive this place from the aftereffects of a pandemic with a new community and our vision.

※2For detailed information on the share house, click here＞＞

The Concept of BORDERLESS STATION

There are two main concepts in our new project.

The first one is to create a broadcasting booth to share a podcast on the theme of “Understanding the differences” and to communicate various topics on diversity.

The second one is to have a lounge space that will be used for various events and workshops that will provide opportunities to learn about different cultures.

①Broadcasting station for sharing information on the theme of diversity 

The theme of the broadcast is “Let’s start by learning!”

We will have a broadcasting channel that will help people get involved in diversity and cross-cultural understanding. We will invite guest speakers from different backgrounds and countries to share their stories.

Also, as the broadcasting booth will be facing the lounge, so it can be used for event broadcasting. We hope that this place can help the community to promote and communicate its vision and values. 

We would also like to provide an opportunity for young people who are struggling with problems of “minorities” and “identity”  to share their experiences in order to develop new values.

② Bar with a theme of Cross-cultural Understanding and Exchange

The bar with a daily theme is where people can gain a deeper understanding of diversity, arouse interest in cultural differences, and induce empathy with different values through “Participation and Discussion”

On Wednesdays and Thursdays, the shared kitchen will be operated by exotic restaurants. They would bring authentic and exotic cuisine home-cooked to BORDERLESS STATION.

So everyone can enjoy learning about the “differences” through “food”. We would like to use this shared kitchen as a gateway to different cultures. 

At the moment, an Argentinian restaurant has been selected to join us, and we are still accepting more partnerships with amazing restaurants!

Friday and Saturday will be a dining bar run by us, BORDERLESS HOUSE!

The dining bar is where you can enjoy food and drinks from various countries while adding diversity and multicultural-themed content to make it much more fun.

For example, on Fridays, we plan to have multicultural organizations and communities join us to share their activities and create a place where people can talk and think about how to make the world a better place together.

And on Saturdays, our multicultural residents of BORDERLESS HOUSE will be the host of the bar. There will be a place where people can encounter new values through workshops and fun activities that expose them to the cultures and values of different countries.

Speaking of the dining bar, it will be supervised by Okaneya-san, who is an explorer of the world’s kitchens, and she will offer “snacks from around the world” that cannot be found anywhere else!

※For more details about Okaneya-san, check here＞＞(Japanese only)

In this project, we wil also be working together with BORDERLESS HOUSE staff, residents, and partners to create a project that will allow us to get close to the local community. 

Based on these contents, we aim to make BORDERLESS STATION a place where anyone can easily have opportunities to learn about “differences” and get involved in the community.

(A community event planned by BORDERLESS HOUSE residents in May 2022)

※For the details of the event that is organized by Borderless House residents, check here.

*The details of the operating hours of BORDERLESS STATION will be announced later.

How to support this project (Sept 2022)

Rather than the relationship between a business owner and customers as a typical restaurant/bar, we would like to work as a community with people who can sympathize and share the same vision and thoughts with us. 

Also, this project is not just a business that expects a return on investment, but a social activity. Unfortunately, due to COVID-19, we would have to ask for your help to support this project.

Most important of all, we want to make it a place where everyone can make good use of it. I’ve decided to start with crowdfunding.

Click here for the crowdfunding page ＞＞＞
※We are sorry but since the webpage is only in Japanese, please click the right button on the mouse and translate the webpage to your preferred language if needed.

The support from crowdfunding will be used only for the initial start-up costs and does not cover any subsequent operating costs.

In addition to the existing business of share house approach as a place to nurture mutual understanding, this new community place – BORDERLESS STATION (abbreviated as B station) will be opened soon!

Thank you very much for your support!

Last Message

Our cross-cultural exchange project has had a very difficult time over the past two years due to borders closing. 

At the same time, in our society, we are facing the same problems as in the rest of the world, such as the hate against Asians due to the spread of COVID-19, BLM in the US, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and the conflict between China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan, and the conflicts between countries, cultures, and ideologies.

These are big and serious problems that we cannot seem to confront, and for this reason, I believe that what we can do is foster mutual understanding among citizens, transcending each other’s values. Connecting and building relationships with people of different backgrounds and countries is more important now than ever before.

We at BORDERLESS HOUSE believe that creating such connections will sow the seeds of peace for the future, and we will continue to do so.

We look forward to your support.

 

 

 

 

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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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WASEDA x BORDERLESS HOUSE ▏ICC One-Day Share House

On June 17, 2022, BORDERLESS HOUSE was honored to be invited to hold a collaboration event with Intercultural Communication Center (ICC) for Waseda University students. At the event, the students got to have a discussion on some topics with people from different nationalities and backgrounds, which was exactly the same as living at Borderless House!

As when you live with people from various countries, there could be some moments you may have been shocked at some of the differences. And this is when we learn to understand different cultures and to think from a new perspective without holding any discrimination and prejudice.

Before we take you back to this One-Day Share House Experience event, let me give you a brief introduction to ICC!

About the ICC (Intercultural Communication Center)

The ICC is a venue and global community that gathers both local and international Waseda students together for intercultural exchange and interaction.

Since Waseda University has over 5,000 international students enrolled from over 100 countries and regions, the ICC was established to utilize such a diverse international environment, and further enrich on-campus intercultural exchange.  Through such interaction, students develop a new understanding of the world around them, while creating new values and interests.

The purpose of this co-living workshop – ICC share house

As the vision of Borderless House is “to create a truly multicultural society in which people can live together in harmony regardless of race or nationality,” we hope to provide Waseda students with opportunities they could learn and realize the importance of recognizing and accepting each other’s differences by exchanging thoughts and sharing own experiences.

We are very glad that on the day, there were around 30 multinational participants came, so we have many “cultures”, “personalities” and “backgrounds”, which just like our share houses.  

Workshop Agenda

There are a total of 5 main parts of the workshop:
① Icebreaking!
② Presentations by the President and Manager of BORDERLESS HOUSE
③ Workshop1: Is everyone’s life routine different?
④ Workshop2: What is senior/junior culture?
⑤ Workshop3: Share your understanding and learn about

When you move into a new share house, the first thing is to

That’s right! It’s “self-introduction”! Tell others something about you and get to know all your housemates too! Maybe you’d be very lucky to make good friends who share the same interests or like the same animes as you, and you’d create a bond right away!

Presentations by BORDERLESS HOUSE

Next. our President, Seiichi Lee, and Manager of BORDERLESS HOUSE Tokyo Office, Takuya Hosogi had presentations to let the students have a better understanding and idea about what an “international share house” is.

From sharing about the vision and mission of Borderless House.

To show students the special characteristics of our share houses and the values of living at Borderless House. And of course, the photos of real share house life from our tenants!

Workshop1: Is everyone’s life routine different?


 In a communal living share house, everyone has their own lifestyle; everyone is on different schedules. So at the first workshop, we talked about each other’s lifestyles and schedules and figured out how to live under the same roof with minimal conflicts due to the differences.

When you live with someone else, it’s important to show respect for others in your everyday life, you need to be more aware that you share the space with others. So open communication is a key to making everyone live together comfortably!

Workshop2: What is senior / junior culture?

I believe a lot of you may already know about what “Senpai-Kohai culture” is, you can see the senior-junior relationship commonly in organizations, businesses, schools, associations, and clubs in Japan. So at this workshop, we talked about if this kind of culture and relationships also exist in other countries.

Everyone shares their thoughts and opinions about the “sempai-kohai” (senior-junior) system and its pros and cons. Some Japanese students also shared their own experiences, and it seemed to be very shocked for some foreign students who are from countries that don’t have this kind of culture!

Living with people from around the world in a share house, you may find some cultures or value systems that may be totally normal to some people, however, they are quite strange to you. And it’s very interesting to talk about the difference together!

Workshop3: Share your impressions and what you learn about

Lastly, there was a presentative from each group to share what they learn from today’s workshop. And we are so impressed how much the students have learned from today’s workshop:
“I am a university student right now so I have more chances to meet foreigners, but if there’s a wall between us, it would waste such good opportunities, so we should build bridges, not walls”

“I think to be able to respect each other and to try to understand each other’s differences is very important. For example, if you can’t understand well because of language barriers, there are translation tools that you can use. And there are many ways you can use to communicate with each other. But the most important of all, you need to be willing to embrace new cultures and respect them.”

Thank you very much for joining us at the ICC Co-living Event!✨

It was a valuable experience for BORDERLESS HOUSE to have close interactions with Waseda University students, not only just sharing, but also hearing their voices, ideas, and thoughts!

In the future, we hope we can have more opportunities to share our vision with the young generations and let more people experience multicultural and multilingual BORDERLESS HOUSE! If you also like our vision of creating a free of discrimination open-minded multicultural society and would like to cooperate with us for any events, please feel free to contact us HERE.

Let’s promote a wonderful community that is built on mutual understanding and active participation together:) 

 

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Language Exchange｜How should I prepare for Language Exchange and practice speaking?

Do you want to practice your speaking skills for free through “Language Exchange” and meet new foreign friends, but don’t know where to start preparing? Or have you tried “Language Exchange” before, but after encountering some difficulties in the process, and you just left it at that?

Then this article on language exchange prep will help you a lot!

What is Language Exchange?

Language Exchange is a reciprocal activity in which you practice the language that you are learning by chatting with a native speaker or someone who is fluent in that language. In addition, to quickly improve your speaking skills, you can also learn cultural knowledge not found in textbooks and make new friends, which is a great way to kill two birds with one stone.

Am I a good candidate for language exchange?

When you want to practice a language through Language Exchange, here are some tips you can check to see if you are a good candidate.

1) What is your purpose? Do you really want to practice the language? Or do you just want to meet foreign friends?

Because Language Exchange is not mandatory, there must be a strong motivation to learn each other’s language in order to be sustainable.

2) How is your language ability?

Usually, I suggest that it is better to have at least a daily conversation level, so that you can correct and improve your speech step by step during the conversation. Otherwise, it is easy to keep speaking only one language with each other.

3) Do you like to interact with people?

In fact, Language Exchange is also a kind of meeting internet friend activity, whether online or face-to-face, the first meeting will inevitably be awkward. So before participating in Language Exchange, you can ask yourself, do you want to meet a new stranger? Will you be curious about your partner?

What to prepare before Language Exchange?

The preparation content will vary depending on the length of time you work with your language partner, and is divided into early and late stages：

Early-stage：

1) Confirm meeting time and language appointment (1 hour of full Chinese conversation, 1 hour of full foreign language conversation). And set an alarm before you start so that you don’t forget to change the language when you’re having too much fun conversation.

2) Usually, the first meeting is just about introducing yourself, why are you learning this language? What are your hobbies? Where have you traveled to? What kind of music do you prefer? Basically, it’s the same as a blind date, in the process of talking to each other to find out what you have in common and whether we have a mutual connection because this part will also affect the subsequent contact.

Late-stage：

When you get to know your partner better, you will gradually start to run out of topics to talk about, so it is very important to prepare some beforehand.

1) Note down any problems of language learning that you have, such as being unsure how to translate a sentence or whether there is a more authentic way to say it. You can also bring your own textbooks or assignments and discuss your questions together.

2) If you have a grammatical problem, try not to ask a native speaker, because they usually don’t know how to explain it, either. Unless the partner major in linguistics, otherwise a lot of time will be wasted trying to explain grammar.

3) Share something interesting that happened recently, or any interesting articles, news, videos, cultural differences or interesting topics to discuss. It is better to have questions with a little depth, such as environmental protection or social issues, so that you can practice expressing your own ideas, and hear the results of your partner’s opinions from different perspectives.

4) Write an exchange diary! Language Exchange is not only to practice speaking, writing is also a very important part of it. You can write a short article about your reading experience or a movie afterthought. Gradually your writing skills will be greatly improved without you even realizing it!

5) Let’s hang out together! Hiking, movies, museums, whatever you and your friends like to do, invite your language partner to go with you as well! Since you’re going out together, you don’t have to be too strict about which language you speak for how long, so just switch between them! Be flexible!

6) Register for the language test and get certified! You can practice for the content of the exam, with specific topics and sentence patterns. When you are under pressure, you will be more prepared for each Language Exchange!

What should I pay attention to during Language Exchange?

1) When introducing to each other, observe the language level of your partner and adjust your speaking speed according to the language level, pronouncing your words as clearly and standardly as possible.

2) When practicing the language, instead of expressing yourself in your native language, ask more questions so that your partner can answer his/her thoughts more often. For example: Why? What do you think? What would you do?…etc. Try to use these questions often.

3) Use the cloud notepad to record words or sentences during the meeting, so that you can easily re-read them afterward.

Where can I find a Language Exchange partner?

Nowadays there are many ways to find language exchange partners, through mobile apps, websites, or by staying in a multicultural share house.

APP& Website recommendation：

1) Hello Talk: You can send texts, voice messages, voice calling, and video calling, and you can also help each other fix sentences, translate, and other auxiliary functions. You can also upload pictures and short articles. The overall function is very similar to Instagram.

2) Tandem: It is very similar to the function of HelloTalk, except that this app will actively send the notification about the info of other members to increase the chance of matching.

3) HiNative: It is a Q&A platform where you can ask questions about grammar, wording differences, or articles, and there are usually enthusiastic answers from native speakers.

4) BORDERLESS HOUSE: It is a multicultural share house with locals and they also organize a variety of events and provide free Language Exchange opportunities from time to time.

BORDERLESS HOUSE is an international, multicultural share house with locals. There are 17 houses in Taipei City and overseas branches in Tokyo, Osaka(Japan), and Seoul(South Korea).

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✨Rent Prepay Discount✨

Hello everyone!

Thank you for your continuous support and love for BORDERLESS HOUSE! We hope that each tenant can find a sense of home here and create wonderful memories with friends from all over the world.

In appreciation of our long-term supporting tenants, we have specially introduced exclusive discounts for those on long-term leases, making your life at BORDERLESS HOUSE even more exciting. Join us in creating more unforgettable memories and enjoy this unique international exchange experience together!

Plan Details

Prepay your rent and utilities to enjoy the following exclusive discounts:

1. Half-Year Prepayment Plan:
• Receive a half-month rent reduction.
2. One-Year Prepayment Plan:
• Receive a one-month rent reduction.
• Utilities will be a fixed monthly charge of NT$800.

Important Notes:

1. Not affected by any adjustments in rent or utilities, and cannot be combined with other promotions.
2. In the event of early termination due to personal reasons, prepaid rent and utilities are non-refundable.
3. If there is a violation of the contract or circumstances deemed unsuitable for residing at BORDERLESS HOUSE, we reserve the right to terminate the contract immediately. We will refund the remaining rent for the period, but the tenant must reimburse the discounted amount during the promotional period.

Application Process

Form Submission ▶ Contact Staff ▶ Email Confirmation ▶ Contract Signing at the office and Payment (within 7 days)

*Please proactively reach out to us after submitting the form. Thank you!

Q&A

1. After applying, when is the earliest I can enjoy the rent discount?
The effective date for the prepayment discount is the 1st of each month, and the application process takes 3-5 business days (excluding the signing procedure). Please make sure to apply in advance to avoid delays.
2. Is it possible to request the relocation of the house or room in the future?
Yes, it is possible. The discount will be recalculated based on the duration of residence in the two rooms.
3. Can I apply for the prepayment discount with a one-year contract?
Yes, you can. The contract type and prepayment discount do not conflict.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us. Thank you:)