Thinking about coming to Japan to study Japanese?
Maybe you’ve already applied for a language school. Or maybe you’re still searching for the best way to really learn and use Japanese in daily life.
Studying in a classroom is a great start. But what happens after class? Many students find it hard to practice Japanese once the school day ends—especially if they live alone or with other foreigners.
At Borderless House, we believe the best way to learn Japanese fast is to combine language school with daily life shared with local Japanese people. It’s not about studying more—it’s about living the language every day.
In this blog, we’ll show you how share house life can help you speak more confidently, connect with local culture, and enjoy your time in Japan to the fullest.
Why Language School Is Only Half the Story
Learning in the classroom is important—but it’s only one part of becoming fluent in Japanese.
Language School Gives You the Basics
Japanese language schools are a great place to start. You’ll learn how to read and write, study grammar step by step, and build a strong foundation. Teachers help you understand polite forms and useful expressions for daily life. You’ll also meet classmates from many countries who share the same goal—learning Japanese.
This kind of environment is exciting and encouraging. But even with all that support, many students find it hard to use Japanese outside of class.
What Happens After Class?
When the school day ends, so does your Japanese practice—for many people, at least. It’s very common to live with friends who speak English or your native language. At home, it’s easy to relax into familiar conversations, especially when you’re tired from a full day of study.
You might want to use Japanese, but there’s no one to speak with. Or maybe you feel nervous about making mistakes. This creates a gap: your Japanese stays inside your notebooks, and doesn’t become part of your real life.
Real Progress Comes From Real-Life Practice
The truth is, speaking every day is the fastest way to improve. Reading and writing help you understand the language, but talking and listening help you use it.
That’s why students who live with locals improve faster. You don’t have to force yourself to study extra hours. Instead, you learn while cooking, eating, watching TV, or even asking simple questions like, “Where’s the soy sauce?”
In the next section, we’ll show you how living in a share house makes this kind of natural learning part of your daily life.
Share House Life = Daily Japanese Practice Without Even Trying
Living in a share house with Japanese roommates gives you the chance to learn naturally, just by being part of everyday life.
Your Home Becomes a Language Classroom
In a share house, every small moment is a chance to learn. You hear how people greet each other in the morning, how they joke during dinner, or how they talk about weekend plans. These are real conversations—not from a textbook—and they teach you how Japanese is actually spoken.
You’ll start picking up casual phrases, slang, and common expressions that you might not learn in class. Even better, you’ll learn the natural rhythm and tone of Japanese speech, just by listening and joining in.
You Speak More Without Feeling Pressured
One of the best things about share house life is that it doesn’t feel like studying. You’re just living your life—chatting in the kitchen, asking about laundry, or making plans for dinner.
But these small conversations build your confidence. You practice speaking in a relaxed way, with people who live with you and support your learning. You can ask questions, try new words, and even make mistakes—it’s all part of the process.
Many residents say they learned more from talking with their housemates than from hours of homework.
Real Friends, Real Language Exchange
At Borderless House, half of the residents are Japanese, and the other half are international. This means you’re not just learning from locals—you’re becoming friends with them.
Friendship makes learning easier. When you care about the people you live with, you want to talk, share, and understand each other better. And that motivation helps you grow your language skills faster than any app or textbook can.
Best of Both Worlds — Language School + Share House = Real Results
When you combine the structure of language school with the real-life practice of share house life, you create the perfect environment to learn Japanese faster.
Language School Gives You the Tools
Language school helps you understand grammar, build vocabulary, and learn how Japanese works. You follow a schedule, study with classmates, and take tests to track your progress. It’s like building the tools you need to use the language.
But tools alone aren’t enough. You also need a place to use them.
Share House Life Gives You the Practice
Your share house becomes the space where you try everything you’ve learned. You use new words during breakfast conversations. You hear grammar patterns used by your housemates. You notice how casual Japanese sounds different from what’s in your textbooks.
It’s daily, low-pressure practice that fits naturally into your life.
Learn in Class, Use at Home
When you go to school in the morning and return to a house where people speak Japanese, something powerful happens: learning and living become one experience.
You study new expressions in class → then hear them used at dinner.
You write sentences for homework → then try saying them out loud to your roommate.
This back-and-forth makes the language stick in your mind—and builds real confidence.
Borderless House – Where Language Learning Meets Real Community
At Borderless House, we don’t just offer a place to live — we create a community where Japanese and international residents learn and grow together.
50% Japanese, 50% International = Everyday Language Exchange
Each Borderless House is designed for cultural and language exchange. Around half of the residents are Japanese, and the other half are from all around the world. That balance makes it easy to practice Japanese in your daily life, while also learning about other cultures and perspectives.
You don’t have to join a special program or attend a language café — your home is your language practice space.
Choose Your City, Connect with Locals
Whether you’re studying in a big city or a smaller town, there’s a Borderless House waiting for you:
In Tokyo, you can live close to major language schools and explore Japan’s most international city.
In Kansai (Kyoto & Osaka), you’ll enjoy rich culture, friendly locals, and lots of chances to use Japanese in everyday life.
In Sendai, you’ll experience a peaceful, student-friendly environment near Tohoku University — perfect for focusing on study and deeper connections.
Wherever you choose, you’ll live with people who support your learning and share your journey.
A Home That Helps You Grow
Living at Borderless House is about more than rent and rooms. It’s about conversations in the kitchen, shared meals, local tips from your housemates, and support when you’re adjusting to a new life in Japan.
If you’re joining a language school this October, now is the perfect time to find your share house. Reserve your room early, and start your life in Japan with a built-in support system.
Learn Japanese by Living It, Not Just Studying It
Learning Japanese doesn’t have to be stressful. In fact, the best way to improve is to make it part of your everyday life.
By combining language school with share house living, you get the best of both worlds: clear lessons in the classroom, and real conversations at home. You study during the day, and then use what you learned naturally with your housemates at night.
At Borderless House, we believe that language grows best through connection. That’s why we create spaces where Japanese locals and international residents live, talk, laugh, and learn together.
If you’re getting ready to start your Japanese journey this fall, we’d love to welcome you. Check out our houses in Tokyo, Kansai, and Sendai, and take the next step toward a more connected, more confident life in Japan.
BORDERLESS HOUSE Honkomagome 2 Shared Living & Kitchen
One more thing that makes Honkomagome 2 special — It has a studio-style space with a full mirrored wall!
Plenty of space for yoga, stretching, or a quick workout — even with your arms fully extended.
There’s a quiet study room with a monitor — perfect for working from home or studying solo.
Just a 5-minute walk takes you to a supermarket near Hakusan Station on the Toei Mita Line.
A modern-style public bath “Fuku no Yu” that’s easy to enter even for women.
A stylish ice cream shop in the neighborhood.
Welcome to Ikebukuro House!
Great Spots Nearby!
