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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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Game On! Building Friendships at Borderless House Exciting Board Game Night

Hi there! We’re back at Borderless House.

Today’s blog is about more fun stuff from Borderless House Kansai, right after our udon-making event!

This time, we’re excited to share the highlights from our board game meet-ups, held in October and November last year. Although we’re sharing this a bit later, last year was packed with fun events in Kansai, so stick around for more stories and laughs! 

Board Game Gathering in Kyoto, Japan!

For our latest event, we aimed to not only strengthen the bonds between our residents but also to help everyone get more comfortable with Japanese in a fun way. We believed that engaging in games and various activities would naturally spark conversations, making the idea of speaking Japanese less daunting.

We chose a board game café located close to one of our houses for the venue.

At the cafe, we were amazed by the towering stacks of board games, reaching almost up to the ceiling! The owner, with a collection from all around the world, helped us pick out the perfect games for our group.

For our October gathering, we went with a card game. The fun part? We had to quickly make up stories based on the pictures on the cards. Trying to do this in English added an exciting twist!

There was a buzz of anticipation as we all watched to see which card would be played next. Everyone’s eyes were glued to the players’ every move.

At the café, one of the regulars happened to be there and was so intrigued that they asked, “Can I join in?” Thanks to this, our October event turned into a lively session with about 10 people playing and having a great time!

The best part about these games is they’re just as fun whether you’re in a big group or a small one. They offer a great mix of excitement and the chance for deeper conversations. We’re definitely looking forward to hosting more of these events!

Over the past year, Borderless House Kansai has been bustling with various activities. We’re excited to keep sharing these experiences through our blog. Stay tuned for more updates, and we hope you enjoy following along!

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Experience Udon Making: A Community Event at BORDERLESS HOUSE Kansai!

Hello there! This is Borderless House, ringing in the New Year with you!

Happy New Year to everyone! As we kick off 2024, we’re excited to fill you in on what’s new at Borderless House in the Kansai region.

We run a network of 55 share houses in Japan, with 11 of them located in the vibrant Kansai area, which includes Osaka, Kyoto, and Kobe. Our share houses in Kansai may be fewer in number than in Tokyo, but they offer a close-knit and lively community feel that’s really special.

In this spirit, we’re thrilled to bring you a special feature on a highlight event from last year – the Udon Making Experience, proudly hosted by Borderless House Kansai!

Cooking Up Connections: Udon Making Workshop

We had a great time hosting an Udon Making Experience in the kitchen at Ritsumeikan University in Kyoto.

The idea came from one of our university student residents who loves food. Before leaving our house, they wanted to do something fun and special with everyone.

The event was a big hit! We had 20 people join us, including international students from Ritsumeikan University and friends of our residents.

Udon is a popular dish that many people, including foreigners, enjoy eating. But making udon from scratch is something not many people, even in Japan, have tried. This event was a fun chance for everyone to try making udon themselves.

The best part of making udon? It was stepping on the dough!

It was a strange and fun experience to make food by stepping on it. This surprised everyone who joined in. We all stepped and pressed the dough very hard.

After stepping on the dough to make it firm, we rolled it out and cut it into noodles. Everyone was excited to try cutting the noodles, even though it was new for many of us.

We didn’t just make udon. We also tried making inari sushi and shiratama, a sweet dessert.

There were 20 of us, and we worked in teams. This way, everyone got to taste what we made. We all helped each other and worked well together in the kitchen!

Funny thing about the event – none of our team or student members had made udon before!

We were all starting from scratch. But we really wanted to make the event enjoyable for everyone. So here’s a little secret: we stayed up late the night before practicing how to make udon. Everyone got a good laugh when they heard about our last-minute training!

At Borderless House Kansai, we didn’t just stop at udon making. Throughout the past year, we organized a bunch of different events! We’re excited to share more stories and updates on our blog. We’d love it if you keep an eye out for our future posts and enjoy them!

 

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Experience Japan in Style: Kimono Dressing & Tea Party at Kyoto Kamigamo

We hosted a special event at BORDERLESS HOUSE Kyoto Kamigamo—a “Kimono Dressing & Tea Party” that brought tenants and locals together in the most beautiful and cultural way!

Wearing a kimono is a truly special experience, and it usually costs around 4,000 yen per person per day. But thanks to the generous support of Kyoto Kimono Kikaku, tenants were able to join for just 500 yen! A huge thank you to Kyoto Kimono Kikaku-san for making this possible!

This time, we had 21 tenants join us from all five Borderless Houses in Osaka and Kyoto, creating a vibrant and international gathering. After everyone dressed up in stunning kimonos, we enjoyed a tea party and cultural exchange with 12 local residents from the Kyoto Kamigamo neighborhood.

From start to finish, the event was full of smiles, great conversation, and unforgettable moments. I’ll be sharing lots of photos below so you can feel the atmosphere too!

Also… I’ll share a little behind-the-scenes story about the challenges of putting on a kimono—it’s definitely not as easy as it looks!

The Fun (and Struggle!) of Kimono Dressing

One of the most memorable parts of the day was watching everyone try on kimonos—especially for those experiencing it for the first time!

For many of our male tenants from overseas, wearing traditional tabi socks was a brand-new challenge. One of them even joked,
“Where’s my ring toe? Where?!”
It gave everyone a good laugh!

Meanwhile, the female tenants took on the task of tying their own obi (kimono sashes). There are so many different obi styles—like ribbon shapes—and it takes quite a bit of technique to get it just right.

Luckily, with kind and careful guidance from the team at Kyoto Kimono Kikaku, everyone managed to dress beautifully in their kimonos. We’re so grateful for their support!

We were also touched to have some of our local neighbors join as volunteers for the kimono dressing. One of them, O-san, is a familiar face at Kyoto Kamigamo House.

She always remembers everyone’s names and nicknames, and this time, she joined us because she wanted to help—even just a little—to make the experience more special for the tenants.

It was truly a heartwarming day full of laughter, learning, and community connection.

For many of our tenants, this was their very first time wearing a kimono by themselves—and once they were dressed, they couldn’t stop smiling! Excited by how they looked, everyone started snapping tons of photos together.

One of the most unforgettable moments? A tenant who loves natto (fermented soybeans) so much—he eats it morning, noon, and night—came up with a special “Natto Pose” for the photos!

A Walk Through Cultural Heritage – Kamigamo Shrine

After getting dressed, we split into three teams and strolled over to Kamigamo Shrine, a UNESCO World Heritage Site located just a 3-minute walk from Kyoto Kamigamo House.

We visited the temizuya, the traditional water basin for cleansing hands and mouth before entering the shrine. Then, all of us—tenants and staff alike—gathered in front of the torii gate for a group photo to remember the moment!

Tea Party Success! A Surprise Icebreaker: Korean Dramas!?

After the shrine walk, we returned to the house, where 12 local neighbors warmly welcomed the tenants for a tea party. At first, some neighbors were a bit nervous and unsure how to start a conversation:

“I’m not sure how to begin talking…”
“I don’t speak English well…”

But the ice melted quickly with a simple comment from one of them:
“I love Korean dramas!”

One of the Korean tenants immediately responded:
“Oh really? Which drama do you like?”

And just like that, the conversations started to bloom. 

Some neighbors even shared stories about growing up in the Kamigamo area, using hand gestures to communicate across language barriers.

A few of the local girls also took the opportunity to practice their English and Korean by chatting with the tenants. The whole tea party turned into a heartwarming exchange of cultures, languages, and laughter.

As the event came to a close, many tenants couldn’t hide their disappointment.
We heard comments like: “Already? That hour went by way too fast!”

Some even asked: “When is the next event? Please let us know as soon as you decide!”

We were thrilled to receive so many warm voices eager for the next gathering, and we’re already looking forward to planning more events like this one!

Heartwarming feedback from tenants

“This was my first time experiencing kimono dressing, and it was so fulfilling. I also learned so much about the Kamigamo area from the neighbors—I’d love to continue engaging with them and learn more!”
— W-san (Japan)

“It was so much fun chatting with tenants from other houses! I’d love to join again if there’s another cross-house event.”
— R-san (Japan)

“Please keep organizing events focused on Japanese culture! I really want to learn more about how to tie obi belts—please teach me next time!”
— A-san (Germany)

It was clear from everyone’s smiles and kind words that this event wasn’t just a fun cultural experience—it was a true moment of connection between international residents and the local community.

Borderless House × Local Community

At Borderless House Kyoto Kamigamo, we’re committed to creating a space where cultural exchange and local connection go hand in hand. We hope to continue growing alongside our tenants and neighbors, building meaningful ties with the Kamigamo community.

Thank you for reading our blog! We hope to see you at our next event.
If you’re interested in living at Borderless House and joining our vibrant, multicultural community, feel free to reach out!

▶️ Borderless House Kyoto Kamigamo
▶️ Borderless House Kyoto Hanazono

Thanks again to all the neighbors who joined us—and to everyone who smiled for the camera!