Can you believe we’re already one month into 2026? We hope your year is off to an amazing start!
To kick off the New Year with a bang, we hosted our “Grand Community Gathering: New Year Event 2026” in Akihabara, Tokyo, on Saturday, January 24th.
The energy was incredible! We were joined by over 60 tenants, including our current residents from all over the Tokyo area, their friends, and even our “Borderless Mates” (former residents) who traveled back to reunite with the community.
It was a day filled with laughter, warmth, and great vibes. Let’s dive into the highlights of the event!
A Night of “Welcome Back” and “Nice to Meet You!”
One of the most heartwarming parts of this event was seeing our community grow. We had a massive turnout of 60 guests, ranging from current residents and their friends to our dear “Borderless Mates” (former residents) who couldn’t wait to see their old housemates again.
The moment the doors opened, the room buzzed with energy. You could hear “Which house are you from?” and “Oh my god, it’s been so long!” coming from every corner. Even though everyone came from different backgrounds, nationalities, and careers, there was an instant sense of belonging. That’s the beauty of the Borderless House community—even if it’s your first time meeting someone, you already feel like old friends.
The air was filled with a mix of Japanese and English. We loved seeing people who were still nervous about their language skills jumping right in with big smiles and hand gestures! It was the perfect example of a truly “borderless” atmosphere—where the desire to connect matters so much more than perfect grammar.
Non-Stop Laughter! Creating “Masterpieces” with a Traditional Japanese Twist
To bring a bit of traditional Japanese New Year flavor to the party, we organized a massive game of “Fukuwarai” (Lucky Face)!
The rules are simple but chaotic: we split into teams of 6 or 7, and one blindfolded member has to place facial features (eyes, nose, mouth) on a blank face while their teammates shout out directions.
「Up! Up! Left!（もっと上！左！）」
「Noooo, not there! A little more to the right!”」
For many of our international residents, this was their very first time trying Fukuwarai. The room was a hilarious symphony of Japanese and English as teammates scrambled to guide the blindfolded “artists.”
When the blindfolds finally came off, the results were priceless. Some teams actually managed to create perfectly handsome faces, while others ended up with “abstract masterpieces” where the eyes and mouth were completely upside down!
A Lucky Start to 2026? The “¥10,000 Rent Discount” Bingo!
To wrap up the event with a bang, we held a Bingo tournament with some seriously amazing prizes! The star of the show? A ¥10,000 discount on one month’s rent!
The room was electric. Every time someone shouted “Reach!” or “Just one more number!” the whole crowd erupted in cheers (or playful groans). Even after the grand prize was claimed, the hype was so high that we added extra drink prizes on the spot to keep the energy going until the very last second.
Big congrats to our 1st-place winner!
Triple reach!! So close, yet so far!!
Beyond Four Walls: A Place to Meet a New You
A huge shout-out to our two amazing student Community Creators who hosted the event! Their fresh, high-energy MCing brought everyone together and made the whole room feel like one big team.
Living in a share house is great, but the Borderless House experience is about so much more than just the building you live in. It’s about being part of a big, global family that goes beyond your front door—connecting you with people and perspectives that will truly open your eyes to the world. We love creating these “sparks” that help your world grow!
See You at the Next One!
To everyone who joined us: Thank you for making this day so special!
And to our future residents thinking, “That looks like so much fun!” or “I wish I was there!”—we honestly can’t wait to meet you! We’re already dreaming up our next big international meetup.
As the night came to an end, we heard people shouting, “You guys have to come visit our house next!” And really, that’s exactly what this is all about. 2026 is off to a perfect start, and we’re so excited to keep bringing people together.
We’re looking forward to seeing YOU at our next event!
Thanks for coming! We can’t wait to see you at the next one!” — From all of us at the Borderless House Staff
Want to be at our next big party? Have questions about life at Borderless House?
We know that moving to a new country (or even just a new house!) is a big step, and you might have plenty of questions.
“What is the vibe of the houses in Tokyo vs. Kyoto?”
“Can I join the events even if I’m shy?”
“Which room type—private or shared—is best for me?”
Whatever is on your mind, we’re here for you! Whether you’re curious about our upcoming event schedule or want to find a room that matches your personality, our friendly, bilingual team is ready to help you get started on your Japanese adventure.
Don’t be a stranger—let’s start your journey together!
Whether you’re curious about our events or our different room types, our friendly team is here to help you get started.
[Chat with Our Staff]