Chinese New Year, as known as the Luna New Year, based on the lunar calendar, begins on the first day of the first lunar month, which is the most important festival to celebrate in Taiwan!
Every family members will gather on Chinese New Year Eve, share a dinner and the life of the previous year.
But you must what to ask, when you living aboard here in Taiwan, what can you do and where can you go during the New Year holiday?
Don’t worry! We got a few options which you can do during that time!
Dihua Street 迪化街
If you’re looking for a place to feel the Chinese New Year atmosphere, then Dihua Street will be the best choice for you! Start from a few weeks before Chinese New Year until the end of the New Year holiday, people go there to buy Chinese New Year’s goods, so Dihua Street will become very crowed and lively.
Longshan Temple 龍山寺/行天宮
Longshan Temple was built in 1738, it’s the most well-known temple in Taiwan! During the Chinese New Year, people gather to Longshan Temple to pray for a fresh and peaceful new year, and that’s the best way to experience the new year atmosphere.
Sanxia Old Street 三峽老街
Sanxia old street was an important business center in north of Taiwan during the Japanese colonial period. For now, Sanxia old street still keeps the historical red brick buildings and became to a famous tourist spot. And the Sanxia Qingshui Zushi Temple is also a must visit spot if you visit Sanxia, it will be very lively during Chinese New Year!
Taiwan Lantern Festival 台灣燈會
The Taiwan Lantern Festival is the biggest lantern festival hosted by Tourism Bureau in Taiwan, normally takes place during mid of Feb to beginning of Mar, and the event venue will alternate at different cities every year.
This year (2019), the Taiwan Lantern Festival will be take place in Pingtung city, and according to the Chinese zodiac sign, the main lantern this year will be “Pig”, if you have chance to visit south of Taiwan during that time, you shouldn’t miss it!
Here are the few options we want to share with you! Let us know if you have some other suggestions, or if you got any cool ideas to do during CNY, share with us!
The streets and shops became Christmas, so it is time to have Christmas Party !!
At Borderless House Christmas Party, there were some contents such as BINGO game, SNS award, and etc. Everybody had a lot of fun on Dec 8th.
So, now we are going to show you a little bit about the Party !!
How was it ?? Do you want to know more details ?
By the way, this is Yuya who is one of the staffs of this event !!
In this vlog, I am going to tell you about Christmas Party !!
Before getting into, we want to thank you all who came to this party !!
We are so glad that a lot of people from different house showed up this party.
We felt too short because we had a lot of fun at the party.
You can make friends who will spent Christmas with you !? International Party has to be Borderless House
First, I am going to show you the party place called “silk load cafe“ in Kinshicho.
The cafe has a good atmosphere, so we were so excited to start Christmas Party.
It is actually a long story to decide this place, but we are happy that everybody liked it.
If you have time, please check this cafe 🙂
Also, there were about 100 people joined this Party from 21 countries !
You might have an idea who is the host and cameraman. Yes, there were two people who volunteered to have this party
The party has started and everybody was having a fun with new friends.
But wait?? there is a guy who is the host, but he is not Borderless staff. Who is this ??
Guess what ?? He is ONE of tenants in Omori 1 House.
His nickname is Satis who was one of the host at this Party.
Before he decide to join the event team…….
Lsat month, our staff visited his house and talked with him and suddenly,
He said he will move out from the house because he wants to travel all over the world !!
We were sad because he has stayed in Borderless House for a long time, and had a great experience.
So, we wanted to do something with him for his last memory as Borderless House tenants.
And, we offered him to be the host at this party…
He said Yes and joined this event team from the beginning !!!
Also, there is another guy who is volunteered to help this event
His name is Raba chan who is living in Funabori House !!
He was the cameraman at this party because we know that he loves taking photography and he has great skills as well.
He was happy to be the cameraman and brought the great camera and taking a lot of photos at this Party !!
All photos that I used in this vlog is taken by Raba chan. He is truly talented !!!!
Thank you for taking great photos, Raba chan !!
Som now, let’s get into the our first contents!!
Satis san explained the rules for everybody !!
The party has just started !!
You can be a frend with people from different house !! Exciting Contents !!
Our staff always talk that International exchange is the key, so of course, there is a opportunity that you can talk to people from other house in the content !!
Theme is “ connect across border “
What kind of content would that be……..?
The gesture relay game !! Can you understand what people try to tell you??
Yes !! Frist content was the Classic Party game “ Gesture game “!!!!
But, this is Borderless event, so we add some rules to make it more fun.
Rules are here !!!
Each group has 9 people. We gave first two people the topic and they gestured next peron, and the person guess the topic and show it to next two people and so on.
The topic was “Olympic”
If you were there, how would you gesture ?_
The interesting thing is that even though the topic was simple, everyone seemed confused about it because each one gestured differently.
For example. one tenant from Korea was doing archery, but another tenant from US was doing swim.
The person who guess the topic was so confused about it !!
His answer was sports culb !!
Topic is simple, but everyone takes it differently!!
That is why gesture game is funny !!
The first finished group got a prize !!!!!
The winner gets……..
10 packs of Nabe soup !! LOL
We chose it because we want to use it with everybody like having Nabe party 🙂
You are the reason why I get free rent !! FACE BINGO GMAE!
What would you think of the Borderless Christmas event ???
Yes !! You are right !!
we can not have the Borderless Christmas Party without BINGO game !!
FACE BINGO GAME!!
Can you guess what it is??
Rule is simple
When people came to the party, we took photos of their face with number.
So, we set the photos in BINGO game program and we show it on the screen.
A person gets BINGO by yourself number, and another person gets BINGO by number your friend has.
There are a lot of people who was looking for people’s number
And, there are always prizes.
1st prize was 1 MONTH FREE RENT !!!!!
The lucky guy who got 1 month free rent ticket is ……..
this guy !! from Honancho House
How lucky he is !!! Everybody was jealous about that !!
Congratulation !!
Who got most like on Instagram !! The SNS award is …..
Every Borderless House Event has SNS award !!
So, this time, we asked everybody to post photos with #borderlesshouse as many as possible during the party..
Then, end of the party, we checked who gets most like on Instagram !!
SNS award is a pair ticket for team lab Borderless !!!
She is one of my best friends !!! We interviewed the tenant !!
The Christmas Party is getting end, and I found a guy who is enjoying the party so much.
I had eye contact with him, so I felt like I need to ask him why he is enjoying so much.
HIM : Hey, look!! I made best friend !!
ME : Wait what !? but you just moved in Borderless House 2 weeks ago, and you found your best friend !? Also, you guys do not even live in the same house !!!!!
I was suprised how quickly people make their best friends.
He also said that this is the first time to live in shared house, and I already made a lot of friends and am able to join the this Party, I am so happy now !!
This is the Borderless Event !!
Do you feel like you want to join the Borderless event ??
Next event will be Borderless Olympic !? We are going to held International sports event next spring !!
The Christmas Party is finally coming to a close …
End of the party, we gathered everybody at the stage and took a group photo !!
This was the last Borderless House event of this year !!
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING THE EVENT !!!
From now
I am going to give you heads up about next event in spring.
Actually, we gave you some hints about the next event at this Christmas Party.
Is anyone who noticed about it ??
RIGHT !!
We are going to held Borderless House Olympic next spring !!
There are a lot of people moving to Borderless House from all over the world,
so why don’t we held BIG sports event, right ??
We finally decided to have Borderless Olympic !!
We will be updating you about it onece we decide more details !!
Do not miss it !!
We will have more parties which bring connections between tenants in the future!
We assure that you will learn not only language but also Japanese local culture with your Japanese housemates in Borderless House.
Why don’t you try us and make your stay more enjoyable？
We are looking forward to meeting you again at next event !!
There are many interesting shops on this new and nostalgic area, Kuramaguchi St.. Please enjoy the video!!
In this blog,
・Location and Facilities of Borderless House Kyoto-Kuramaguchi house
・Recommended spots in Kuramaguchi St.
Here we go !!
Easy access to Karasuma station and Kyoto station!! You can go anywhere in Kyoto with Subway, Bus and Bicycle!!
By Kyoto Subway,
・7mins to Karasuma station
・11mins to Kyoto station
By Bus,
・15 mins to Emmachi station
If you go to ISI language school center, you can get easy access to Emmachi station from the house. Also, Bicycle is a best transportation way in Kyoto!!
For example, you can go to Doshisha University in 10mins !!
All private rooms with a lock. 56㎡ specious living & Dining with an earth floor”Doma“ will be a conformable place for daily living !!
In this specious common space, you can have a daily chat with international housemates and eating a dinner together.
Also, you can have your own time in the private rooms.
This is Borderless House Kyoto-kuramaguchi!! Here is the current construction update !!
Living is still in construction!
Looking forward to meeting you in the house !
So specious!! 40㎡ specious LDK and 16㎡ earth floor ”Doma“
This 40㎡specious LDK and 16㎡ earth floor ”Doma“ with high celling make you so conformable.
You can use this big community space for events or parties with locals !!
Two options of private rooms！！Loft type or Normal type
We prepare a desk, chair, ward-lope, desk light and book-shelf. So, you can just only bring your clothes!!
1st floor has rooms with loft space. So, you can use more space!!
All room on 2nd floor is normal type. High celling with skylights. It is incredibly bright !!
Brief introduction of Kyoto, Kuramaguchi St. where novelty and nostalgia exist together !!
Here, we are going to introduce some interesting spots in Kuramaguchi St. Please visit there with your future housemates!!
Sarasa Nishijin
Café＆Restaurant「Sarasa Nishijin」, renovated from old public bath, opened in 2000.
It is famous for unique architecture and various menu. Please enjoy your slowly day-off in this space!
Funaoka onsen
Kyoto is famous for public bath！
Funaoka onsen is a king of public bath！This traditional public bath opened a hundred years ago.
Try this traditional Japanese culture!
Tom Sawyer
Beloved bakery in locals.
They server about a hundred kinds of bread.
You must find your favorite bread here!
Fujimori Ryo
This is shops and ateliers renovated from old university student accommodation.
As they have trial lessons, please enjoy it with your housemates!
Kenkun Shrine
Here is good view point of Kyoto city from this small mountain of this shrine.
Also, it is good local spot to see famous bonfire summer festival in Kyoto.
(Gozan Okuribi)
Why do not join this international share house in thus unique area, Kyoto Kuramaguchi ?
Thank you so much for being interested in Kyoto-Kuramaguchi House!
We are very happy, if you can imagine to live in this share house!
We are planning to have collaborated events between local shops and Borderless House.
From next blog, we would like to introduce more about ”International community ”×”Local community ” between Borderless House and Local neighbors !!
Or planning to start your Chinese class in Taiwan?
Before that, we have a few interesting things what to let you know before you come to Taiwan!
1. Convenient store everywhere! (7-11, FamilyMart, Hi-Life, OK…)
（圖片來源：saveinmycity）
You’ll find out the convenient stores are one of the best things in Taiwan once you arrived!
Convenient stores in Taiwan are not just a store for junk food or beverage, you can basically do everything at there, ship packages, pay your bills, buy tickets (train, concert, exhibition…etc.), print documents, call taxi, ATM…and so much more!
And these 24H convenient stores are everywhere, seriously, EVERYWHERE! You can even find 2 or 3 convenient stores on one street! It’s your best neighbor ever!
2. Musical garbage trucks.
Living in Taiwan, we got some tips here for you to deal the household garbage.
Most of families here don’t have trash bins next to their house. Instead, garbage trucks drives through streets at night with playing Beethoven’s Fur Elise loudly to alert people their arrival, and you need to carry your trash bags (If you living in Taipei, you need to use the city-approved trash bags), and throw them into the trucks by yourself.
And you will find out the time of garbage trucks coming, is also the time of social gathering, because people come out earlier and chat with neighbors while they waiting!
3. Earthquakes and Typhoons.
Earthquakes and Typhoons are 2 things you will experience in Taiwan!
Taiwan located in a seismically active zone, the average number of perceivable earthquake is about 1,000 per year. (not to mention the un-perceivable earthquake is more than 18,500 per year.)
And if you visit Taiwan during July to September, you will probably hit the typhoon season, prepare some foods and save some clean water is what you need to do before it.
But don’t worry! You’ll also find out Taiwanese handle it very well, most of buildings in Taiwan are prepared for earthquakes and strong wind of typhoon!
4. Bubble tea.
Taiwanese LOVES bubble tea! You can find bubble tea shops nearly EVERY corner of Taiwan’s streets, and it’s a part of Taiwanese culture now!
If you planning to visit Taiwan soon, put bubble tea on your “must-try” list!
5. Friendly people!
Even not every Taiwanese can speak fluent English, but you’ll still find out how friendly are of Taiwanese!
Most of Taiwanese are defiantly welling to help if you need (sometimes you don’t even ask for help)! Finding a restaurant, point you a way to your hotel (or just take you to there with their scooter)!
And if you got chance to visit south of Taiwan, the people from south are even friendlier, most last generation can’t speak English, but they still give you smile, and try their best to help! You’ll definitely feel welcoming here!
6. Kingdom of Scooters!
Do you know Taiwan has the highest scooter density in Asia? The population of Taiwan is 23 million, but the amount of scooter is over 14 million! Almost every family has at least one scooter!
Taiwan is a small island, and scooter can take you to almost everywhere in Taiwan, especially when you travel out of Taipei City (Taipei has every complete public transport system), you’ll find out how convenient it is! And if you planning to travel around Taiwan, scooter is a good idea!
But remember to prepare your driving license and international license before you rent a scooter in Taiwan!
Hello everybody!! This is Yuya as House manager at Borderless House.
It is the Halloween season from last saturday, people are celebrating Halloween !!
Off course, we are not missing this BIG event.
Guess what!! We held Borderless Halloween Party last week !!
Today, we are going to tell you about Borderless House Halloween Party.
This is the Biggest International Event !! Borderless House Special Halloween party
It has been 2 years since we had a Halloween event, so we rent the special place called 『in the house 』to have private event!!
There were 90 people from 22 countries joined the Halloween Party including the staffs.
Also our staff wore the Halloween costume, but the tenants were wearing much nicer costumes!! They are so into the Halloween!!
The professional make up!! You can be the Halloween look. The make up was done by our tenant!!
The stage and foods are greeting ready …
But something is missing… SO there was not enough fear !!!
Halloween is known as the ghost festival, so We can not celebrate Halloween without Zombies .
But …. if you look at the corner of the hall, Someone is making zombies and they are increasing so fast !!!!
Yes !! This is the one of the highlight of Halloween Party is make up booth which you can have Halloween makeup on by Make-up artist.
Also, this booth is taken care of one of our Borderless House tenants named K kun!
He is a hair stylist and also has been doing make up to famous artists. He will be studying abroad to get more skills in this winter.
He has been living in one of the Borderless House in Shinjuku form the beginning. So, we asked him if he wants to do something to make last great memory in the Halloween event ….
K yeah but it was so much fun staying in Borderless House, I already miss that. I will definitely want to live here when I come back to Japan.
S We are glad to hear that!! By the way, K kun Would you like to make last great memory in this event ??
K Halloween Party !? sounds great !! I would do makeup.
That is why he was doing make up for us!! You are the best K kun!!
And, surprisingly, his Teacher, who is a professional make-up artist came this event from LA!!! She did make up for us for a hour !!
There were a lot of Zombies in this Party.
There is no language barrier !! Borderless House Special contents
This Halloween event has not only the fancy patty hall or make up booth !!
Borderless House is multicultural shared house, so we had some special contents that give you opportunity to talk to other people.
Who are your neighbors?? Making Borderless House map and new friends around your house !!
The first trick is this !!
This game is that we make the event hall as Tokyo map and people try to make Borderless house map there.
This is quite sudden, but
Everyday you go to school or work and come back to home……
Have you ever wish to have variety of friends and opportunity to make friends around Tokyo ???
This game is the great opportunity to get to know people from other Borderless House and also see which Borderless House they are coming from.
The rule is simple!! We gave everyone a name tag which has number on it, so you just look for people who have the same number as you do.
At the beginning of the game, everyone was confused about this game, but after telling them that they are neighbors, they were surprised about it.
After this game, they try to make next plans with neighbors!!!
This is THE Borderless House, right ??
Communication is about your heart!! Let’s make mummy
Before we decided to do this game, Staff Takuya who wore Banana costume in Halloween Party said ……..
“Everyone wants to be a mummy at least once in his/ her life “
The next contents is this !!! Toilet paper mummy !!
Let’s make mummy!!!
The rule : we are making some groups ( each group has 6 people ) and give the 2 toilet paper to the groups. After start sign, you just make mummy !!
The winner will be the group that makes 2 awesome mummies, and will get the special Prize !!
There are people who want to be mummies, and people who want to make mummies.
Language is no problem in this game !! All you need is trying to understand people’s mind and good communication with your team.
And …… The winner was the group that has staff Riko!!!
NO WAY ！！！！！
The first prize is a projector!? The best SNS award will be …….
The annual Borderless House SNS award, we choose the person for this award in this year as well !!
This year, we had two SNS prize !!
One is most like prize which is the persons who gets most like on instagram
Two is the best dresser prize that the person who wears the greatest costume in Halloween Party.
Most like prize will get projector, and the best dresser prize will get StarBucks card !!
So, we would like to show you the winners here
BUT, Please check out the Borderless Instagram below !!
There were also a lot of people who wear great costumes and post photos on Instagram, so please check that out as well !!
Diversity of nationality and language !! Borderless House is THE only House that give you the opportunity to get to know people from all over the world
The Halloween Party is finally coming to a close …
End of the party, we gathered everybody at the stage and took a group photo !!
At beginning of the party, people are nervous about getting to know new people, but after the party, they became so close each other !!
We will have more parties which bring connections between tenants in the future!
We assure that you will learn not only language but also Japanese local culture with your Japanese housemates in Borderless House.
Why don’t you try us and make your stay more enjoyable？
We are looking forward to meeting you again at Christmas Party !!
PS: After party, everybody made plan to go to Izakaya together or their house to continue the party !! THIS is also Borderless House, You can make a lot of friends in Borderless House event after !!
