All the street is illuminated and we see more and more chicken advertisement on TV and in the city! Don’t you think that the enhancement of the city increases our desire to have a Christmas party? Because it is Christmas!
To satisfy your desire, we held a Christmas Party like every year!
We rent a space in Jinbo-Cho called “EDITORY” and more than 120people came to our party! What kind of party it was?
In this blog, we are going to show the content!
The person who is going to do the Christmas Party tour is me, Pakuchi!
I am working at Borderless House as a student worker and I am in charge of the event!
So, CHECK IT OUT !!
International interaction and Christmas Party represent so much Borderless House !
In Borderless House, we organize twice a year a party with 80 to 100 people who are living in our sharehouse!
Christmas wich I am going to explain to you is one of the big events! Every year, a lot of our sweet tenant is joining the party. However, this year was not the same year as usual.
MORE than 120 people come to our party. What is going to happen to this memorable party? All the staff was surprised at the beginning!
When we start the reception, a HUGE line of people was in front of us.
and the event space becomes full in a second!
The receptionist, the bar, and the cloak were full of person and everybody was an assembly into the room.
We could hear people in many spaces starting to cheers because they could not wait for the beginning of the party. That represents our tenant so well!
They could not wait to start to interact with people and start to enjoy the conversation. Their communication skills are so remarkable!
And the sweet cute person who was charged to do the facilitator is our tenant!
Yes, this year also, our tenant help us for the Christmas Party!
The cute Santa Claus is Ashley, she is living in Itabashikuyakusho-mae House!
She is like a mother of the house and makes the community warm-up!
She is a big fan of Borderless House and she also help up for the event “Borderless Olympics”!
Thank you always, Ashley !!
The facilitation of Ashley, gives a tremendous boost to the atmosphere of the party!
You cannot say that you are shy! A very close linkage program heat the party!
The theme of this year’s Christmas party is “extends beyond the house, the nationality and the connection !“
This year, we invite tenants, people who reserve a room of Borderless House, people who are interested in international interaction and people’s friends!
The fact that a lot of people with different backgrounds can come is one of the characteristics of the party.
This is the reason why we always prepare some good programs in order to make the com munition between people easier! So, even you are a little shy, it is completely okay!
You will become quickly socialize with people around you! Let’s enjoy it!
You are my man of destiny ?! Number and color matching!
The first program is called number and color matching!
Everyone gets some wristband with a number and a color. You have to find the person who has the same color and number and form a group.
It is quite simple but fateful. In this huge universe, we all grew up in a different country, and we all gather in Tokyo and find together by coincidence.
Is it not fantastic ?!
Is it destiny ?!
All the groups did an introduction of themselves and the voltage of the room was in high gear! Everybody was so excited to find their fateful! People make some high-touch when they find they’re fateful!
This meeting is forever!
We don’t need language, what we need is an only passion! Let’s do the gesture game!
The next program is a gesture game!
After we all find our fateful, let start the game! The winner of the game can get some luxury prizes!
Everyone thought that gesture game is easy, but it is not the case!
Even if it is difficult, cooperation leads us to win! Everybody makes their own gesture and express the theme.
The first theme was the one of the difficult ones!
“zoo” Everybody did some gestures about the gorilla, monkey, etc. and people answered the name of animals. However, the word “zoo” is not appearing.
The floor is in chaos.
I know, we are vicious that we make this theme. When almost every team finished answering, only 2 teams didn’t finish to answer.
Even they could say that they have finished even if it is unfinished, they did so much effort to do it properly!
All of our staff were touched by their passion.
We really wanted to give them some gifts!
In the floor mix of passion and chaos, the 2nd theme is … “Disney Land”! This is also a difficult theme! Everyone answered “mouse” or “Mickey”.
At the moment we regret a little bit that we make so much difficult theme, a team who answer 2 right answers appeared!
As is it a team made by only fateful, the heart-to-heart communication is working very well!
They get the luxury price !! We didn’t expect that the gesture game reaches a fever pitch!
Are you interested in the content of the gift?
A set of world craft beer AND Order-made leather products from JOGGO AND AND a huge box of different sweets etc. Some presents from Borderless Santa!
We all envy….
Who are going to get the next prizes ?! The exciting bingo game!
We cannot forget the face Bingo game of Borderless House!
It became an annual event but let me explain the rule!
Borderless bingo is not a normal bingo game.
The face of each people who are coming to the Christmas party is becoming a number!
Thanks to you we can play the bingo game and thank to you someone can get the prize ! It is a very special bingo game.
Let start the bingo!
Everybody is paying attention to the face of people turning around!
This year, we choose as a prize: Amazon card, Borderless T-shirt, as a small present, land of Moon which gets famous in Terrace House and A5 rank ( higher quality ) Matsuzaka-beef!
And finally, don’t forget … 1-month free fee ticket !!
The happy girl who gets the 1-month free fee ticket is…
The tenant of Shinjuku-Nakano 3 !!!
Congratulation!
All the people you cheers are your family! It doesn’t matter which share house you are living in!
The party approach to the end.
People who came with their housemate of a friend were enjoying communication with people they just have met at the party. This is one of the pictures!
The nervous face at the beginning just go away at the end of the party! Everyone was at the party and enjoy their time.
We can conclude as the floor was on over-capacity, it makes the relation between people physically and psychologically more close.
The atmosphere filled with excitement doesn’t end even after the Borderless Christmas !
Good time end so quickly, we took a souvenir picture at the end!
See the close relationship between people! It looks like a family picture!
We cannot imagine that they are all just met a few hours before.
Even after the Christmas party, people cannot forget the atmosphere of excitement and they all went to an Izakaya ( casual Japanese restaurant).
This is a picture of the people who were gathered naturally after the party.
In this picture, we can]j see, a Japanese, a Korean, an Italian, a Russian, a British, and an American.
It completely represents this year’s theme: “extends beyond the house, the nationality, and the relation!”
By our Borderless party, a lot of emotional ties beyond nationality and language have arisen!
YOU, who wants to learn English or make international friends, YOU who are interested in a share house!
Borderless House is making many events that can maximize the connection between people.
Borderless House is a place that more than 50 countries are gathering. You can experience English but also so many other languages and cultures. It is a place that you can try national-oversea-experience!
Each sharehouse is made of 50%of foreigners and 50% of Japanese so you can surely experience international interaction!
You are always welcome to experience national-oversea-experience!
The next event is in May 2020 ! We are all waiting for your visit!
『BORDERLESS DINERS～Experience international restaurants and travel around the world～』
It’s been 6 months since we have started this program!
This is a hands-on program that you can enjoy the international exchange with
your five senses and enjoy different cuisines in restaurants or catering in Tokyo!
Let’s Eat, Talk and Think together!
We are having Cambodian cuisine in July!
Let me introduce you the exotic BORDERLESS DINERS which served by Cambodian locals.
Delicious Cambodian cuisine cooked by Cambodian students, Seam and Srun!
This time, the food is cooked by Vice President of the Cambodian International Students Association in Japan, Seam and the cooking assistant is Srun who is an interesting engineer from Cambodia! He also did a Cambodian presentation for us.
They hold some occasional events of Cambodia culture or Cambodian food to let more people know about this country from time to time.
Srun who was supposed to cook overslept on the day, luckily, all the participants helped us to start the journey to Cambodia by cooking together.
Exploring a taste for ethnic and exotic flavors!
Cambodian food has evolved a unique cuisine based on the influence of French, Chinese, Thai and Vietnamese cuisine.
Speaking of ethnic cuisine, we tend to think it with pungent taste, but in Cambodian food culture, you can add any spices that you like, so it’s not spicy at all!
Cambodian food is highly recommended for people who wants to try some ethnic food for the first time, as they usually don’t put coriander in it and it’s very easy to get used to the taste.
Having delicious breakfast for the morning! A traditional breakfast with a lot of meat!
Speaking of Cambodian cuisine, pork rice bowl (បាយសាច់ជ្រូក) is absolutely the one! which is also the most popular Cambodian breakfast.
Seam told us that this is a Cambodian food that every Cambodian must eat at least once in their lifetime.
The pork is cooked with fish sauce and sugar. It’s delicious to eat it with marinaded veggies.
While enjoying the fantastic taste of Southeast Asian cuisine, let’s also have some tasty fried eggs with ground pork sauce.
To start your day with good feelings by having fat pork and rice, it also makes you feel energetic! !
A mysterious drink with beans and jelly? ! Unique Tapioca milk!
I’d like to introduce another Cambodian food to you, which is Tapioca Milk!
Tapioca is now a big hit in Japan, but Cambodian tapioca milk has a different taste.
First, even though it’s tapioca milk, beans play the most important role.
This kind of beans is not common in Japan, however, it’s a classic element for Southeast Asian dessert, It is a dessert with a lot of mung beans, jelly, etc. and boiled in coconut milk.
Even the participants who were hesitating to try it out at the beginning loved it.
Welcome to visit Cambodia! The weather is warm as well as the people
After enjoying delicious rice and desserts, Srun introduced Cambodia deeply to us.
Cambodia is known as the birthplace of Angkor Wat and pumpkin, but there were still many of us didn’t know what this country is, so everyone was very curious about Srun ‘s story!
Extremely friendly and warm-hearted Cambodian people
Then, Srun would like to talk about the personalities of Cambodian people!
“Cambodian are very kind to tourists. I think people are gentle everywhere in Southeast Asia, but I can say Cambodians are really friendly. So don’t be afraid to visit Cambodia, since there is always someone would help you if there is any problem! Every Cambodian is just as kind as me!” Srun said.
All of the participants were wearing a big smile while listening to his introduction.
Even this is the first time to meet Seam and Srun, they were very kind and friendly, also very easy to talk that made me feel that I have known them for a long time.
A small and historic town – Phnom Penh
Cambodia has a short history of Pol Pot massacre (Cambodian genocide), and there are places in the country where the grief remains.
“The capital Phnom Penh a city has a proper size and it is very convenient to live there. It’s also centralized. It’s also safe to travel in Phnom Penh, there are many restauants, hotels, and sightseeing spots. It is highly recommended to go there by Tuk-tuk. Of course there are still places where you can see the signs of the genocide such as Killing Field, but there are also many beautiful temples and royal palaces. It’s a city with historical cityscape characteristic and energetic people who live a positive style, regardless of the past. It’s a lively country, a lively city. I hope everyone can visit there some day. “
Srun said. And this is the current situation of Cambodia.
Here is the special points of Cambodia recommended by our Japanese tenant who has lived there for a year.
This time, there is also a Japanese resident who has worked in Cambodia for a year sharing some good things of Cambodia and her recommendations to us.
She said that Cambodians are very dexterous! Especially the handwoven silk is very beautiful.
It takes about an hour or so from Phnom Penh to silk island where you can see the amazing Cambodian handwoven silk.
Also, she was shocked by eating frogs and insects which they were considered as an important source of protein for Cambodian.
While introducing us the beautiful silk scarves and showing us photos of tranditional costumes, many beautiful memories of her stay in Cambodia came flooding back.
It was a wonderful experience for us of getting to know Cambodia from a foreigner’s perspective.
Next time is Mongolia! Experiencing the nomadic ethnic culture in Shinjuku! ?
BORDERLESS DINERS～Experience international restaurants and travel around the world～』is a monthly event only for tenants at Borderless House!
The next event will be held on August 22 (Thursday) in a Mongolian restaurant in Shinjuku!
In a restaurant that reproduces the Mongolian nomadic house, you can learn about culture and enjoy the delicious cuisine with Mongolian couples in a fun way!
What kind of experience would that be?
Please look forward to our presentation next month’s!
『BORDERLESS DINERS～Experience international restaurants and travel around the world～』
Eat! Talk! Think! This is a hands-on program that you can enjoy the international exchange with your five senses and enjoy different cuisines in restaurants or catering in Tokyo!
The 4th time is Bosnia! This time we have done this event with “Japan-South East Europe Business Association.”
I would like to give you an update about the event we held on May 20th!
Enjoy the international vibe of Bosnia with your five senses!
BORDERLESS DINERS is an event which we would like our tenants to be interested in that country through eating their cuisine
and would like to enjoy the different culture of various countries. The “Japanese-South East Europe Business Association”
sympathized with the feeling we have towards this program and had given us a suggestion that they would be happy in sharing stories of the beautiful country Bosnia, to our tenants.
For this time, not only eating but we have also tried cooking Bosnian cuisines by ourselves.
As you may know already, Bosnia is a well-known country where the World War 1 had broke out and has a strong image that they are still facing raciall conflicts.
On the other hand, Bosnia as a unique culture which has been cultivated from the Ottoman era and they have a beautiful, maginificent nature landscape!
This time, let’s travel in Bosnia together!
The taste of the ancient orient from the 3rd century BC
Sarajevo, the capital city of Bosnia, there is line written as “Sarajevo meetings of cultures” on the Ferhadjia pedestrian street.
As it says so, the line is indeed a border for cultures and the atmosphere of the city is completely different on the east and west side.
On the east side of the street, you can enjoy the scenary of the ancient orient. Compared to that, modern europe cityscape spreads on the west side of the street.
Moreover, Bosnia have country border lines with 7 different countries such as Italy, Austria, Hungary,
Romania, Bulgaria, Greek and Albania. The culture of each country had fused together at Sarajevo.
As a result, the food culture of Bosnia has become a great mixture which is beyond description.
A perfect dish would make you a good husband/wife? Tranditional Home-made dishes in Bosnia
This is essential when it comes to Bosnian cuisine. Yes, it’s Burek (Burek)! It is called Pita in the Balkans region,
It is a widely-packed pie-packed food filled with various ingredients, and its name changes depending on the ingredients.
In Bosnia, it is called Burek, and it is characterized by stuffing meat and spinach etc. in a swirl round shaped thin pie dough.
Burek from Bosnia is the most delicious pita among all the pita foods in the Balkans region, said by Ines.
Since it is difficult to make Burek in a beautiful shape with all ingredients evenly stuffed and to swirl it cleanly,
in Bosnia, they say if people who can make a perfect Burek must be a good companion!
Let’s aim to be a good husband and good wife! We had a challenge to make a Mini Burek!
Stuffed, stuffed … It seems easy but also hard.
Lots of unique Burek were made! The taste of Burek was extra tasty as we did our best to make them.
Forbidden fruit!? Let’s enjoy the God’s dessert!
Next, I would like to introduce you guys a Bosnian grilled apple dish, Tufahije (Tufaje).
Simmering the apples with plenty of sugar and lemon until the apples are fully covered with them, adding plenty of walnuts and hazelnuts as well.
Finally, eating them with the fresh cream and cinnamon powder!
It was fantastic!
Ines said that apples are considered to be God’s food according to the mythology in Bosnia,
so Tufahije seems like a dessert of the fruit of God. Even though it is an easy-to-make Bosnian home-cooked dish, with the myths combined to it just made us immerse in a fascinating taste.
As you can see, there are a lot of delicious dishes with interesting culture in Bosnian cuisine! You must try Bosnian food!
There is no war but only Tourism in Bosnia
Bosnia is a cosmopolitan country with a mix of cultures, but its appeal is not only food.
The Sarajevo incident that triggered World War I, and the Bosnia-Herzegovina conflict involving the entire Balkans.
“Bosnia, a land of historical conflicts and wars.
Even after the war is over and 20 years have passed, the image still remains solid.
Bosnia has the image of war, but I want to change it. The history cultivated from Ottoman Turkey.
Vast and rich nature, and abundant food culture. It is a wonderful country where you can go everywhere for sightseeing.
The war has already ended long time ago. Please see a new image of current Bosnia. “
Ines said.
The front line of cross-cultural coexistence, a country has wonderful people, nature and culture
“Bosnia is a front-line country of cross-cultural coexistence. After the war, we have created a unique culture to coexist with various ethnic groups and religions other than Islam. It is also the cityscape seen from the cultural border in Sarajevo,
The feature in our presidential system. We must be select three presidents each from the Bosnjak, Croats and Serbs.Our beautiful country where culture coexists. Please come for sightseeing. “
A country where we are not familiar with but it is actually not too far from Japan, Bosnia.
It is a beautiful multicultural country where nature and tradition coexisted.
We are going to Ireland for the next time! Let’s travel around the world every month!
『BORDERLESS DINERS～Experience international restaurants and travel around the world～』is a monthly event only for tenants at Borderless House!
Next time, the event will be held at an Irish restauant in Shinagawa Togoshi Shopping street.
You can enjoy Irish food made by a cheerful and talkative chef who loves Ireland.
Well, what kind of experience would you expect for the next?
This is Yuya from Borderless House who is in charge of the program!
『BORDERLESS DINERS～Experience international restaurants and travel around the world～』
Eat! Talk! Think! This is a hands-on program that you can enjoy the international exchange with your five senses and enjoy different cuisines in restaurants or catering in Tokyo!
The third time is Syria! I report the BORDERLESS DINERS which was held on April 20th.
Trip to follow memory, a beautiful hometown Syria
An Arabian Restaurant Palmyra is located on the second floor of a building, a 6min walk from Ikebukuro Station West Exit.
We held this event and reserved whole this restaurant that runs by a Lebanese owner at this time!
Guest speaker is our tenant Mr. F who is from Syria.
“Syria has not been stable yet, and the civil war has continued since 2011.
I think most of Japanese associate Syria with refugees and war.”
But He said
“I only lived in Syria when I was little, so I don’t remember much, but all my families say the same thing; we want everyone to know that Syria is such a beautiful country. “
BORDERLESS DINERS Syria began with such his words. Let’s travel to the beautiful hometown of Syria through Syrian cuisine!
Experience a refreshing sour Middle Eastern cuisine with grazing culture
I said Syrian cuisine, but there is not really a clear difference between Syrian food and Lebanese food. Because Syria and Lebanon were one and the same country a long time ago.
Of course, there are also unique dishes from each country, but the main food culture of vegetables is the same. There are many cultures in Syrian cuisine, such as the hummus(mashed chickpeas) as a staple food, Turkish kebabs and Islamic food such as baklava.
Sesame and lemon, olive oil, herbs, many dishes using tomato in yogurt, but it is refreshing, but sour very fresh flavor in the mouth!
And there are also refreshing drinks of salted yogurt called hibiscus juice or ayran. Since Syria was a grazing culture, there were not many choices of ingredients. It is a simple and sophisticated food culture that uses naturally grown crops and livestock milk.
Syrian food is dynamic taste! For example, the sourness of the ayran is not slight, it is VERY sour!
The coffee is so rich that the powder precipitates. And the hibiscus of the national drink which also has a light laxative effect is too much sour!
Of course, there are also meals and dessert with a dynamic taste to eat with such a thick drink.
Okra tomato stew is very sour, and dessert bakrawa and basbusa are very sweet!
Middle Eastern cuisine was like a great adventure.
Syrian young people are in all over the world. What made him come to Japan?
Well, after enjoying Syrian food, it is time for a Syrian story.
Currently, Mr. F has lived in Japan for about one year. He is a naughty teen boy who loves Japanese comedy and speaks Kansai dialect very fluently.
Also, he was born in Syria and raised in Saudi Arabia.
The last time he returned to Syria was just a year before the civil war began, when he was 10 years old. Since then, he has never been back in Syria.
Although now he is good at speaking Japanese and loves Japanese comedy, in fact, he didn’t think he would come to Japan.
“At first, I tried to go to a university in the US and I needed to have VISA to stay outside Syria because I am Syrian. Unfortunately, Just after VISA in Saudi Arabia ended, it became Trump’s administration at the timing in the US, and VISA for that suddenly dropped. I can no longer enter Saudi Arabia, and if I go to Turkey, where my parents stay, I have to make a refugee application. Then I decided to make a visa application to Japan.
Fortunately, Japan’s Visa went down and I decided to stay in Japan.
From there I knew how wonderful Japan is. “
Currently, Syrian young people are drafted when returning to Syria and must join the army. Much Syrian youth cannot return to their hometown to avoid recruiting. In addition, they cannot go around the world freely. Most of Syrians don’t have choices and they have to stay temporary in various countries as refugees or immigrants.
“Syria is a really beautiful country. The beautiful geometric pattern of the mosques, and the world’s oldest city, Damascus.The most romantic and beautiful Syrian-like Arabic language in the world. Now I met Japanese comedy and love Japan, but I hope to return to Syria someday. And I want the housemates and everyone I met to know more about Syria someday. Syria is a really beautiful country. “
The feeling from Lebanon that was divided country from Syria
This time, the venue is the restaurant Palmyra, the owner Mr. Suriman who usually teaches Arabic culture at a university and he sells Syrian goods in the place to help Syrian children.
Mr. Suriman said,
“The Syrian people are not chemical weapons test subjects, they are humans with emotions.”
The neighboring country Syria with similar culture since it was the same country. And there are many Syrian refugees in Lebanon.
Mr. Suriman believes Syrian and Lebanese people are brothers, and this motivates him to support Syria. He hopes that one day they will be able to come and go free again and create a society for Syrians to live their dreams. Dreaming of such a day tells stories about Syria in restaurants here in Japan.
BORDERLESS DINERS is a program where you can experience the country through meals. It was a moment that we can feel Syria close.
The next program is for Bosnia! You can touch a different culture every month!
『BORDERLESS DINERS ～ Experience international restaurants and travel around the world ～』
This is a hands-on program which is held every month!
Next time, we will invite beauty chef in Borderless House Shinjuku Honancho!
Bosnian food! Well, what kind of experience can you make next?”
What kind of culture in Senegal? This is the program you can enjoy international experience with five senses!
As-salamu alaykum! Hello, this is Yuya from Borderless House who is in charge of the program!
『BORDERLESS DINERS～Experience international restaurants and travel around the world ～』This new program has started since last month!
You can enjoy different cuisines in restaurants or catering in Tokyo!
Eat!Talk! think! It is a hands-on program where you can enjoy international exchange with the five senses.
Second time is Senegal cuisine! I am going to report BORFERLESS DINERS was held on March 31st.
Fresh cuisine you can enjoy looking at! Cheerful Senegalese chef cooked in front.
This time is Live Cooking! that Aly san came to Honancho House in Shinjuku. Participants can see a process of making dishes with talking with Aly san right in front!
Says of Senegal cuisine, it’s so colorful and beautiful because they use papurika, egges, tomatos and any other vegetables.
Being wrapped Fatayer(Samosa Senegal style), being fried Beignet(Donut Senegal style)
The participants were very interested in the dishes onw after another. There are many questions and it’s Aly san time to shine!
First, you enjoyed international experience with your eyes!
Plant to drink! The gut healthy drink that contains baobab and hibiscus
Next is the smell! Enjoy the vivid welcome drinks with baobab and hibiscus!
Besides looking, it also had a good smell. The smell of hibiscus and baobabs mixed up and seem to be in the forest.
Moreover, it seems to have the effect of recovering the intestines, and it is an excellent drink that is good for your skin and beauty as well!
After eating the appetizer Fataya while drinking the welcome drink, we feeled more hungry!
But first, we learned a little bit about Senegal. Aly san talked about Senegal’s population, religion, and language!
“Thank you” is “Jerjev” in Moloch spoken in Senegal
Finally it’s time to eat dishes! Thank you for the chef Aly’s preparation!
Shiny hands! Holding and eating a large dish
In Senegal, lunch is the main meal of the day and staple food is the same rice as Japan.
The dish of rice cooked with platter and rice dishes and side dishes. This is Senegal’s feast!
This time we had a typical rice dish of Chevyap and Sesaginal. What a sumptuous feast!
Chebu means rice, Yap means meat. Sesaginal, a dish made of meat and rice, is rice dish with onion sauce!
Let’s start to eat the beautifully presented dishes with everyone!
but they said…..
“How do you eat even though there are no plates or spoons?”
Fufufu, have you noticed? This program is the international “experience” program, of course, you should eat it by hand just like Senegal!
It is Senegal-style to take a size that is easy to eat, and hold it for a while and then eat.
At first, they started to eat with hands nervously, but we can not stop at the overly delicious Chebyap!
”You are a Senegalese!” There were people who grab a tip and were praised by Aly san.
Everyone enjoyed the feeling of the hand.”
We were full for lots of delicious food, and noticed what a shiny hand! Good smile!
Looks and tastes of Okinawa food? Senegal and Japan in common
Full, but the dessert is another! After all, we also enjoyed Senegal’s popular Benie by hand.
Senegal’s Benier, when you look closely it looks and tastes so familiar with Sata Andagi in Okinawa …?
“It is no longer Sata Andagi! The only difference is whether raisins are in or out!
The taste that is loved is the same things even if different countries.
Of course the drink is coffee! Senegal coffee contains spice and is very rich!
Make bubbles and pouring in this way!
Actually, Senegal is a coffee lover country because it seems to be drinkable to all ages, male and female even if the taste is very rich.
“A country without homeless people” An aspect of Islam not known in Japan
They seems to be getting eager to know more about Senegal.
From now, we will have a lecture about Senegalese culture and religious to know about Senegal deeply.
“Senegal is an Isramic country in which 95% of the population believe in Isram. However, the commandment is not so strict and we don’t have bad relationships with the other religious believer.”
Aly told us, “We, Senegalese Muslims are doing really good with the other religious believer. I’m Muslim but my school was a catholic one and I have a lot of catholic friends. Important thing is to take the teachings in actions, live cooperating with neighbors and show gratitude every day. Since it is really natural to help each other and be thankful, there are no people who are hungry in Senegal although there are people in difficulties due to lack of money of course. Senegal is a country which doesn’t have homeless people.”
We shouldn’t eat all completely in Senegal, “Omotenashi” country!
We shouldn’t eat all completely in Senegal, “Omotenashi” country!
“Do you know that Senegal is a country which has “Omotenashi” culture like Japan. *”Omotenashi” is a Jaoanese word which means an atitude or an action with a hospitality when we welcome guests.
In Senegal, peoole use the word “Teranga” for “Omotenashi”. The word has a meaning of taking good care of the connection with other people and sharing it. This meanins also comes from the Isramic teachings.
Aly says, “In Senegal, we don’t lock our house doors so that people who are hungry or who need help can visit anytime.
The Isramic spirits are widespread so that’s why we have this culture. We mustn’t eat the served dishes completely. In other words, they serve lots of dishes we cannot finish.
Even today, Aly prepared the food more than the amount for the number of people.
He says this is because he has a heart of the hospitality which he wants to make the guests feel full.
In Japan, it is not good to leave food so if we eat everything according to the Japanese culture, they serve continuously.
Don’t you think it is really interesting that there is a difference in the dining culture although both country have the same “Omotenashi” culture?
Enjoy differences! This is also the good part of this program!
Islamic culture is to help each other. It is a warm religious culture.
Aly told us that the important thing is not money but the connection with people.
If we live in Japan, there is no opportunity to get to know the Isramic teachings and the way of thinking in life based on the teachings.
This program became a really good one because we could get to know that the Senegalese food is so nice and there are nice culture in Senegal.
Of course we took a photo together at last!
The next program is for Syria!
“BORDERLESS DINERS ~Experience international restaurants and travel around the world ~” is a program which we hold once in a month only for our tenants!
We will have this program at Syrian restaurant in Ikebukuro next time! What can we experience from the program?
Hello, everyone! This is Yuya from Borderless House planning team!
It’s getting warmer, spring has arrived! So you must be excited for new life!
With the coming of spring, our new program has started!
The program name is『BORDERLESS DINERS～International Experiences Restaurant for Traveling the World～』
This new hands-on program has started!
Food is closely related to cultural costume! Let’s touch different culture with five sense! See! Feel! Taste!
LINK UP, which was run as a Borderless House exchange program last year. We received many happy comments from the tenants, such as “new connections with other share houses!”
LINK UP is a program which provides the tenants with the opportunity to meet and connect through languages and interests.
During this program, we also received comments that “I want to know more about various countries!” And “I want to touch culture and international experience more deeply!” That is because we restart the program as “BORDERLESS DINERS”.
“BORDERLESS DINERS” is an international experience program focused on “food” in order to make you feel and learn deeply the countries of the world.
We are going to reserve restaurants in various countries in Tokyo for this problem!
Eat! Talk! think! It is a hands-on program where you can enjoy the international exchange with the five senses.
The program will be held once a month for our tenants only. The maximum number of participants is only 20 people in this program, so you can interact with people more closely, which is a bit different from big events!
“Eating” and “learning about” food from other countries. Purpose behind the program
This program was launched with the wish of experiencing different cultures through “food” and enjoying the differences.
Italian, French, Chinese, Korean cuisine and ethnic food such as Thai food!
I believe that these types of dishes are familiar to everyone.
However, there are many countries that you may know the name of such as Myanmar and various African countries, but you have never eaten their foods!
The world has a variety of dishes unique to that country, and each dish has its own story and culture.
For example, because Japan has four seasons and the ingredients available in each season differ, Japanese food culture has developed along with events and seasons.
Furthermore, there must be many people who think of “niku-jaga” when hearing the words Japanese home cooking?
Do you know the origin of this national soul food of niku-jaga? ?
Actually, the origin of niku-jaga is beef stew!
What I mean is, “niku-jaga” was born as a result of the trouble of a certain historical person who could not forget the taste of beef stew and somehow wanted to make it in Japan.
Thus, traditional menu items actually contain rich international origins, and conversely, in some cases, they come from a culture that has been developed for religious reasons, and it can be seen that the origins of foods are very deep!
“Food” is a very familiar means of learning about a country.
It is our hope that while eating the food of a country, you can learn about that country. Through cooking, countries that were previously “unknown” become countries that you “would like to know more about” and “would like to go to”!
We aim to create a program that allows you to experience such things.
Venue changes every month! Traveling through food program, the first country is Myanmar!
This program was held in Myanmar restaurant which is located Takadanobaba on Feb 22.
4 Koreans, 1 Franch, 1 Saudi Arabian, 1 Taiwanese and 8Japanese participated! The ratio of male to female and ratio of nationality aere also slmost 50:50!
Is this place Little Yangon! ? A long-established cafeteria loved in Takadanobaba where 1,500 people from Myanmar live.
In fact, Takadanobaba is a fierce battlefield of Myanmar cuisine with over 20 such restaurants. Ruby, where the event was held this time, is a long-established Burmese restaurant that has been open for 20 years in Takadanobaba! Naturally, the restaurant staff is also from Myanmar! You can enjoy authentic cuisine from Myanmar.
What kind of country is Myanmar? ? The manager of the restaurant told me about Myanmar.
Start of program! What kind of country is Myanmar?
Myanmar is located in Southeast Asia and has about 1.8 times the area of Japan. It is a devoutly Buddhist country with over 100 ethnic groups, and there are several temples and pagodas on the streets.
Myanmar is located in Southeast Asia and has about 1.8 times the area of Japan. It is a devoutly Buddhist country with over 100 ethnic groups, and there are several temples and pagodas on the streets.
Reportedly, when he happened to come to Japan to travel 30 years ago, when he was listed as part of an anti-government organization by the military government, and unable to return home, became a refugee.
I told me valuable stories and exciting stories, such as the story of his time 30 years ago in Japan, the story of being able to return home for the first time in 20 years last year, and stories about Burma during the military administration and Myanmar in the present.
What impressed me the most was the story of Kyaw Kyaw Soe-san’s dream.
“Myanmar, which I returned to for the first time in 20 years, has become unrecognizable, but after since the government has changed, the people have no sense of unity. Therefore, I would like to spread the school song culture that I learned in Japan in Myanmar. I would like to make school songs so that students sing together and head toward the same goal.”
Hearing such precious stories is part of the appeal of this program!
The participants also find it interesting.
And finally, it was time to eat the cuisine from Myanmar!
Myanmar is surrounded by five countries, and Myanmar has absorbed the delicious points of the cuisine of these five countries!
Myanmar food is characterized by being a little bit spicy and a little bit oily.
In fact, Myanmar is surrounded by China, Laos, Bangladesh, Thailand, and India, and it is a multi-ethnic country in which various ethnic groups and cultures are mixed.
Therefore, the variety of dishes is also diverse!
The cultures of the surrounding countries have influenced the cuisine, and there are very good dishes from many countries, as the cuisine has incorporated the spiciness of Indian food, the quick and easy cooking methods of Chinese food, and the sweet and sour taste of Thai food.
This time, various dishes were prepared, such as the national dish that can be eaten in Myanmar to dishes that are eaten for celebrations such as weddings.
This time, various dishes were prepared, such as the national dish that can be eaten in Myanmar to dishes that are eaten for celebrations such as weddings.
Some people were a cautious about trying the foods, and some dug in quickly!
You could hear the voices of the participants at different restaurants saying, “This is spicy”, “This is delicious!”, etc.
The origin of udon is Burmese noodle nan gyi thohk? ! Connections in the world as seen from food!
The origin of udon is Burmese noodle nan gyi thohk? ! Connections in the world as seen from food!
Because there were participants from various countries, the predictions of each person varied! It was a heated discussion!
For example, “The udon salad is probably a kind of reimen in Japan because it is so light.”
“Perhaps sweet foods are used for celebrations? So tapioca and sweet potato desserts must be for weddings!”
Then, the answers were presented.
Have you ever seen this dish?
Don’t you think that it looks like udon?
Yes, this is actually udon found in Myanmar. The name of this dish is nan gyithohk, and it is a type of udon salad.
The recipe for the noodles is almost the same as that of udon! It is made of soybean flour, and people in Myanmar eat the salad when they want to feel refreshed. It is home cooking and is often eaten as a daily meal. It is the same as in Japan, right!
Then, Kyaw Kyaw Soe-san said that this is the origin of Japanese noodles.”The taste and texture of the noodles are almost the same as those of udon.
so please try it once if you are interested!
There was also a dish called dan bauk, which is eaten during celebrations such as weddings.
It is a simple dish of stewed chicken and butter rice.
But making it is hard!
It is a dish that is very time-consuming to make as various spices are mixed and it is stewed for a long time.
However, once it is made, it can be served immediately like curry, and it was explained that it became a dish of hospitality served for celebrations since guests are not kept waiting.
In this way, even in a seemingly distant country, Japan is actually connected like a relationship with nan gyi thohk,
and we realized that the heart of hospitality for cooking is universal!
If you order “the food served in the Borderless House program”, you will be able to eat these foods, so if you are interested, please check out RUBY in Takadanobaba!
Borderless House, tenants-only program that can connect with over 700 share mates
Finally, recommended spots in Myanmar were presented, and the program was concluded!
Then, a male participant invited everyone to a house party saying, “There will be a party at my shared house in Iriya tonight, so everyone is welcome to join and continue talking about the program!”
In this way, the Borderless House program is also able to connect with more than 700 share mates living in 69 share houses in Tokyo!
Next travel is SENEGAL!We will do live cooking next time in Shinjuku Honan-cho, our share house!
The cheerful senegal chef make Senegal cuisine for participants.I hope you will enjoy the next blog!
Venue and food change every month! Traveling through food international experience restaurant.
Why don’t you stay in Borderless House that you can join this kind of programs?
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 !!
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 !!
