Lately, I’ve noticed ads like this popping up on Instagram.

It seems that since I work with shared housing, ads related to it are being displayed, assuming I’m interested. The accuracy of digital advertising is certainly improving...
But enough about personal data in the digital world.

Have you heard the term "Social Apartment" before? You might have come across it at least once.
In this article, we’ll explore what a Social Apartment is, how it differs from a shared house, and who it’s suitable for, all while sharing some reviews!

What is a Social Apartment?

A Social Apartment is a concept introduced by Global Agents, Inc., which began offering shared living spaces in 2005.

“A new type of apartment or condominium with not only private rooms but also well-equipped common areas like lounges to encourage social interaction among residents.” (Source: Official Social Apartment website)

For example, when considering a single-occupancy rental apartment, you may look at studio or one-bedroom layouts where privacy is the priority, and interaction with other residents is minimal.

However, Social Apartments differ in this regard. While you have your private room, you also share facilities such as the kitchen and living room with fellow residents, promoting community building and fostering social connections.

Since the focus is on community management, several features are designed to encourage active communication within the community. For example, Social Apartments provide high-level facilities that one wouldn’t expect in standard single-occupancy apartments. Shared spaces aren’t limited to kitchens and lounges; they often include facilities like a theater room, gym, coworking spaces, and music rooms.

The management company also organizes regular events, such as parties and award events.

People who identify with the traits above would likely find Social Apartments to be a suitable choice.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Social Apartments

Now, let’s look at the pros and cons of community-oriented Social Apartments based on feedback from current and past residents.

Advantage 1: Opportunities to Meet People and Build Strong Relationships

It's great to be able to interact with people from various backgrounds and perspectives at home! Having meals or watching movies in the lounge and returning to our rooms without worrying about missing the last train—there's nowhere else like this!

Review from "Neighbors Meguro"

Living with people of completely different professions, origins, and ages is a valuable experience. You get to learn others' perspectives and can make friends with people you would have never met going between work and home.

Review from "Neighbors Motoyawata"

Social Apartments emphasize community, and reviews suggest that they provide a comfortable environment for forming friendships. Living in such a setting, where one interacts daily with people they wouldn't otherwise meet, can be very refreshing. Such close relationships can even lead to more profound connections, such as romantic partnerships.

It's a great place for building a romantic relationship, as you can get to know someone well before dating.

Review from "Social Apartment Miyamaedaira"

I'm truly happy because I was able to meet a wonderful marriage partner here.

Review from "Neighbors Tachikawa"

This trend has led some to wonder whether Social Apartments could help address Japan's low marriage rates.

Reference article: 1 in 10 Residents Married Within 4 Years: Could Shared Housing Be a Solution to Japan's Unmarried Crisis?

Advantage 2: Extremely Convenient Workspaces

The lounge and workspace were amazing. There must have been a lot of residents, but during the weekdays, the place was pretty empty, almost like a private space! It had power outlets, Wi-Fi, and it was just a short trip up the stairs back to my room for a coffee break—perfect for concentrating.

Review from Crocry

In today’s world, where remote work has become common, working from your own room continuously can be draining. Social Apartments come with dedicated workspaces equipped with power outlets and Wi-Fi, allowing residents to work comfortably outside their rooms. The common lounges are also suitable for working, giving you a change of scenery or a chance to chat with other residents. It’s a great environment for freelancers who can save on café expenses!

Advantage 3: Well-Equipped Shared Facilities Unimaginable in a One-Person Apartment

The common areas are well-maintained, making life enjoyable. Having a theater room is a perk you wouldn’t get living alone.

Review from "FILMS Wako"

The spacious kitchen with all the utensils makes cooking enjoyable.

Review from "Social Apartment Ebisu"

Billiards, a theater room, a bar counter, a large kitchen, a spacious lounge, a rooftop, a music room... Having all these amenities in a single-person apartment would require a considerable investment. In Social Apartments, residents can share these amenities, making such luxurious facilities accessible to all. It would be hard to go back to a regular apartment after experiencing this!

Advantage 4: Frequent Cleaning Services—No Need to Clean Shared Spaces

I love that I don’t have to clean the water areas myself.

Review from "Social Apartment Funabashi"

Social Apartments provide regular cleaning by professional staff, helping to maintain a pleasant environment (quoted from the official website).

SA deploys its own housekeeping staff to clean the common areas daily, five to seven days a week. Nearly daily cleaning helps maintain these spaces.

Of course, each resident is responsible for cleaning their private room, but having regular cleaning of high-traffic areas like water facilities is a definite advantage!

Advantage 5: Active International Exchange, Perfect for English Learners!

It was like studying abroad in Japan, interacting with so many international residents!

Review from "World Neighbors Gokokuji"

If you want to live in an international share house, create lifelong memories, and meet people from diverse backgrounds, try living at KS World Neighbors!

Review from "World Neighbors Kiyosumishirakawa"

People interested in Social Apartments often have goals like:

・“I want to learn English.”
・“I want more opportunities to interact with foreigners.”
・“I want to use English daily.”

Many foreign residents living in Social Apartments wish to engage with Japanese residents, and these community-focused apartments make interaction natural. Unlike formal language schools or textbooks, you can learn natural English and gain an international perspective.

Advantage 6: Private Rooms with En-Suite Facilities—A Self-Sufficient Space

While there are no specific reviews on this, having en-suite bathroom facilities is a definite advantage (availability varies by room type).

Although some shared houses now offer rooms with en-suite bathrooms, they are still relatively rare. Many Social Apartments come with such facilities, showing that they value private time. Some rooms even come with a kitchenette, allowing residents to live comfortably without leaving their rooms.

Disadvantage 1: Limited Soundproofing—Noise Levels Can Be a Concern

The soundproofing is a bit disappointing, so if people get lively in the living area, residents in nearby rooms might complain. If you're expecting a constantly lively and fun environment, you might be disappointed.

Review from "Neighbors Ukimakoen"

Where there are gatherings, there will inevitably be noise. Everyone wants a bit of quiet time now and then, and noise from social areas can be bothersome. For those who work from home and need to concentrate, this can be especially challenging. This is a common issue in both shared houses and Social Apartments.

Disadvantage 2: Stress from Different Lifestyles

Prospective tenants are likely “people-oriented” or curious, as I was. However, even in marriage, a loving relationship can feel suffocating at times, and home shouldn’t feel like an adventure. Since there’s a lot you won’t know until you move in, choose your plan carefully and consider the risks.

Review from "Neighbors Ukimakoen"

While Social Apartments are a great way to meet people from different backgrounds, living with residents from diverse cultures might create stress if you are not comfortable with lifestyle differences.

Disadvantage 3: Occasional Solicitation Activities

Although the management prohibits business solicitations, it’s always wise to be cautious of any solicitation attempts from fellow residents.

Disadvantage 4: Price Concerns, Particularly with Initial Costs

With so many advantages, the question of price arises. In the desirable Azabu Juban area of Minato-ku, Social Apartments rent at around 132,916 yen. The average rent for a 1R in the same area is approximately 128,000 yen, so Social Apartments tend to be higher in price.
Reference: Average rent: athome

While some move-in promotions may waive the key money for a month, the usual requirement includes one month’s rent for key money and a security deposit of at least one month. This can make Social Apartments more expensive than other shared housing options.

Disadvantage 5: Stricter Tenant Screening—Possibly Tougher than Shared Houses

Tenant screening for Social Apartments seems stricter than for typical shared houses. The screening process is divided into two parts: a qualitative character assessment and a credit check by a guarantor company. Since Social Apartments value community, residents who may not be suitable for communal living might be declined.

The credit check requires employment information (employer name, address, phone number, industry, employment status, number of employees, years of service, position, and income). Freelancers, self-employed individuals, or those on a break from work may need to join a designated guarantor company approved by Global Agents Inc., the managing company. They might also need a co-signer depending on their employment status.

In shared houses, credit checks are generally a formality, but here they seem more stringent, likely due to the higher rent rates.

How Are Social Apartments Different from Shared Houses?

So far, we’ve explored Social Apartments in detail, and you may have formed a few impressions:

But is this unique to Social Apartments, or can shared houses offer similar experiences? Let’s take a look at some innovative shared house management companies.

Q Living Inc.

About the Company

Proposing a new shared lifestyle to enhance solo living in Tokyo

We are Q Living, a management company that spun off from QUMA, a renovation company headquartered in Shibuya. Our mission is to support high-quality living experiences. Our founder, Koichi Murata, comes from Recruit’s SUUMO team, where he constantly heard feedback like, “Japanese homes all seem the same and lack excitement” or “There’s no ideal housing; I want to create it myself.” Based on these insights, we established Q Living.

We’re excited to offer a new shared lifestyle near central Tokyo stations by renovating hotels, which saw an oversupply around the Tokyo Olympics, into comfortable, open living spaces designed for remote work. We hope to contribute to your housing search.

Excerpt from ShareParade

Rebita Inc.

About the Company

We are Livita, a renovation-focused real estate company specializing in rejuvenating quality existing properties with new value. Using the latest equipment and modern interiors, we operate over 20 properties with 1,000 rooms across Tokyo, Kanagawa, and Saitama, offering sophisticated communal rental residences. We welcome those who enjoy a lifestyle of “gathering and living together.”

Excerpt from ShareParade

Share Design

About the Company

The definition of “where” you live is shifting to “who” you live with, expanding the possibilities of shared housing.
Who you share your living space with could be a big opportunity for you.
Our Share Residence series offers larger properties, creating scale advantages for shared living. Most residents are working professionals, split equally by gender, with many English-speaking foreign residents, making it a good place to practice English.
Residents have access to a private SNS group to view profiles with photos, helping new residents quickly learn the names and faces of others.
Our Share Designer College Tamaplaza property has been used by NHK and for commercial shoots. Residents often work in IT, freelance, design, or music fields, with one resident achieving a major debut in 2012.
We also offer an Antique series, urban DIY renovations, and are planning new shared housing types like CAFE & Share, Barrier-Free & Share, and LGBT & Share.

Excerpt from ShareParade

An interview with Jiro Aso, our founder, shares his vision for shared housing.

Share 180

About the Company

SHARE HOUSE 180° is based in Nagoya and operates a variety of themed shared houses.
The concept of “share house” goes beyond just sharing a residence; it’s about sharing a space, time, and aspirations.
By sharing life with those you meet, new excitement arises, and life can take a 180-degree turn.
We believe that shared housing has this power to change lives.

Excerpt from ShareParade

An interview with our founder, Masaki Ito, provides insight into his philosophy on shared housing.

The origins of shared houses lie in reducing living costs through shared spaces. Initially, they were intended for foreigners and returnees, who often arrived in Japan without furniture or stable income and faced challenges getting approved by guarantor companies.
Since the 2000s, however, shared houses gained popularity among trendsetters thanks to media and dramas that featured this lifestyle.

After 20 years of development, shared houses now attract people seeking more than just cost-effective living—they look for value in shared housing.
Recognizing these trends, shared housing companies now offer high-sensitivity options such as:

This shows how shared houses, too, have evolved to offer luxury facilities, private rooms, and strong communities, bridging the gap with Social Apartments.

A list of Social Share Houses with large lounges, ample socializing opportunities, and private en-suite facilities (bathroom, toilet, and kitchen) can be found here.

Below are some recommended shared houses that focus on luxurious amenities and community, similar to Social Apartments.

THE DAY IRIYA (Q Living)

Two Ambiences to Choose from Based on Your Mood

Plenty of Space and High-Quality Kitchen Appliances for Cooking Enthusiasts

Located just a 1-minute walk from Tokyo Metro Hibiya Line’s Iriya Station, this 52-room share house is designed with both comfort and aesthetics in mind. Every room and bathroom has been fully renovated, focusing on modern design. In addition to stylish décor, various services are available to ensure a comfortable stay.
【Free Rice】
Freshly cooked rice is available daily at no extra cost, which has been highly popular among busy residents.

【Coffee Machine】
For coffee lovers, there’s also a roastery with a variety of coffee beans to try.

【Linen Service】
Fresh linens are always on hand, making it easy to change your sheets for a clean and comfortable sleep.

【Bicycle Rentals】
Share bikes are available for residents, perfect for shopping or cycling trips to Ueno, Asakusa, or Yanesen.

【Moving Support by Treasure Factory】
If you’re worried about moving with lots of belongings, this service is here to help. Partnered with major recycling shop Treasure Factory, residents receive a special discount on moving, including buy-back services. This can save you time searching for movers and prevent the hassle of disposing of household items. Note that some conditions may apply to items eligible for buy-back.

THE DAY ASAKUSABASHI (Q Living)

Spacious 80-Tatami Mat Living Room with Various Themes

Fully Equipped Kitchen with BALMUDA Toaster and Kalita Coffee Tools

This 64-room share house was originally a business hotel and offers private rooms with a full three-piece unit (bath, toilet, washstand), as well as a large living room and a café-style workspace. Here, each resident can enjoy a unique lifestyle with plenty of personal time.

Resident support is available 24/7 from on-site staff, who also manage various amenities. The kitchen includes a soda stream and coffee machine for all residents, and DAZN sports streaming is available on a large screen.

In addition to support during illness, the facility provides linen service, clean sheets, and bicycle rentals. Storage for seasonal clothing and items is also available.

CRANE TERRACE SHINAGAWA (Tokyo Defense)

High Ceilings (up to 4.65m), Skylights, and 80-Inch TV!

Three Gas Burners Plus an IH Burner for Convenient Cooking

This new 41-room share house emphasizes comfort and livability, with ceilings up to 3 meters high and ample natural lighting.

To support remote work or studying, the space is equipped with wide desks, comfortable seating for long hours, and a spacious workspace. Additionally, the rooftop garden terrace provides an outdoor space for relaxation and enjoying the open sky.

CRANE TERRACE MIZONOKUCHI (Tokyo Defense)

Carefully Curated Space with Vintage Furniture

Four Gas Burners Available for Cooking Enthusiasts

This share house emphasizes stylish interiors with carefully selected furniture, including “warm wooden desks,” “high-quality leather sofas,” and “steel easy chairs.”

Shared facilities include a quiet room for work or study, a soundproof room for music, a screen in the theater room, and mirrors in the dance space. This house is designed to be a space where residents can enjoy activities together and proudly invite friends over.

Share Place Mitaka (Rebita)

Various spaces to relax in a spacious lounge

Expansive kitchen with six areas, each equipped with three-burner stoves

“Share Place Mitaka,” with 112 rooms, offers a stimulating environment for discovering new people and hobbies. Enjoy dining with friends in the spacious dining area or focus on work at the window seats. The house also features a theater room to watch favorite movies with other members and a rooftop space for refreshing relaxation. The generously sized 8.2-tatami private rooms provide a comfortable and spacious retreat.

Share Place Meidaimae (Rebita)

Temple-like design with unique arching columns

Three stoves per kitchen ensure no congestion

The lounge layout is designed to balance private and community spaces seamlessly. Private rooms offer options such as unfurnished rooms and women-only floors, catering to individual preferences. With over 12 years of operational experience, the facility prioritizes reliable amenities and security. This share house combines the spaciousness, large kitchens, and community comfort of shared living with the private rooms, security, and personal space that solo living lacks.

PLOW & CO (UDS)

48-tatami living/dining area for various dining experiences

Spacious dining kitchen with full cooking appliances

A share house themed around food, “PLOW & CO” features 38 rooms and a dining kitchen equipped with three stoves and a full set of appliances for culinary enjoyment. Seasonal events provide members with fresh fish, encouraging everyone to cook and share meals together.

The rooftop deck connected to the living area offers a space to read, enjoy city views, or grow vegetables and herbs in a relaxing open-air environment.

Social apartments are certainly appealing, but many share houses offer a comparable level of comfort and amenities.