Girls’ Life in a Home Just One Stop from Shibuya

Arisu has been living in a share house for one month.
At first, she felt anxious about living in the city, but with advice from the housemates who moved in before her, she has gradually started to settle in. Now her friend Hitomi is moving into the same house today. She has eagerly awaited this morning, and at 7:00 a.m., Arisu’s day begins.

The share house where Arisu lives is “Grande Shibuya,” a seven-minute walk from Ikejiri-ohashi Station on the Tokyu Den-en-toshi Line.
It is a newly built, women-only share house in a wonderfully convenient location, just one stop from Shibuya～. The entrance has a combination lock, and every room is fully private with its own lock, making it even more reassuring♪

Arisu: “Another day begins! The weather is lovely outside♪ The natural light feels so nice～. It is in a residential neighborhood, so it is very quiet and I sleep wonderfully. It is hard to believe I am in the big city, just one stop from Shibuya. Even though the room is compact, the walls and furniture are all coordinated in white, so it feels open, doesn’t it? This is the room I love.”

Arisu: “Does my hair look all right like this? This is something I do every day, so having this ‘table → chair → mirror’ setup provided in just the right positions really makes me feel they understand a woman’s needs.”

Arisu: “Ah! I need the toilet! What a relief♪ I am glad there are two toilets, so they do not get crowded even in the morning～. I wonder if Hitomi will be here soon～.”

Arisu: “Oh, I almost forgot! Where did I put the manga I was going to lend Hitomi? There is so much storage under the bed, but I keep wondering what I should organize first...and it has already been a month! Clothes, cosmetics, bags, books...I really need to get serious about tidying up soon. Still, putting storage in the otherwise unused space under the bed is a clever use of space. Every room comes with this bed, a table, an air conditioner, and a TV connection, so there is no need to buy those things separately.”
※ Bedding is not included.

Arisu: “There is proper storage space above the door too. This property really has thoughtful touches in every corner♪ I made the right choice♪ ‘Maybe I will wear this outfit today,’ I think. Dresses and clothes that wrinkle easily are best hung on this clothes rail◎ My rule is that my best outfits must never be wrinkled!”

Arisu: “(Ding-dong!) Oh, it is Hitomi! Welcome～!”
Hitomi: “Bonjour～! I look forward to living here with you starting today♪ This house is lovely no matter how many times I see it～.”
Arisu: “Isn’t it! It is newly built and was only completed in February this year (2014), so everything is brand-new.*・ It almost seems a shame to use it. To keep everything clean, we need to wash things properly after using them. There are cute notices displaying the rules in various places, so please pay attention to them♪”
Hitomi: “I see! Like the school-trip saying, ‘Leave it cleaner than you found it’ (laughs). Following the rules together may be the most important requirement for living in a share house♪”

This is our share house♪ It is newly built and sparkling clean! The brick-style finish gives it a warm feel. Stylish, isn’t it～!

There is a security camera at the entrance!

The door also has a combination lock for security! How thoughtful～!

Arisu: “Understood! (laughs) Shall we go inside for now??”
Hitomi: “Yes, let’s～ hahaha.”
Arisu: “Hitomi, please put your shoes here.”
Hitomi: “Wow! It is divided into sections, so it is easy to understand. There is a place for boots too. My room was...Room H, wasn’t it?”

Hitomi: “My first share house in Japan! The striped wallpaper in the living room is so cute. It is spacious! I am getting excited! Oh, can I use this glass?? Arisu, would you like some water??”
Arisu: “That is a shared glass provided by the share house, so you are welcome to use it♪ But Hitomi, please, just sit down!! (laughs)”
Hitomi: “Oh, should I? I am just having so much fun.”

Hitomi: “And, you know, Shibuya is so much fun! It is only one stop from here, right?? Even if we stay out late, we can get home in no time. It is really convenient. There are also lots of places surrounded by greenery to go for walks nearby, such as Setagaya Park, with its memorable fountain in a plaza surrounded by greenery, and the paths along the Meguro River, known for their rows of cherry trees, right?”
Arisu: “That is right! I often go there when I want to switch off for a while♪ Also, the street running north and south from the Mishuku intersection on National Route 246 is a well-known area with lots of shops frequented by celebrities. There are plenty of places to eat, and I recommend having lunch at a café around Setagaya Park on your days off♪”
Hitomi: “Really! I want to have lunch at a café!! Just hearing about it makes me feel as though it will boost my feminine charm (laughs). If the park is nearby too, I might like to start a running club with our housemates and go running together♪”

Hitomi: “Oh, yes! Speaking of cafés...I found a coffee maker here!! Can I use this too?! There are so many other appliances here as well; they have thought of everything～♪”
Arisu: “Yes. All of these appliances are shared by everyone. There are also two refrigerators, with each one assigned to seven of the fourteen rooms. They are clearly divided up, which makes them easy to use!”

Arisu: “By the way, Hitomi! New residents write a ‘Nice to meet you♪’ message card and pin it to this corkboard. Let’s introduce you to everyone♪”
Hitomi: “Really!? How lovely♪ What should I write??”
Arisu: “Your name and room number, your hobbies...and perhaps your job♪”
Hitomi: “Got it～♪ Now I am one of the housemates too! I am going to make lots of friends～♪”

Hitomi: “Hey, Arisu, what is this??”
Arisu: “This is storage space allocated to each room.”
Hitomi: “It is lovely to have storage in the living room too. If I read manga here, I do not have to take it back to my room! Oh, speaking of which, what about the manga you were going to lend me??”
Arisu: “...I am sorry. I have not sorted everything out yet...”
Hitomi: “I see...Oh well♪ Lend it to me next time～♪ Being able to share our hobbies so easily like this is one of the attractions of living in a share house☆”
Arisu: “That is right♪”

Hitomi: “Wait, what are you doing, Arisu?”
Arisu: “Stretching...? The living room has underfloor heating, so it is very warm and comfortable.”
Hitomi: “Oh, really! I was wearing slippers, so I did not notice! It certainly is warm. A lot of women tend to feel the cold, so I appreciate thoughtful touches like this too.”

Hitomi: “Oh! The clock is cute too! It is shaped like a wristwatch. Its slightly retro feel goes with the striped wallpaper and looks stylish☆ The chic curtain color adds a little spice. The air conditioner quickly warms up the room too, so it is comfortable～♪ The TV has a large screen too, which should make viewing easy.”
Arisu: “We play games with our housemates and ask one another for advice on relationships and life when we gather here. When someone catches a cold, others make rice porridge for her or go with her to the hospital...We really become like family to one another. Living under the same roof makes us want to help each other.”

Arisu: “Hitomi! Look! There is even a part-time job opening!”
Hitomi: “What!? This is a share house, right?? Why is there a job opening here?”
Arisu: “The owner of the company that runs this share house actually started a soccer team, and it has now worked its way up to J3...It seems they are looking for someone to work part-time in public relations☆”
Hitomi: “The owner is talented in so many ways! For an ordinary team to rise all the way to J3, what an amazing team it must be!! I am so interested that I might try interviewing for that part-time job. That is me, currently looking for work. They have accepted me even though I only returned from France last month, which is really considerate. Their approach is to support women who are working hard. Also, by talking about work with our housemates like this, we can give each other business opportunities. Coming to the city really was the right choice◎ There must be so much inspiration going around that I would not have found while living with my family.”

Arisu: “Hitomi, have you had breakfast??”
Hitomi: “Oh...now that you mention it, I was so excited about my first day moving into the share house that I forgot to eat!”
Arisu: “I thought so (laughs). I baked some moussaka in the oven earlier♪ Would you like some??”
Hitomi: “Yes, please～♪ So that is where the delicious smell of meat sauce has been coming from☆ Just as I would expect from you, Arisu! An oven and an induction cooktop in the center, large windows that let in natural light, and a high ceiling...The kitchen is spacious, with work areas on both sides, so we do not bump into each other. Wonderful～.”

Hitomi: “Then I will chop some vegetables for the side dish. Arisu, you make the French toast～.”
Arisu: “That is quite a rich breakfast, isn’t it?? (laughs)”
Hitomi: “Oh, is it? A delicious breakfast keeps me happy all day♪”
Arisu: “You are our guest today, Hitomi, so I will make whatever you would like♪”
Hitomi: “Wow, thank you!”
Arisu: “What do you think? The kitchen is easy to use, isn’t it?!”
Hitomi: “A lot of vegetables take up more space once you chop them, don’t they? You also need space to put bowls to hold the chopped vegetables...With this much room, there is no stress at all.”

Hitomi: “Is there a fairly large pot?? I want to make minestrone too, after all～.”
Arisu: “Oh, just above your head, Hitomi...right here. You certainly eat a lot～ (laughs).”
Hitomi: “Well, yes (laughs). Wow, there is even a stepladder! Since this is a women-only share house, we cannot just find a tall man and ask, ‘Could you give me a hand?’ This is helpful! Although I might not need it myself (laughs).”

Hitomi: “Now we just need to let it simmer♪ ...? Arisu, what is this???”
Arisu: “Oh, that is a space where residents of each room can keep their seasonings.”
Hitomi: “I make green curry, so it is helpful to have room for lots of seasonings! The cooking utensils are organized too, and it feels as though no space is wasted. So nice♪”

(15 minutes later...)
Hitomi: “Food♪ Food♪ Arisu! It is lovely to have a full-length mirror like this in the living room! The mirror is framed like a painting, making me feel like a work of art myself♪ Because it matches the wallpaper, even a mirror this big does not look out of place. How curious.”

Hitomi: “This washbasin area is stylish too!! This mirror also has a substantial frame! The wide vanity looks as though there would be plenty of room for two people to brush their teeth together♪”

Arisu: “Hitomi, what are you doing?! The dishes are over here!”
Hitomi: “Oh, sorry (laughs). Got it～♪ Wow, there is so much tableware!”
Arisu: “You are welcome to use it as long as you wash it properly and put it away afterward♪”
Hitomi: “So I really do not have to buy any!”

One hour later...
Hitomi: “Wow, we ate and talked so much! I am satisfied. We have washed the dishes and put them away, so now we can relax for a bit...”
Arisu: “We never run out of things to talk about (laughs). This is your first day moving in—is it all right to spend the whole time in the living room?? Don’t you want to see your room??”
Hitomi: “Oh! You are right! The living room is so comfortable that I got carried away...Let’s go and see my room～.”
Arisu: “Then I will show you upstairs to the second floor.”
Hitomi: “Thank you♪ This spiral staircase with a handrail is very easy to climb. It is nice to have a window by the stairs too.”

Hitomi: “Here is my room! It really is cute♪ It is just as it looked in the photos＾＾ It is completely different from the plain feel of the share houses in France—it feels clean, is stylish, and has everything I need! My bedding and belongings should arrive soon, and once they do, everything will be perfect! I will put my iPad on the desk～. Huh? Was moving house always this easy?? Also, being able to live in such a convenient location from ¥58,000 a month is like heaven.”
Arisu: “That is true. The bed and the window are on the opposite sides in your room compared with mine, Hitomi. Just reversing the layout changes the atmosphere. I like this one too～.”
Hitomi: “Right♪ Ah, I have been jet-lagged ever since coming back from France...I am feeling tired...”
Arisu: “Are you all right? There, there.”

Hitomi: “What is this??”
Arisu: “This is the TV connection provided in every room.”
Hitomi: “It is nice to be able to watch TV in my room too! A lot of share houses do not have this.”
Arisu: “I prefer reading, so I am not putting a TV in my room. May I come and watch yours??”
Hitomi: “Of course～. Let’s watch Disney movies together～♪”

Hitomi: “Of course, every room has its own lock♪ Even though it is reassuring that the house is women-only, we still want to protect our privacy. The handle is simple and stylish too, isn’t it??”

Hitomi: “Hey, can we see any of the other rooms too??”
Arisu: “Only the ones that are available for viewing...♪ Please come into this one.”
Hitomi: “The window in this room is quite large! The breeze feels nice～. The clothes rail is long too, so you can hang lots of clothes.”
Arisu: “This room is a little more spacious, so it is suitable for someone with lots of clothes or someone who wants to add a little more furniture. The desk is spacious too, so you can spread out lots of books!”

Arisu: “Hitomi, I have not told you about the laundry yet! I am going to do my laundry now, so come with me♪ The rule is that any wash must be started by 11:00 p.m., and there is a charge for using the dryer. Please keep that in mind!”
Hitomi: “Yes! Understood!! The noise of a washing machine running late into the night would disturb people. It is reassuring to have rules like this.”

Arisu: “Also, please make sure you clean the bathroom properly after using it♪ Every housemate’s cooperation is essential to keeping everything clean. The toilets, the kitchen...the shared areas are for everyone, so please do your part♪”
Hitomi: “Yes!! That is right. If we all keep things clean as we use them, we can continue living comfortably. Perhaps living in a share house means ‘sharing’ all kinds of things, from everyday life to human warmth.”
【Ding-dong! Delivery!】
Hitomi: “Oh! My things are here! Coming!! Arisu, I will collect my things, then arrange my room while reading an interior design book! Let me know if you need anything♪ I look forward to living with you☆”
Arisu: “Yes! I look forward to living with you too!! From now on, Hitomi, let’s make the most of a fun life together in this share house, ‘sharing’ both loneliness and happiness♪”

And so Arisu’s day came to an end as she looked forward to all the happy moments still to come♪

What did you think, everyone??
Could you picture a little of the wonderful daily life at Grande Shibuya??
As this is a newly built share house, you might still get to be the first to move in?!
Please come and view “Grande Shibuya,” a seven-minute walk from Ikejiri-ohashi Station♪
※ Please note: Arisu and Hitomi do not actually live here.

Finally, here is a video introducing the property!

・*.ﾟHitomi’s “Grande Shibuya” Checkpointsﾟ.*・

★Access	It is a six-minute walk from Ikejiri-ohashi Station! Being just one stop from Shibuya Station, it looks like you can enjoy the city life you have dreamed of.
★Storage	The rooms are compact, so make full use of the under-bed storage, clothes rack, and shelves!
★Style	The grown-up, feminine style creates a relaxing space. The rooms are simple, so arrange yours however you like.
★Rent	¥58,000–¥63,000 per month (common service fee: ¥12,000). Only one stop from Shibuya Station, newly built, and at this rent!! Excellent value★
★Rules	Friends may not visit or stay overnight. Men are not permitted to enter! Smoking is prohibited throughout the building. The management company cleans once a week♪ Residents take turns taking out the trash from the shared areas.
★Kitchen and Bathroom Facilities	There are two kitchens! There are also two bathrooms and as many as three washbasin areas!
★Security	A security camera is in place to keep suspicious people out. The entrance door has a numeric keypad lock.