What is the difference between "Social Apartments" and "Share Houses"?
This question often comes up, so what would AI think? We asked the recently popular ChatGPT for insights.

... It’s still somewhat unclear.
Therefore, in this article, we'll explain the differences between Social Apartments and Share Houses, starting from their origins.

The Origins of Social Apartments

Social Apartments are one of the services provided by Global Agents, Inc. This modern apartment concept includes traditional private rooms as well as fully-equipped shared spaces, such as lounges, designed to encourage interaction among residents.
For more insights on Social Apartments, check out this article!

Advantages and Disadvantages of Social Apartments as Seen Through Reviews and Feedback

Have you ever seen the term "Social Apartment"? In this article, we introduce Social Apartments by examining reviews, explaining the differences from Share Houses, and discussing who might be best suited to this lifestyle!

The first Social Apartment was released in 2006, and its founder, Mr. Yamazaki, shared the following insights on its beginnings.

In around 2004, various social networking services (SNS) like Mixi and GREE in Japan, as well as MySpace and Hi5 overseas, emerged, and it was predicted that the online world would continue to become more social. Experiencing SNS myself, I found it genuinely engaging and began to wonder if this desire for connection also existed beyond the internet, in real life. That’s when I thought, "Wouldn't it be interesting to create an SNS in the real world?"

Quoted from the interview

Social Apartments were born from the desire to foster communities within living environments, recognizing the innate human need for connection with others.

Since the launch of Social Apartments,

various sharing services have emerged, and the "sharing economy" has gained popularity in the 2010s. This concept, in which people share rather than own, has become widely accepted. Riding this wave, Social Apartments gained further traction and spread even faster.

Then, in 2020.
During a time when it became challenging for people to connect in person due to COVID-19, Social Apartments opened five new properties, all of which quickly reached full occupancy.
The initial vision of Mr. Yamazaki that the desire for connection is not fully satisfied digitally and eventually returns offline was remarkably proven correct.

The Origins of Share Houses

The concept of share houses in Japan was inspired by trends in the United States.

In the 1980s, the U.S. saw rapid inflation, with costs of goods rising, and rental prices increasing by 30-50% over about a decade. This made rents in university dorms and apartments near campuses quite high, affecting the lives of students and young people. In response, they began to share rooms and live together to reduce living costs, marking the origin of share houses.

Unlike Social Apartments, the core DNA of share houses is built on mutual support for the purpose of living together affordably. However, this DNA has evolved under significant influence from societal trends.

From the 2000s onwards, consumer interest shifted from "owning goods" to "experiencing things." With the spread of the internet and SNS, people began to value experiences and communication more than physical possessions. As a result, people living in share houses became more focused on the experience of share house life itself rather than simply lowering living costs. Consequently, more concept-driven share houses started to emerge in society.

These new concept share houses are gaining attention as spaces not just for living but for pursuing lifestyle, learning, and creativity. Thus, the appeal of share houses lies in the balance of reducing living costs through shared living while enhancing life experiences and forming communities.

Explaining the Differences Between Social Apartments and Share Houses by Key Criteria

Exploring each of their histories reveals:

This shows a fundamental difference between the two.

So, in what specific ways do Social Apartments differ from Share Houses?

Let’s compare them along these two dimensions.

Difference 1: Rent

Rent varies greatly by property, but Social Apartments are generally more expensive than Share Houses. This is due to Share Houses traditionally being a cost-saving living option.

For Social Apartments, the rent is typically comparable to or slightly higher than a 1-room rental in the same area. Share Houses, by comparison, average about 70-80% of the rental cost of a 1-room apartment in the same area.

Some Share Houses are available at about 60% of the area’s average rent, giving them a clear cost advantage. However, cheaper costs often come with fewer amenities or services, which is a potential downside.

Difference 2: Private Rooms

For Share Houses, recent demand has led to more private rooms with water facilities and even mini kitchens, to allow residents to manage daily life independently. However, such rooms remain limited.

Social Apartments, on the other hand, were designed with the concept of having private spaces within a communal setting, so they more commonly offer rooms with attached water facilities and kitchens.

Difference 3: Capacity

While some Share Houses accommodate as few as 5-6 people, Social Apartments tend to house 40-60 residents on average due to their focus on community-building.

Some Share Houses have also increased in scale, with properties for up to 100 people, depending on the concept. Generally, though, Share Houses average about 6-15 residents.

Difference 4: Shared Facilities

Social Apartments feature impressive shared facilities. With high rents and a large resident base, these spaces are often well-equipped, offering facilities like movie theaters, gyms, bars, cafes, lounges, workspaces, billiards, and the latest appliances.

Residents live surrounded by stylish interiors and high design standards. Such luxurious shared facilities not only enhance quality of life but also play an essential role in fostering community. Some Share Houses offer similar amenities, though not at the same level as Social Apartments.

Difference 5: Application Process

Share Houses originally aimed to assist people with high rent costs, and the culture of Share Houses in Japan became popular among international residents, making them accessible to anyone.

As a result, many Share Houses offer a faster move-in process with minimal screening. The speed of the process is a significant advantage.

Social Apartments, on the other hand, typically require a screening process similar to general rentals.
Additionally, there is a screening to assess the applicant’s compatibility with the community, ensuring the maintenance of a stable, high-quality community.

Difference 6: Facility Events

Social Apartments actively hold events within the properties to promote community building among residents. You can see the types of events they organize by checking their official Instagram, among other sources.

As for Share Houses, not all of them focus on building a community, as this aspect heavily depends on the management company’s principles.

For example, JR East Social Design, a Share House management company, is led by Mr. Asou, who envisions the Share House as a place where you can form relationships “closer than friends but not quite family.”

This is why JR East actively organizes events within the Share Houses and also across different properties.

＞＞　Comparison Summary　＜＜

So, having examined the history and key criteria, do you now understand the difference between Social Apartments and Share Houses?

Social Apartments and Share Houses may not differ much in terms of having private rooms and shared facilities. However, if we look at the concept of building a community, the differences become much clearer.

Ultimately, you won’t truly understand until you visit a Share House for a tour to feel the atmosphere and speak with the management company. Once you find a Share House you like, feel free to inquire and schedule a viewing.
We hope you find a wonderful Share House lifestyle.

High-Quality Share Houses Often Compared to Social Apartments

Finally, let’s introduce a share house that is frequently considered alongside Social Apartments.

Share Place Mitaka

With 112 rooms, this share house offers a stimulating environment that can lead to meeting diverse people, discovering new hobbies, and personal growth.

✔ Host dinners in the spacious dining area.
✔ Focus on work in a cozy window-side seat.
✔ Enjoy movie nights in the theater room, sharing your favorite films.
✔ Take a solo break on the rooftop for a change of scenery.
✔ Relax in the generously sized 8.2-tatami mat private rooms.

Share Place Seiseki Sakuragaoka

The theme is “Living with Nature in a Shared Lifestyle.”
This property offers a unique lifestyle experience, featuring an expansive deck and outdoor space with a lush green courtyard that enhances your daily life.

✔ The spacious lounge is a comfortable area adaptable to your needs!
✔ Enjoy BBQs with housemates on the outdoor deck.
✔ Relax on the private deck surrounded by greenery, perfect for peaceful moments.
✔ Unwind in a spacious private room of 8 tatami mats.

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A new lifestyle concept combining the functions of a shared apartment, shared office, and shared space.

✔ Convenient access to five different train lines, including the Yamanote, Keihin-Tohoku, and Chuo lines
✔ Spacious lounge for relaxing, gathering, and versatile use
✔ Enjoy the fresh feel of the terrace garden, reminiscent of a forest
✔ Relax in a spacious private room of 9 tatami mats.

Share Place Denenchofu Minami

An upscale community for adults who share similar interests.

✔ Enjoy the rooftop vegetable garden, wood deck, and nature access with the Tama River just a 2-minute walk away.
✔ "COYA" - a dedicated workspace perfect for remote work
✔ "SHIBAFU" - a camping area for active relaxation
✔ Spacious private rooms of over 8 tatami mats, professionally managed to provide peace of mind, especially for those new to shared living.

Share Place Higashi-Kanagawa 99

A communication village under the wide sky and sunshine.

✔ A large share house for 99 residents! Two towering buildings on a hilltop.
✔ Complete with shared spaces, including a theater room, a Japanese-style room, a rooftop with views of Mt. Fuji, and a café-style living area.
✔ Units with garages for those who enjoy life alongside their beloved car.
✔ Units with lofts for maximized space usage.

Below is a list of social share houses that feature large lounges for interaction with others, as well as units with private washrooms, toilets, and kitchens. Take a look at the various properties available!