Coliving in Sapporo

When it comes to finding a place to live, in most communities, renting is the most popular choice. In the rental housing market for Sapporo, some renters choose traditional apartment rentals (in Japan, typically a two-year lease). There are also other, less traditional options for renters; Coliving is an example of an alternative housing choice in Japan.

As a part of our series on coliving in Japan, we present some options for renters that want coliving in Sapporo. For more choices of local rental options, see our post about short-term housing options in Sapporo.

In this post, we will provide a list of coliving opportunities and shared houses in Sapporo. For introductions to Sapporo shared houses or real estate agents to rent an apartment in Sapporo, contact us. We are happy to help.

What is Coliving?

Coliving is a term that has become more common in recent years to describe living with others, with at least some living space and common areas shared among tenants that are not family. Coliving amongst friends or acquaintances could have the same meaning as “being roommates,” with one or more tenants’ names on the lease, and some arrangement for splitting the monthly rental fee and utilities.

Coliving more commonly describes larger groups of people (as many as 10 or more), and usually involves some kind of formal structure for the communal living, commonly a for-profit company that manages the co-op living space. Unlike roommate scenarios, coliving spaces are often furnished, and include utilities like electricity and internet access, as well as household items for shared spaces like kitchens and living rooms.

The advantages of share houses lie in their convenience. Most share houses come fully furnished, saving tenants the hassle and cost of buying furniture. Additionally, utilities and internet fees are typically included in the rent, simplifying monthly budgeting.
— Anton Wormann (from his book, Free Houses in Japan)

You can often arrange a coliving stay in Japan faster and easier than a typical apartment. Coliving and shared houses in Japan are more convenient, and allow their residents to avoid the apartment move-in fees in Japan (like key money), as well as the need for a guarantor (which is required for many standard apartment leases in Japan).

One key difference between typical roommates and coliving spaces in Sapporo, is that in coliving the residents may come and go more often. The length of the lease for a coliving contract can be as short as a week or two, or as long as a year (or more). Unlike living with roommates, coliving houses are often for-profit, with professional ownership that manages the contracts and enforce house rules. When the coliving space is run by a for-profit manager or company, the residents may have no opportunity to meet, interview, or approve new residents, and may have no notice of the coming and going of housemates.

The three most common reasons for choosing coliving housing are: 1.) To intentionally live with others, with a sense of shared community, 2.) To save money versus more private accommodations, and, 3.) Because coliving spaces allow the renter a simple, short-term lease, where apartment rental fees are included in the rent, and the renters can select a shorter term for the lease.

Some share houses have a certain “concept” to appeal to a group of people; examples are share houses that focus on exercise, coliving spaces for entrepreneurs, and female-only share houses in Sapporo. These exist in other locations as well; there are other popular coliving housing in Osaka and other Japanese cities.

Sapporo Share Houses

Coliving spaces are often called share houses in Sapporo, with multiple people living in a house, an apartment unit, or or building with shared facilities.

Share houses in Japan are often foreigner-friendly, and can cater to working holiday visitors, digital nomads, and other long stays in Japan. Some coliving spaces in Japan are marketed to foreigners, and the intentional focus on community can create a situation with several international residents living together.

With coliving housing in Japan, there is typically a shared building where each individual contracts with the owner to rent their own “room”; perhaps only a bedroom. Other features such as a bathroom, kitchen, washing machine, etc., are shared among the residents. This is common in a house-type share house. There are also apartment-type share houses where the units are more private (like typical apartments), but with some communal spaces and appliances shared between residents.

While the typical lease for an apartment in Japan is for two years with automatic renewal, and no predetermined end date, the lease for a share house in Sapporo is typically for a set period of time. The length of stay is specified in the contract. If the resident would like to stay longer, they can check with the manager (in advance) to see if space is available, and a new lease can be signed.

If your stay is between a few months and two years, and if you would prefer the community-style living, a Sapporo share house might be for you.

List of Sapporo Share Houses

Share Sapporo

1. Location: Chuo-ku
2. Type: Share House
3. Website: https://hokkaido.hituji.jp/comret/info/hokkaido/sapporo/share-sapporo
4. Management Company: Plus
5. Phone number: 011-769-0922

Share house 180° Yamahana

1. Location: Chuo-ku
2. Type: Share House (Female only)
3. Website: https://www.sharehouse180.net/houses/sh-yamahana/
4. Management Company: Share House 180
5. Phone number: 052-898-2714

DK House

1. Location: Chuo-ku
2. Type: Share House
3. Website: https://www.e-guesthouse.com/eng/sapporo/
4. Management Company: Daiichi-Kousan
5. Phone number: 080-4064-5183

CHEFIE

1. Location: Chuo-ku
2. Type: Good food share house
3. Website: https://chefie-sapporo.com
4. Management Company: Share House 180
5. Phone number: 080-4958-7938

The World Apartment Co&Co

1. Location: Chuo-ku
2. Type: Share House
3. Website: https://world-apartment.com/
4. Management Company: Co & Co
5. Phone number: 011-522-5320

GAKUIE

1. Location: Kita-ku
2. Type: Share House
3. Website: https://www.gakuie-sapporo.com/
4. Management Company: GAKUIE
5. Phone number: –

Minna house Makomanai

1. Location: Minami-ku
2. Type: Children raising share house
3. Website: http://www.minnahouse.com/
4. Phone number: kuni.nkd@gmail.com

Blossom

1. Location: Kita-ku
2. Type: Share house (female only)
3. Website: https://japanese.blossomhousejapan.com/
4. Management Company: Blossom
5. Phone number: blossomhousejapan@gmail.com

DreamHouse R&D

1. Location: Toyohira-ku
2. Type: Dieting Share House
3. Website: http://sharehouse-sapporo.com/
4. Phone number: dreamhouse_rundiet@yahoo.co.jp

Alternatives to Coliving in Sapporo

While the communal living style has some attractive characteristics, some lifestyles might benefit from other choices for renting short-term apartments in Sapporo.

If you would prefer a private, furnished apartment in Sapporo, or the lower cost of a traditional Sapporo apartment for rent, contact us. We’re happy to introduce you to local Sapporo apartment rental agents that can help you find what you need.

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For More Information:

— A list of the major real estate portal sites in Japan
— Compilation of Sapporo guest houses
— Information about Niseko Property
— What you need to know to rent an apartment in Sapporo
— The steps of buying a house in Sapporo
— Asahikawa real estate
— Detailed information about real estate in Otaru