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CompareShare houses in the Shinjuku area compared
Share houses often let you move in without a guarantor, with furniture and utilities included. Compare three things: private room or shared, the minimum stay, and the total you pay to move in.
Pros and cons
| Good | Watch out |
|---|---|
| Furniture and appliances included | Kitchen and bathroom are shared |
| Often no guarantor needed | House rules on guests and noise |
| Utilities and internet often included in rent | Check you can register your address there |
| Meet Japanese and international housemates | Dorm rooms can feel cramped |
Main operators
Oakhouse, Borderless House, Sakura House and Cross House have many international residents. Rooms come and go quickly, so check each site for what is free now.
As an example, Oakhouse's private rooms in and around Nakano were about ¥76,000–¥105,000 a month with no deposit or key money in November 2026, and its help desk answers in Japanese, English, Korean, Chinese and French (Oakhouse).
Checklist before you choose
- Private room or shared?
- What does the rent include (utilities, internet, common fee)?
- Total to pay on moving in (admin fee, deposit)?
- Minimum stay, and the cost of leaving early?
- Can you register your address there at the ward office?
- Women-only or men-only houses available?
- Time to your school or job?
Students have small incomes, so regular apartments are hard to get. Start in a school dormitory or a share house, then move to an...
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