Why KIKO from Spain Chose GRAN17: An Interview About Share House Living in Osaka

Thank you for having me!

Yes. There were many things I did not understand at first, but I have now become quite comfortable with life in Osaka.

That’s true. It was my first time living in Japan, so even finding a place to live was not easy. I felt that renting a standard Japanese apartment from overseas would be quite difficult.

Yes. I looked into hotels as well as weekly and monthly furnished apartments.

Hotels are convenient for a few days, but they become very expensive if you stay for a month or longer. Weekly and monthly apartments are convenient because they are furnished, but I also felt they were expensive once the monthly rent, cleaning fees, and other charges were included.

Exactly. Buying all your furniture and appliances immediately after arriving in Japan is difficult. I think it is an especially significant burden for people who are not yet sure how long they will stay in Japan.

I have a private room. The monthly rent is ¥30,000, and the monthly service fee is ¥15,000, so I pay a total of ¥45,000 per month.

It is helpful that the monthly payment is so clear and easy to understand. I did not need to arrange separate utility contracts or apply for Wi-Fi by myself.

Yes. Compared with a traditional rental apartment or a hotel, I was able to keep my initial expenses much lower.

The furniture and appliances were already provided. After arriving in Japan, I did not need to purchase a bed, refrigerator, washing machine, or other essential items.

Yes. There is also a shared kitchen and living room, and everything I needed for daily life was already available.

Exactly. I can relax in my own room when I want some time alone, and I can go to the shared areas when I feel like talking to someone. I think it provides a good balance between privacy and social interaction.

At first, I was worried because I did not understand the procedures or know which documents were required. However, once I had a confirmed address, it became easier to move forward with the other necessary procedures.

Yes. Having a safe and comfortable place to live was extremely important when I had only recently arrived in Japan.

I pay ¥45,000 per month, including utilities and Wi-Fi, so I have been able to keep my housing expenses affordable. This means I can spend more money on travelling, eating out, and having different experiences in Japan.

Yes. Because it is easy to understand how much I need to pay each month, it is also easier to plan my living expenses.

I enjoy meeting people from different countries and regions. Even when I had only recently arrived in Japan, there were people at home I could talk to, which made me feel more comfortable than living alone.

Yes. Sometimes people help me when there is something I do not understand, and we occasionally eat together. I think one of the best things about living in a share house is being able to learn about different cultures and ways of thinking.

You have your own private room while also having opportunities to meet and connect with many different people. At GRAN17, residents sometimes eat together or have drinks together, so everyday life here is fun and enjoyable!

Thank you!