THE HEADQUARTERS KOBE
A share house in Kobe, for people from anywhere.
Furnished rooms in the heart of the Suidosuji arcade, Nada Ward — 7 minutes on foot from JR Maya or Hankyu Ojikoen, two stops from Sannomiya.
¥39,000–¥47,000/month + ¥14,000 all-in common fee · Move in for ¥50,000 · No key money, no agency fee, no guarantor
- From ¥39,000/mo+ ¥14,000 all-in
- No key moneyno agency fee
- Furnished10 private rooms
What it costs to live here
Everything below is the full price. There is no key money (reikin), no agency fee, and no guarantor company fee — the three charges that usually make renting an apartment in Kobe expensive to start.
| Rent | ¥39,000–¥47,000 / month, depending on the room |
|---|---|
| Common fee | ¥14,000 / month — electricity, gas, water, internet and shared consumables included |
| Total each month | ¥53,000–¥61,000 |
| To move in | ¥50,000 flat (¥25,000 contract & cleaning + ¥25,000 refundable deposit), plus prorated first-month rent |
| Key money | ¥0 |
| Agency fee | ¥0 |
| Guarantor | Not required, in principle |
| Furniture & appliances | ¥0 — bed, futon and sheets, desk, chair and air conditioner are already in the room |
Common fees may vary depending on circumstances. Rooms: 10 in total, across floors 3–5 of the building, plus a rooftop.
See rooms and current vacancies →Renting an apartment in Kobe vs. living here
If you are comparing this with a regular rental apartment in Kobe, the monthly rent is only part of the picture. A standard Japanese lease commonly asks for key money, a deposit, an agency fee and a guarantor company fee before you get the key, and you still have to buy furniture and set up utility contracts yourself.
| Typical apartment in Kobe | The Headquarters Kobe | |
|---|---|---|
| Upfront cost | Commonly several months of rent (key money, deposit, agency fee, guarantor fee) | ¥50,000 flat, half of it refundable |
| Guarantor | Usually required, or a paid guarantor company | Not required, in principle |
| Furniture | Buy it yourself | Already in the room |
| Utilities | Separate contracts and monthly bills | Included in the common fee |
| Internet | Contract and installation | Already connected |
| Minimum term | Usually two years | Six months as a guide |
| Neighbours | Strangers behind a door | A shared kitchen, living room and rooftop |
The trade-off is honest: you get a private room, not a private home. Kitchen, bathroom, living room and rooftop are shared. If that suits you, it is the cheapest realistic way to start living in central Kobe.
Moving here from overseas
A good share of the people who have lived here came from outside Japan — students, working-holiday travellers and people starting a job in Kansai. The practical questions usually come down to these.
- No guarantor. In principle you do not need a Japanese guarantor or a guarantor company. You will need a valid ID, a personal seal (hanko) and an emergency contact number.
- Nothing to buy. The room is furnished and the common fee covers utilities and internet, so there are no contracts to arrange in Japanese before you can live normally.
- English is fine. Send your enquiry in English through the contact form — we will reply in English.
- A viewing is part of the process. We show you the house, sit down in the living room and talk before either side decides. If you are still abroad, tell us your arrival date and we will plan around it.
- Getting around. Sannomiya is two stops away, Kobe University is a short commute, and Osaka is comfortably in range for work or study.
The neighbourhood
The house sits on the main street of the Suidosuji shopping arcade, under the covered roof, next door to the local police box (koban) — which makes it easy to find on any map app. This is a working local shopping street, not a tourist one: cheap vegetables, a fishmonger, a public bathhouse.
- Greengrocer right in front of the building
- Convenience store 30 seconds
- Supermarket 2 minutes
- 100-yen shop 2 minutes
- Ojikoen park 8 minutes
- JR Maya / Hankyu Ojikoen 7 minutes on foot
- Sannomiya two stops by train
About The Headquarters Kobe
The Headquarters Kobe is a share house near Ojikoen Station in Nada Ward, Kobe — right in the middle of the lively Suidosuji shopping arcade. Open-minded residents from the neighbourhood, across Japan, and around the world live together here, sharing inspiration and everyday life.
Every morning starts with a "good morning," and every evening someone greets you home. Cook together, host parties, read on the rooftop, or fire up the BBQ in summer. What you share here isn't just a house — it's life itself.
Frequently asked questions
Is this a "gaijin house"?
It is an international share house. In Japan the words "gaijin house", "guest house" and "share house" are often used for the same kind of place. Residents here are a mix of people from Kobe, from elsewhere in Japan, and from other countries — it is not a foreigners-only building.
How much does it cost per month?
Rent is ¥39,000–¥47,000 depending on the room, plus a flat common fee of ¥14,000 per month — ¥53,000–¥61,000 in total. The common fee covers electricity, gas, water, internet and shared consumables, so there are no separate utility contracts to sign or bills to pay.
What do I pay to move in?
A flat ¥50,000, plus prorated rent for your first month. The ¥50,000 breaks down into ¥25,000 for contract and cleaning and ¥25,000 as a refundable deposit, returned in full when you leave if there is no damage. There is no key money (reikin) and no agency fee.
Do I need a Japanese guarantor?
In principle, no. A guarantor is not required. For the contract you will need a valid ID, a personal seal (hanko), and an emergency contact phone number. The contract is a fixed-term tenancy agreement.
Is the room furnished?
Yes. Each room comes with a bed, futon and sheets, a desk, a chair and an air conditioner, so you can move in with just your personal belongings. The shared kitchen and living areas are fully equipped, so personal fridges, cooking appliances and heaters are not needed in the rooms.
How long do I have to stay?
We generally expect residents to stay six months or longer. Shorter stays can be discussed and may carry a surcharge. To move out, please give at least one month of notice.
Can I apply from outside Japan?
Please get in touch through the contact form and tell us your planned arrival date. Our policy is to meet in person and show you the house before we both decide, so a viewing is part of the process — we will work out the timing with you.
Where exactly is the house?
Nada Ward, Kobe, inside the covered Suidosuji shopping arcade. It is a 7-minute walk from JR Maya Station or Hankyu Ojikoen Station, and two stops from Sannomiya, the centre of Kobe. Kobe University and Osaka are both an easy commute.
See life at the house
