Sharehouse Warai Kobe
シェアハウス和楽居 神戸
Coliving
Sharehouse Warai (和楽居, pronounced "warai") is a network of five sharehouses in Kobe's coastal Tarumi ward, run by hands-on landlord Inoji. The houses stand within a 1–7 minute walk of three JR and Sanyo stations, putting central Kobe 15 minutes away by train and Osaka about 48 minutes. The area sits along the coast near Suma Beach, with supermarkets, an outlet mall (Marine Pia Kobe), and a bathhouse all walkable from the houses.
Each house is renovated with natural materials: shikkui plaster walls, tatami mats, and solid wood flooring. The five properties cover a range of styles. Organic (Tarumi, mixed gender, farming garden and chickens), Grand Blue (Maiko, sea views, women-only bath), Arch (Maiko, women-only), Garden (Kasumigaoka, women-only, pellet stove), and Ocean (Kasumigaoka, large balcony). Each house is fully furnished.
Warai is explicitly English-speaker friendly: online viewings are offered via Zoom, LINE, or Messenger, and a dedicated English page covers all key information. The community ethos is deliberately non-rules-heavy. The management prioritises open conversation over strict enforcement. Events include farming sessions, markets, and community meals. A 2,000–4,000 yen monthly discount is available for English-speaking foreigners staying 6+ months. Each house has a shared kitchen where residents cook for themselves. No meals are provided, but organic vegetable sets are included in the rent at some buildings. Dietary options not confirmed as no food service is available.
Rooms & Pricing
Based on website
22+ private furnished rooms across 5 houses. Min stay: 2 weeks (Organic), 1 month (Maiko), 3 months (Kasumigaoka).
| Room Type | Capacity | Size | Monthly |
|---|---|---|---|
| Organic – Japanese-style room (6 tatami, ~10 sqm) Furnished, natural materials, floor heating, gas fan heater | 1 person | 10 sqm | ¥56,000 |
| Organic – Japanese-style room (8 tatami, ~14 sqm) Furnished, natural materials, floor heating, gas fan heater | 1 person | 14 sqm | ¥59,000 |
| Organic – Western-style room (~17 sqm) Furnished, natural materials, floor heating | 1 person | 17 sqm | ¥65,000 |
| Grand Blue – Room (Maiko area, sea view) Furnished, women-only bath and toilet option, nearby sea | 1 person | — | ¥35,000 |
| Arch – Room (Maiko area, women-only) Furnished, small farming garden, living room rental space available | 1 person | — | ¥40,000 |
| Garden – Room (Kasumigaoka, women-only) Furnished, farming garden, pellet stove | 1 person | — | ¥41,000 |
| Ocean – Room (Kasumigaoka, large balcony) Furnished, large balcony, good sunlight | 1 person | — | ¥35,000 |
| Contract Options | ||
|---|---|---|
| Standard monthly contract | From ¥35,000/month | Minimum stay varies by building: 2 weeks (Organic), 1 month (Maiko houses), 3 months (Kasumigaoka houses). Initial costs include deposit and fire insurance. |
| English-speaker discount | ¥2,000–4,000/month off | Available for English-speaking foreigners who stay 6+ months in Organic or Grand Blue buildings. One spot per building. |
| Early move-in campaign | Ongoing rent discount | Move in within 30 days of viewing for a permanent monthly discount. Additional ¥10,000 gift for booking within 5 days. |
What's Included
Based on website
Fully furnished rooms
Furniture and appliances. Shikkui walls, wood floors.
Shared kitchen
Per house. Organic veg sets included in some buildings.
WiFi
All houses. No coworking. Residents work from rooms.
Farming gardens
Organic: chickens. Garden and Arch also have growing spaces.
Floor heating
Organic building: floor heating and gas fan heaters.
Laundry
Shared laundry facilities in each house.
Online viewing
Via Zoom, LINE, or Messenger. English support available.
Nearby sea and hiking
Beach and outlet mall walkable. Mt Rokko 10 min by train.
5 houses. Arch and Garden are women-only. Short guesthouse stays available for friends-of-residents.
House Rules
Based on website
No strict written rules — the management approach is based on open communication rather than enforcement. If issues arise with shared spaces or communal habits, the management team talks with residents directly. Pets are negotiable with a small surcharge (¥1,000–3,000/month). Couples or groups can inquire about sharing — an additional ¥11,000/month per extra person applies.
Community & Events
Based on website
The community is shaped by landlord Inoji, who takes an active role in resident life rather than managing from a distance. The philosophy is conversation over rules: instead of posting notice boards and enforcement schedules, Inoji works through direct dialogue. Events across the year include farming workshops, neighbourhood markets, cultural activities, and shared meals. The Organic building maintains a farming garden with chickens, and rent in several houses includes an organic vegetable set. The community is intentionally mixed-nationality, with the Organic and Grand Blue buildings actively targeting a balance of Japanese and international residents.
Resident Mix
Mixed Japanese and international residents. English-speaking foreigners are actively welcomed and given rent discounts. Community skews toward people seeking slower coastal living and cross-cultural exchange. No specific age demographic stated.
Getting There
Nearest Station
Tarumi Station / Maiko Station / Kasumigaoka Station (7 min walk)
Lines
See Google Maps
The five houses are spread across three station areas in Tarumi ward. Tarumi Station (JR and Sanyo lines) is the closest hub, with Organic house a 7-minute walk away. Maiko Station serves Grand Blue and Arch (5-minute walk). Kasumigaoka Station is the base for Garden and Ocean houses. Central Kobe (Sannomiya) is about 15 minutes by train. Osaka takes approximately 48 minutes. From Kansai International Airport, take the Haruka limited express to Osaka and then the JR Kobe Line to Tarumi, or transfer at Namba for the Sanyo line.
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