Borderless House Kobe-Motomachi
ボーダレスハウス神戸元町
ColivingCoworking
Borderless House Kobe-Motomachi is an international share house in the heart of the Motomachi and Sannomiya district, a 4-minute walk from JR and Hanshin Motomachi Station and 3 minutes from Kobe Subway Kenchomae. The building spans five floors and accommodates up to 12 residents from Japan and abroad, with roughly half the community being Japanese nationals. Monthly rent runs from ¥51,000 to ¥64,000, plus a ¥9,000 to ¥12,000 utility and internet fee.
The house runs on cultural exchange as its core concept. Residents set cleaning rules together, share a common kitchen and living space, and frequently go out as a group to explore Kobe's harbor, Nankin-machi (Chinatown), and the Kitano area. A local farmer delivers fresh vegetablesto the house weekly. Residents cook for themselves in the shared kitchen. As a self-catering arrangement, any dietary preference. Vegetarian, vegan, or otherwise. Is entirely manageable. There is no dedicated coworking space, but each room has a desk, chair, and high-speed WiFi.
Rooms & Pricing
Based on website
Private (1p, 10-14 sqm) and shared twin (2p, 15-19 sqm). Desk, bed, AC, WiFi in every room.
| Room Type | Capacity | Size | Monthly |
|---|---|---|---|
| Private Room for 1 (large, ~13-14 sqm) Desk, desk lamp, chair, bed, bookshelf, clothing storage, air conditioner, WiFi | 1 person | 13-14 sqm | ¥64,000 |
| Private Room for 1 (standard, ~10-11 sqm) Desk, desk lamp, chair, bed, bookshelf, clothing storage, air conditioner, WiFi | 1 person | 10-11 sqm | ¥61,000 |
| Shared Room for 2 (large, 19.21 sqm) Desk, desk lamp, chair, bed, bookshelf, clothing storage, air conditioner, WiFi | 2 people | 19.21 sqm | ¥52,000 |
| Shared Room for 2 (standard, 14.91 sqm) Desk, desk lamp, chair, bed, bookshelf, clothing storage, air conditioner, WiFi | 2 people | 14.91 sqm | ¥51,000 |
| Contract Options | ||
|---|---|---|
| Standard contract | From ¥51,000/month + ¥9,000-12,000 utilities and internet | Initial fee of ¥45,000 (¥30,000 key money + ¥15,000 cleaning fee) plus first month's rent and utilities. Minimum 1-month stay. No guarantor required. Move-in possible within 2 days of reservation. Optional bedding set rental for ¥12,000 one-time fee. |
What's Included
Based on website
Shared kitchen
2 microwaves, 2 freezers, rice cooker. Shared meal prep.
WiFi
High-speed wireless internet in all rooms and common areas.
Desk and workspace in room
Each room includes a desk, desk lamp, and chair.
Shared bathroom
Shared between residents. Bathtub available.
Washing machine
Shared laundry in common area.
TV and living area
Shared living and dining space with TV.
Balcony
Balcony access from common area.
Bicycle parking
Parking for bicycles on premises.
Air conditioning
Each room has its own air conditioner.
Bedding rental ¥12,000 one-time (futon, sheet, pillow). Non-smoking building. No dedicated workspace.
House Rules
Based on website
House rules are set collaboratively by residents, including cleaning rotas for common areas. The building is operated by Borderless House staff, reachable by phone or LINE. Shoes are removed at the entrance. No guarantor required to move in. If your preferred room is not available, a waiting list is available and you will be notified when a vacancy opens.
Community & Events
Based on website
The house brings together residents from multiple countries with roughly half being Japanese. Housemates regularly go out together to explore Kobe — harbor walks, Nankin-machi's Chinatown, and local festivals including the Chinese New Year celebrations in the neighborhood. The house also receives fresh vegetable deliveries from a local farmer each week, which often becomes a cooking event. Community rules, including cleaning schedules, are set collaboratively by residents. Events and group outings are organized informally through housemate communication.
Resident Mix
Approximately 50% Japanese, 50% international. Current residents have included English teachers, engineers, and students from Europe, Southeast Asia, and Japan. Age range typically 20s to 30s. English is commonly used in common areas; Japanese is spoken by most Japanese residents.
Getting There
Nearest Station
JR/Hanshin Motomachi Station (4 min walk)
Lines
See Google Maps
The nearest stations are JR/Hanshin Motomachi Station (4-minute walk) and Kobe Subway Kenchomae Station (3-minute walk). Sannomiya Station, Kobe's main transport hub, is a 15-minute walk or one stop by train. From Osaka (Umeda), JR Kobe Line to Motomachi takes approximately 30 minutes. From Kansai International Airport, take the Haruka Limited Express or the airport bus to Sannomiya (approximately 65 minutes).
Explore more near Motomachi
Been here? Help us improve this listing
Some details about Borderless House Kobe-Motomachi haven't been verified yet. If you've worked from here, help fellow nomads by sharing what you know.
Share your experience