Curious what it’s really like to live in an international share house in Kyoto? 
For many people, moving into a share house isn’t just about finding a place to live — it’s about stepping into a new chapter of growth, connection, and discovery.

This time, we spoke with Nami, one of the residents at Borderless House Kyoto-Kamigamo. She decided to join because she wanted to meet people from all over the world and experience multicultural living firsthand.

From daily dinners with friends from six different countries to spontaneous parties that light up the house every night, her first month has been filled with energy, laughter, and plenty of new lessons about life in a share house community.

So, what does everyday life in Borderless House Kyoto-Kamigamo look like?
Let’s hear Nami’s story — from her first impressions to her favorite moments — and find out why she believes this experience is something everyone should try at least once.

Living and Learning in an International Community

—To start off, could you tell us how long you’ve been living at Borderless House Kyoto-Kamigamo and what made you decide to start living in a share house?

Hello! I’m Nami, and I’ve been living here for about one month. For the next few posts, I’ll be sharing what I’ve learned from my life in a share house—what makes it exciting, heartwarming, and sometimes even a little surprising! I hope this gives readers a real sense of what daily life is like at Borderless House, and maybe inspires someone to experience it too.

There’s always something happening—welcome parties, shared dinners, or spontaneous movie nights. The house feels alive every day. Honestly, the foreign housemates have so much energy! Sometimes I wonder where they get it from, but their positivity always lifts my mood.

—What’s a typical evening like at the house? Do you often cook together?

Generally, everyone cooks their own dinner, but we often end up eating together in the kitchen or living room. Since our residents come from Japan, Korea, France, Italy, Germany, and Australia, there’s always a new smell or flavor drifting through the house.

One night, our Korean housemate made jjigae (Korean stew) for everyone—it was so delicious! These little moments make me realize how special it is to share daily life with people from all over the world.

“Living here isn’t just about sharing a space — it’s about sharing cultures, stories, and laughter every single day.”

—Can you tell us more about the kinds of cultural exchanges that happen through food?

Absolutely! Food is one of the biggest parts of our life here. Another time, our French housemates treated everyone to homemade apple crumble, and it was amazing! We even made Ton-jiru (Japanese pork soup) together after my Korean housemate saw it on a Japanese TV show called Midnight Diner. Ironically, I hadn’t even heard of the show until they mentioned it!

I actually learn a lot about Japanese culture through the eyes of my foreign housemates—like anime, manga, and traditional dishes I never paid attention to before. It’s funny how they sometimes end up teaching me about my own culture.

“Food brings us together — every meal becomes a small cultural exchange.”

What Makes Borderless House Special

—What do you usually do together after dinner?

After dinner, the fun continues! We often watch Japanese anime or movies together, play card games from different countries, or just chat about our day.

The latest anime marathon we had was Food Wars — perfect for our food-loving house! When we play cards, it’s always a mix of Japanese and international games, so someone’s always explaining the rules to others.

At Borderless House Kyoto-Kamigamo, it’s so natural to talk and laugh together. When someone comes home, we greet each other and share how our day went. Even if you’re just cooking, someone will pop in and ask, “What are you making tonight?” 

Every day here feels fun and warm — it really feels like home.

—How would you describe Borderless House to someone who’s never lived in a share house before?

It’s more than just a place to live. It’s a community where people from different backgrounds naturally become friends. You don’t just rent a room—you become part of a multicultural family.

It’s not always perfect, but the warmth and understanding that grow from living together make every experience valuable. I’ve learned to be more open, patient, and grateful.

Overcoming Initial Worries About Share House Life

—Did you have any concerns before moving into a share house?

Yes, definitely. Before moving in, I worried whether I could communicate well with people from other countries, or if I’d have to completely change my lifestyle. I thought it might be hard to balance my routine with living in a community.

But once I moved into Borderless House Kyoto-Kamigamo, all those worries disappeared. I can keep my normal schedule for school and work while naturally spending time with my housemates. There are no strict rules about curfews or bath times — everyone respects each other’s routines.

That’s what I love most: I can be myself while still connecting with amazing people from around the world.

“You don’t have to change your life to live in a share house — it just adds more color to it.”

A Message to Future Borderless House Residents

—Lastly, what would you say to someone thinking about moving into a share house?

I would 100% recommend it! You’ll meet new friends, experience different cultures, and learn so much about yourself along the way. Every day is a new discovery, and every housemate adds something special to your life.

Living in an international share house in Kyoto has truly changed how I see the world — and I’m so excited to share more stories soon from our community at Borderless House Kyoto-Kamigamo!