Summary】Interviews with Social Apartment Residents

Social Apartment is an exchange-style rental apartment with a lounge and other ample common spaces. Social apartments are not only for living, but also for socializing with other residents at just the right distance from each other, and for deep exchanges of shared interests and values.

With approximately 3,000 residents living in about 50 properties in the Kanto and Kansai regions, there are as many stories to tell about Social Apartment as there are residents.

In this issue, we have compiled interviews with nine residents under the theme of "encounters, changes, and growth at Social Apartment.
Are you interested in social apartments but not sure if they are right for you? Or maybe you have decided to move in, but are not sure if you will fit in well.... There may be people who are interested in social apartments but are not sure if it is right for them.

We are sure that the stories of our residents will provide you with hints on how to find your own unique way to interact with them.

Maybe this is the only time I can do this..." Yukiko, a resident of Neighbors Kyoto Nijojo, who gained a "light" mindset after moving into a social apartment.

Yukiko, who lives in Neighbors Kyoto Nijojo, is a senior social apartment resident who has lived in four different social apartments.

She may have always been an active person, but her range of activities and friendships used to be limited. What kind of days have passed that she has changed to the point where she is now known as "Yuki-chan, the light-footed one.

Why a new graduate who moved to Tokyo at the age of 22 chose to live in a social apartment even if she had to give up her savings. ｜Neighbors Higashijujo Kouga

Koga was born and raised in Osaka and had never lived alone before.
He decided to move to Tokyo when he joined a new company as a new graduate. While he was determined to be independent, he was also worried that living alone in Tokyo might make him feel depressed, something that many people who move to Tokyo face. What kind of days awaited her at the social apartment she chose to avoid such anxiety?

The Possibility of My Expression Expanded by Connections|Ramu Neighbors Miyamaedaira

Ramu's work includes singing, dancing, design, calligraphy, and other forms of "expression.
She has lived at Neighbors Miyamaedaira for seven and a half years, where there are dance studios, soundproof rooms, and other common spaces where she can immerse herself in her creative work.

When she first moved in, she was sometimes at a loss as to when to join the community. One event led her to add a new color to her activities of expression.

Circle Creators] A Taste of Home Connects the Circle｜Neighbors Kasai Mo

One of the charms of social apartments is that they allow residents to connect with each other beyond the boundaries of the property. The resident-only application has a "Circle" function that allows residents to interact with each other based on common hobbies and interests.

One such circle that stands out from the rest is the "Chinese Cooking Challenge! Circle.
We interviewed the leader of the circle, Ms. Mo, who is challenging herself to try such surprising dishes as grilled whole carp and stir-fried crawfish, about the exchange that is born through the tastes of her hometown.

Social Apartment as a "Third Place"|Neighbors Esaka Monica

Monica is a university student who was born and raised in Brisbane, Australia, and moved to Japan when she entered high school.
While she was perplexed by the "air-reading" culture unique to Japan, she says that one event changed her sense of values dramatically.
What kind of "place" did the social apartment become for her?

What is it like to be a student in an environment where people of all ages and nationalities intersect?

Social apartments are home to residents of all ages, mainly in their 20s and 30s.
Some may feel that it is a little too early for students. However, Ms. Ogawa dares to make it a place where students can live in a comfortable environment.
However, Mr. Ogawa chose to venture into this environment and live as a student in order to be exposed to a diverse range of values. What impact did the interaction beyond age and position have on his time as a student? This is a double feature, Part1 and Part 2.

Neighbors Saginuma OBOG Interview|Yachan Part "What I wish I could tell myself back then

Yacchan, who spent an intense time as an opening member, is a past resident of Neighbors Saginuma.
Now, as an OBOG, she looks back on those days and says she has "something she wants to tell herself back then.
What impact did living at Social Apartment have on Yacchan's life?

Neighbors Saginuma OBOG Interview|Shigeto-san's part: "The role of connecting the charms of people gathered here.

Like Yacchan-san, Shigeto-san lived as an opening member. He says that the Corona disaster increased his desire to get involved with people, and he found himself taking on a certain role, even though he is a shy person.

What kind of place was the social apartment for Shigeto during his limited two-year stay?

From zero Japanese to daily conversation level in just 6 months! The language skills and community he gained because of the Social Apartment｜Josh, World Neighbors Kiyosumi Shirakawa

Living with people beyond cultural and language differences.
For foreign nationals who have just arrived in Japan, it can be a big challenge.

When Josh-san first came to Japan, he could only speak Japanese as a greeting,
But through daily contact with residents of various nationalities, ages, and backgrounds, he was able to improve his Japanese to the level of daily conversation in just 6 months,
He says that he was able to improve his Japanese to a daily conversational level in just 6 months. What was it about his time at the social apartment that changed him?