Studying abroad in Japan is exciting. New language, new culture, new opportunities. But one factor that students often underestimate is who they live with.
Living with other international students in Japan does more than solve accommodation. It shapes your confidence, your language progress, your friendships, and even your career direction.
Here is why it changes everything.
1. You Build an Instant Support System
Moving to Japan can feel overwhelming at first. Registering at city hall. Opening a bank account. Figuring out train lines. Understanding garbage rules.
When you live with other international students, you are not doing it alone.
You share information.
You solve problems together.
You celebrate small wins together.
That first week becomes less stressful and more exciting because someone else understands exactly what you are going through.
2. Your Japanese Improves Faster
Even if your housemates are not Japanese, living in an international environment naturally pushes you to communicate more.
You practice:
- Daily conversation
- Cultural expressions
- Real life vocabulary
And when students attend language school or university during the day, the sharehouse becomes a place to review, practice, and motivate each other at night.
For students preparing for JLPT or academic programs, this daily reinforcement makes a big difference.
3. You Experience Global Networking in One Home
Japan attracts students from all over the world. When you live together, your home becomes an international hub.
You learn about:
- Different education systems
- Different creative styles
- Different career paths
These conversations shape your worldview and often spark collaborations that would never happen in a private apartment.
4. You Feel Less Isolated
Homesickness is normal.
But cooking together, studying together, and even struggling with kanji together reduces that feeling of isolation.
Many students say their closest friendships in Japan did not start in class. They started in the kitchen.
5. For Creative Students, It Mirrors Real Life in Japan
For students in creative fields, especially manga, your living environment directly impacts your growth.
At Casa Tokiwa, DEOW Japan’s sharehouse, students in our manga program live alongside other creatives. This creates an environment similar to what aspiring manga artists experience in Japan.
In real life, many upcoming artists in Japan live in shared spaces, work late hours, exchange feedback, and motivate each other through deadlines and creative blocks.
At Casa Tokiwa:
- Students share ideas
- Review each other’s drafts
- Stay inspired through community
- Build discipline through routine
It is not just housing. It is preparation for the real creative industry experience.
For students in our manga program, this environment reinforces what they learn in class and turns practice into lifestyle.
6. You Grow Personally in Ways You Did Not Expect
Living with people from different cultures teaches:
- Patience
- Communication
- Adaptability
- Independence
These are skills employers value and creative industries demand.
By the time you finish your program in Japan, you are not just academically stronger. You are more resilient and globally aware.
Why This Matters When Choosing Your Study Abroad Plan
Accommodation is often treated as a checkbox. But in reality, it shapes your entire Japan experience.
Choosing to live with other international students means choosing:
- Community over isolation
- Collaboration over independence alone
- Growth over comfort
At DEOW Japan, we do not just help you apply to schools. We help you build an environment where you can truly thrive.
If you are considering studying Japanese, entering a university program, or joining our manga course, think carefully about where and with whom you want to live.
Sometimes, the people around you change everything.
If you are ready to start planning your study experience in Japan, our team is here to help you design the right path from school to housing and beyond.
