Life at SOCIAL APARTMENT

Figure 1: Daily ordeal at Nakamise-Dori Asakusa is a town of rich culture and history unparalleled by other suburbs. Formerly known as the downtown hub of nightlife and entertainment during the Edo period, Asakusa now is known for its many tourist attractions and cultural festivities. Unlike most developed suburbs in Tokyo, Asakusa has retained its cultural heritage through its conservation of historic architecture from the Edo period. This makes Asakusa a town of curiosity for many tourists, but don’t count out Asakusa as just a tourist destination. In a town with a deeply rooted heritage, is where one of the sleekest Social Apartments calls Asakusa home. Only a 12-minute walk from Asakusa station, Entwine Asakusa is one of our latest Social Apartments to undergo a full property renovation in March 2020. With a modern design that contrasts to the more dated image of Asakusa, we gave our property a polished and youthful look. ENTWINE ASAKUSA Figure 2: Quick get-together at the lounge Entwine Asakusa is abundant in facilities. We have installed 3 spacious system kitchens and 1 large island kitchen for a content cooking experience. The lounge is designed for optimal opportunities to entwine and unwind, a space that encourages both socialization and relaxation with its many seating options. At the very top of the property you will find a fashionably fenced rooftop terrace, the prime place to kick back with some afternoon drinks. The terrace offers views of another city landmark, Tokyo Skytree. Figure 3: Rooftop terrace for prime views of East Asakusa. The property holds 50 rooms all fully furnished, with a single bed, desk, chair, and refrigerator. A place that can be called home comfortably without the hassle of preparing furnishings upon move-in, this is the ideal property for people who wish to move in on the fly. From Asakusa Station, you hold access to the Ginza-line, Asakusa-line, and the Tobu Skytree Line; lines that conveniently take you to some of the most popular inner-city suburbs in Tokyo. With close access to convenience stores, supermarkets, restaurants, and bars all no more than 6-minutes in walking distance from the property, Entwine Asakusa is the perfect place to start your new Tokyo experience. RECOMMENDED PLACES Figure 4: Skating alongside Sumida River during spring. Sumida River (Riverside) A 4-minute walk from the property, you will come across a grand river that flows through the east of Asakusa. Sumida River runs through Tokyo branching from the Arakawa River, ultimately leading to the Tokyo Bay. The riverside is popular as a walking destination with great views of the river and Tokyo Skytree. A ferry can be caught along the river from Asakusa, leading south until it reaches the famous artificial island of Odaiba. During the day, you will find many local joggers and dog walkers enjoying a scenic outing along the riverside. What is not known however, is that the riverside is a popular meetup spot in the evening for locals to gather. You will find groups of all sorts, from fishermen, local skateboarders, eccentric musicians to groups of lively salarymen. During the summer and spring, the riverside is cool and warm, the perfect spot for friends to kick it over a few conbini drinks. Figure 5: Chikaokun, the mascot character that greets you at the entrance of the underground district. Asakusa Underground District (Chikagai) My favorite spot in Asakusa, the oldest underground shopping district is the right amount of culture and grit, giving flavour to a town already overflowing with it. Walking down the entrance of the underground district, you are greeted by a wave of humidity that envelops you. Traversing the underground you will find it all, from possibly the cheapest standing soba shop in Tokyo (300yen), a 700yen barber, shady looking fortune tellers, traditional Taiwanese massage parlors, to lively bars and izakaya’s echoing with the laughter of locals. The underground is lively between the times of 7pm to 10pm. A fun place just to stroll through, immerse yourself in the energy of a place stuck in time in the underbelly of Asakusa. Sento (Public Baths) For many of you, a public bath may be the thought of a nightmare. Exposing yourself in the nude surrounded by sweaty strangers? Depending on how you explain it, it might not sound appealing. People who frequent public baths know though, that it can be a refreshing and humbling experience that can be shared with others. At a public bath, your class, status, background, and the clothes people wear are all stripped away. It is a place for cleansing, relaxation, meditation, and revitalization. Asakusa is luckily a town that has many public baths to offer and choose from. A 5-minute walk from the property you can find Tsuruno-Yu, a traditionally styled public bath that offers necessities such as shampoo, body-soap, and generously enough, free access to the sauna. If you wish to have an inner-city hot spring experience, Yudonburi Sakae-Yu is a 10-minute walk away. The sento uses natural hot spring water ground up from the earth, and with many different baths to choose from (massage bath, micro-bubble bath, electric bath), the highlight of this establishment is the rōtenburo, a beautiful open-air hot spring with an added special essence in the water. Figure 6: A late night photo of Sumida River and the Honjo-Azumabashi bridge. Sensoji Temple at Night Sensoji is a world-renowned landmark, the oldest temple in Tokyo and its most significant. A famous tourist spot, it is often one of the first sightseeing destinations for those exploring Tokyo. Located in the heart of Asakusa, the temple can be found tucked behind the end of Nakamise-Dori, a street famous for its long line of souvenir shops, all full of the pleasant aroma of traditional Japanese sweets. This central area that leads up to and surrounds the temple, is often packed with tourists, navigating through the area can feel like a pilgrimage. Come after dusk though, and you will find this area near empty. Sensoji at night can be just as grand if not more beautiful, with the many lights that illuminate the temple, you are offered a more serene experience of the area without all the noise and foot-traffic caused by tourists. Figure 7: Hoppy Street, a great place to start drinking from early afternoon. Bars and Izakaya (Nightlife) Hoping for a charming night out? Asakusa is a great suburb to spend the night away, with countless bars and izakaya to choose from, every establishment offers a unique experience alongside some great drinks and food. Hoppy Street is easily the most popular place to drink, however, it is not exactly where the locals in Asakusa spend their nights. Below are some of my personal recommendations for a good night out. ・Tokyo Knowledge A cozy bar located on the main road of Kaminarimon-dori, Tokyo Knowledge is a favorite among locals and international tourists lucky enough to stumble across the place. The bartenders here can all speak English and are very welcoming, you will find most foreigners who live around the area visiting the place as well. The bar offers a very laid-back atmosphere with affordable drinks. From the old-school hip-hop being played on their speakers to the classic movies they play on mute through a projector, the chilled atmosphere makes Tokyo Knowledge a go-to spot to grab a beer or two, or three. ・CafeRest’CuznHomeground Might be one of the weirdest named bars, this is another fantastic place for a fun night out. With English friendly bartenders, they offer a great selection of drinks and food, with many vegan options as well. Sofas are lined along the wall and the inside of the bar is designed like a hippy log cabin, after a few drinks you may wonder if you’re still in Asakusa or a cabin in the mountains. The best part about the bar is that it`s dog friendly, and the owner generally leaves their dogs at the bar. You`ll often find a dog chilling on the sofa, and the people here are more than cool in allowing you to pet them. Sports events are generally shown here, why not watch tonight’s game at CafeRest’CuznHomeground? ・Pure’s Sound Market A DJ bar located in the west side of Asakusa, the venue is a small basement bar where underground music lovers congregate. Try testing your musical catalog here, as the live DJ performances will have you scratching your head as they scratch their disks. The DJ events can range in any genre, so check the schedule as they might be playing something you totally do not expect. Local artists and DJ’s also sell their artwork, records, and mixtapes here, it is worth checking out just to dig some vinyl records. The venue is easy to miss and can be quite intimidating for a first-timer. Go with a friend, just be ready to dance to some absurd shoegaze or trip-hop. ・Baan Shisha Asakusa Asakusa has many shisha bars, however most can be a tourist hot-spot and quite gimmicky. Baan Shisha is a great local shisha bar, with fairly priced drinks and hookah. Sofa seats and a cozy environment make it the ideal place to catch up with a friend. It is in close proximity to many izakayas and bars, a great venue to start or end the night off. The staff are quirky and fun, the venue is cozy and chill, the shisha is tasty and cheap, what more could you ask for? Figure 8: A real groovy disco night at Pure’s Sound Market

INSTAGRAM https://www.instagram.com/christinemaricomics/?hl=en At Social Apartment, we equip our properties with many shared facilities for tenants to freely live out their desired lifestyle. High-end facilities for working, exercising, relaxing, socializing, and most importantly to some, cooking. However, even with a spacious and fully equipped kitchen, some days when you feel exhausted and blank, the last thing you want to do is to think of a meal to prepare. On days like this, you may wish you had your own personal chef, or a restaurant right where you live. Well, we can fulfill that wish for you in two of our properties, World Neighbors Gokokuji and World Neighbors Kiyosumi Shirakawa, where we have a fully operational restaurant café in the property that offers breakfast, lunch, and dinner. With an original menu that changes on a weekly basis, tenants at these properties receive up to 15,000yen’s worth of free café credits every month! You may be wondering, how good’s the food though? So, to review our food, we asked our good friend and artist Christine Mari to try out our food at World Neighbors Café Gokokuji! Christine is a popular comic artist that draws about her experiences living as a young ハーフ (half) woman in Japan and America, check out her comics on Instagram (@christinemaricomics) as we are big fans here at Social Apartment! Appetizer – Chili con carne with tortilla chips Why did we order the Chili Con Carne? I don’t know, it said it was good! It is kind of different and it sounds kind of Mexican, I think it is right? I think it is, how did you find it? Was it spicy? It was good, not too spicy and better than what I expected! I really liked that they put chickpeas in it, it’s not really what you find in a normal chili. It was actually so good that I didn’t want to eat too much of it before the main dishes came. Main – Summer Vegetable Risotto with Prosciutto and Chinese Style Bamboo and Shrimp So, you ordered the Summer Vegetable Risotto, did it taste like summer? I really liked it! It was not too heavy, and it was refreshing. I liked that they put prosciutto on top, it was a very nice balanced dish. It was delicious! Was there anything else on the menu you wanted to try? I really wanted to try dessert, but I was too full by the end! There was a frozen tiramisu for the weekly special and I wanted to try it, I’ll have to go again. Christine enjoying a relaxed lunch! How did you like the café and its atmosphere? I liked it! I liked that there was a lot of natural light. It makes me feel like it would be a good place to work and draw. The atmosphere was relaxed and casual, it’s the type of place you want to bring your friends and catch up! It must be really nice for people who live in the building to have such a nice café where they live, and they get to eat there for free right? Yes, for 15,000yens worth a month That would be so good, it makes me want to live here too! Thanks for having lunch at our café! Thanks for such a nice meal! I will definitely come back to eat again.

Have you checked our new promotion video for Neighbors Higashi-Jujo yet? Built around the Coffee theme, this new property is a paradise for all coffee lover. Experience a new way to brew your own coffee EVERYDAY! MC: Lee

Sometimes you gotta be right in the middle of the action. In Tokyo, that means you have to be in walking distance of the Yamanote Line Loop. What does that mean in plain English? Amazing access to the biggest stations in Tokyo. (The Yamanote Line Train Car Passing Tokyo Station)#1 Harajuku Closest Social Apartment: Social Apartment Harajuku Need we say more? One of Japan's most iconic cultural centers.  #2 Shinjuku  Closest Social Apartment: Gunkan Higashi-ShinjukuThe most used train station in the world right at your door step? Access doesn't get much better than that.  #3 Ebisu Closest Social Apartment: World Neighbors Ebisu, Social Apartment EbisuRanked again and again as the most desirable place to live in Tokyo by the Japan Times, when in doubt Ebisu is always the best choice. #4 Meguro Closest Social Apartment: Neighbors MeguroJust one station from Ebisu. Neighbors Meguro features a very classy bar theme, so you don't always have to go to one of the billion amazing bars around the station--the coolest bar is right in your living room. #5 Tokyo Station / OtemachiWAVES HAMACHO, World Neighbors Gokokuji The financial center of Tokyo and Japan, Otemachi. If you didn't know Otemachi refers to Otekigyou, a word the biggest and most important companies in the country. WAVES Hamacho and World Neighbors Gokokuji are located about as close as you can be to Tokyo Station unless you are prepared to live in an office building. #6 Azabu-Juban / RoppongiAzabu-Juban and Roppongi is the foreign financial center in Tokyo. If you are working for a foreign company (that isn't tech, since that's going to usually be Shibuya or Ebisu) then nine times out of ten your office will be near here. Luckily, Social Apartment Azabu-Juban is only 2-minutes from the station exit (and probably your office too!) #7 Shinagawa / Roppongi Closest Social Apartment: Tentment Takanawa This awesome camping themed Social Apartment is located in Shirokane Takanawa one of the most high-class residential areas of Tokyo with direct access to Shinagawa and Roppongi (both of which are a 15-minute walk or a very short bike ride).#8 AsakusaClosest Social Apartment: Entwine AsakusaThe beloved old capital and historic cultural center of Tokyo, Asakusa is the spot to be if you love old-school Japan charm. Entwine Asakusa offers a little bit of modern comfort amongst the countless breathtaking shrines and traditional homes.  #9 Ikebukuro Closest Social Apartment: Club Corpora Ikebukuro p.p1 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px 'Helvetica Neue'} p.p2 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px 'Helvetica Neue'; min-height: 14.0px} span.s1 {font: 12.0px '.Apple Color Emoji UI'} Gateway to the suburb of Saitama and Shinjuku's little sibling to the North. Ikebukuro is also home to the biggest Chinese community in Tokyo, which means amazing eats wherever you go. Club Corpora Ikebukuro is right in the middle of it. 

Looking for an amazing furnished room AND a private bathroom on a budget? Social Apartment has you covered!The following is a list of our top recommendations for students and new graduates looking for clean facilities, a new social experience and top-notch privacy.  1. Social Apartment Aobadai (26-Minutes to Shibuya / 35-Minutes to Yokohama)  Rent starting from 51,000 Yen/Mo. 2. Social Apartment Komae (19-Minutes to Shibuya / 20-Minutes to Shinjuku)Rent starting from 44,000 Yen/Mo. 3. Social Apartment Nakagawara (26-Minutes to Shinjuku)Rent starting from 43,000 Yen/Mo.4. Neighbors Futakotamagawa (10-Minutes to Shibuya)Rent starting from 62,000 Yen/Mo. 5. Neighbors Kikuna (6-Minutes to Yokohama / 22-Minutes to Shibuya)Rent starting from 61,000 Yen/Mo. 6. Social Apartment Urayasu (23-Minutes from Tokyo Station / 34-Minutes to Shinagawa)Rent starting from 45,000 Yen/Mo.  p.p1 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px 'Helvetica Neue'}

Kansai. Many of you already know the word as the area that makes up Osaka, Kyoto and Kobe, Japan's second largest metropolitan area. Each city has its own flare. Osaka the wild, visceral, home to most of Japan's greatest comedians, musicians and some of its best night-life.Kyoto, the ancient capital, a maze of beautiful temples, tea shops, cafes, amazing restaurants and more. Kobe, well known for... Kobe beef? And some of Japan's most fashionable shopping districts. Whichever one you choose, we got you covered for your next Kansai adventure. Just like the cities they are in, our properties in Kansai are a little different from our Tokyo ones.Terminals Takatsuki, conveniently located half-way between Kyoto and Osaka is well known as one of our most active communities with tenants traveling all over the world together and even running their own instagram: (@terminals_takatsuki)Otowa Motomachi Kobe: Located in the heart of all the action in Kobe, this is the ONE and ONLY music themed Social Apartment. The community here is known to use the studio at the property to record their own music and film their own music videos. You can check some of them out here! (https://bit.ly/2tFrBzq)Terminals Ibaraki, most recently opened as one of the most decked out Social Apartments in either Kansai or Tokyo. We're talking 100% Private rooms with your own bathroom, shower, and kitchenette along with some of the most beautiful, spacious common areas yet. Just like all of our properties in Tokyo, the minimum stay is for 6-months. If you are interested check out the availabilities below! 

Have you checked our new Video Tour yet? Our staff Lee takes you on a ride inside Neighbors Musashi-Nakahara, our latest opening at Social Apartment. This property is literally a small city! Access both Shibuya and Yokohama in a mere 15-minute train ride. MC: Lee

Social Apartment not only provides the setting to make great friends in each property but also becomes the platform for new experiences and memories across all properties. With more than 40 Social Apartments, the exciting opportunities for connecting are exponential. On November 3rd, World Neighbors Gokokuji resident Naoki organized a Social Apartment-wide Futsal Tournament. Nine different properties participated to a fun-filled match to the top. Let’s take a look at some highlights of the day. The day kicked off with a short opening ceremony and introduction. Of course, we couldn’t forget to stretch! And with that, the games begin! Two courts staged the preliminaries up to the quarter-finals It wasn’t just players who were hyped, but supporters as well! Many fellow residents came out to cheer on their teams. And the First Goal is in! And many more following throughout the day! There was a wave of exhilaration as each match was so fast-paced. Finally, it is time for the last match. World Neighbors Gokokuji VS Social Apartment Hino! Players are charged up as they joke around with each other before the kick-off. Supporters watch with excitement. An action-packed match 2-2. Finally, the last goal is in as Hino players rush and cheer. With all matches at an end, it was time for the awards ceremony 2nd and 3rd Place – World Neighbors Gokokuji – Accepted by Coach Junya (not really) 15,000yen Worth of luxurious GRAPES 1st Place Hino – Accepted by SA veteran Saiki, who has lived in Hino since it first opened. They received 25,000yen prize, which they use for a celebration party at SA Hino. Win or not, there is no doubt that all participants had a great time. All 9 properties have certainly gotten even closer through the games. Neighbors Ukima-Koen Social Apartment Komae and Social Apartment Shin-Kemigawa World Neighbors Gokokuji World Neighbors Kiyosumi-Shirakawa Neighbors Inokashira-Koen Check out first place SA Hino’s celebration gathering with their 25,000 yen prize in a lifestyle post coming soon! Social Apartment Hino The day ended as fresh bonds all across Tokyo, Saitama and Chiba were formed. Whether you’re looking for a community who enjoys your interests or something new to jump into, Social Apartment is a welcoming community full of friendly faces ready to have some fun. We will be waiting for you to join in!

Imagine there is a city that never sleeps, populated by people that never stop moving. A place so abundant with attractions that your eyes are given no chance for rest, only the option to wander. Imagine this city being the most populated city in the world. Imagine living in a walking proximity to the very heart of that city. A heart that beats through the night, one that beats with the music and laughter that spills out from every shop. A heart that beats with every siren, with every blinking neon sign, with each train that rumbles and reverberates as it disappears off to the next most lively suburb. That is the place where I live, a Social Apartment located so closely to the heart of Tokyo called Shibuya, it might as well be one of its arteries.This property that I live in is Social Apartment Ebisu. Figure 1: Ebisu Garden Place illuminated at night, only a 7-minute walk from the property. Social Apartment Ebisu is located conveniently between 3 major stations; Ebisu Station, Meguro Station and Nakameguro Station. With these 3 stations around, you have access to 8 different train lines that can pump you through Tokyo to your desired destination. The 3 stations are also some of the liveliest suburbs in Tokyo. Meguro being home to impressive office skyscrapers, Ebisu a place to spend a casual Sunday afternoon at a posh cafe or beer garden, or Nakameguro, a town so hip if you aren’t up to date on what’s cool, this place will push you to be. As someone who has previously lived an hour commute to all these places, living in Social Apartment Ebisu has completely changed my work and social lifestyle. Working in Shibuya, I have the option now to walk to my workplace for the first time. Although a 30-minute walk to my office, with a bicycle you can zip past through streets overtaking cars, making the commute within 10 to 15 minutes. Missing the last train is no longer a daunting thought at Social Apartment Ebisu. A night out in Shibuya can still mean a nice sobering walk home or a cheap taxi ride back. The JR Yamanote Line operates until 1:20am, an hour longer than all other train lines. No need to finish that last beer in a hurry while everyone else rushes in panic mode. Being so close to these spots means you’re able to pick and choose events, parties and gigs to attend without making the commitment to stay out until the first train. Keep in mind though, once your friends find out where you live, you no longer have the excuse to not attend that event on Saturday night, and pleas to crash at your place will be a regular deal. Figure 2: Sakura trees, taken a 2-minute walk from the property at Meguro river. The community at the property is as vibrant as the city it is located in. Reflecting the multicultural vibe of Ebisu with many expat workers living in the area, a third of the tenants at Social Apartment Ebisu are international. Many of the Japanese residents are also able to speak English, and if you come on down to the lounge after 8pm you’re bound to find an active bunch to share a meal or drink with. Once a week, residents like to get together and go out for a bite or stroll. I personally go to Nakameguro with some of my housemates quite regularly, and there’s never a shortage of bars and restaurants around the area to choose from. We tend to eat different ethnic foods every week, something you shouldn’t get used to as it’s quite the luxury. There are a total of 36 people living in the property, which is quite a small number for a Social Apartment, but with the community being friendly and active there’s rarely a boring period. Many of the residents like to hold parties and get-togethers with their friends from outside of the property as well. Being in a prime location in the city, it’s a great place to invite your friends and hold a barbecue on the rooftop in the summer or a cozy dinner party in the lounge for the winter. Figure 3: Panorama shot of Shibuya Crossing, a 35-minute walk from the property. Living in the most populated city in the world is one thing, living in the heart of that city is a whole new experience, something most people will never experience. If you wish for the convenience while also taking in consideration the affordability of the rooms at this property, Social Apartment Ebisu might just be the place you shouldn’t miss out on checking.[TEXT BY]L. RiviereTenant at Social Apartment Ebisu

You may have heard the name before, but do you really know what Social Apartment is all about?_ Well, here’s a chance for you to experience our newest property, Neighbors Musashi-Nakahara, for yourself! Best of all, it’s totally free! Learn: 1. What life is like in Social Apartment. 2. How we are different from just a share house 3. What kind of people live in Social Apartment. 4. What kind of properties are there? What kind of rooms are available? You’ll get a chance to talk, play games and cook with other people thinking about moving to Social Apartment as well as tenants currently living at the property. Time: December 14 (Saturday), 12:45 PM – 17:00PM Place: Neighbors Musashi-Nakahara 〒211-0041 6-7-1 Shimodanaka, Kawasaki, Nakahara-ku, Kanagawa Limited to 20 People