Table talk party with guesthouse residents　～Girls Party～ - share house in Japan, Tokyo. [interwhao]

KThank you for attending this party today. We often have international parties and we had just had one in Fujigaoka guesthouse last month. Today we would like to change a bit and will have a table talk party for women to expect frank talking. I am male, though…. And most of the attendance except A-san are new to our house…

Aさん：Really!! Feel like I have stayed so long…(laugh)

K： We need your help(laugh). Well, I would be very happy if you all have good relationship across houses.

A： When I came from Niigata, I didn’t know the system of guesthouse. While I was searching rooms for rent by internet, I found guesthouse.

B：Dormitory?? Isn’t it the place some people live in a room together?

A：That’s right. That’s why there wasn’t privacy. And there were men next rooms. It was impossible for me. I could only stayed there for three months, when I was searching again, I found interwhao’s Gakugeidaigaku guesthosue. The place was close to the previous room, and first of all, it was a female only guesthouse.

C：I understand. I feel secure when it is a women-only guesthouse, and with self-locking.

A：And First house Gakugeidaigaku has a kitchenette in each room, the room was like a studio apartment for me. If I tried to find a studio apartment near there, I would need to pay deposit, key money, the initial cost would come to 300,000yen to 400,000yen… So when I first saw my room, I once decided.

C：I now live in First house Jiyugaoka. When the contract of my previous room was to expire soon, I needed to find a new room to move in. I had heard of guesthouse before, I was searching guesthouse only. I also used an internet to seach rooms. I wanted to live a place that connects well to Shibuya. The impression of the web-site was very good, and the guesthouse was in area where I could walk from Jiyugaoka.

K：The impression of the web-site…How was the real room?

C：Of course, the real room, too.(laugh)
Because it was a female-only guesthouse, seemed people use the house clean.

K：It is. As everyone have good manners, I appreciate it(laugh).

B：Are we under pressure??

K：No, no, I mean it.

C：I had viewed a lot of rooms. I decided because the building was quite new, and seemed I could keep privacy. But, if I were alone in a studio apartment, I would be too lonely, I like the kitchen or common area where I can talk with other housemate. I like the balance now.

B： Since I lived in Hong Kong before I moved in here, I wasn’t reluctant to live in guesthouse or shared house, I started to look for guesthouses once I returned to Japan. On the internet. interwhao had many guesthouses, and I inspected some guesthouses like First house Toyosu. I chose Gakugeidaigaku because of its accessbility and semi-studio type room. I would start working in Japan after a long time, I was afraid I would feel frustration, so I wanted a place I could be alone.

F：E-san and I came to Japan for working holiday. A famous agent in Taiwan introduced us the rooms. Because the reliable agent was in cooperate with, I trusted and applied. I live in Nakano-shinbashi guesthouse now. It is a small guesthouse, and be acquainted with each other. It is fun to meet various people. They have different occupations. Because there is a house manager, I can ask anything. I am new to live in Japan, but I can be at ease.

E：I have been in Japan only for a week. I am too stranger to Japan yet, but I am quite happy to meet F-san from Taiwan today.

K：You have just arrived at Japan, whenever you have any questions, please ask them or ask for advice. They are all kind. Please help them, everybody. And D-san, you have only been in Myorenji for a month, but been in interwhao’s for a year, right?

D： D: Yes, I lived in First house Ichigao before, but my work became busy and wanted to move to Toyoko-line area where is close to my work place. When I asked interwhao, they answered they had a studio apartment in Myorenji. Because interwhao has a lot of properties, it is very easy to move rooms depend on my situation. If I transferred to Funabashi branch, I could move to their guesthouse in Funabashi or Baraki-nakayama. If I move to other agency’s, I got to pay more. I appreciate interwhao about it.

K：Do you feel lonely after you moved from guesthouse to studio apartment?

D：Yeah, I study Korean, and I miss a Korean friend who I met at guesthouse. I have lost a chance of daily conversation, but houses are not too far, and we can talk over the phone. Anyway I come back late from work these days, just sleep in my room.

K：I am very happy to know the relationship between residents. That is the one of the merits to live in guesthouse. By the way, do you have any requests for guesthouse?

A：Not particularly. Maybe I would like these kind of parties again. I can have a chance to talk with other house’s residents.

Bさ：New shower curtains were set before, I feel my room is a little small now. This is not a request. After a while I might move to larger room?

K：I see. Gakugeidaigaku has almost 10 tatami-mat room on 4th floor, when we have a room available, I will let you know.

C：Jiyugaoka has a new caretaker. I think it is because of her personality, the atmosphere became cheerful. Request…, I think we would like larger garbage cans. All residents are women and they often cook.

B：Oh, I have one, I wish a bigger umbrella-stand in Gakugeidaigaku.

K：I will prepare!!

E：For us, no problems with equipments. As foreigners, we need somebody to talk or ask questions. We appreciate your help.

K：I can understand. Please call me anytime. Call me and call anybody here. No one is unfriendly(laugh). You, too, F-san. Thank you very much, everybody, for your opinion. It was a great time to talk with you. As everybody is busy, we can’t meet without opportunity like this. I will malke a plan of this type of meeting. Please come again.