Today, I’d like to hear from one of our residents about their experiences living in a share house and life in Japan!

First, could you introduce yourself?
My name is Hailey. I’m from Hong Kong and work in marketing for a European company. We sell security products like locks and safes to hotels. In my free time, I love traveling.

How long have you lived in Japan?
I moved to Japan last October, so it’s been about 8 months.

What made you decide to come to Japan?
I've always wanted to live abroad since I was a child, but with school and work, it just never seemed possible. Recently, things finally settled down in my life, and I thought, "If not now, then when?" so I decided to come to Japan.
Actually, I had visited Japan many times as a tourist, but I had never lived here before. I’ve always loved Japanese culture and the people, so Japan was my first choice when it came to living abroad.
Also, in my case, having a direct flight from Hong Kong was an important condition. Plus, my company has an office in Japan, so it was easy to get approval for remote work. I occasionally go into the office too, so it's really convenient.

Many people choose Tokyo, so why did you choose Aichi?

Since I’m from crowded Hong Kong, I wanted to avoid big cities like Tokyo or Osaka.
I visited Aichi last spring and loved the peaceful vibe, kind people, and nature. It’s also the center of Japan, so it’s easy to travel everywhere. And there are direct flights to Hong Kong. Aichi was the best choice!
For a short stay, there aren’t many options, so OAKHOUSE was a good choice.

How did you find OAKHOUSE?
I searched online for a place near the station, with furniture, a private toilet, and a kitchen. I wanted some privacy, so this place was perfect for me.

Did you search for a share house or an apartment?

I was looking for an apartment at first. I didn’t know share houses could have private kitchens and bathrooms. When I found this one, I thought, "This is exactly what I need!"
I can meet new people like in a dorm, but still have privacy since everything I need is in my room.
I checked other OAKHOUSE properties, but this mix of share house and apartment was the best fit for me.

I heard you love traveling—where have you been during your stay in Japan?
Japan has 47 prefectures, so my goal was to visit all of them! I had already been to a few before, but this time I traveled almost every weekend. Now I only have one left Miyazaki until I complete all 47!

Wow, all 47!? That’s amazing! Which place did you like the most?
Hokkaido and Niigata were my favorites. Both have the sea, delicious food, and wide-open spaces that feel calm and relaxing. The sunset I saw in Otaru was like a painting—absolutely stunning.

Where did you go in Hokkaido?
I went to Sapporo and Otaru. The riverside scenery was beautiful, and I stayed for a few days just to enjoy the view. The sunset was unforgettable.

What was Niigata like?
Niigata has amazing sake and wine. I didn’t know much about sake before, but at a shop in the station, you can pay 500 yen to taste different kinds using small cups. They have over 100 types! That’s where I started liking sake.
Even though it’s a city, Niigata doesn’t have many tall buildings. It has a calm vibe even with many tourists, and I really liked that.

Did you travel anywhere around Aichi?
Nagoya’s city center is great, but I especially enjoy the surrounding areas.
I often go to Gifu. I love the mountain where Gifu Castle is. it’s fun to ride the ropeway and enjoy nature.
There's also a restaurant near there where you can get amazing Hida beef steak. It’s just a 10-minute bus ride from Gifu Station.

Another place I really like is Gamagori. You can take the JR train to Gamagori Station, then hop on a free shuttle bus that takes you to a seafood BBQ spot. It's super fun!
Nearby, there’s a Ferris wheel, cafes, a shopping mall, a seafood market, and even hot springs, so you can easily enjoy the whole day there.

Do you have any memorable experiences at the share house?

At first, I was worried because I didn’t know anyone. But Felix, who lives on the same floor, took me to the lounge and introduced me to everyone.
We all have different jobs and ages, but everyone is friendly.
So I recommended this place to my friend who planned to move to Japan.

Thank you for your recommendation!! Was there anything surprising compared to what you expected?
I didn’t expect Nagoya to be this cold! And I knew about the rainy season, but I didn’t expect it to rain five days a week.haha

What are your future plans?
I’ll go back to Hong Kong, continue working, and spend time with family and friends. I’m not planning to live in another country for now, but I’ll see how things go.

Thank you so much for sharing your story with us today!

The place Hailey stayed at　Appartemant Aichi　is a unique share house where each room comes with a private bathroom, toilet, and kitchen.
It’s perfect for people who want both privacy and the chance to connect with others!