Interview
Kenta Murakami
「x-garden」
■ Tell us about your career:
Basically, I’m a web director and fillmaker. As a filmmaker, I plan, shoot, and edit footage. I’d been producing documentaries, dance DVDs, and online videos, but for the last two years I’ve been filming weddings and receptions. As a web director, I create content for how-to video sites, and launch apparel manufacturer and E-Commerce websites.
■ What’s next?
From now on, I want to branch out and expand my services to benefit other human connections. In enhancing my production planning skill set, I believe I’ll help create a world where people forge connections, join forces, and build new bonds with each other.
My next step is to create maternity videos documenting families until the birth of a baby. I believe these types of movies will play an important role in strengthening family bonds, and will be a vital service for families.
■ What you’re striving for now:
I’m on the lookout for any platform that will service customer’s needs - not only limited to film. For example, a directory of restaurants often frequented by couples, or an online record of messages or scrapbooks: concepts that deepen the bonds between people.
■ Self-promotion:
We leave a lasting record of moving memories with our video production and speedy one-day editing. Please feel free to browse our website!
References
Akihiro Takagi
「x-garden」
■ How did you learn about x-garden?
I was new to Tokyo, and was looking for friends and business connections. The house manager, Kenta Murakami, was very professional. That’s when I said to myself, “This is it!”
■ Tell us about your career:
While working at a golf course in Hiroshima, I did my own web designing and ran a mail order import store. All the while, I interned with the METI (Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry) Global Intern Program. I established IT companies in both Japan and Bangladesh.
◆ Description of your company
- A job search site to promote economic growth and empowerment of Bangladeshi workers (supporting small and medium-sized businesses)
- Bringing Japanese technology to the world via web marketing and website development across 64 countries
- Domestic and overseas crowdfunding services and support: Funding businesses in Japan in Japanese! (In progress)
■ What’s next?
I want to embody positivity, both as an entrepreneur and as a human being, and share my ideas with those around me.
■ What you’re striving for now:
■ Self promotion:
IT gave me, a high school graduate, the opportunity of a lifetime. Through IT, I will create opportunities for Japan and the world at large. Thank you for your support!
Yoshiaki Kunihuda
「x-garden」
■ How did you learn about x-garden?
While I was setting up my company, I though it would be interesting to be involved in, not an entrepreneurial share-office, but a shared house - and there it was!
■ Tell us about your career:
It started out with Human Resources, but I specifically focused on bridging the gap between generations through working with homemakers, seniors, and freelancers.
■ What’s next?
I still have a lot left to do to get my services off the ground, namely spread the word by advertising, collaborations, and events.
■ What you’re striving for now:
Meeting new people, exchanging candid advice and ideas. It’s great that this share-house has regular business plan discussion meetings.
■ Self promotion:
We’re a gift service for strengthening familial bonds. Please take a look if you’re interested.
bond! Gift for parents: (Japanese) http://bond-giftforparents.com/
Hideto Tajima
「x-garden」
■ How did you learn about x-garden?
I had been thinking about starting my own company and taking charge of my life for a while when I stumbled upon x-garden at a real estate place. I intuitively thought this would broaden my options, and be a positive experience.
■ Tell us about your career:
For about nine years, I’d been working in accounting, finance, and general affairs. Since high school, I’d aspired to be an entrepreneur; I’d read books by Keita Goto, founder of Tokyu Group, and Yasujiro Tsutsumi of Seibu group. I was interested literature, but knew that IT skills - which I had limited knowledge of - would be more useful. In order to get acquainted with talented people in the IT industry, I pursued a science degree.
After graduating from university, I joined a small retail company to learn about the industry. Two weeks after my I completed the training period, the head of the department suddenly retired and I was given that role. Since I was knew and didn’t know left from right, I was constantly getting reprimanded, but as a result I learned about planning consultative sales, managing part-timers, and promoting their seasonal products. It was all very interesting and fulfilling work. Because I was now the head of the retail department, I became responsible for analyzing “sales”, “gross margins”, “missing number of articles,” and “stock rotation speed”, and presenting action plans, goals, and achievements at monthly meetings with headquarters. But back then, I didn’t know what the numbers meant, and fumbled through a cycle of planning and implementation. Over time, I became more interested in the numbers I was crunching, and began studying small business administration.
Then, I changed jobs, switching to an accounting position for a trading company for the food and beverage industry. While there, I checked payments of invoices and managed accounts receivable. I dealt with very exact figures, and quickly improved upon my skills with numbers. I changed jobs again to gain financial and even non-accounting work experience at a manufacturing company. My responsibilities went beyond the usual business affairs; I created monthly cash receipt statements and managed our accounts receivable. I also planned answers to anticipated questions that would come up at shareholders’ meetings. I became aware, through a wide range of responsibilities, that I was pretty good at administrative tasks, and finance and accounting.
◆ Description of your company
The name 腹心 (fukushin; confidante) comes from my goal of creating trust between a company and its president.
We mainly deal with:
- Organizational operation (division of roles, for example) consultation
- Strategic dialogue
- Accounting
- Management of deposit accounts
- Creation and advising of materials necessary for discussions with consultant experts
- Banking and financial institutions
...but because we are “confidantes”, we are open to other queries.
■ What’s next?
I’d like to take tedious busywork off the hands of non-profits so they can maximize participation.
■ What you’re striving for now:
Fukushin is all about the people:
People who will perform accounting work with us
People who have put on events
People with good entrepreneurial mindsets and techniques
If this sounds like you, please don’t hesitate to reach out!
■ Self-promotion:
Entrepreneurs who are in doubt because they lack certain areas of expertise (such as accounting) or time to attend to busywork, please look us up!
(Japanese) http://fukusin.jp/
Ryota Ito
「x-garden」
■ How did you learn about x-garden?
I decided on this share-house because I wanted to strengthen my business skills. When I toured the house, I became particularly interested in the first floor seminar room: seminars are organized on weekends, and on other days, residents can present on their own topics of interest as well.
■ Tell us about life at x-garden:
I’ve made good use of the seminar room. I used to go to seminar-cafe events when I wanted to learn new skills, but those types of events take a lot of time out of your day, and can be a strain on your wallet. Now that seminars are held right in my building, I feel more inclined to attend even when I’m a little tired (besides, it doesn’t cost me anything!)
What’s also great is that x-garden is a very supportive environment, and I can easily ask for advice from my housemates. When I’d just started marketing on Ameblo (a popular blog platform in Japan), I learned some techniques from a pro-blogger housemate whose own blog gets over 4000 hits a day. I also learned a lot about distribution techniques for weekend travel videos - a long-time hobby and root of my business venture - from Murakami-san, a professional videographer housemate. There is also the fact that if I get sick, there are people around who would help me out - not something that happens often when you live by yourself.
■ Tell us about your career, and what you have gained from living at x-garden.
I work in system development and maintenance for credit cards. It requires careful attention to detail, because mistakes are absolutely inexcusable. I’ve learned to streamline the work to maximize efficiency; we formalize greetings in routine emails, and make good use of shortcut keys in Excel, for example. I’ve also learned to prioritize.
■ What’s next?
I want to start my own company and begin making profits from the planning phase. I want to use my own lived experiences as a short-term/weekend traveler as the root of my model. I’m already taking steps forward both within my company and on my own.
I want to help the modern dead-eyed salarymen who have lost their spontaneity. As I learned through my travels, spontaneous people are truly alive; I want to help them get their energy back, which in turn would energize Japan as a whole. I want them to experience a breath of fresh air, and to find joy and hope in each day. People who have figured out what they want to do, their dreams and ambitions, are resilient. Eventually they’ll be able to be active, not only in Japan, but on a global scale.
■ What kind of people are you looking for?
We need a web designer and programmer. I’m also looking for like-minded people who’d want to start up a company. Specifically someone who enjoys both domestic and international travel. I am planning a 100-hot spring Japan tour in the near future - please join in if you’re interested!
■ Self-promotion:
Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you want to revitalize Japan’s energy with me!
For those interested, please follow me on Ameblo and twitter:
ameblo
http://ameblo.jp/ryotait0/entry-11457913137.html (Japanese)
Suzuki Norihira&Megumi
x-garden
■X-gardenに入ったきっかけ
教：新卒で大企業に入ったものの、サラリーマンとしての生活に嫌気が差し、「自分で好きなことをして稼ぎたい！」と思って独立・起業に興味を持つようになりました。
ですが、「こんな自分が起業なんてできるのか？」と自分に自信が持てず、起業を目指すモチベーションを保つのも一苦労でした。そこで、起業を目指す仲間を作り、まずは自信を付けることから始めようと考えたことがX-gardenへの入居を決めたきっかけです。
め：カナダで初めてシェアハウス・シェアルームという存在を知ったのが大元のきっかけで、帰国時にひょっとして、日本にもあるのではないか？と検索し、シェアハウスの情報サイト「ひつじ不動産」さんで見つけました。
私は、能動的に人生を歩んでいる方と切磋琢磨する環境に惹かれて、ここに決めました。
また、「１人暮らしが成立する間取りであること（個室に水回り等の設備があること）」
「共有スペースを経由せずとも自室と玄関を行き来できること」は、結構大事かなと思います。
「誰と生活をシェアするか」はとても大事なことなので、何らかのシェアハウスのコンセプトは絶対あった方がいいと思います。
■X-gardenに実際に住んでみて
教：自分の選択は正解でした。始めは人見知りをこじらせて輪の中に入るのが怖かったですが、それでも積極的にラウンジで仲間と交流することで、今では自分自身に自信も付いたし、素晴らしい友人や妻と巡り合うことができました。
僕としては、X-gardenは「個室がある」というのが非常に大きかったです。一人でいたい時は一人で過ごせて、誰かとコミュニケーションを取りたければラウンジに行けば話ができる。とてもちょうど良い距離感で、居心地がすごく良いですね。
め：満喫してます。大正解でした。出たくない！！ので、主人とは迷わず別居婚スタートでした。笑
私もどちらかというと実はコミュ下手な方なのですが… 本当に、ここは完全な一人暮らしが成立する間取りなこともあり、メンバーともいい距離、良い関係を築けています。
festivoさんのプログラミングセミナーなどに住民割引で参加できるのも嬉しいですね。
あと、収納スペースがたっぷりあるのも気に入っています。
住人同士で富士登山旅行を企画して行ってみたり、週末ゆるっと家飲みしながら、仮想通貨や気になったサービスについてざっくばらんに話したり、「カタン」などのボードゲームに興じたり。
また、仲の良い住民メンバーと現在ウェブサービスの立ち上げ中です。ぜひ、来年度中に法人化まで持っていきたい！
ちなみに主人とは、仲のいい友人の１人で、まさかこんな風になるとは当時は思いもしなかったのですが・・・笑
彼が、退去するタイミングで想いを伝えてきてくれて、遠距離でのスタートになりましたが、半年以上、彼の素も十分見てきた上でのお付き合いだったので、安心感があり、結婚までは早かったかと思います。
■これまでの仕事について
教：大学を出てから不動産デベロッパー、広告代理店と勤め、2016年には1年間住んだX-gardenを退去して、現在は三重県尾鷲市で地域おこし協力隊としてまちづくり活動を行っています。
それと並行してブログの執筆・アフィリエイトや不動産投資なども個人事業主として手掛けており、独学で少しずつWebライティングやSEO対策などのスキルを蓄積しています。
め：日本とカナダでホテルマンを通算５年ほど。帰国後は、飲食店の立ち上げを経験し、営業スキルを身につけたくてリクルートで新規法人営業を担当。現在は、ECベンチャーにて念願だったマーケティング・企画業務に従事しています。
■今後どうしていきたいか
教：2018年には今の仕事を終え、またX-gardenに戻って妻と同居しようかと考えています。個人事業を続けながら、また東京で企業に就職して独立のためのスキルを蓄えていくつもりです。
また、退去からの2年間で自分なりに成長できたとも思っているので、そのスキルやノウハウをX-gardenの仲間ともシェアして、また一緒に楽しみながら成長していきたいなと。
め：コピーライティングとマーケティングを強みにしていきたい！と思い、５年以内に何らかの目処をつけられるよう活動中です。１０年以内には、日本国外問わず、仕事ができるよう語学力も並行して磨いていきたいです。
また副業OKの職場なので、現在X-gardenの友人と年明けリリース目標で、進めているビジネス案も加速させていきたいです！
■X-gardenに興味がある方に一言
教：「この道を行けばどうなるものか 危ぶむなかれ 危ぶめば道はなし 踏み出せばその一足が道となり その一足が道となる 迷わず行けよ 行けばわかるさ」
め：シェアハウスでの生活は本当にプライスレス！限られた人生の時間を「誰とシェアするか」はとっても大事です。
NAOKI
「crossworld」
1. What made you decide on Cross World?
When I stopped by for a visit, hardly anyone lived here yet. I was lucky enough to have a guided tour by one of the residents. Hearing about his experiences and getting to know the caliber of the residents, I decided I wanted to be a part of this community. The English immersion experience was also a factor.
2. What do you like about life at Cross World?
I was a bit apprehensive about living in a shared environment at first, but it’s been great! I get to speak English with my housemates, and spend time with them on my days off. The people are all wonderful, and make me feel grateful for having chosen Cross World. My experiences here are proving to be life-changing!
ELLIS
「crossworld」
1. What made you decide on Cross World?
Taking a look at the Cross World website and Facebook page, it was apparent that the residents of Cross World were very social and friendly. The managers take the time to create social events and a general atmosphere of inclusion, which to a westerner like myself, was very reminiscent of my living situation back home in San Francisco. This was the key factor in choosing Cross World over other share houses.
- What do you like about life at Cross World?
The people. The property managers, the on-site managers, and the residents of Cross World are all very friendly and a blast to hang out with. In addition to the monthly house parties, the residents are always planning trips and outings. Climbing Mt. Fuji, white water rafting, karaoke, theme parks…you name it, someone in the house wants to go with you!
SHUN
「crossworld」
1. What made you decide on Cross World?
I looked at a few share houses, but Cross World was the most welcoming. I got a good impression from my housemates when I first stopped by during a takoyaki party. Strong interpersonal relationships are important in a shared living space, and I also wanted to brush up on my English. Cross World offers both!
What do you like about life at Cross World?
I might be repeating myself here, but my housemates are great! In the four months Cross World has been open, we’ve already been to Disneyland, gone rafting, and held barbecues. I’m sure we’ll keep that up in the months to come. The best way to explain life here is that it’s like college. That being said, everyone respects each other’s privacy, and when I want to be alone, I can be. I feel lucky living here, and highly recommend it. You’re welcome to visit any time!
AKI
「crossworld」
1. What made you decide on Cross World?
I can talk about anything with anyone anytime – in English!
2. What do you like about life at Cross World?
I’m satisfied with the exposure to English, but I also feel grateful that my social circle is expanding. I had no idea I’d get to meet so many new people (housemates and their friends and partners). I feel that the friendships I’ve made here will stay strong even if we no longer live together some
ERIKA
「crossworld」
- What made you decide on Cross World?
When I first toured the place, Cross World was still under construction, and I had no idea who I’d be living with. So at the time my main motivator was the opportunity to pick up English. In the months I’ve lived here I’ve had such a blast I’ve completely forgotten about how worried I was at the beginning about getting along with my housemates.
- What do you like about life at Cross World?
Being able to stay motivated in my English studies. Studying by yourself gets lonely, and it’s hard to stay focused. I’m sure there are some people who’d get frustrated, but here I can study at my own pace. I can ask questions when I don’t understand something, and I can test out new vocabulary and phrases. I can feel a sense of steady progress. It’s not just the English, though. I’ve never been great at planning out my days off, but ever since I’ve moved in I’ve been having a great time thanks to my housemates. I wish we had all our days off in common.
If I’m feeling tired after a long day at work I can relax in my own room, and if I feel like socializing I can go down to the living room. The best part is that there are people who tell me “welcome home” after a long day. Of course there are a handful of house rules, but there are loads of non-resident friends around, and the place seems better maintained than most other share houses. I’d definitely recommend Cross World over living by yourself.
Satoshi Mashito
PLAYFUL
I’m from Sendai.
I’ve liked sports since I was a kid, and I currently work as a fitness trainer at a gym.
Before that, I worked at an English conversation school. I love traveling overseas, and have been on a round-the-world cruise, and studied abroad short-term in Fiji. As of now, I’ve been to over 35 countries. During my travels, I met people of various backgrounds and ways of thinking and living, and learned new things from them every day.
After those experiences, I decided to live in a share-house upon returning to Japan. As a culture-sharing environment, Yokohama Playful is a great place to learn about communication differences across cultures. We have welcome parties every month for our newcomers, so it’s a very welcoming house even for people who are living in a shared environment for the first time. Come join us and make lifelong memories!
Haruna Shimada
bayview
I’m from Yokohama. I grew up near Bay view - my parents and grandparents live right in the neighborhood. Ask me anything about this area! Bay View’s residents come from all over the world, so we always have opportunities to learn about each other’s cultures. We have monthly parties; over the summer we had a nagashi somen party (where we shoot noodles down what looks like a bamboo waterslide) - it’s great being able to try things we wouldn’t ordinarily be able to living alone. I’m a live-in manager, so I’ll be your resource for any questions or concerns that come up from living in a shared house.
Hagiwara family
parentinghome
An interview with Ms. Hagiwara, Serena (11), Wanaka? Hanaka? (6)
“I feel supported here; there are always people I can chat with or even seek advice from. The kids play amongst themselves, so I can take a break.”
The Hagiwara family moved into Parenting Home Takatsu in March of 2012. The mother-daughter trio had previously rented an apartment. All three are brimming with smiles. Six-year-old Wanaka in particular is the life and soul of the house.
- How did you find out about Parenting Home Takatsu?
A friend who works for a radio station told me about a house for single mothers in Takatsu.
- What made you decide on Parenting Home Takatsu?
I chose Parenting Home because the rent was lower than my previous place, and there was also a childcare component. The kitchen, living room, terrace, and bathrooms also seemed more spacious and accessible.
- Prior to moving in, what were your expectations of Parenting Home?
I thought it would be a big shift from having to do everything singlehandedly to living with people willing to lend a hand.
- How did you feel before moving in?
Naturally, I was a bit nervous about what my housemates would be like, and how well we’d get along.
- What do you like about life at Parenting Home Takatsu?
There’s so much! I feel supported here; there are always people I can chat with or even seek advice from. The kids play amongst themselves, so I can take a break.
- What are some memorable experiences?
Living with others in the same boat is very comforting. We have lots of shared experiences, and we support each other daily. I couldn’t be happier.
7. What are your thoughts on the building itself?
Lots of positives. If I had to nitpick, I would say the rooms are on the cozy side. But they’re perfectly fine for sleeping in, and the living room is much more exciting anyway.
8. Are you satisfied with rent and utilities?
Beyond the usual utilities, healthy food staples, toilet paper, and hand soap are all included. I think it’s a good deal.
- How do you think you changed as a person through your experiences in shared housing?
I’ve grown to enjoy socializing and connecting with others.
- What kinds of people would you recommend shared housing to?
I’d recommend shared living to basically everyone.
- What kinds of people would you NOT recommend shared housing to?
People who are sensitive to noise levels. But they’ll get used to it!
12. What are your dreams and goals?
I’d like to be a counselor.
Treasure
