When considering living in Japan, one of the first challenges is finding the right accommodation—somewhere clean, in a convenient location, and with good neighbors. This task is particularly challenging due to Japan’s original renting house customs, such as key money and vague initial costs. Hmlet Japan‘s rental housing addresses and solves such challenges. Hmlet offers a rare co-living rental housing concept in areas like Shibuya, Shinjuku, Asakusa, and more. They allow online contracts from overseas, eliminate key money and brokerage fees, making the moving process more accessible for foreigners. Additionally, their popularity stems from unique features such as events to expand networks, setting them apart from traditional rental housing. In this interview, we have invited Mr. Sasaki, CEO of Hmlet Japan Co., Ltd. to share insights.
Certainly. Hmlet Japan is a pioneering player in the Japanese rental housing market, renowned for its distinctive co-living concept. We are proud to celebrate our 4th-year anniversary, currently operating 38 apartment houses comprising over 750 rooms as of December 2023. Approximately 75% of Hmlet Japan’s residents are of foreign nationality, with half of them hailing from Europe and North America. Residents from over 50 countries have chosen to call Hmlet home.
Hmlet’s appeal lies in two key features: its convenience and community. Moving can be a hassle, especially when it comes to purchasing furniture or arranging utilities like gas and electricity, which can be challenging, particularly in Japan where English may not be widely understood. At Hmlet, residents have the option to choose furnished or unfurnished accommodations, and essential services such as electricity, gas, water, and Wi-Fi are already taken care of, allowing individuals to start their new lives with peace of mind.
Moreover, in contrast to the traditional process of visiting a real estate office for contracts in Japan, Hmlet offers a unique online system for virtual tours and contract signings, eliminating the need for a guarantor. This streamlined approach makes the entire experience more accessible, especially for those who may not be fluent in Japanese.
For foreigners who are not familiar with Japan and its original renting customs, it’s great to be able to start the first day without any hassle.
As an employee of Mitsubishi Estate, I was stationed in Singapore from the spring of 2018 for several years, engaged in real estate development in Southeast Asia. Having been in a similar position to the foreigners currently residing in Hmlet, I believe I can easily understand their feelings and the challenges they face.
At the same time, I met Hmlet in Singapore. Singapore attracts many foreign startups that aim to enter Japan. However, even if one wishes to do something in Japan, there are language and cultural barriers. During that period, while contemplating finding a startup with the potential to expand in Japan, I crossed paths with the founding members of Hmlet. Hmlet started in Singapore in 2016 and was operating around 300 rooms at that time. Mitsubishi Estate has an internal venture system, and I applied through that, turning it into reality over the course of about a year.
Hmlet is a brand with the concept of facilitating interactions among individuals in their 20s to 30s with diverse backgrounds. In addition to physical interactions, we aim to create mechanisms for fostering connections in digital spaces, such as through mobile apps. We also have plans to expand our operations to cities beyond Tokyo, such as Osaka and Fukuoka. Furthermore, in February 2024, we plan to launch a new brand catering to the Executive class aged 30 to 50, emphasizing luxury and prioritizing privacy. Please stay up with us for more exciting developments.
Hmlet aims to provide housing services that offer comfort and a sense of belonging to foreigners who come to Japan. Through interaction with Japanese residents, we hope to create a community where both parties can broaden their perspectives and make new insights. Our goal is to make Japan more accessible and familiar to many foreigners and, in turn, make the world feel closer to Japanese residents. We are committed to advancing our business with these objectives in mind.
Kenichi Sasaki:
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Address: 1-1-1 Otemachi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo
