Cozy house near Shiga University
After Kyoto and Tokyo, it’s time to experience a slower, more local side of Japan.
This sharehouse in Hikone, Shiga, is designed for nomad workers and long-term travelers who want to stay for one to three months while truly living in a regional Japanese city. Instead of rushing between tourist spots, you can settle into the rhythm of everyday life and explore the area at your own pace.
The house is about a nine-minute bike ride from Hikone Station. Between work sessions, you can wander through the historic castle town around Hikone Castle or head toward Lake Biwa for a change of scenery. Lake Biwa is the largest and most significant lake in Japan, shaping life in Shiga for thousands of years. Its vast shoreline, open skies, and rich ecosystem support a wide variety of wildlife, and the landscape changes beautifully with the seasons. Cycling along the lake or spending quiet time by the water is one of the simplest and most rewarding ways to experience Shiga.
If you enjoy the outdoors, this region is ideal. Low mountains, forests, and rural areas surround the city, making it easy to go hiking, camping, or exploring nature on weekends without long travel. Shiga is also known for its calm atmosphere and kind, approachable people, which makes it easy to feel comfortable even if you don’t speak much Japanese. Small conversations often lead to helpful local tips and unexpected connections.
The house is equipped with free Wi-Fi, a shared kitchen, and bicycle parking, making it suitable for remote work and daily life. Some rooms feature tatami flooring, offering a chance to experience traditional Japanese living in a relaxed, practical way. With stays available from one month, it’s easy to balance work, travel, and rest without rushing.
You’ll also be living with both Japanese and international residents. Casual conversations in the kitchen or living room often turn into insights about local food, seasonal events, and everyday life—things you rarely learn as a short-term tourist.
If you’re looking to explore rural Japan while maintaining a comfortable work routine, Hikone offers a grounded, authentic base for your stay in Shiga.
Amenities
Choose your room
You'll be sharing this coliving with up to 4 other residents.
Private rooms
-
PrivatePrivate room · Couple-friendly · Single bed · Shared bathroom Air conditioning · Balcony · Chair · Cleaning · Closet/drawers · Desk/workspace · Essentials · Hair dryer · Hangers · Heating · Lock on door · Room-darkening blinds · Sheets & Pillows · WiFiThe longer you stay, the less you pay!3 months/month6 months/month
Shared rooms
-
Bed in a 2-bed males only roomShared room · Twin bed · 10 m² · Shared bathroom Air conditioning · Balcony · Chair · Cleaning · Closet/drawers · Desk/workspace · Essentials · Hair dryer · Hangers · Lock on door · Room-darkening blinds · Sheets & Pillows · WiFiThe longer you stay, the less you pay!3 months/month6 months/month
Community
We don't just offer a place to stay; we offer a chance to be part of a community that celebrates diversity and fosters connections. Whether you're a student, a young professional, or anyone in between looking for an enriching living experience in Japan, we welcome you to join our family.
Gender ratio
Community events
Location
Loading map...
Failed to load map
Shiga
Shiga is a region best known for its balance of nature and everyday life. Rather than busy sightseeing, it suits travelers who want to slow down, stay longer, and experience rural Japan in a more grounded way.
At the center of Shiga lies Lake Biwa, the largest lake in Japan. For centuries, it has shaped the region’s environment and culture. The lake is home to a rich ecosystem with many species of fish and birds, and its wide shoreline and open skies create a calm, expansive atmosphere. Cycling along the lake, kayaking on the water, or simply spending quiet time by the shore are easy ways to reconnect with nature.
Hikone Castle and its surrounding castle town offer a strong sense of history that feels integrated into daily life. Walking through the area gives you a clear picture of Japan’s past without the crowds found in larger cities.
Food is another highlight of Shiga.
Omi beef is one of Japan’s most respected wagyu brands, raised locally and known for its fine marbling, tenderness, and rich flavor. It is commonly enjoyed as steak or sukiyaki.
Funazushi is a traditional fermented sushi made from nigorobuna carp caught in Lake Biwa. The fish is salted and then fermented with rice over a long period, creating a strong aroma and sour, cheese-like taste. It is an acquired flavor, but it represents a unique food culture found almost nowhere else in Japan.
Beyond the city, Shiga offers quiet temples, shrines, forests, and low mountains. These surroundings make it easy to enjoy hiking, camping, or peaceful walks without long travel times. The area is also known for its gentle pace of life and friendly, approachable people, which helps visitors feel comfortable during longer stays.
With its mix of nature, history, distinctive food culture, and calm atmosphere, Shiga is well suited for travelers who want to explore Japan beyond the major cities and experience the country in a more personal way.
Things to know
House rules
Property info
Security deposit
Cancellation Policy: Standard
- Can I terminate the lease agreement before I move in?
Frequently Asked Questions
-
-
The room you will be assigned might differ slightly from the photos but will match the room type. You are booking a room/bed by type, not a specific unit.
-
You don´t need to tour the property, and here is why:
- Properties on Coliving.com have pictures and a clear description of the community, rooms, and common areas. Most of them also have 3D or video tours.
- Restricting viewings provide equal opportunities for everyone, whether you are a local or live abroad. Plus, it preserves the privacy of our coliving communities.
- If anything is unclear, you can easily reach out to the property by clicking "Contact host" and ask for more details. Make sure your questions are not already covered in the description or the FAQ section.
- Coliving.com makes sure the coliving property is as advertised, by only sending any money to the operator 24h after you have successfully moved in.
- If the property substantially differ from what is advertiser, you report it to us and we will help you find another place. -
Once you’ve been accepted and confirmed your ideal moving-in date, the host will be there to welcome you to your new home. They will help you settle in your room, show you around the space, and introduce you to the other community members. Once we’ve answered your questions, you will be given time to get settled and make yourself at home.
-
-
-
You can cancel free of charge as long as you have not paid. Once you have paid for your booking, the cancellation policy must be respected.
-
You may book a shorter stay first and then extend once you know more about your needs subject to availability.
-
If the accommodation is not suitable, please contact the staff on arrival and they will do their best to find a mutually agreeable solution.
-
Host
-
Trusted hosts
We take the safety and security of our members very seriously. As part of our commitment to providing a comfortable and enjoyable experience, we ensure that all our hosts undergo a comprehensive background check before they can list their properties on our platform.
All card and bank transactions are Powered by Stripe.All hosts are thoroughly background-checked for your safety.
-
Best price guarantee
We want you to get the best possible price every time. If, after you've booked a coliving through us, you find the same property and room (with the same conditions) for less on another website, the host will match the price. Check terms and conditions.Hosts must provide the lowest prices to be included on our site.
-
Payment protection
When you book a stay, we know you're investing a lot. To ensure your peace of mind, we securely collect and hold your payment for 48 hours after move-in time. After that period, we release the payment to the host, ensuring a trustworthy experience for everyone involved.
We only use professional payment partners and encrypted connections between all parties involved.Your rent is securely collected and paid to the host 48 hours after move-in.
-
Money-back guarantee
On move-in day, if the property is significantly misrepresented, you're eligible for a full refund or another coliving option.After move-in, report a mismatch within 24 hours for a refund or alternative.
-
Free cancellation
Not the right fit? Cancel your booking within 24 hours with full refund, no matter cancellation policy.Change your mind after you paid? You'll always have 24 hours to cancel with full refund, no matter cancellation policy.
-
24/7 Customer Support
Our dedicated support team is available 24/7 to assist with any questions, concerns, or emergencies.Our team is here to assist you anytime, day or night.
-
Verified Reviews
All reviews on our platform are from verified residents, ensuring you get genuine insights about the property and hosts.Discover trustworthy feedback from actual residents.
-
Bills included
We prioritize your peace of mind by including utility bills in the rent. This convenience ensures that you don't face unexpected expenses each month, guaranteeing that you never pay more than necessary for your home comforts.We make sure that you are not paying more than you should.
-
No booking fees
We understand that every dollar counts, so we don't charge you a booking fee. More money for living instead. You won't be charged extra for making a reservation through Coliving.com.Never pay a booking fee. More money for living instead.