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Experience Japanese culture in an international community
Sakura House sees an average of 500 new residents per month from 100 countries across the globe.

Sakura House brings warmth and conveniences of home to visitors in Japan

by

Farhana Chowdhury

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Published: Sun 16 Oct 2016, 12:19 PM

Last updated: Sun 16 Oct 2016, 2:51 PM

Featuring a "home away from home" concept, Sakura House opened its doors in 1992 in Harajuku, as a solution for travellers looking to stay in a cosy accommodation, complete with meals and group activities.
To date, it boasts over 1,100 rooms in 120 locations across Tokyo, Saitama, Kanagawa and Kyoto. The options on offer include apartments, share houses, dormitories, vacation rentals and student dormitories.
"Sakura House's latest Vacation Rentals are perfect for stays by families, as well as groups and teams attending conferences, meetings, exhibitions, etc. Unlike most types of accommodations presently available to visitors in Japan, they have fully equipped kitchens and are designed for stays by groups of people," says Masayo Namiki, General Manager, Sakura House and Sakura Hostel & Hotel, Tokyo.
Its lodgings see an average of 500 new residents per month from 100 countries across the globe. Each year, it welcomes around 30 guests from the Middle East, and 10 from the UAE alone, notably at peak seasons, i.e., spring and summer.

Check-in with ease
The first-of-its-kind rental real estate agency allows visitors a convenient mode of reservation, compared to other agencies that charge a key money and require a guarantor. "At Sakura House, we ask for neither. To rent most rooms, all that is needed is a valid passport and a deposit. Utility fees for residences are paid entirely through regular monthly fees," she says, adding to its safe, comfortable and affordable features. 
Holidaymakers can also take advantage of a true walk-in experience where they can step in to Sakura House's office in Shinjuku, which is open seven days a week from 9am to 8pm, sign papers and gain access to a furnished room - all on the same day.
Furthermore, its in-house maintenance crew takes care of regular cleaning and responds to emergency repairs to ensure minimal disruption during residents' stay.

Muslim-friendly accommodation
What also sets it apart from others is its exceptional attention to the needs of Muslim tourists. The Shibuya Yoyogi Uehara Friendly House for Muslims, for instance, is Japan's first dedicated share house and dormitory, while other options include Muslim-friendly lodging exclusively designed for women. These residences are also conveniently located near Tokyo Camii Mosque and 24-hour cafes that serve Halal food.

Bundles of fun
Sakura House, together with its sister Sakura Hotels/Hostel, hosts a wide range of resident events throughout the year, which are listed on its online calendar. These include friendship parties, tea ceremonies, participation in Shinto matsuri festivals, kimono parties, Sumo wrestling events, shodo calligraphy workshops, sushi parties, running events, horse racing events, visits to see the Noh theatre, visits to the Tsukiji fish market, etc.

Increasing tourists
Sakura House continues to evolve and offer more services to cater to the needs of students, working professionals and vacationers bound for Japan.
"With the Tokyo Olympics on the horizon, the number of foreign guests visiting Japan is increasing at a rapid pace. We, at Sakura House, wish to continue meeting our guests' needs as we have since the first Sakura House residences. Our dedication and enthusiasm towards our mission remain steadfast," Namiki concludes.
- farhana@khaleejtimes.com

Sakura House sees an average of 500 new residents per month from 100 countries across the globe.
Sakura House sees an average of 500 new residents per month from 100 countries across the globe.
Sakura House sees an average of 500 new residents per month from 100 countries across the globe.
Sakura House sees an average of 500 new residents per month from 100 countries across the globe.

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