Shared work-spaces are becoming more and more popular within white collared jobs. Not only is it just a cheaper alternative for companies, but it has also become a popular choice for small businesses, startups, and entrepreneurs. It enables their employees to have more flexibility and provides a different experience from traditional office spaces.
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First, good working conditions equate to good work. If you choose a bar or a café as your office, it will be noisy and your table will not be as convenient and large as a desk. You will not have everything within easy reach, in case you need more pencils, sheets or if you want tape, for example. If you work at home, you may start feeling lonely or demotivated.
In a co-working space, you will be surrounded by other entrepreneurs who can answer your questions or support you. It is a good occasion to build your network too, since some famous platforms, such as Instagram, Indiegogo or Uber, were familiar with co-working at one point. Sometimes, a kitchen and other common rooms are available, it is a good idea to check what co-working space offers what.
Unlike in a café, you can also welcome your clients in meeting rooms you booked. You will look more professional by doing so than inviting them into your house, if you used to work there. If you are still unsure, you can rent a space for a day or a week, and then make your decision. You can also try multiple spaces to choose the best one.
If we take another angle, renting a traditional office space in Japan is also typically quite expensive. Unless you are a big company like Facebook or Google, getting an office space within a budget can be difficult. On top of that, employees usually work near or right next to their boss, meaning the office layout is usually more open. There are no walls separating you from your co-workers like cubicles, so privacy is limited. Your boss can look over your shoulder any time to see if you’re slacking off. This can cause a lot of pressure for employees to work harder without taking proper breaks.
Everyone knows WeWork is one of the top leading companies in providing ambient working spaces in many countries, however, they are not the only ones. Here are some of our recommendations if you are looking for an open co-working space to work at in Japan:
Owned by IWG plc, Regus is one of the leading workspace providers. They have over 3,000 locations in 120 countries, making it very convenient for any business person to find a quiet place to work. It is one of the larger companies that has established itself in the Japanese market. They have an English friendly website and have attracted many foreign companies/workers. This is one of the more well known popular options for businesses because Regus has been around for many years and has built a solid reputation for their co-working spaces.
| Co-working (shared room) | From ¥540 per person per day |
| Interior office | From ¥620 per person per day |
| Windows office | From ¥780 per person per day |
| Office suite | Make a call |
Although not as big as WeWork and Regus, Servcorp still has many convenient locations all throughout Tokyo. This Australian company has been around since 1978 and has been growing ever since. Like Regus, they also have a foreigner-friendly website where the user is able to switch between Japanese and English. Servcorp is an excellent choice for anyone looking for a place to get work done.
| Hot Desk | From $200/ Month |
| Dedicated Desk | From $400/ Month |
| Offices | From $650/ Month |
| Virtual Offices | From $99/ Month |
| Membership | $50 / month |
Unlike the first two mentioned, Fabbit is a Japanese shared office company, so it may be slightly difficult to navigate through their website. However, if you are looking to integrate yourself into Japanese culture and interact with more Japanese people, choosing a Japanese co-working space might just be the thing for you. You will be able to socialize and network with many other Japanese workers at social events arranged by the company. In addition to that, a receptionist can answer the calls for you.
All of these are great options for your company because they offer your employees independence and flexibility to do work anywhere at any time. You do not have to manage the property: no cleaning, zero problem if you want to move, the furniture item are already there… Give it a try!
References: https://www.regus.co.jp/en-jp https://www.servcorp.co.jp/ja/ https://fabbit.co.jp/ https://www.japantimes.co.jp/life/2018/07/07/lifestyle/can-co-working-spaces-change-work-culture-japan/#.XUjfL5MzYWp https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2019/03/18/business/shared-work-spaces-catch-urban-japanese-seeking-better-work-life-balance/#.XUjf9ZMzYWp https://articles.bplans.com/5-reasons-a-co-working-space-makes-sense-for-your-startupZ
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