About Expo House
「おかえり」「ただいま」“Welcome back.” “I’m home.”
Since 2007, we’ve been building share houses in Kyoto that are more than a place to sleep — homes where, at the end of the day, a housemate is there to say “welcome back,” and you can reply, “I’m home.”
Our story
It started with wanting to make friends
Our founder, Yusuke, opened the first Expo House in Nishijin in May 2007. His idea was simple: to live with people from all over the world and exchange students in Kyoto — to cook together, eat together, walk to the neighbourhood bathhouse together and enjoy everyday life as friends.
Nearly two decades later, that’s still what we care about. We’ve grown to six houses, but our aim is the same: not just a place to stay, but a space where all kinds of people can meet, regardless of nationality, occupation, background or age.
We want Expo House to be a place where you can laugh and enjoy your time with everyone — and feel just a little sad when the day comes to say goodbye.
What we value
Three things that make Expo House, Expo House
Everyone is welcome
Students, working holiday makers, remote workers and local professionals from Japan and around the world live side by side. Differences in language and culture are part of the fun.
Together, at your own pace
Shared dinners, seasonal events and late-night kitchen chats are always there when you want them — and your own room is always there when you need some quiet.
A real home in Kyoto
Not a hotel, not a dorm: a neighbourhood home where you get to know the streets around you and live Kyoto life as it really is.
Our neighbourhood
Why Nishijin?
Nishijin is Kyoto’s historic textile district, famous for centuries for its Nishijin-ori silk weaving. Today it’s a quiet, lived-in part of the city, with narrow lanes, old wooden townhouses, local cafés and shops.
Daitoku-ji, Kinkaku-ji and Kitano Tenmangu are close by, and the century-old Funaoka Onsen public bath is a neighbourhood favourite. It’s a place to experience the Kyoto that people actually live in — away from the tourist crowds, but never far from them.
Our team
Many of us were housemates first
Expo House is run by a small team who look after everything from keeping the houses clean to planning events. Several of our staff first came to Expo House as residents — so we know what it’s like to arrive in Kyoto with just a suitcase, and we’re here to help you settle in.
We also run Expo Hostel & Cottage, a hostel and renovated machiya cottages in the same neighbourhood, where housemates and guests sometimes come together for events like our rooftop Daimonji viewing.
Work with usCome and live with us
Find the house that suits you, or send us a message — we’d love to hear what brings you to Kyoto.