[15.1] Coworking Cities: Tokyo
Japan, in my head, always had this exoticness in its name. It is probably due to the fact that it is far, far away from us and also rather secluded to the rest of the world. Since Coworkies started its journey, Japan has always been a destination we were curious to explore for several reasons:
- The first one is linked to what was previously written. How does a country as big as Japan (more than 126 millions inhabitants) functions while being so far away from the rest of the world?
- Does the work culture really looks like what we hear and it is going through any changes?
- And lastly, what does the coworking scene looks like there and how does the question number two affects or supports it?
To find out the answers to our questions, we decided to make our way to Japan and explore its coworking scene from Tokyo to Kyoto, stopping by Osaka. Without further ado let;s begin with Tokyo.
”Tokyo Coworking scene in facts and figures”
One thing we can say for sure about Tokyo, the city is buzzing. With more than 9,2 million inhabitants, it mixes the ultra-modern with the more traditional. During our time in Tokyo, we visited quite a few coworking spaces and were always amazed to go from one neighborhood to another and feel like in completely different movies. From the ultra vivid and lively Shibuya (famous for its crossing) to the more quiet neighborhood such as Shimokitazawa, it was sometimes very hard to believe we were still in Tokyo (but we were.)
”The early days of Coworking with Kyo from Paxi”
Want to know how and why coworking started in Tokyo? You’ve landed at the right place. We met Kyo who, back in 2010 founded the very first coworking space of Tokyo: Pax Coworking.
To discover the full story, click below.
”Meet the locals”
Our time in Tokyo being limited, we (sadly) could not meet and chat with the 200 coworking spaces around the city BUT we brought back with us 5 coworking conversations we had with locals who opened coworking spaces in Tokyo at different time over the last decade.
See how coworking has grown and changed by discovering what they have to say!
2011// Open Source Cafe. Tokyo, Shimokitazawa.
A conversation with Tomo, founder of the space.
When and why did you start your coworking space?
I opened my own coworking space for the people who love open-source culture. Before, there was no physical space for open-source programers in Tokyo to share their knowledge and information on a daily basis. So I decided to start in March 2011 as we needed a hub for such people.
Who uses your space and what do your members love about your space?
The people who come to this space like to share their new gadgets, apps and projects. We all love new things and like to share them with each other. I believe such an atmosphere is the key for our community including programers, designers, translators, writers, editors, and additionally young children in the neighborhood.
How was the coworking scene when you started?
There was only one coworking space in Tokyo before we started. The term and philosophy of “coworking” was not so popular that we actually had to name our space “cafe.”
Unfortunately, after just a few days since our opening, the huge earthquake occurred in East Japan including Tokyo. Because of that disaster, we realized the necessity of “neighborhood” again and again. The lack of communication simply means safeless. Then we started rethinking about the local offline community, and the people found “coworking” as one of the answers for it.
After which, “coworking” had been getting popular in Tokyo and Japan.
How would you describe the coworking scene in Tokyo today?
Fully popularized. There’re many types of coworking spaces. You can choose a place in any style as you like: from small to large, from free to expensive.
How do you see the coworking scene of Tokyo growing in the future?
Central Tokyo, like Shibuya, has countless spaces there. But the number of spaces in the suburbs are not so big yet.
There’s room and demands for such a residential area. Coworking spaces should not be only for business people but for more locals and kids. It could make it more accepted.
2013 // Co-Edo. Tokyo, Kayabacho.
A conversation with Tanaka, Founder of the space.
When and why did you start your coworking space? Having started my own business related to web services, I had visited a coworking space for the first time and had found the attraction of it. Then I had begun wanting to run my own coworking space, and opened it in 2013.
Who are your members? 利用者について
The main users are freelancers and managers or executives of SMEs/start-ups. More specifically web services developers, application developers, and game developers.
What surprised you the most since you opened? I expanded the area twice and maybe that was the most surprising thing. I had originally started to run my space as a place for coworking and holding events (mainly seminars and workshops). Then as the latter use had become larger both in number and scale, I came to think I should have expanded my space in order to meet those needs.
How would you describe the coworking scene in Tokyo today? It seems to be becoming more popular than before as a work style has been diversifying today. Entry of large enterprises (e.g. WeWork, Yahoo! JAPAN, Pasela Resorts, etc.) to the coworking space market may also have helped increase the popularity of coworking and coworking space.
How do you see it growing? I expect the coworking spaces will be more diversified and classified according to the needs of users.
Particularly, as the number of user grows, security systems and technologies will be introduced to more spaces.
2014 // Ginza Hub. Tokyo, Chūō.
A conversation with Robert, Founder of the space.
When and why did you start your coworking space? I started Ginza Hub in August 2014, because at the time there was a genuine need for one, an “everything-in-English” co-working space, and two, a space that didn’t have any daunting contracts, or paperwork of any kind — somewhere to just stop by, plug in, and get started, without any fuss.
Who are your members? We currently have 15 entrepreneurs from all over the world working together here, sometimes collaboratively, on exciting businesses in many different fields like photography & videography, software, business skills coaching, and cosmetics. We are a genuine community who love what we do.
What surprised you the most since you opened? My biggest surprise was how Ginza Hub actually turned out. I really thought that it’d be a hacker space for software developers, but our members created a community so much more diverse and interesting than that.
How was the coworking scene when you started? It was pretty tame 5 years ago.
Most coworking spaces were big corporate funded hubs or small cafes, and very few people knew what the term “coworking space” meant. People would say to me, “Do you mean ‘shared office space’?” which of course is very different.
How would you describe the coworking scene in Tokyo today? There are all sorts of coworking spaces popping up everywhere now. And big names like WeWork are establishing themselves and pushing the concept further than ever before.
How do you see it growing? Like many trends in Japan, I think the coworking space boom will peak and then drop off somewhat. But unlike many trends in Japan, some people will always understand the true benefits of collaborative creation and community driven spaces, and so places like Ginza Hub will continue to thrive.
2016 // Blink. Tokyo, Roppongi.
A conversation with Romain, Director of the space.
When and why did Blink opened? We opened in 2016, seeing the trend of collaborative work and the influence of technology on work.
Who are your members?Innovative, energetic, global-minded people who share the same passion to innovate, share and learn.
What surprised you the most since you opened? The strong bonds people have built within our Blink Community.
How was the coworking scene when you started? It used to be undifferentiated and space oriented. A lot of competitors were offering the same standardize offer without trying to differentiate their services… a kind of standardise coworking space style.
How would you describe the coworking scene in Tokyo today? Today, it is all about communities. People are looking for more than a space to work… they want to break bouderies and connect with each other as well.
They want to work for themselves but not by themselves anymore.
2017 // Nagatacho GRID. Tokyo, Chiyoda-ku.
A conversation with Wakaba, Community Manager.
When and why did Nagatacho GRID started? Nagatacho GRiD was opened in February 2017. It is not really a co-working space in its traditional meaning. Gaiax — an IT company that focuses on sharing peer-2-peer platforms has opened its new office building to anyone who wishes to use it. In other words, Gaiax employees work side to side with strangers thus creating connections every day, finding new ideas, collaboration partners and simply friends. I see it as the future of working, without defined borders, roles or structures. Plus, sharing resources is at the core of our business. Why possess things exclusively and let them idle when not in use while others are in need of them? That makes no sense.
The building is designed to be used in multiple ways. It has several event venues that we share with other companies and individuals. We also have shared offices floors that make the building sustainable (contribute greatly to the rent), cafes, social lounges, free work space (Gaiax office) and a cozy rooftop where we enjoy movie screenings, yoga workouts and intimate gatherings. More than half of the building is open to the public free of charge. The only thing we ask of our customers is to become a part of our community, signup to our system and use it to further facilitate communication with fellow members.
Who are your members? We are very diverse. We of course have the usual crowd of creatives freelancers, entrepreneurs, engineers but also politicians, NPOs, students, LGBT groups, stay at home parents and their children, teachers, employees from neighboring companies, event organizers etc. You can find all sorts of events here as well from blockchain conferences to knitting circles.
What surprised you the most since you opened? The most challenging was to establish a good workflow that would allow us to manage the building with a very diverse and open crowd. Once you open the building to the public, you start facing all sorts of problems from explaining why it is free to actually dealing with bad manners and misbehaviors.
How was the coworking scene when you started? There were a number of coworking spaces in Tokyo by 2017 and we have partnered with one of the pioneers that knows a thing or two about running a community. Midori.so — our partner is now operating their members only coworking space out of Nagatacho GRiD (as one of our tenants) and help us with organizing events, finding freelancers and simply driving cool crowd to the building. This is their third location in Tokyo.
How would you describe the coworking scene in Tokyo today? Today, there is literally a coworking space on every corner. With WeWork opening new locations every few months, working out of a coworking space becomes more and more a norm in Tokyo. The spaces are very diverse — from just a room at someone’s basement to autonomic buildings with floors of shared offices. The prices vary greatly as well as the crowd that occupy the spaces. WeWork because of their high prices attract mainly corporate clients and well financed startups. Midori.so attracts highly artistic creatives. Startup Hub Tokyo is working primarily with young entrepreneurs. EdgeOf is a closed selected members only space and so is Cift. Blink is a new location in Roppongi which welcome a diverse crowd of professionals.
We don’t consider them our competition, more like friends that help us change the working scene in Tokyo and Japan. Contract freelance employment is the answer to many social problems in Japan and I think coworking spaces role in Japan’s working reform will only grow with time.
How do you see it growing? We would like to use Nagatacho GRiD as a successful example of opening a regular corporate office to the outside members. A company can not only save on expenses by utilizing idle property (for example idle meeting rooms on weekends, conference rooms, office space) but also find fresh talent, partners, clients among the people they welcome.
THE ANSWER TO OUR QUIZZ IS HERE!
Natagacho GRID is actually home to Hidenori Ikeda, a member who decided to change is way of living by moving into a van. If you are curious to discover more, check out their beautiful instagram account.
“Coworking Goodness”
In Tokyo, we’ve had the chance to discover many different coworking spaces, some of which you’ve read about already. But, for the rest, we’ve prepared right below a selection of 5 VERY interesting curated communities.
1/ EDGEof, the game changers of Tokyo.
EDGEof is an eight floors space designed to foster sincere communication and relationships around the GameChangers ecosystem, enabling deep trust and collaboration.
Started by 6 Entrepreneurs with impressive backgrounds, EDGEof is more than a space, it’s an experience. Each floor has a dedicated purpose to support innovation in various forms from VR to Art, from IoT to smart cities. It is a playground where one can learn, grow and innovate with other like-minded professionals.
We loved… everything! From the incredible view their rooftop offers to their hidden Japanese garden in the basement, only accessible to special guests.
2/ PLACE2B, the community of Tech Entrepreneurs.
Started by a French Corporate, Bouygues Asia, PLACE2B is a great workspace accessible for tech startups. Launched in February 2018, PLACE2B welcomes Entrepreneurs from all around the world to support them in growing and scaling their businesses on the Japanese market.
We loved… the energy of the space and the team running it! PLACE2B is a great place to land when you are new to Japan and its business culture.
3/Fab Café, for the makers of Tokyo.
“and you what do you fab?” — Fab Café is one of the best place in Tokyo to create. At Fab Café, it is not just about 3D printers it is also about making crafts and ideas come to life. We met Kelsie, who look after Communication for the brand. She took us for a full tour of the 5 story building and it’s impressive. Each floor as a dedicated purpose. The higher you go, the more curated it becomes. Fab Café offers to the Tokyoites a great place to learn how to build things as well as educate themselves to the art of making. During our time there, we had the chance to discover a game design Artist who 3D printed his characters and was exhibiting them to the public in the coffee area.
We loved… discovering such a wide range of products that have been designed or conceived in the space. We also love the opportunity Fab Café gives to makers of exhibiting their work in the space.
4/Creative Lounge MOV, coworking and Arts.
Creative Lounge MOV is a unique coworking space located in mall for Artists. Why mentioning where it is located? Because they collaborate with the Artists around the mall to create content for their members and people interested in Fashion, Art, Knitting and much more. Events are at the heart of the space, thus it has been designed as a very modular one in order to be able to host events without disturbing the members. Kokuyo Furniture, the company behind the space, has created a great environment for creativity to flourish.
5/ Portal Point, coworking and lifestyle combined.
Portal Point is an interesting concept. It combines both coworking and living facilities all around Tokyo. The spaces all have different names and different designs making them. The community is interestingly focused on lifestyle. gathering professionals from the fashion industry (Model agency, Fashion brand, PR agencies, Photographers, Events agency) as well as interior design (architects, designers, flower companies) and much more. Each space has a very unique design and layout and are all located in strategic places around Tokyo.
The Status of Social Entrepreneurship in Japan, a conversation with Shingo, co-founder of Impact HUB Tokyo.
To continue with curated communities we went to Impact Hub Tokyo, the place in town to discuss Social Entrepreneurship. There we met Shingo, co-founder of the space with whom we had a very interesting discussion about Social Entrepreneurship in Japan, how people understand it and perceive it. We also talked about changes the country is going through, with an aging workforce and a decrease of the population. We tried to understand how innovation is happening in the workplace to prevent that and talked about how coworking can enable cities to remain innovative and active.
Click right below to access his interview.
