I would like to thank UNINEST for giving me this opportunity to take part in a two week internship.
As I was already very interested in UNINEST before, it was a pleasure to have practical work experience this time.
Although it was not long, I was taken care of a lot.
This internship gave me an insight into the kind of work that international squatters do and how difficult it can be.
After this internship, I have gained a new understanding of international exchange and the management of the company.
I owe this to the patience and guidance of the other staff in the company. I have also discovered my weaknesses after this work.
Although I only have a small amount of time left, I have to work harder to increase my strengths for the future.
Uninest Japan is holding a Summer Sale across it's student accommodations - HAKUSAN HOUSE & KAMIKITA HOUSE!
We know that moving house is usually expensive,
but with us there are no up-front costs such as deposit, key money, guarantor fee, or building management charge.
All that's required is
20,000 JPY Registration Fee + the initial rent.
That's it.
But with this Sale,
the Registration Fee + first month's rent are free.
No cost!
Which means,
there are no moving costs,
and there is no first month's rent to pay!
You can just get straight to enjoying Tokyo life as part of our international community.
Make the most of this summer!
Eligibility:
・Contracts 6 months (24 weeks) or more
・Move-in before 9/30
・Those aged 18-35 who hold a valid student card
Book here
HAKUSAN HOUSE
①Click the Book here button to access our Enquiry Form
②Be sure to type 'Summer Sale' in the 'Your enquiry' box
③We will then be in touch with the next steps
KAMIKITA HOUSE
①Click the Book here button to access our booking form
②Be sure to type 'Summer Sale' in the 'Anything else you'd like the staff to know' box
③We will then be in touch with the next steps
Today we'd like to get a bit serious.
As we move towards winter and the third wave of COVID-19 appears imminent, we think it's important to discuss how to balance safety measures with daily life. At Uninest, we are asking all of our staff and residents to further deepen their understanding of the virus, and to cooperate with countermeasures. Heading into 2021, we are making big efforts to maintain a safe environment for everyone!
At our properties
- Frequent cleaning and disinfection of common spaces
- Supply and replenishment of disinfectant spray and wipes throughout the building
- Installation of acrylic screens in common spaces
- Installation of thermal camera at building entrance
- Ventilation of common spaces
Our staff
- Body temperature check before shift → if body temperature is higher than usual, the staff member is not permitted to work
- Use of facial masks
- Frequent washing and disinfection of hands
We ask our residents to...
- Wear masks when outside of the bedroom
- Regularly wash and disinfect hands, gargle frequently
- In particular, wash hands after returning home. There are handwashing areas on the 1F
- Track body temperature and physical condition daily, making use of the thermal camera at the entrance and reporting any unwellness to staff while avoiding direct contact with others
- Practice social distancing
Excessive anxiety or fear regarding COVID-19 may at times lead to irrational decision making. At Uninest, we endeavor to provide accurate and up-to-date information from trusted sources, such as the government or medical institutions.
https://stopcovid19.metro.tokyo.lg.jp/en
https://extranet.who.int/kobe_centre/en/covid
At Uninest, we are against any form prejudice or discrimination, especially towards those who have contracted the virus, those who have come into close contact with infected individuals or those seeking the help of healthcare professionals.
Inciting excessive anxiety with regards to the virus only increases prejudice and discrimination. This creates stigma around getting tested, and may lead to further and faster spread of the virus.
There are cases where people making best efforts to avoid infection still contract the virus. Uninest staff and residents will not display any prejudice or discriminate in any way against infected individuals or those who have come into close contact with the virus.
Please don't make it any more difficult for people to get tested for COVID-19, or to report having the infection, because of prejudice or discrimination.
For Reference: Three faces of COVID-19 we must be alert to - A guide to breaking the negative spiral-
http://www.jrc.or.jp/english/jrc_news/200416_006156.html
Hey, Uninest here!
Just wanted to check in following last night's announcement that the State of Emergency for Tokyo is officially lifted. It's not like the virus has disappeared and the risk of infection is over quite yet though, so the government is asking residents in Japan to adopt a new lifestyle.
What you want to know is, what does this mean for life at Uninest? Let me explain...
Yes, I heard!
Basically, I need to follow the precautions below for the time being and that's it, right!
We'll continue with our Bed Distancing Policy for now, but hope to end this on June 30. We plan to update residents later in June based on the government policy at the time.
In the meantime, we will continue to follow the procedure below in the event that any resident reports feeling unwell.
Let's support each other and do our best to enjoy adapting to this new lifestyle!
Sure!
As long as I'm surrounded by friends I'm sure there's a way to make it fun!
Hey!
Bet you're wondering what happens if there's a case of COVID-19 somewhere like one of our residences.
How about I give you the low down on our policy?
Yes please!
I want to know everything!
Details of "Day-to-day Preventative Measures"→
First means first, the main aim is to prevent any infection!
That's why we're asking everyone to take basic measures to cut the risk of anyone being or becoming infected.
I get the idea that prevention is key.
But what about the fact that we are living communally, with people sharing apartments.Surely the risk is pretty high even if I'm being careful...
Actually we decided to implement a bed distancing policy before the State of Emergency was even declared. It was a bit of a pain for our residents though, as we asked them to move rooms.
That's a relief, because this was the major concern!
But what if, even with all these measures, someone feels unwell? I have no idea what I'd do...
Considering the current situation, I'm not surprised you're anxious about feeling unwell.
Let me explain how we handle "Cases of Unwell Residents" in the diagram below!
I know you're wondering - but what if there's a resident who actually contracts COVID-19?
If this happens, we will work directly with the Ministry of Health and require all residents to follow their directions.
We know having all students self-isolate in their rooms is a big ask, but Uninest will be on hand to make it as pain free as possible.
Right!
So what you're basically saying is...
◎Prevention is key! And Uninest is providing masks for everyone!
◎There's currently a one person per room policy, avoiding any risks related to sharing apartments.
◎If you're feeling well, inform the staff ASAP!
◎If a resident does contract COVID-19, all residents will have to isolate in their rooms！
◎All communal spaces will be off limits, and Uninest will provide full support, e.g. food!
◎Basically, whether it's a sick individual or all residents, we'll work directly with the Ministry of Health and follow their directions！
HAKUSAN HOUSE is a BIG share house! Since it’s an international accommodation, we have lots of students from abroad living with us! We have a diverse range of facilities, so let’s hear directly from residents about their favorite bits!
Introducing the most popular areas of HAKUSAN HOUSE♡
From the spacious 9F rooftop you can enjoy views of the Tokyo skyline, which includes the iconic Tokyo Skytree broadcasting tower!
Why not do some yoga on the grass, or even take a nap while you wait for your laundry. There are so many things you can do up here, you name it!
HAKUSAN HOUSE occasionally holds rooftop BBQs, and as I’m sure you can imagine, these are some of our most popular events.
Just look at that line! They were all feasting on burger after sausage after chicken wing... Hey guys, please eat the veggies too!!!
Rooftop BBQs are held about twice a year, and all of the food, including the meat, sauces and tools are provided by the staff. We just want all of you to bring the fun!
View of HAKUSAN HOUSE from across the street! The sky looks amazing from here too!
Nice island kitchens where you can cook together with friends! Of course, the kitchen is fully kitted out so you can try your hand at cooking all sorts of food!
Let’s dig in~♡♡♡
If it’s someone’s birthday, they tend to prepare birthday cake and drinks for everyone!
There are also students who like to bake cookies or apple pies from scratch and share them with all the other residents! (They even give them to the UNINEST staff members...! Thank you!!!)
Check our blog about potluck party too!
The cinema room isn’t used just for watching movies, but also for holding karaoke contests,
practicing instruments etc. You choose how you want to use this space! And if you’re not sure what movies to watch, check out our 7 top movie recommendations for students!
Anyone is welcome to use our Co-working Space as long as they have a valid student ID (Japanese or overseas)!
You don’t even have to be a resident! The Wi-Fi is free, of course, and we have plenty of power outlets you can use for your laptop. It’s so laid back, just like working out of a café!
You can eat and drink in this area too!
But! It can also function as an event venue!
Look at all the yummy pizzas we ordered in for our Pizza Party event! Such a good view♡
Residents have also had the chance to challenge themselves by trying their hand Japanese Calligraphyin one of our past events!
We laid out large pieces of paper on the lounge floor and had people add words of wisdom. This is the kind of experience that can only be had at intercultural hubs like our UNINEST residences!
This is one of the shared living room spaces inside our accommodation. We have large monitors, sofas, coffee tables, and even microwaves!This is the perfect place to meet new friends if you’ve just moved in!
At our residences, games for consoles such as Nintendo Switch are available for rental, for FREE! Why not enjoy your day off gaming with friends?
We also had students comment on how much they like the vending machines on the first floor and the rooftop!
It’s so convenient being able to buy a drink before heading out to school or grab instant ramen and snacks if you’re hungry, without even having to step outside!
There are so many other places we want to introduce, but maybe next time!
Discover a space at UNINEST that fits YOU!
Hey everyone! Which is it, bread or rice for breakfast?
According to a survey, we found that the top 5 breakfast foods for people between their 20’s and 60’s are:
1st place：Bread
2nd place: Rice
3rd place: Coffee or Tea
4th place: Eggs
5th place: Milk or Yogurt
So apparently, bread beats rice!
To be more exact, 80% of women in their 20’s prefer bread. On the other hand, men in their 20’s are more about having rice for breakfast.
So, I wonder what the percentage is for students living with us at Uninest!
How cruel is it that we have to choose either/or?! Both bread and rice are excellent breakfast foods. But today, let’s talk about bread.
The reason being, Uninest recently received a generous delivery of delicious loaves. This in itself sounds a bit odd, but there’s a legitimate reason behind this delivery.
The bread was a gift from web design company Monosus, which we have a close working relationship with.
The bread they sent is called Itsumo no syokupan, which translates to something like “your usual loaf”!
Based in Kamiyama, Tokushima – “Kama-pan” is a local bakery that puts a whole lot of effort into what they refer to as their “usual”. They’ve gained quite the national following as a result, with fans throughout Japan claiming they’d like to eat these loaves every day!
To be fair, when I actually held the bread, it felt heavier than expected.
I’m pretty sure this is gonna be delicious…! I want to devour it right now…!
But WAIT!
I also want to share the bread with you!!!
We wanted to share this delicious bread with everyone, so decided to host an impromptu Bread Brunch event!
<@>Held in the first-floor lounge, we made space for a bread buffet spread!Our wonderful RA staff also helped us out getting ready for this event. Thank you so much!
The bread smelled so amazing when we were toasting it♡
Residents were literally drawn down to the first floor by the scent, and were excited to join in on the feasting. Lol
People could choose whatever sweet toppings they fancied that morning.
If you have a sweet tooth, we’d recommend peanut butter or Nutella. Jams also add a lovely bit of color to your meal!
“Omg it’s so good!!”
“Yay! They have Nutella!”
“It’s so soft~♡“」
The students were all very satisfied with their slices♡
Some people even asked for seconds!
Thank you so, so much Monosus and Kama-pan for the delicious bread!
(The staff also enjoyed some. Though we had to fight for it with the students lol）
♡Special Thanks♡
＜Monosus＞ Web design, Operations, Consulting firm
＜Kama-pan＞ Bread shop sponsored by Food Hub Project in Kamiyamacho, Tokushima
On April 6, the Japanese government issued a “declaration of a state of emergency” in response to the intensifying COVID-19 situation in Japan.
Is everyone in our UNINEST community taking the appropriate measures to protect themselves? In order to curtail the spread of COVID-19, we all need to do our bit in keeping up to date with the latest facts and information coming from specialists.
Here we’ll provide some easy-to-digest information, as we reference Tokyo’s official “Tokyo COVID-19 Information” site and “COVID-PAGE (Public Advisory Group of Experts)” (Japanese only).
COVID-19 is an infectious disease caused by a new virus that all generations need to protect themselves against; it doesn’t matter whether you’re in your teens or 20’s, since we know everyone and anyone is vulnerable according to the data. As of now, symptoms in younger people tend to be less serious, but this is not to say it will remain this way.
From “Tokyo COVID-19 Information” site
You can find the latest information concerning Tokyo updated frequently on the “Tokyo COVID-19 Information” site. Check out their detailed data regarding the current situation around testing, the number of confirmed COVID-19 positive patients, and the demographics of these patients (location, age, gender, etc.)
“COVID-PAGE (Public Advisory Group of Experts)” is also a credible Japanese language site managed by authorized persons of the Japanese Government TPP Headquarters.
Before you go thinking that COVID-19 has nothing to do with you, there are some things we want you to consider. Maybe you don’t have symptoms, but you could be a carrier of the virus, unconsciously transmitting the disease to the elderly or children.
Graphic from “COVID-PAGE (Public Advisory Group of Experts)” 「Information that needs sharing now (April 5)」
・Your decision to stay home is saving lives.
・Only head outside for essentials: medical checks, exercise (jogging, walking), food shopping, or key worker commutes.
So, the best thing we can all do is to stay at home. Lots of people are spreading the word to #Stayhome via YouTube, twitter and Instagram.
This is a tough time for everyone, so why not support each other by staying home?（UNINEST blog「5 fun things to do while you’re hauled up at home!」）
In order to contain the spread of COVID-19, the Japanese government has asked 7 prefectures (Tokyo, Kanagawa, Saitama, Chiba, Osaka, Hyogo, Fukuoka) to take EXTRA stringent measures.
The duration of the declaration is said to be about a month. Below is a summary of key points so you can be at the ready, based on information provided by “COVID-PAGE (Public Advisory Group of Experts)”:
・Avoid crowds, enclosed spaces, and physical contact with others.
・Reduce all direct physical contact by 80%.
・Max. 1 outing per day.
Please physically distance yourself from others as much as possible. If there are too many people in a limited space, the ventilation will be bad. We ask that you avoid any places you know tend to get crowded.
The main point of this declaration is to get you to stay home. Try not to leave the house unless you need to pick up essentials.
・You are saving lives and supporting medical professionals by remaining at home.
・Don’t panic and do the best you can to continue on as usual.
If you are living in a region where the declaration has been issued, please refrain from travel to other regions.
Even though you show no symptoms of COVID-19, you could still be a carrier. If you understand there’s always a risk you may cause of the spread of COVID-19, you get why we’re asking you to refrain from all physical contact, right?
The volume of information regarding COVID-19 is overwhelming. Learn how to pick out the essential points from amidst the chaos.
Graphic from “COVID-PAGE (Public Advisory Group of Experts)” 「To All Generations」
・Share credible and necessary information .
・Keep updating this information and spreading the word.
COVID-19 is a new type of infectious disease, so everyone in the medical field is doing their best to find a cure or preventative method. Please be sure to keep updating yourself with credible information from reliable medical institutions.
Being aware of any changes in your physical condition is also important. If you’re concerned or feeling a bit under the weather, be sure to notify UNINEST staff ASAP, preferably by phone or email.
Graphic from “COVID-PAGE (Public Advisory Group of Experts)”「Information that needs sharing now (April 5)」
Takafumi Horie invited Dr. Sohtaro Mine, a postdoctoral researcher from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases in America, to feature on his YouTube channel. In the video, Dr. Mine gives an easy-to-follow lecture about COVID-19.
Please cooperate so we can all stay healthy and protect ourselves from the COVID-19!
【Basic measures】
【Regarding guests and overnight stay】
【Monitor your health condition】
【Common areas in our residences】
【Our Staff】
If there are any updates to the measures being taken for COVID-19, we will notify you via our website, as well as the UNINEST staff reaching out to residents directly.
As a result of the global Covid-19 pandemic, everyone is required to follow preventative measures such as: strict self-hygienic, voluntarily self-isolation, social distancing.
We all have to keep “social distancing” in mind and take it seriously, but what if we use Skype or Instagram, and enjoy some great times together virtually!
You might even catch live streams by some of your favorite celebrities!
You can also share artists’ live streams with your friends on the other side of the screen. Let’s hang out and watch your favorite singers or illustrators being creative in real time, together!
If you want to move your body, we recommend trying a few rounds of Shiritori, but with gestures instead of words.
Shiritori is originally a word chain game popular in Japan, where you use the last letter of the previous word to choose the following word in the chain, and you just keep on going until someone says a word ending the word with the syllable “n” (ん).
This is because no words exist in the Japanese language begin with the syllable “n” (ん) alone. But a word chain game alone won’t help you exercise, so let’s use gestures instead! Guess what words your friends are trying to silently act out through the camera!
Get started by checking out a YouTube video to learn how to play!
Don’t be a couch potato during this challenging time! You’ll feel even more stressed if you’re not keeping healthy! It’s ok if you’re not much of an athlete, stretching is also a nice way to stay fit.
There are so many workout videos on YouTube, it’s unreal! Have a quick search and you’ll be able to find the perfect workout routine.
Advanced workout video, no tools needed!
Beginners workout video. 「HAND CLAP DANCE」- a video that went viral a while ago. There’s no stomping so you won’t have to worry about complaints from those downstairs!
Fitness games on Nintendo Switch or Wii are also super fun!
Convenient meals like frozen foods or microwave dinners are very popular, especially at the moment. But have you tried space food?? Now may be a good time to give it a go!
Space rice balls – Salmon. What does it taste like!?（Available from space goods store 「宇宙の店」）
Recently there are increasingly varied kinds of space food on sale, such as pilaf rice, cakes etc. This also goes for Japanese washoku, with options like takoyaki (octopus balls) and onigiri (rice balls).
Since we’re already stuck inside, why not try these fun pre-made foods?
Unfortunately, since we have to avoid direct physical contact with others, let’s make sure to greet others with a great big smile!
Since the majority of us are wearing masks, the key is to smile with your eyes. Or as Tyra Banks would say, “Smize” (ANTM). Why not practice smizing while you’re at home with us?
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a respiratory illness that can be transmitted easily from person to person.
For Reference:From Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare(Japan),HP「From Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare Q & A on Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)」、Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Public Health「新型コロナウイルス感染症Q&A」より
At Uninest Japan’s HAKUSAN HOUSE and KAMIKITA HOUSE, we are strictly adhering to the advice of Japan’s Ministry of Health, following stringent health and safety guidelines and taking the preventative measures required to keep students and employees safe.
We ask for the support of our residents in taking everyday preventive actions to ensure everyone’s safety!
【Basics of Infection Prevention】
【About guests & staying outside】
【Managing your health】
【Shared spaces】
【Our efforts as staff】
If you are feeling sick, please remain isolated in your room and inform Uninest staff by email or phone as soon as possible. Especially if:
Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (Japan),HP「Further Information from Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare Q & A on Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)」より
Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after arriving home and before and after cooking. Make use of the soap and alcohol-based hand sanitizers provided. Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
Prevent infection by avoiding close contact with people. Keep a 2-meter (6ft) distance from others.
Please refrain from non-essential and non-urgent activities outside. You are safest spending time in your own room.
We plan to offer information on our measures towards COVID-19 through channels such as our HP as new developments arise.
