
Kid chatter interrupting your Zoom call? Struggling with work/life separation? Never fear, the Otegaroom is here!
If you ordinarily work out of an office, there’s a likelihood you’ve been asked to work from home in some capacity in recent months. After all, it’s a lot less dangerous to limit your exposure to other human beings by staying inside your usual lodgings with a limited number of people. The problem arises when the other people you live with are also working from home…especially if you tend to have conference calls at the same time of day.
Soundproofing company Pia Living’s new Otegaroom — that’s a compound word of “otegaru,” meaning cheap or simple, and “room” — may be the answer to your prayers, as it offers the ability to install an even tinier room inside your existing living space that comes packed with plenty of soundproofing, LED lighting and even a ventilation fan to ensure you can carry on phone calls, meetings and even private guitar jam sessions without worrying about noise pollution.
▼ Choose between an Antique White or Bitter Brown palette for your Otegaroom.
The walls of the room contain sandwiched boards that work in tandem to keep sounds both insulated from outside noises and absorbed so that sound doesn’t leak out. Apparently, this system means that you’ll both be protected against and prevented from spreading sounds around a volume of 15 decibels. The room is also equipped with a neat little desk to sit at for when you need to use your laptop.
There are holes included so you can pass through electrical cords, and the whole construction is remarkably light, weighing in at about 50 kilograms (110 pounds) before the desk is installed. It doesn’t require any specialized knowledge to set up, though they recommend asking a partner to help you. And if you don’t have a partner around to help build a soundproof sanctuary, what do you even need the soundproof sanctuary for?
▼ Extension cords fit neatly through the sides of the room.
Of course, privacy is pricey. If you want to set up an Otegaroom in your apartment you’ll have to be willing to part with 198,000 yen (US$1,855), but keep in mind that you’re purchasing something with the true-and-tested soundproofing technology of Pia Living. The entire ethos behind their store is to help people live in pleasant, quiet comfort, so they’re bound to provide the finest light-weight, tiny, soundproofed room experience that money can buy.
And don’t you want to rock out at all hours on your ukulele without worrying about the neighbors?
Right, that’s what we thought.
Source: Pia Living via Netlab
Images: Pia Living
● Want to hear about SoraNews24’s latest articles as soon as they’re published? Follow us on Facebook and Twitter





A winter work-from-home essential from Japan: The kotatsu desk【Photos】
How is Japan coping with telecommuting? Survey asks for the good and bad of working from home
Cat taking over your work-from-home keyboard? Japanese YouTuber has super easy solution【Video】
Final Fantasy developer Square Enix makes working from home a permanent option for employees
Japan’s latest work-from-home innovation: The wearable video conference background【Photos】
Salomon releases Japan-exclusive Mt. Fuji hiking gear that doubles as an amazing souvenir
Japan triples departure tax, foreign tourists and locals now must pay more to leave country
Starbucks Japan teams up with Converse Tokyo for a new limited-edition collection in honour of Tanabata
Japanese overnight sightseeing train returns for summer with ramen stops and ocean views
7-Eleven Japan has a lot of famous food, but its new burrito needs to be on your radar
Japanese train company brings back beloved “patapata” departure board…with a clever digital twist
Foreign resident of Japan arrested after spraying bear repellant inside post office
One Piece docking at Round 1 amusement centers in both Japan and the USA
Sanrio Character Poll announces winners, Hello Kitty absent from top 10 in many countries
Live-action Spirited Away stage play announces world tour with first-ever U.S. and Canadian dates
Tokyo has only two barley tea makers, and we visited one to see how mugicha is made
Pikachu brings electric style to brand-new Pokémon G-Shock watch featuring every stater trio
Family Mart Japan installs red-eyed “Monster Wolf” to keep bears away from convenience store
Starbucks Japan reopens Shinkansen platform store after redesigning it for speed
Blind Tokyo commuter explains the easiest place for him to stand while riding the train
Japan announces sudden 400-percent increase in visa fees for foreigners entering the country
Japanese ninja certification exam attracts 131 candidates from Japan and abroad
Studio Ghibli store Donguri Republic announces opening of first-ever store in America
New Japanese overnight train coming to connect Tokyo with Tohoku in sleep-travel style
Japan launches first overnight Shinkansen bullet train between Tokyo and Osaka this summer
Even at twice regular Daiso price, this handy item is still great for summer travel in Japan
Japanese sweets shop sells an ohagi so exquisite it sells out by noon
Forget Tokyo go-karts – there’s a new way to sightsee on four wheels in Japan
Japanese sweets brand creates new drinkable Cigare and we’re totally here for it
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
Japan reportedly adding Japanese language skill requirement to most common foreigner work visa
Japan’s 5.3 million beautiful Hitachi Nemophila flowers are now in full bloom[Photos]
Survey reveals most Japanese workers want to work from home at least twice per week
Japan now has a special desk for people who work at home with a pet cat[Photos]
Japan’s All-Alone Tents see skyrocketing demand during coronavirus pandemic
Why work from home when you can work from a Japanese cat town?
Japanese husband falls in love with telecommuting wife all over again as they both work from home
Turn any table into a kotatsu with new adhesive heater from Japan
Telecommute from a ferris wheel at this Japanese amusement park
Need a work-from-home office fast? Set up this Japanese cardboard desk in less than 1 minute
The pros and cons of working from a Japanese hot spring inn
Japanese interior micro-houses and study spaces: Great for work-at-home professionals, kids too
The SoraNews24 Work from Home Health Guide: Stretching with Mr. Sato!【Photos】
This cafe has a drink bar and lets you bring your own food, could be the perfect telework space
New Studio Ghibli video conference backgrounds let you work from the worlds of Marnie and Porco
Japan’s “All-Alone Tent” lets you cheaply, easily set up a secret computer room inside your home