
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】
Studio Ghibli launches huge new anime movie T-shirt collection with special design details
Japanese convenience store gives away free ice cream with creative ad at Shinjuku Station
New Kyoto Converse sneakers celebrate Japan with traditional kimono fabrics for your feet
Tifa’s Final Fantasy VII bar is going to pop up in real-world Tokyo
Japan’s 5.3 million beautiful Hitachi Nemophila flowers are now in full bloom[Photos]
Tokyo’s city hall changes dress code, workers now allowed to wear shorts[Videos]
Burger King Japan’s All Heavy customisation hack may not be all it’s cracked up to be
Why is Yoshinoya called Yoshinoya?
Godzilla turns fuzzy for his 60th birthday with adorable results, we stop by to say hi
The world’s most matcha-intense ice cream experience is waiting for you in Shizuoka
Brand-new Pokémon manhole covers coming to help the recovery of a disaster-stricken part of Japan
Japan’s awesomely beautiful Alpen Route snow corridor is now open
Move aside, convenience store egg sando – there’s a better version of the iconic sandwich in Japan
Pokémon hot spring footbath opening in Japan this spring
Studio Ghibli croquettes not to eat, but to keep your stuff in, going on sale in Japan[Photos]
Japan’s popular bead bonsai kit is as beautiful as it is gruelling to make
Secret staff cafeteria in Tokyo is a hidden gem you won’t find in travel guides
Tinder just opened a convenience store in Japan, aimed at adults only
Japan reportedly adding Japanese language skill requirement to most common foreigner work visa
Pokémon and Ikea Japan cross over into each other’s worlds with collaboration events
Wisteria season starts early with blooming of Japan’s Great Wisteria in its beautiful garden
Japan now has a special desk for people who work at home with a pet cat[Photos]
Japan’s best conveyor belt sushi restaurant of seven years ago has now, finally, come to Tokyo
Famous Tokyo cherry blossom spot installs view-blocking screens to fight overcrowding[Video]
Uniqlo announces new T-shirts for One Piece, Naruto and more for manga publisher’s 100th birthday
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer
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
Studio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Major Japanese hotel chain says reservations via overseas booking sites may not be valid
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says
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
Need a work-from-home office fast? Set up this Japanese cardboard desk in less than 1 minute
Telecommute from a ferris wheel at this Japanese amusement park
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