The Japanese may have a comparatively more costly yet more … To live comfortably, we recommend the following sized apartments: However, unless you’re an architect it can be very difficult to imagine how much space you’re going to be getting, so let’s take a look at some real apartment plans. So the only alternative is to build upwards. Buy things used off of sites like Craigslist or Gaijinpot. Some of my colleagues had very small apartments compared to mine. Many young Japanese adults choose to live with their parents, rather than seeking a separate residence, a phenomenon known as parasite singles (パラサイトシングル). But, there are some things that almost all Japanese apartments will have! They are easy to clean, stop you accumulating too much clutter, and are cheaper to furnish and maintain. Whether you are living in a traditional Japanese-style apartment, or a more modern western style, some things stay the same! The fact that the ESL teacher came with few belongings and so doesn't need a lot of rental space is a big deciding factor in choosing a studio apartment or flat. Offering a separate living and dining area, this apartment is … Granted, if you’re the kind of person who needs tons of space, some of these living conditions probably look more like a cell than an apartment. More physical activity, smaller portions, and social pressure are key factors as mentioned. A Typical Japanese Studio Apartment. Which of the 23 flavors of cake they sell are the best? Tips on renting, living, and thriving in Tokyo. Cookies help us deliver our services. Another trick is to hang pictures and wall art slightly higher up than what you are used to. My initial reaction to my apartment in Ibaraki, Japan was one genuine surprise…it was smaller than I was anticipating. Perhaps that is the reason why the bathing culture is so popular. In smaller apartments, the laundry hook-up will be near the front door, as in the floor plan below. Do 100-yen hair removal pads do the trick, or leave our reporters the hairy messes they are? Can't speak Japanese? But there’s something about small Japanese apartments that really ups the ante! Like most apartments in Japan, Ququri’s units are measured in jo, a traditional Japanese unit of area that’s equal to the size of one tatami mat. Cheap calories = fat citizens. Sources: FNN Prime, Spilytus Priced fairly closely to gasoline, 130 yen per liter, you can heat your Japanese apartment even in the coldest months fairly cheaply with one of these. The number represents the number of bedrooms and the letters stand for Living, Dining, and Kitchen. That can be a drawback of an 1R apartment in Japan. They are easy to clean, stop you accumulating too much clutter, and are cheaper to furnish and maintain. The apartments below are studio apartments, what in Japan would be described as 1R (1 room) or 1K (1 room plus a kitchen) units, which means that they are private apartments… So how much room do you actually need? Some are good, and some are not so good, especially if you are moving here from the spacious and airy apartments of some … Follow us on Facebook and Twitter! Since Japanese apartments are notoriously tiny, they’re made specifically for utilizing space. Photo credit: Karl Baron on Flickr. And lastly that the bulk of these single occupancy apartments … And while that might sound like an unhealthy temptation to pick up junk food, another tenant says that since the low rent allows him to love close to the city center with a short commute, he’s started jogging in the morning before work and has lost 15 kilograms (33 pounds) since moving into his Ququri apartment. Don’t let your eyes fool you, take measurements before moving. ▼ Then there’s the dude with a weight bench…. Most Japanese apartments also have low ceilings, which makes rooms appear even smaller. Top image: Spilytus The floor plans on our website will usually display the room size in square meters or feet, however, some apartments will list the measurement as “J” or “帖”. They’re not only being used as bachelor bunkers, either, as roughly 40 percent of Ququri residents are women. But, keep in mind that you cannot invite a lot of people in your micro-apartment. Apartments get larger in size the farther they are from the centre of Tokyo. In that room are also places to sit. Recommendations For Each Kind Of Japanese Apartment Layout Apartment 1: 1LDK/1 Bedroom. You may see terms such as “1DK” or “2LDK” on Japanese real estate sites. These abbreviations can refer to both separate or joined areas and can be misleading, so we list our properties by the number of bedrooms only. Kerosene is used widely in Japan and so is readily available. The usual 1K studio apartment will have a small combined toilet shower room, similar to what you might find at a Japanese business hotel. Japanese apartments, in the eyes of the international community, are notoriously small. Almost all apartments have balconies where you can store your kerosene. Blog » Articles » Japanese Apartment Size Guide – With Diagrams! I had 2 separate rooms with 6 tatami mats each. Insert images: Spilytus (1, 2, 3) There just isn't enough land in Japan to build houses all over. Sometimes there is a small balcony. Minimalists won’t like this one! This is usually due to the lack of storage if you live … (Way more on why rental costs can become UN-reasonable here. tldr; Japanese apartments designed for individuals are really small, while family units are bigger. This works by using wall art or wallpaper elements with vertical stripes. Then, they put the washing machine in the main room. Japanese apartments, in the eyes of the international community, are notoriously small. If you are a family of three or more, you will live most comfortably in an apartment with at least 70m² (230ft²) of space. Key phrases to rent an apartment in Japan. Other luxuries not found in all tiny Japanese apartments: cooking space and a private bathroom and shower. Ququri offers apartments close to some of Tokyo’s busiest downtown districts, such as Shinjuku, Shibuya, Ebisu, and Nakameguro. ▼ Those would be some luxurious dimensions…if this were a walk-in closet, not an apartment. “When I was a little girl, the floors in my parent’s home were covered with tatami – a … When furnishing your home in Japan, keep in mind the following: Rooms look smaller when they are empty, and floor plans can have the opposite effect. Place this on just one wall or in one corner rather than on all walls. Because Japan is a much smaller country, and much more crowded (depending on where you live)…there’s physically just less space for building. Bringing you yesterday's news from Japan and Asia, today. TOTO, the Japanese bathroom fixtures and plumbing company, showcased micro-toilet design for bathrooms as small as 9 sq feet (0.84 meters) at the Dwell on Design conference. There is not much room in micro-apartments in Japan. The great thing about searching for a Japanese apartment is that real estate listings show a floor plan 99% of the time. I am looking for an apartment near Shibuya Station for about 100,000 yen per month 渋谷駅の近くで月十万円ぐらいのアパートを探しています Shibuya eki no chikaku de tsuki juu man-en gurai no apaato wo sagashite imasu. As with any country, apartments in Japan vary in style, size and age. There’s also no lease renewal fee (which in Japan is usually equal to a full month’s rent, paid once every two years). Try living Japanese. Although we strive to find apartments that suit your needs and lifestyle, it’s also important to have realistic expectations of rental properties in Japan. Less can be more! Because so many people commute to work/school by train in Japan, apartment listings almost always include how many minutes it would take to walk to the closest train station, But the shorter the distance it is, the higher the rent will be – especially if it’s a large, busy train station. Of course, there are apartments that Japanese people think are small too…it’s just that compared to other countries, Japan’s small apartments are downright tiny. Then, the toilets are very small… My teaching contract was for one year, and I honestly thought to … In fact, my kitchen was so large that I could dance around in it and do pirouettes if I bloody-well pleased. They all have an English option or staff whom you can easily communicate with in English or … In this post, we take a look at the opposite end of the spectrum and describe some of the smallest studio apartments currently available for rent in Tokyo, and explain why someone might want to live in such small spaces. Also not so many Japanese estate companies offer client service in English so it is quite inconvenient and difficult for foreigners. What might looks like a small living space by U.S. or European standards could feel pretty spacious to a lot of people who grew up in Japan. Ever wondered why builders keep producing small apartments? And Japanese apartment air vents: How and why to use them Not only do those provide access to entertainment and cultural events, they’re all also major rail hubs, making for short, easy commutes to offices and schools in the city (Spilytus estimates about 60 percent of residents are office workers, and another 30 percent students). But how good can it really be? The land obviates large scale mechanized calorie crop production such as corn, wheat, and soybean in the US. Ququri studio apartments offer just 4.64 square meters (49.94 square feet) of usable floor space, but with prices this low, it’s all some people need. Japanese real estate company Spilytus manages the Ququri line of apartments, and even in Japan, it’s hard to find a much cozier room than these.