Here it is, the long-anticipated apartment tour! OK, maybe only long-anticipated by my mother, but nonetheless, it’s finally here for the taking. And talk about a blank slate!
It may not look like much, but I’m pretty happy with our 39 square meters (for you kids in the USA, that’s about 420 square feet). Come on in, let me show you around!
As you come in the front door, you’ll notice the little Japanese-style entry way. The recessed floor here is called a genkan (げんかん). Shoes off, please! We’re digging the slipper-clad lifestyle in these parts. You’ll also notice all the closet space:
Some of this space is used to stash shoes and umbrellas, removed while in the genkan. Since this is most of the storage space for the apartment, I’ll be using this area as a linen closet as well. While standing in the entry, let’s do a 180-degree turn to find ourselves peering into the bathroom:
This bathroom feels gigantic. It is both Japanese and Western styled; I like to think it is the best of both worlds.
The cabinets and walls are pretty plain, but a nice sink and Japanese super toilet share the space.
Yup, there’s our auto flush toilet. You can see it also has a computer console — maybe someday we’ll be brave enough to figure out what all those buttons do.
Past the sink and toilet is the Japanese-style shower room. I love the shower room. In a Japanese home, it is customary to soap up and rinse off before you get in your tub of hot water, so the entire room is waterproof. For me, it is more like a giant, heated shower. You can also hang clothes to dry and run a heater, auto fill the tub (a nice little voice tells you what is happening, though I can’t yet understand her), and spray down the whole room for cleaning. Brilliant, right? I don’t plan on taking too many baths and am a little sad that the tub is taking up valuable square meters better served by a sofa (ok, maybe not in that exact location), but overall I can’t complain about the shower room. Like it, like it, love love love!
After you step out of the entry, you get a brief view of the rest of the apartment. To the left, the bedroom, to the right, the living room.
Attached to the bedroom there is a little balcony. Many people in Tokyo hang their clothes and bedding out to air on nice days. This balcony is a little on the small side, so it might be better served by some potted herbs.
A reverse view of the bedroom reveals the closets. Take a look at those beauties! We won’t yet talk about who gets the big one…
Now we head back into the living room. I love the built-in bookshelves. Also, you can almost make out our view through the window. Not quite as awesome as our last place on the 11th floor, but not too shabby either. At night, we can still see Tokyo Tower in all its gaudy glory.
A reverse view of this room give us a glimpse of the kitchen (you can also see the door that separates the entry from the rest of the apartment).
Perhaps a little boring, but nothing I can’t fix with some home-stitched linens. And now, a view of my one disappointment…
Look at that tiny little range! Two burners, and no oven. Not even a fish broiler. There go my dreams of opening a sidewalk pie stand. Sorry, Tokyo, your loss.
A peek at my other kitchen challenge — in Japan, an “unfurnished” apartment really means unfurnished, no appliances included. In this photo you can see the cubbyhole where our fridge will go, someday.
So there you go — our new tiny home in the biggest city in the world. And really, right now, I wouldn’t have it any other way. Just think of the time I’ll save cleaning…
Wow, Angie (and Dan)! Your place looks great! I can’t get over that shower room. I totally want a room that I can just hose down. Glad to see you made it back to Tokyo safe and sound!
I love the apartment and the shower room, how awesome. Love your blog too! Hope you guys are doing well and I’ll keep reading!
It looks wonderful, despite the appliance drawbacks! Small can be beautiful!
I want the shower room.
I know tokyo would miss the pies so I have to suggest: toaster-oven! Mine (which i got at goodwill for $20) can make a rotisserie chicken and has ‘convection oven’ as a possibility. Talk about convenience. Not sure if you’ve found an appliance outlet for the fridge, but get a ‘t-o’ and you’ll ‘k-o’ so much sales you’ll be able to get another 1-4 meters added on in no time .
Thanks for the tour and updates. Great great!
Great photos! I feel like I’ve been there. Now it will be fun to see how you furnish the place. I was thinking about a toaster oven too. You need to share your pies with that part of the world – they’re soooo good.
i have this convection toaster oven, in which i have baked pies. and cookies. and meat. i don’t have a microwave. it is the best kitchen appliance i have ever owned and am not one given to hyperbole…
http://www.amazon.com/Krups-6-Slice-Digital-Convection-Toaster/dp/B0004JMR12
i bet you can find one over there, or order an american one and find a step down transformer (aka a travel adapter that actually changes the voltages so your things don’t blow up.)
OK – so where’s the bar?
Ha! (insert chuckles) I think I might have to secure a chair and perhaps a table first, but the toaster oven and bar will certainly follow soon thereafter. Thanks for all the comments, dear friends!
Less is more???
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