• The Average Apartment Sizes in Tokyo

    apartment, Living, Mansion, tokyo 20.11.2011 No Comments

    If you are not familiar with the tradition and customs of Japanese people, you will be wondering what it would look like inside their home. Apartment Tokyo in Japan includes traditional and modern architecture that can be seen elsewhere. Two of the most dominant housing style in Japan is called Single Family Detached House and the other is a Multiple Unit Building. This Multiple Unit Building is owned by a single person or a whole family and is available for rentals which the modern days called apartment Tokyo for rent. Many apartment Tokyo structure erected in the center of the business district in Japan that are now patronize by different foreigners who visits the country.

    apartment Tokyo

    This expensive and luxurious apartment in Tokyo are build to provide different services to any visitors who wants to have quality time shopping and roaming around in Tokyo Japan. Visitors from different country’s are all welcome and formally entertain by different service crew of every for rent apartments in Tokyo. These visitors are provided with all the comfort and luxury of healthy life style that they want to experience as they visit this magnificent city of Tokyo Japan. Being one of the world’s most visited countries in Southeast Asia, Japan is considered as the best tourist destination in the pacific region.

    There are so many beautiful scenery that can be found when you travel to Tokyo Japan, you can find the famous World Disney Land which had been one of the best tourist spot for the entire family. This is the main reason why these for rent apartments had slowly taking its places to accommodate all the local visitors, tourists, and excursionists. In Japan, the use of Tatami Mats is a custom that runs for many centuries and this is also the measuring unit in width for a certain apartment size. This Tatami Mats is used to measure the exact size of apartment’s room and another measuring unit for floor space is called tsubo.

    In measuring the floor space of a certain room, the Housing Authority in Japan strongly advocates the use of Tatami’s conversion rate. One Tatami Mat is equivalent to “1 Jo” and this is equal to 1.62 meter squared. While one tsubo is equal to 3.3 meter squared. Upon using this Tatami Mat as measuring tool for apartment room sizes will obtain a specific apartment size for the apartment contractors that will soon be used by many foreigners coming to Tokyo Japan. It is important that before constructing an apartment building, the owner needs to consider its location, accessibility, area size, and the space for every room they plan to make to provide comfort and restful stay.

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  • The Best Spots for Christmas Illumination in Tokyo

    tokyo, view in Tokyo 20.11.2011 No Comments
    When you speak of Christmas, the first thing that comes to everyone’s mind is the celebration. A celebration that comes only once in a year involving the entire world to join in this glorious feast of Christ the King that many believe is a must-to-celebrate season during the entire month of December. Christmas is the season of love, a time to share your blessings to your family, the perfect moment to reconcile, and the best time to celebrate together with your entire family and relatives. Throughout the world, Christmas is celebrated in different ways, sometimes it is also comes in different dates to start and end just like in the Philippines that has the longest celebration months from September to December.

    Christmas decors are also different from one country to another like Christmas tree, Christmas stars, Christmas lights, fireworks display and other Christmas ornamentals. These symbols simply define the true meaning of Christmas celebration throughout the world. Just like in Tokyo Japan that they have a unique style of celebrating Christmas season in their city. During Christmas and the entire month of December, the streets of Tokyo are illuminated with different Christmas lights in various colors and forms. This makes this place very colorful, attractive, and eye catching scenery that tourist from other countries loves to see.

    Since fire work display and Christmas illumination is very common idea among Asian countries that celebrate Christmas, one of the best spot to experience Christmas illumination during Christmas and New Year’s Eve is in Shibuya which is also a shopping district on the Western part of Tokyo. Then you can have an exquisite evening in Roponggi that is considered as the Red District in Tokyo were you can find elegant restaurants, night clubs, and Japan’s one of the best spot for Christmas illumination during holiday seasons because of their thousand number of Christmas lights illuminating the entire place plus the fireworks display that cause thousands of Yen yearly just to provide a unique celebration for all of their visitors and home comers.

    Most tourist who visit Japan during holiday season always have a wonderful experience and has an unforgettable moment just to be with their love one’s in this very elegant city of Tokyo. Christianity in Japan is one of the strongest religions that can never be denied. Don’t you know that the first Christmas in Japan was recorded in 1552 when the Jesuit Missionaries held a community mass and that was the beginning of the never ending Christmas celebration every year.

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  • Understanding Japanese Garbage Collection

    apartment, Living, tokyo 24.09.2011 No Comments

    If you think segregating your trash at home is a major headache, you haven’t experienced the Japanese garbage collection system. Living in a small Tokyo apartment makes the segregation a bit more complicated for several reasons.


    However, the most important part about garbage collection from homes and a Tokyo apartment is that you have to separate your trash based on burnable, non burnable and recyclables. Non burnable has to be separated from the others even if they eventually end up being burned. This is because you will have to crush the plastic bottles, tear up the milk cartons and dry them, as well as wash the bottle caps and labels. Everything has to be put in special garbage bags depending on where you live. This is part of their tracking system to find out which city the bags  come from.

    The collection of garbage is scheduled by the day and hour. Ask your landlord what your the schedule in your area is so you can organize your trash ahead of time. Trash that can be burned is collected 2 or 3 times a week. Trash that cannot be burned is only collected once a week.

    Large trash like furniture, appliances is not collected by the regular guys. You will have to call in a separate service for this, and you will need to pay for this service out of your pocket.

    The Japanese government is very strict about trash collection and if you fail to follow the rules, your trash will not be taken.

    Here is the basic terms in Japanese for trash segregation:

    For food, food wrappers, paper and old clothes – Moeru Gomi
    For metal or broken dishes, CDs, DVDs – Moenai Gomi
    For furniture bikes, and small home electric appliances – Sodai Gomi
    For plastic, glass, soda cans, – Shigen Gomi

    It’s important to know these because each type has a different trash day. If you bring out the wrong bag, you end up having to wait for the next pick-up day. The trash will have to go back inside your Tokyo apartment.  It’s a disciplined and rigid system with 80% of the trash ending up in the incinerator, but it’s a system that works well for Japan.

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  • Daily Japan Living Tips

    apartment, Living, tokyo 21.09.2011 No Comments

    Living In Japan and Loving It: Tips on How To Do This

    Living in Japan as a foreigner is an amazing discovery of new ideas and culture. The people are very friendly, polite, but busy. Your day will be a constant thrill because of the new experiences you will have. There are just so many things you can do in Japan because this country is steeped with tradition and history.

    Eventually though, you will find yourself settling down to a regular schedule. Here are tips on what you can expect on a regular basis.

    The Japanese are very punctual and expect the same from others. If you are planning to ride public transportation, be amazed at how accurate and precise the public transportation system can stick to a schedule.

    Traveling by private car or taxi is very expensive so you might have to depend on the subway often. Fortunately, you can time your departure and arrival on the subway schedules which means a very slight chance of being late for appointments or dates.

    Shopping in Japan can be a dizzy experience. The product labels are all in Japanese unless you go to an international grocery where they sell products from other countries.  You will need to practice a lot of patience in trying to decipher the sauces, condiments, and toiletries. One trick would be to watch TV or look at the ads at newspapers and magazines to find out what the products are for.

    One of the most important lessons you will have to learn is that the Japanese, while  accommodating and friendly, do not bend over backwards to adjust to your culture. They expect you to learn and adapt to theirs.  Showing effort to do so will earn you major points among the Japanese and you soon find help coming your way from unexpected places and strangers.

    Finally, it is extremely important that you make commitments and promises you can keep. The value of word of honor among Japanese is unlike any you have ever seen before. They will do as they promise and expect nothing less in return.

    Overall, living in Japan is a wonderful learning experience, and you can only become a better person for having lived here.

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  • Tips for Living in Japan: Doing the Laundry

    Living 11.05.2011 No Comments

    Japan is one of the most advanced countries of the world. Laundry in Japan can be done with the help of dry cabinets. There are many companies all over the world which are making these dry cabinets in order to help the customers to dry their clothes easily. There are different types and they’re also operated with the help of electricity in order to perform their functions. Not only are they good for the laundry but they can be used for most things that need drying. These are air tight boxes and they use the method of evaporation in order to make the clothes dry.

    Clothes can be dried in these boxes in a short interval of time. Many people in Japan are using these dry boxes in order to dry their clothes during the winter and the number of users in Japan for these boxes is increasing with time. There are many functions and characters of these boxes and they are differentiated with the help of these features. It is possible to set the temperature of these boxes in order to adjust the time for the drying process.

    These boxes are available in different price ranges and the variations in prices are due to the differences in their features. People in Japan also use these boxes in order to store their clothes for a long period of time. In this way these boxes are used as drawers as well.

    They put their wet clothes in these boxes and set the temperature for their drying. In this way they enjoy the ease of laundry with the help of these boxes. These boxes are used on a large scale in Japan and the residents of Japan are having these boxes in their homes as a necessary item. Laundry in Japan is made easy with the help of these boxes.

    Dry cabinets are available in reasonable price ranges so iit is possible for anyone to have a box for his home. Many of these boxes are made in large sizes in order to be used in industries. Many industries in Japan are using these boxes in order to dry different items for using them in the production process. These boxes are an important household item in Japan, so if you’re living in Japan or even overseas, it may be a good investment!

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  • Top 3 Areas to Find Short Stay Apartments in Tokyo

    short term, tokyo 01.03.2011 No Comments

    short term stay tokyo

    Tokyo is one of the most adventurous and culturally rich places of Japan. If you are visiting this place, then you will surely have an amazing time staying here. Apart from being a traditionally rich city, it is also metropolitan, which will give you the best of technology and modern way of living. Tokyo has a lot to offer – the land, the seas, the plateaus, hills, rivers, and so much more! If you visit the city, then you can’t just stay here for a few days. You have to spend a few weeks here at least.

    Short stay apartments in Tokyo are the best option that you can choose to spend your time here. They are economical and will provide you with all the modern amenities that you will require during your stay here. Also, it’s not really difficult to find short stay apartments in Tokyo if you know how to look for them. You can contact real estate agents and organizations that deal with short stay apartments and they will tell you all about the expenses and the places that you should look into for accommodations. The internet is also a helpful tool to find these apartments.

    There are many nice areas in Tokyo where you can find short stay apartments. We will tell you about the top 3 areas.

    Shinjuku in Tokyo is one of the most happening urban centers in the city. You can shop around as this area has many markets, malls and the transportation access is also very convenient. Finding a short stay apartment here will be a good option. Also, you can enjoy the convenience of finding Shinjuku Hospital and Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden. It’s a comfortable area for staying for a short period of time.

    Another area is Odaiba. It is an artificial island that has a lot to offer for its visitors like entertainment, shopping, video games, movies, museums, etc. It is a fascinating place with artificial hot springs and a resort that has been set up in this area. If you find a short stay apartment here, then surely, you won’t regret it.

    Akihabara is another place that one can look into for finding short stay apartments in Tokyo. If you are a technology buff and a gadget freak, then this is the place for you to explore. This place is the best to buy all sorts of electronic gadgets, and everything related to the latest technology in Japan. It will be a haven for you if you are a tech freak!

    Such attractions are spread around in the entire city of Tokyo. As mentioned earlier, looking for short stay apartments here is not a difficult process. They are easy on your budget and provide with you with comfort too. All you need to do is do your research well, pack your bags, and set off to this wonderful city!

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  • Tips for Negotiating Rent

    apartment, short term 21.01.2011 No Comments

    Short-term apartments are more convenient than hotels in several ways. Living in a rented apartment can be a lot more fun than staying in the hotel especially when you are staying there with your friends or family. That way, there will be less rules and regulations to follow and you can focus on having fun.

    Another advantage, of course, is the cheaper rent. In fact, prices of most short-term apartments can be still be negotiated with the owner, that is if you know how. Negotiating rental terms can be a lot stressful if you don’t know how to handle it, but in reality, it is just a simple task. Remember, negotiation is very similar to courtship. The owner has what you need, and if you want to negotiate, you need to “court” him and show him that you have what he needs or what he looks for in a tenant as well.

    Here are some sure-fire advices in negotiating rental terms:

    First, you need to show the owner that you are an ideal tenant. An ideal tenant is someone who pays on time, doesn’t leave without finishing the contract, doesn’t cause trouble, and takes care of the property. An apartment is the owner’s pride and glory, so if you want to consider any kind of negotiations at all, you need to assure him that he can trust you with his investment.

    Next, you need to give the owner some incentive or offering. For example, if there are some things in the apartment that need minor fixing, offer to do it yourself in exchange for a decrease in the rent. Say, the walls need painting, offer to paint them in exchange for a cut in the rent. As mentioned, the apartment is an owner’s investment, if you show him that you can improve the current state of the apartment for the benefit of future tenants, it would turn the tides in your favor.

    Finally, you may also offer pre-payment. If you’re planning to stay for 3 weeks, for example, pay the 2 weeks worth of rent the moment you move in. Most landlords find this initiative a good sign that you are a good tenant, someone who pays on time, and they will most likely agree to somehow cut the rent.

    With these tips in mind, negotiating the terms for short-term apartments would become a piece of cake. You just need to keep in mind that negotiations should be something that benefit both the tenant and the landlord; politeness and friendliness is the way to go.

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  • “Apartments” And “Mansions” In Japanese Context

    apartment, Mansion 11.11.2010 No Comments

    When searching for housing options, it is ideal to familiarize oneself with references used to describe a potential abode and its surrounding.  Proximity to public amenities such as the transportation system can often pose a questionable nature as opinions differ from one person to the other.  Hence, a five minute walk to the nearest station may end up a tad longer for those with shorter lower limbs.  The label attached to the residence itself can also raise an eyebrow or two as descriptions over the phone may not bear semblance to reality.

    A mansion explained in a regular English dictionary refers to a place of residence with significant luxury and space.  It is however far from the truth when touring Japanese residential buildings.  Some key factors in differentiating “apartments” and “mansions” in Japan’s context of real estate focus on the structure of the building.  Those no higher than two floors are commonly referred to as the former whereas the latter is normally associated with higher-rise buildings.

    If only life were that simple, the story would therefore draw to a conclusion.  However, buildings of lower heights can be made of wooden structures whereas higher ones require sturdier frames of reinforced concrete or equivalent.  Being a nation volatile to movements of the earth, high priority is placed on abiding by this code of construction for Japanese residential buildings and equivalents.  Cost-wise, a mansion may be more expensive due to stronger materials needed for its overall structure.  However, this is subject to locality and year of construction.

    Privacy also carries a considerable level of influence as thinner walls due to wooden partitions cause an easy but unintentional exchange of voices.  This makes all the distinction for “apartments” and “mansions”.  In Japan’s metropolis, continual exposure to noise may cause some to seek solace with soundproofing options or weekend trips away from the maddening crowd.

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  • Short Term Tokyo Apartments

    apartment, short term, tokyo 03.09.2010 No Comments

    If you’re coming to stay in Tokyo for business, to visit family, or simply to enjoy a vacation, consider the option of a short term apartment. In many cases, a short term apartment is a more affordable solution for visitors to the Tokyo area, and more personal space is available as opposed to a hotel room or hostel. A short term apartment can be rented daily, weekly, or for months at a time. Usually, these apartments are supplied with basic amenities including furniture, silverware, electronics, and an air conditioner/heater.

    Example short term apartment (source)

    There are many short term apartments available in the Tokyo metro area, and they are typically conveniently located near many train and subway lines. The Tokyo metro area also boasts impressive shopping districts for all your retail needs. Supermarkets and convenience stores can also be found near short term apartment buildings. Be sure to explore the many food options in central Tokyo – you’ll be sure to find something, regardless of your tastes.

    Security at a short term apartment often features an auto lock function. Auto lock requires use of a key to enter the building. You can feel safe leaving your personal belongings behind while out of your apartment.

    Many short term apartment facilities are rented by multilingual agencies, so if you have any questions, concerns, or issues that arise before, during, or after your stay at a short term apartment in Tokyo, you can feel at ease contacting the administration.

    Example short term apartment (source)

    Because there are so many short term apartment rental agencies and a variety of different services, it is a good idea to decide what is important for you, the visitor, during your stay in Tokyo. Some short term apartment rental services offer high speed internet, flat screen televisions, a personal phone and fax line, and a washer/drier in the apartment! If you’re looking for a wallet-friendly stay in Tokyo, there are affordable furnished short term apartment options available. Many agencies specify their foreigner-friendly business model, so there is no need to find a co-signer, or to be concerned with thousands of dollars of move-in related fees. The short term apartment is undoubtedly convenient if you are visiting Tokyo.

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