Popular travel vlogger Norm Nakamura unveils what he dubs “Japan’s worst tiny apartment” in his latest YouTube video.
The skinny apartment: Nakamura, who has reviewed a number of tiny apartments on his YouTube channel Tokyo Lens, takes viewers inside a jaw-droppingly small, triangle-shaped micro-apartment in Tokyo in his viral 10-minute clip.
Situated in the Nima area of Tokyo, the five-story structure resembles a slender triangle. Nakamura describes the property as “the skinniest free-standing apartment” he has ever seen.
Maximizing limited space: Despite the limitations imposed by its narrowness, units in the apartment building boast some intriguing features. Measuring just 2.5 meters (8.2 feet) wide, a unit includes a compact kitchen, a surprisingly usable shower area and a bath. He also notes that while each floor or unit does have its own toilet space, residents must first go out of their units to access their bathroom.
Space limitations and a few odd room layouts notwithstanding, those looking for an affordable space can find the apartment a worthwhile choice as it only costs 40,000 yen ($267) per month to rent.
Noisiest too: Among the few drawbacks Nakamura cited is the noise level that permeates from the traffic outside.
“It’s actually taken me a really long time to shoot this because this is one of the main streets of this area, and it is just filled with bikes and trucks and garbage trucks and stuff going through it all hours. This is probably, so far, the single noisiest apartment that I’ve had the opportunity to experience in Japan.”
Netizens react: Since the video was uploaded on Oct. 8, it has amassed over 5.4 million times. Among the thousands of comments are users who found the apartment not ideal for normal living situations.
“This is one of the few tiny apartments that gets a ‘nope’ from me. I feel like I’d be perpetually bruised from hitting things,” one commenter wrote.
“That’s scary, especially for a seismically active region like Japan,” another pointed out.
“I know this is a ‘feel-good’ channel but this is the first tiny-apartment video that actually made me depressed,” another said. “I really feel for people being forced to live like this.”
Some, however, said they would be willing to give the space a try.
“I’d live here, if only for a short period while I was in between other apartments or low on cash,” commented a user. “I’d probably even look back with nostalgia at some parts, much later when I was living somewhere else. It’s got a lot of charm and I think that raised closet is actually good because in such a small space it’s nicer to have some built-in storage versus having to fit some form of dresser in. That toilet area would get real suffocating real quick, though.”
FAQs
Situated in the Nima area of Tokyo, the five-story structure resembles a slender triangle. Nakamura describes the property as “the skinniest free-standing apartment” he has ever seen.
Is it hard to find an apartment in Japan as a foreigner? ›
The rental system of many conventional real estate companies is not very foreigner-friendly. Apartments are usually rented for a minimum of two years, which conflicts with the fact that many foreigners stay in Japan for less than two years.
Why are Japanese apartments so tiny? ›
Over 110 million people live in small houses/apartments in Japan as the country's population is concentrated in big cities like Tokyo. Even though the situation has improved compared to 30 years ago, there simply isn't enough space in these crowded metropolitan areas to provide everyone with spacious housing.
What is the smallest studio apartment? ›
Hong Kong, 4 square feet
Believe it or not, this tiny cage of a “room” is actually considered to be an apartment in Hong Kong—it even costs $167 each month to rent! These living spaces came to be in the '50s; currently, they're most often home to single men who live on the assistance of the government.
How much is rent for a small apartment in Japan? ›
The nationwide average monthly rent, not including utilities, for a one room apartment (20-40 square meters) is between 50,000 and 70,000 yen. Rent for similarly sized apartments in central Tokyo and popular neighbourhoods nearby usually start from around 100,000 yen.
Can a US citizen rent an apartment in Japan? ›
Finding housing in Japan as a foreigner is fairly simple. Expats should not face many restrictions when looking to rent an apartment or buy a house. One of the most difficult hurdles expats will face is the requirement of a guarantor.
Can I live in Japan without a job? ›
If you do not already have a job offer, it's still possible to move to Japan. In order to do this, you will need to be able to prove you are able to financially support yourself and your family. There is also a start-up visa designed for people who wish to move to Japan to start a business.
What is the average rent in Japan? ›
On average, rent in Japan is cheaper than the US; monthly costs for three-bedroom apartments tend to range around 1,46,873 yen ($974), whereas family rent in the US can rise to just under $3,000 ($2723 on average).
Why are beds low in Japan? ›
Space efficiency: Many Japanese bed frames are designed to be space-efficient, with a low profile that allows them to fit easily into small bedrooms or apartments. This design is especially popular in Japan, where space is at a premium.
How do Japanese people stay so small? ›
An Active Lifestyle Goes a Long Way
Let's be honest: how often do you see a fat Japanese person? I bet you it's not all that often. Japanese people eat healthy, but they also stay active, which helps them stay lean. For instance, public transport use and walking are very popular ways to get to work or school in Japan.
In Japan, it has been common to use a individual room heating, that is, to heat only the living room, bedrooms, and other areas as needed. As a result, the entrance, and bathrooms, where no heaters are placed get especially cold, and people experience the difference in temperature in the house.
What city has the smallest apartment in the world? ›
Hong Kong's “Coffin Homes” - The world's smallest apartments for $300 per month. The city has a housing crisis; building public housing after public housing just isn't enough to meet the demands of such a large population for its size with 50% of Hong Kong residents already living in public housing.
What state has the smallest apartment? ›
Portland, Seattle have smallest apartments in the U.S., and they're getting smaller. PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — Portland and Seattle residents live in the smallest apartments in the country, according to a new report by the apartment listing service RentCafe.
Can 2 people stay in a studio apartment? ›
Can you have a roommate in a studio apartment? In most cases, you can have a roommate in a studio apartment. Most occupancy standards state that two people per bedroom is acceptable, and a studio apartment is considered to be a self-contained unit with a bedroom.
Where do the least amount of people live in Japan? ›
Utashinai (歌志内市, Utashinai-shi) is a city located in Sorachi Subprefecture, Hokkaido, Japan. It is Japan's smallest city by population.
What is the smallest area in Japan? ›
Kagawa Prefecture is Japan's smallest in terms of area, and is situated in the north of Shikoku, the smallest of Japan's four main islands.
How big are the micro apartments in Tokyo? ›
Each micro-apartment measures just nine square metres – just under half the size of a typical studio apartment in Tokyo – their cosy proportions offset by white walls, a large window at the back and a 3.6-metre-high ceiling.
Where is the Japantown apartment? ›
The apartment can be found in an apartment block on the Holly and Floyd Street in Japantown, Westbrook.
