Alas, I've finally decided to write about my apartment in Chiba, before departing Japan. An awkward schedule that includes working full-time on the weekends and doing activities non-stop on my off days of Wednesday and Thursday has prevented me from writing more often. Also, procrastination tends to be my style at times.
My apartment is a typical compact, boxed up unit facing yet another apartment complex, and parallel to a train station. All day, and at this current moment, I can hear the JR train passing through. But I can choose to eliminate this noise by pulling down a long metal shutter that not only blocks out the noise, but the intense sunlight that hits around 5 am in the morning. Oftentimes without the shutter, I wake up in annoyance thinking it is much later than it really is, and have a terrible time falling back asleep. During spring, many people experience this problem. I call it "the 5 am insomnia."
Although small and squarish in design, my apartment can feel a bit cozy for just one person or up to two people, for when a family member visits. The loft upstairs creates a sense of extra space, as I typically sleep there on a soft mattress rather than on the 1st floor. (Well, technically I already removed my pull-out futon from the 1st floor, so I am limited to sleeping in the loft upstairs until I leave Japan). The loft is actually quite spacious horizontally, but vertically challenged. I am petite at about 5 foot 2 and my feet can reach the ceiling when lying down. At first it was a bit uncomfortable climbing up a ladder to reach the loft, but I got used to it over time. From the top of the loft, you can peer through a small peeping hole, to view the entrance of the apartment. The ladder can also be moved around the room, and can be used to climb to another corner of the room to store extra belongings, though I seldom make use of this function due to laziness.
I have a small closet where I can store most of my clothes. I also found ample space to hang my clothes outside of my room by purchasing a free-standing clothing hanger. I certainly overpacked my clothes for Japan, and now that I am moving, I realized the importance of keeping things simple. Many belongings will have to go back to my parent's home in Taiwan for storage, as I don't want to exceed the baggage limit when I leave.
My unit has all the basic amenities a bachelorette needs at an affordable price of less than $600 USD. Plus it was all new when I moved in! It includes a tiny kitchen with an electronic stove with a very strong might that can burn food quickly, if you're not careful. It has a built-in safety feature that allows the stove to shut down automatically if you forget to turn it off. Why don't they have this in the states?!? I have a tiny refrigerator and freezer, and storage space above and underneath the stove. The washer machine is located in the entry way before the kitchen, separated by a thin divider from the stove.
My bathroom includes a standing shower and a bathtub. The shower head works incredibly well, and I can find myself taking longer showers as the water pressure is perfect and so soothing It is also easy to control the water temperature. The toilet is located in a separate room. As with most Japanese toilets, mine includes a rinse function, a choice of hot or warm water for the the rinse function and music to conceal any unpleasant noises from yourself.
My living room is furnished with a flatscreen TV and a coffee table. The wifi connection in my unit is pretty reliable, too. I have enough space to lay out my yoga mat, and can even hula hoop in the center of the room without banging another table or the TV! Yes, I cherish small thrills in life.
I am also just a short 5 minute walk from the closest Family Mart convenient store that carries everything you need in life and the bus stop. I'm also only a 10-20 walk to two separate train stations.
There are cheap eats close by, such as an Indian-Nepalese restaurant, a Katsu-don place (fried meat cutlets served over rice), and a yakinikku restaurant (grilled meat).
I'll miss the convenience of living in Chiba when I leave Japan. I have everything literally under my doorsteps here, including the random stray cats I see everyday across the street at the ham factory, eagerly waiting beneath car wheels for ham scraps to be thrown out, for when workers come out for a quick cigarette break.
*Video of my apartment*
http://youtu.be/hsUwYN-Y4NU
The photo of the foot on the ceiling is funny! The space is so efficient & smartly used as an expected Japanese element. The plug looks like a 2-prong US A-type which makes me wonder why more US appliances aren't the same. I saw the kitchen nook from which you Skype, yay. Thanks for sharing in great explanatory detail how you live, I am happy you're doing well.
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