Tiny Tokyo Apartments: How Every Inch is Optimized to Create the Perfect Urban Oasis

Be ready to get surprised when you have a look inside Tokyo’s tiny apartments! šŸ¤«šŸ¤Æ As the world’s largest metropolis, it features small flats every ounce of which is functional! šŸ¤©šŸ‘ Here is the perfect example of how different our expectations can be from the reality! šŸ˜šŸ¤Œ Let’s learn more about how the locals adopt to limited space in this article! šŸ‘‡

Exploring how people live in different parts of the world can be quite fascinating, especially when comparing our own expectations and lifestyles. What we often see in TV shows and movies doesnā€™t always reflect the reality, especially when it comes to housing in major cities. Take Tokyo, for instance, the world’s largest metropolis. Its population density is among the highest globally, and this is what many residents of the city call home.

One of Tokyoā€™s typical flats is small but fully functional, offering everything a resident might need in a compact space. This is the reality for the majority of the cityā€™s population, from young adults to older citizens, as only the wealthiest can afford larger living spaces.

Entering the apartment is an experience in itself. The door is low enough that you have to crouch to avoid hitting your head on the doorframe. This is just the beginning of the small size that defines the flat.

Right by the entrance is a tiny “genkan”ā€”a traditional Japanese entryway where shoes are removed and wet umbrellas are left. The space is so small that only one person can comfortably stand there at a time. From here, a narrow hallway leads to the next spaces in the flat. But before we explore further, letā€™s step into the main room.

The main room features a single window that faces the street, with a double bed located just beneath it. The space between the bed and a curtain marks the living area, where relaxation happens. A low table sits here, designed for up to three people to sit around on cushions, as chairs are not used in this cozy setting.

In order to make the most of limited space, the walls are lined with decorative items, keeping the floor space clear. A small potted plant sits on the floor, adding a touch of greenery, which is a key part of Japanese interiors. Near the switch, a cute bunny sticker adds a touch of “kawaii,” or cuteness, a style prevalent in many Japanese homes.

In one corner of the room, a small totem pole of appliancesā€”fridge, microwave, and electric kettleā€”occupy a compact space, making efficient use of every square inch. The window behind the bed, interestingly, is also an exit to a tiny balcony, which is accessed by climbing over the bed, as thereā€™s no room for a normal pathway.

Though small, the balcony has its use. Thereā€™s a pole for drying clothes, as thereā€™s no room for a dryer in this apartment. The view is limited to neighboring houses, with the traditional Japanese sloped roofs in sight. Itā€™s also a great spot for selfies, though the half of the balcony is occupied by an air conditioning unit. The unit is installed above the balcony door to save space.

Returning to the hallway, we now turn to those small doors. Behind the first one, youā€™ll find a minimalist wall cupboard, designed to store a few essential items. The next door opens to a kitchen, surprisingly complete with a sink, stovetop, and even a tumble dryer. Itā€™s compact, yet functional. A door hides the kitchen when not in use, keeping the living area neat.

Another door in the corridor leads to a very small bathroom, roughly the size of an airplane’s first-class toilet. Inside, youā€™ll find a sink, a bathtub, and a toilet, all packed into the small space. One tap serves both the sink and bathtub, and you can switch between them or use the shower at onceā€”an efficient use of plumbing.

The toilet itself is simple, with no high-tech features that are common in other Japanese restrooms. But thereā€™s one more clever space-saving feature: instead of a traditional router for Wi-Fi, the apartment uses a portable device connected to mobile internet. This device can be carried around, offering internet access around the neighborhood with a battery that lasts for several hours.

This is a perfect example of how Tokyo residents adapt to limited space, designing homes that are functional, efficient, and tailored to the needs of a dense urban environment.

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