Inside a $1000/mo Tokyo MICRO Apartment - 23㎡/250ft2 | Japanese Apartment Tour

In this apartment tour, Alex takes you inside three micro residences around Tokyo. Thanks so much to Tsuyoshi Shindo, the architect of these beautiful little places. Find his works at be-fun.com/
Interested in finding the perfect apartment or house for you in Tokyo? Contact us at [e-mail]
Check out our website for more listings, and contact us if you're looking to buy or rent houses or storefronts in Tokyo, or find an investment property in Japan.
🌏Listing website: tokyoportfolio.com/
Filmed and edited by Paul Ballard (@PaulBallard) with additional filming by Julian Domanski (@KantanJapan)
📷 Instagram: / tokyoportfolio
📱 Facebook: / ​​
🌏 Website: blackshiprealty.com/

[@TokyoPortfolio]

How would you decorate the first place? I'm genuinely curious...

[@_Admin_01.]

I guess minimalist styles would work best, maybe a combination of contemporary and minimalist.

[@epicthief]

So many plants, that place needs some natural green in there. Bamboo and succulents

[@faufaufau]

Difficult to say really. I used to live in a 15m2 apartment during student days, but my place was much easier to decorate bcs there wasn't too many walls separating each rooms. For the first apartment, idk how else I would place my work table but beside the kitchen, which I don't exactly really like. :/

[@Mic_Mike]

First, I'd put something to pad those sharp staircases near the entrance, otherwise I'd crack my head open one day coming home... Not a fan of the first one but loved the second one! Feels very "homey"!

[@Saph1r0]

A couch to sleep, dine and sleep on, a small couch table to eat, a TV and a small fridge as an extension next to the kitchen area. Should stil have some space left for clothes. I think it would work. Apartment 1 was definitely my favorite out of the three, would look super cute with the curtain dividing the upper floor from the outside. You would need a nice picture right next to the bathroom door so your view would be distracted from the washing machine, when entering the apartment and that's it.

[@AlurlFails]

That third apartment seems so perfect and cozy, I love it. And that little "spare" room in the middle floor would be great for a little gaming area, put your PC there, put a sitting table for board games, easily pass up drinks from the kitchen.

[@AlurlFails]

Actually, thinking about it more, you could put your futon in the half room, make a nice little bedroom there. And then put your office upstairs, so if you are working from home, you can easily get to the bathroom... Really, the third one has the most promise because you have multiple "rooms" that you could switch for different uses.

[@ani_mesh]

@@AlurlFails exactly what I was thinking!!!

[@pennybedggood4126]

Nice. I was thinking more like bean bags and using the empty wall as a screen for a projector.

[@therealshard]

Came here to say that exactly!!!

[@spidernevi]

​​@@AlurlFailsh that's actually a nice idea. If you make it as a bedroom you don't really mind the low ceiling because you're there just to lie down. But I also like pennybedggod's idea to put a beanbag and make it a reading and movie room

[@lanstar94]

With the first apartment I could imagine myself coming home to a dark house, smashing my head against the spiral staircase and then tripping over the washing machine. 🌀😵

[@murasakirin8998]

Lol good to see I'm not alone. I'm really short (basically 5ft nothing), and even I'd be worried for my head, shoulders, knees, and toes.

[@sanashi27]

It's amazing how they're able to make small apartments like that spaceous. You'd end up having to think creatively in order to use all of the available rooms and space properly. The aparments in the video are actually cool in a way with all of the stuff they put in where people could "modify" (put shelves in, etc.) for extra spaces. The last apartment's small space in the middle of the two floors could be another small bedroom or a storage space.

[@user-gu9yq5sj7c]

Watch NHK Tiny Houses and Kirsten Dirksen. There's ways to make the most of small spaces and make it seem spacious.

[@gildedpeahen876]

Keeps you from needlessly accumulating clothes and other crap too.

[@cooltwittertag]

@@gildedpeahen876 i need that level of optimism when looking at these exploitative places

[@gildedpeahen876]

@@cooltwittertag lol yeah i mean it is horseshit but, what can we do

[@faedraemberhart5500]

Please make more videos like this! I loved seeing apartments I could actually afford if I moved there. I feel like theyre all super unique and quirky as well.

[@alejandrovallejo6763]

Yeah Is amazing, there's a guy who does videos like these but for NY and places like this go for about 3.000 to 4.000 usd (or More)

[@Shiraanri]

I agree it was nice to see afordable options 🙏

[@RapRapKun]

We need more videos like this where the price isn't overly ridiculous, just nice and cozy, and enough for a single person or a couple.

[@Nidhoggrr]

Wait so the space for the washer actually blocks the front door if you choose to get one in #1. #3 Is the winner for me. - I would actually use the skip floor as the sleeping area because it is PERFECT to fit a reasonably sized bed or even a large one and still has room for tons of shelving and storage. Plus its location places it completely out of the zones of travel from the main room to the bathroom which will immediately gives it a more private and comfortable vibe. You can also hang stuff from the outside like tapestry style stuff or just art to create a sort of wall if you want a more secluded feel. - That leave the second level for way more storage or the ability to put a bed if you have a guest staying the night.

[@deadby15]

That the very first thing one sees when he opens the door is a washing machine feels strange and undesirable to me, and I'm Japanese. 🤨

[@InfernosReaper]

One might even could divide the skip floor up to make it 2 sleeping zones so there's guest accommodation

[@xr6lad]

The 3rd one wasted space. Those ‘cupboards’ in that spare room should have had backs on them so you can place thing without risking them falling on the stairs case. The bathroom wasted space with no cupboard under the sink and a tiny wall cupboard that could have been bigger. And the kitchen was a design mess. It could have had cupboards on the wall above the sink for a microwave etc.

[@Nidhoggrr]

@@xr6lad The cupboards you can just add, and what if someone doesn't want backs on the open shelves or wants to put backings on different sides? Every you point out is easily rectified by the tennent. Also were you not paying attention? In Japan it's not the land lord's responsibility to add anything more than bare bones.

[@xr6lad]

@@Nidhoggrr ‘by the tenant’. Where I come from when you charge a high rent , it’s usually because you don’t need to do anymore. Not a bare minimum apartment that actually seems to not want people that live a proper life use it. Cupboards are basic in any kitchen or bathroom. And I mean basic. Anywhere else in the world this looks like an apartment a builder walked out of and left unfinished.

[@corvora0]

To be completely honest, this is one of my favorite videos you made. As Japan is a dream place to work and seems as an actual accessible place go in my future, it shows me I can actually find accessible stuff. Which is also a great ad for you, in case young professionals/expats decide to move to Tokyo. I don't feel like I'd be wasting your time requesting your help to find such apartments. Thanks!

[@expiredmilk....8917]

took the words right out of my mouth

[@jascrandom9855]

Japan has been called by many as a great country to visit, but a bad country to move to.

[@corvora0]

​@@jascrandom9855 I do understand your point and can agree based on 3rd party stories and accounts. However I don't have enough experience myself to make my own opinion yet and I've also heard some good stuff too. But you kinda have to accept that it's going to be different then western countries

[@user-gu9yq5sj7c]

The city and big cities are more expensive. Many videos like to cover big famous cities so that makes countries seem more expensive than it is. Don't let that discourage you.

[@WhatIsThis-zq4hk]

Dream place to live? Maybe. Dream place to work? No.

[@lawrenz9306]

The architect did a great job making all of the places unique in their own way

[@aliyab4911]

The 3rd apartment was definitely hands down the best one out of the 3, because of its layout it has tons more space. Because of the skip floor, you have options in layout of furniture, it doesn't have to be one way, you can play around with the space since it isn't so constricting or claustrophobic. I love it!!

[@deanchur]

Floor to ceiling looks to be around 5'4" (Alex said he's 5'8"), so that should enough height for a couch and TV and/or a desk setup.

[@commedicgarcon]

Coming from a design background, all of them are literally everything I could ask for in my dream apartment, no frills, an appreciation of the raw materials, simply delightful and a great use of the small space. Amazing work from Mr Shindo 👏

[@froggo603]

Coming from another design background, I'm disappointed in apartment building companies for not designing the space efficiently. Its just white box next to a white box with no nooks or crannies for smart storage. That's how they get rich i suppose, cutting corners and pushing the problems that resulted from it, to the buyer.

[@commedicgarcon]

@@froggo603 Im sure they all do it to follow regulations, I don't suppose there are any parties to blame as those apartment building companies are just working according to Japan's extremely strict guidelines, Tokyo itself is often very cramp having to squeeze a building next to another is supposedly the best thing they can do. City planning ain't easy at all, especially with a country with decades of heritage, your newly build apartment could be placed right next to a 100 year old house thats been thru it all.

[@Mobik_]

Ewwww

[@TheEchelon]

@@Mobik_ ?

[@user-gu9yq5sj7c]

@@froggo603 You don't know why all those buildings are designed as they are. I assumed cause it's easy, and they're old designs. It's more recent that people started talking about and designing tiny homes, and space and cost efficiency. Some people like plain box rooms where they can do whatever with it. Some people renovate their own homes for space efficiency. Looking at a lot of modern plain architecture and Brutalism it kinda seems there's some impassionate architects too. But there will always be passionate ones. I also don't know if there's strict regulations. I wish we had more miniature things like Japan.

[@krysin]

Honestly i love seeing small homes like these. Really wish Australia had a better range of small living. For the third house i'd actually just put my bed on the half floor and do a office space up top where the "bedroom" is.

[@W1lllol]

EXACTLY! i also wish apartments were this cheap in australia.

[@Lwah0812]

Perfect idea on using the half floor for the bedroom!

[@nandacutegirl3248]

Agreed buying or renting here in Perth is so expensive. And I would definitelly use the half floor as a bedroom too. And the top floor as an office/gaming room and guest bedroom.

[@billyredrock4125]

As someone almost 2 meters tall, I’m stunned that those head-decapitating stairs are allowed to partially block the entryway in apt#1. Maybe the architect has a deal with a local hospital? 😱😄😵‍💫

[@user-gu9yq5sj7c]

Then these small homes will benefit shorter people. Not everything is designed for everyone or accommodate the minority. I heard some tall people say they have difficulty finding clothes too. These small homes are not good for obese people, big dogs, or medium+ families either.

[@maegicalgirl]

It does kinda suck for tall people, but most architects in Japan usually don't think that since a lot of Japanese people are short, Lol.

[@PatrickDaviswimiwamwamwazzle]

@@user-gu9yq5sj7c So it's harder to sell, I get your drift. Crazy to limit your cliental, but hey national pride.

[@EVL-xj5vc]

🤣 For Japanese height

[@alejandrovallejo6763]

2 meters Is VERY tall tho

[@SienAppelsien]

I would get this third one in a heartbeat. The skip floor is so charming, you can turn it into living space or even the bedroom instead of the top floor, put down a kotatsu, make an absolutely cozy little place full of plushies and pillows

[@epicthief]

Finally places in a reasonable price range, if I was in JPN I would totally grab this! Dual pane glass is soooo nice

[@costa2k1]

The last one is an amazing deal in my opinion, also please keep doing more of these videos showing less expensive apartments/houses, they're also very interesting .

[@Worldopain]

That plug on the floor shot flames out when it popped up. lol

[@donchimpson4934]

That 3rd spot with the in-between reading space and the rooftop balcony is a dream, I wish affordable apartments like that existed everywhere.

[@iMqmba]

Definitely would LOVE to see more of these videos, where the apartments/houses are affordable and could actually be a potential buy for someone like me. Keep up the great work!

[@karlo7w]

That last apartment is beautiful, the lofted room is particularly cool.

[@suzannebowers8634]

The lofted room would be great for younger kids to play in as well as they can run around without having to bend over to avoid hitting the ceiling!

[@OlgrimFastfang]

For that second apartment, I would totally take that outdoor balcony and (if permitted) turn it into a Bladerunner/Cyberpunk hangout with neon lights and all. Fun spaces!

[@TheBrokenEclipse]

Was really cool seeing these cheaper apartments - and especially hearing the architect talk about the thought behind them

[@laurenspang]

am i the only one who saw sparks coming outta the electric sockets fr the floor when they pop up? 😱

[@TokyoPortfolio]

Just a little editing magic!

[@tommykay7427]

Another brilliant video! Very nice to see what fairly priced accommodation looks like. People keep talking about the boring looking Japanese megablocks. But me Japan still have some of the most interesting, and inovative architechture.

[@TeeBoyd88]

I appreciate the way you demonstrate the tours by stepping into the actual spaces & showing your whole body vs height of the space. Thank you for including the floorplan too.

[@emodate]

That third place is amazing! I could see people utilizing that space really well considering the size!

[@harry638]

Great video! Sometimes i wish i can have a long vacation(2 to 3 weeks) in Tokyo and just chill in these kind of apartments. Looking forward to more these unique and affordable apartment tour videos

[@polly_u2945]

Thank you! This was a very exciting review! 😍

[@themajesticmcmuffin]

Please make more videos like this! It's fun to see the really expensive and quirky places but would love to see more videos from you with affordable & cosy livable places

[@Algorithm75]

It's fascinating to see tiny apartments in Tokyo, each one unique but exceptionally clean and modern.

[@liesha7495]

It would be cool if a couple of the stairs could be turned into storage for shoes. I like the third apartment best. I would turn the half floor room into a bedroom and just have the top floor as dressing room/home office.

[@midge007]

That third apartment is so beautiful! Because all three incorporate the real wood look and feel, it'd be fun to decorate with furniture that matched that aesthetic! The architect did a great job utilizing all the space they could.

[@SyaoranLiClow]

I love the 2nd apartment you showed, really cozy for one person

[@Elonquin]

Nice that we have some information from the architect this time. If possible, would love to see that more often.

[@TokyoPortfolio]

It's not always publicly-known information but I try to include it as much as possible

[@lovenspired]

The woods used in Japanese apartments are my favorite features of Japanese architect, it so calming.

[@reada4488]

The small apartments are really cool for videos because we can see interesting ways architects come up with to save space and costs, like the material saving from the first apartment. Great video

[@seanfoster671]

Your videos help us imagine our dream of living and retiring in Japan in about thirty years. Thank you for the extra motivation!

[@javiermontiero4982]

By far my favorite video yet. I've enjoyed virtually all (I think the Americana house is my least favorite) but this, I think the whole format was excellent. Felt like I got three new videos all at once. Each place was interesting to learn about and envision how I'd live there. And each place was more interesting than the last. I really like this style of video, hope to see more of this in the future!

[@lovenspired]

These apartments are stunning and very well designed. I never imagined nice modern apartments were available at this price point within Tokyo. So awesome! I would love for you to make this a series, showing us other apartments between $700-$1100 around Tokyo.

[@done.6191]

Wow, great presentation and quality! Subbed.

[@Wungitt]

Not sure if it's a common thing to be able to find 3 spaces with the same architect but that was super cool also, it'd be cool to see places like this furnished. super cool video and was put together super well!

[@RavagHer]

a bathroom on the first floor right next to the front door and next to that a giant window with no curtains/blinds whatsoever. if u needed to get out and answer that door.... also a laundry machine eating away at ur front entrance. u need to duck so u dont hit the spiral stairs. I understand this is a micro apartment but ive seen smaller apartments with a better layout. i would say the 2nd or 3rd place is much better. more space and to be honest the bathroom of the first place is nice and all but ur in japan, u want that fancy toilet that does it all

[@Roboplayer1]

that last place looked the best value for money and you could propably make the best use of the midfloor by using that as the bedroom and have a good sized area for a computer/work desk or something on the top floor

[@petershillito]

Nice to see more normal homes on here. None of these are especially extreme in size compared to some I've seen across youtube. These seem absolutely livable at prices that are very similar to the one bedroom apartment I had in university, especially the Green Terrace one, if not bigger. I'd probably be tempted to make that "skip floor" my bedroom rather than the top floor, so guests don't have to go straight through my bedroom to get to the bathroom.

[@sven20101001]

I Love your videos about luxurious JPN apartments. But it is nice to see , what "normal" apartments look like and cost. Wouldn't mind if you do more videos like that

[@CastSenpai]

I enjoy these affordable space videos! Admittedly these ones are too small for me personally, but I would love to see more like this or just near the $1k price range!

[@ani_mesh]

Loved this video!! Would definitely like to see more videos like in the future. Keep up the good work!

[@InfernosReaper]

I either put a sturdy tent or something on that balcony to make a guestroom when needed, or make a greenhouse. Others might just use it for social gatherings or fill it in as a proper room. I love that it's big enough to have options. Also, love the going over attractions for the area. It's a nice touch

[@kuroodo_]

I understand the balcony on the second apartment is really nice. But man couldn't the dude just sacrifice like 4 more feet of that space to make the single room a bit bigger? :P

[@Padam91]

These apartments look really cute and cosy, and I also appreciate that each building is unique and not just mass production. However, as a 6"2 guy, I could see feeling a bit claustrophobic or getting back pain if I have to worry about hitting my head in the ceiling 😆

[@jennifertate4397]

Japan always looks so clean on videos.

[@OttomanDrifter91]

I love how you get the architect to bring his insight into the video!

[@brandon7540]

I gravitate more to places I can own a like a starter house or tiny home. I saw a good one on youtube for about 150k. That's my dream at least make enough to move to japan buy a house and settle down.

[@spidernevi]

Seeing luxurious places is nice to satisfy your eyes, but I love that you also do this thing occasionally to show the more realistic but still nice places

[@jacqueswang3722]

That third apartment is awesome, I love how creative and practical Japanese architecture is

[@arthena2130]

This architect does some really cool designs. Missing some things that are more expected in western homes like size of the kitchen dishwasher rain shower. But the planning of the home layouts are insane with good prizes and areas. Would love for you to cover more of these well planned apartments, cheap apartments.

[@profwaldone]

these places always seems like such a waste of space. so mutch energy and room is needed to build vertically. if you combined a few of these plots (I know why it doesn't happen but still) and could centralise that into a single stairway for all of them it would be so mutch more efficient.

[@Ilselovesall]

The 3rd apartment is so perfect! A sizeable kitchen/living space, separate bedroom & a patio?!! Definitely would imagine the in-between space as a bedroom with a reading nook. Especially if you're using a more futon-like bed it offers plenty of head space. The natural light of the space, as well as not being in the walk flow makes it perfect. Additionally, you have some extra space for a little reading nook up front. The top floor feels very comfortable as a closet space + a work desk overlooking the stairway. The fact that there's the potential to extend the kitchen with an additional cabinet along that whole back wall tho ♡.♡

[@Benkofearth]

More content like this please! This kinda thing is so much more relevant to the average viewer who might want to move to Japan

[@kamanama3671]

You walk into a laundry machine? When you enter the apartment?

[@TokyoPortfolio]

Yep

[@kamanama3671]

The main thing I have learned from this video is Japanese people are not claustrophobic.

[@klopferator]

What impresses me the most is that the architect managed to include plenty of opportunities to hurt yourself in all three apartments.

[@ElSendler]

I would be afraid to hit my head on the spiral staircase in the first apartment. Those thin stairs would leave a lasting impression XD

[@klopferator]

@@ElSendler Even hitting your shin would be something you'd remember for at least a week. And in the second apartment imagine getting something from the upper shelf on the right side where the stairs from the entrance are.

[@abominablyawsm]

The last one was absolutely my favorite of the bunch (though I like the rooftop balcony of the second). I actually really love it and wish there was something like that where I live!

[@touwaxsdr8998]

Love the video, not only for the interesting information but also for the pretty images!

[@cri6009]

Will you make others collaborations? They are really fun to watch

[@TokyoPortfolio]

Currently working on more!

[@JapanWorldGER]

Looks decent. I would love to live there and the price is reasonable for the area. As a single, it’s quite some space 👍

[@dreamersmask]

I loved this! Thanks for breaking from your usual topics to show us these.

[@furanshisasuke15]

What an amazing compliment for my morning coffee. Right on time!

[@FoxDren]

apartment 1: terribly overpriced and barely liveable. apartment 2: still overpriced but could actually live in it. (due to not sleeping half in the kitchen and the amazing balcony) apartment 3: slightly overpriced, once again liveable but not as good as the second one. conclusion: all horribly overpriced to an unjustifiable extent.

[@davekjv8190]

Idk about the second one "amazing balcony". In my opinion, it is a waste of space, there is barely any space for the bedroom and I think it would be much more logical to extend the roof and make a small balcony like in Europe.

[@ginapickle9883]

These are extremely cheap for where they’re located. I live in NYC and those would easily be double in price here

[@user-qm7jw]

Because it's in Tokyo. Outside of Tokyo, it's less than half the price.

[@santiagodelgallego592]

My favorite episode so far. Good job presenting the spaces

[@--julian_]

your voice is so soothing and calming for some reason

[@silis_pap8473]

Yes! More of these innovative small apartments. Loved this one.

[@lorrainenicoletti6232]

Very creative Architect. The fact he chose real wood floors for me is a Bravo!

[@quirkynation]

Wow, these are amazing! Great use of space and lovely design. Thank you for sharing.

[@maxfediushkin1916]

This is your best video to date. I'd love to see more work of the architect!

[@que1510]

it's great and adds change in pace of videos you are making, keep making these kind of video

[@jacksonbrown4112]

11:25 the most Boston sounding 'ALL' i've ever heard 😂

[@lonnibaird8018]

The last place is my favourite. I love the minimalist designs of these apartments. Simple, but cozy.

[@rebeccaeverhardt214]

The last apartment with the different levels was amazing. I love the rooms being on different levels. ❤

[@rchiggins2930]

The first and last apartments are totally worth the money if you're a single person.Great locations for a great price. The architect did a great job designing the units.

[@cosmicglitter9287]

Wooooow! Modern, clean, affordable, and near/in Tokyo fantastic 😍

[@anthonynelson6671]

This was such a nicely done video. Also, I really like that designer's thought-through approach and results. It'd be very cool to hear more about him and his work.

[@antonjakobsson7379]

That second apartment looked super cozy. Especially that balcony would be great since I like planting stuff.

[@julesmbc]

Such a talented architect! Amazing, love them all, the second was gorgeous.

[@ls.c.5682]

Also, Shindo-san is clearly a very talented architect with great ideas and delivers good value for design brief / spec

[@imranmalik7417]

Loved this video! Small spaces are very interesting and I liked the contrast between the 3 departments.

[@sordmasta6646]

that triangle shelf behind the washing machine... that guy is good. and love the big balcony as well.

[@pennybedggood4126]

Thanks Alex - that was excellent! Nice to see how normal people live. I was doing that thing that you do when looking for a new place - imagining where my furniture would go! Very good. Thanks again.

[@ninaenima]

I enjoyed this a lot, i hope you make more of this type of videos in the future.

[@CloudsAndCoffins]

The last space is really nice and creative with it's use of space. I'd live there! I like the first one too, lots of natural lighting

[@shawncochran1285]

Love the video man!All the apartments were nice but that last one was really a gem.

[@LunaNyaVT]

The second and third one are my favourite, third one especially, clever use of space!

[@kittyowlblu]

Such creative ways to make a little space look cozy and habitable.

[@Artista_Frustrado]

the space optimization of these appartments is fantastic especially the third one having the Half-floors, also Mr Shindo knows the good stuff as Electric stovetops are objectively better in every way over their gas counterparts (yes, even speed)

[@kristym7149]

I would live in that third apartment in a heartbeat it looks so warm and cozy

[@Isaak1]

I love these unique tiny apartments, I NEED MORE VIDEOS

[@aappocky5553]

Love these apartments! Tsuyoshi is a visionary! Wonderful design presented wonderfully!!

[@apathetk]

That third apartment is so beautiful.

[@Benbenjii]

Cool getting videos for places on the smaller size. Great video!

[@LadyCouscous]

the last one is amazing. whaou

[@joyfulherbivore7113]

Wow I love the first place's bathroom! It's gorgeous and big enough compared to some other micro suites I've seen.