Inside a $5,000/mo Contemporary Tokyo ENTIRE HOUSE | Japanese Home Tour

In this house tour, Alex takes you inside a minimalist modern house for rent in Tokyo's trendy Nakameguro neighborhood.
Interested in finding the perfect apartment or house for you in Tokyo? Contact us at [e-mail]
*NOTE: This was previously uploaded to the Blackship Realty KZbin channel.
Filmed and edited by @PaulBallard
📷 Instagram: / blackshiprealty
📱 Facebook: / ​​
🌏 Website: blackshiprealty.com/
🏠 Location: 1-12-7 Aobadai, Meguro-ku, Tokyo 153-0042
💲 Price: ¥650,000/Month (approx. $5,700 USD)
🛏️ Beds 2 | 🛀 Baths 1.5
📐 House Area: 1,282ft2 (119.15㎡)

[@TokyoPortfolio]

Everyone assumes Tokyo's all condos -- seeing what houses in Tokyo are like, would you prefer to live in a house or condo here?

[@jama211]

@@maidenthe80sla just because it's a house doesn't mean it's all concrete nor does it mean you won't have wall to wall neighbours just FYI

[@jama211]

I'll take the condo. When in Rome and all that, learn to live a little more minimally. Also it's much cheaper and more light comes in! This house feels very closed to light because of the high balcony walls.

[@AOcreative]

I like both. Since Im single, an apartment would be great but if I was living with other people, a house would be perfect. When I was in Tokyo, living in a house with a group of people was the best experience.

[@noel6560]

really wanna talk with you as a Japanese who is living in Nakameguro. Thank you for the update, though Blue Star was unfortunately already closed.

[@Hinata-EN]

If i can afford , a house all days . I always prefer my privacy. I don't want my personal work/entertainment or whatever that happen in my house bother my neighbors. Another thing It may not happen in Japan but it happen quite a lots where I am living ( Texas, USA). If you are living in an apartment or a condo and meet "unlucky neighbors" . no matter how clean you are your condo/apartment easily get infected. It's less so a problem if you are living in a house

[@nyuwastaken]

I can feel that you put a lot of effort in the energy and "character" you portray in this video in particular. Like it a lot. Feels less corporate and more hanging out with a friend

[@JoeWithTheGlasses]

Not entirely sure when the building was made, but that cabinet/shelf at 10:44 definitely looks like a spot where you were supposed to put an old tube TV.

[@Pwnopolis]

100% that cabinet was made in the 1990's for a tube tv

[@falkoo4052]

Yup, that's why the cables were underneath and were re-routed to the LCD mount. I really like the fold-in doors in the living/dining area. Let's you use the space without running into them constantly.

[@lestersy7067]

Yup, was going to comment that our house had one of those when I was growing up to avoid the distraction of TVs all the time.

[@hzhang1228]

a cabinet tv would not be in the corner of the room since it can't change which direction it faces, it would be facing the center of the room

[@stonerhino22]

I feel old

[@pleasedontwatchthese9593]

It was really cool to see a contemporary place. Its kind of neat to compare it to other places

[@project9701]

The "minibar" section might have been where the TV used to be, back in the days when TVs were based on cathode-ray tubes and were fairly large. Not using the TV? Put it behind a cabinet.

[@HouseMDaddict]

Alex I'm so glad I discovered you through Chris Broad. Your videos are incredible!!!

[@darriendastar3941]

This was good. I couldn't live there, but it covered every single thing I'd need to know before making a decision. It's amazing you managed to get it all in within a 12 minute video. Well done.

[@alejandrofortuna4751]

I'm always impressed by how they plan an apartment's foyer/entrance hall. Hope this is applied more in my country

[@tehGazzy]

"This is for your 'Mini Bar'." Bro, it hasn't been THAT long since CRTs were a common household item. 😂 I'm only 25 but I still know what an entertainment cabinet looks like!

[@PiksyMexxy]

what a fantastically designed house, every tiny bit is used sensibly. although those stairs you were sat on, although beautiful did not look safe. i particularly liked the mini garden, i think id turn it into a zen sand garden 🤣

[@george46light]

I like your personal way of presenting, your attitude, your humor. I watch your videos to chill out 👌

[@PeacefulPagoda]

This house has some distinct personality, I kind of love it!

[@donovancatuncan5481]

The way Alex starts these videos hunched down like Quasimodo doing his intro then taking those few awkward gliding steps away from camera is strangely endearing and very Japanese animé-like. It's becoming a template I look forward to 😅

[@lurac5710]

That stove top hidden hood helps make the house look very clean, but I wonder how useful it really is.

[@HouseMDaddict]

We had one in my house growing up in the 90s (obviously not as high tech) but it'd clear the air really well and it didn't "pop out", you just lifted the lid on the vent.

[@banditkeithkingofduelmonsters]

It actually works fine, not amazing but decently. The only problem is ours got stuck...it can no longer go down so we just leave it up. Not a big deal I guess but unprofessional.

[@HellbergProductions1]

I like this style of video. Lighthearted yet informative. Good stuff!

[@disturbed250]

Loving this channel (thank chris abroad/Cdawg for finding it lol).. Japanese homes are so different to to the UK and its always interesting to see. Especially the random rooms and spaces that they seem to have lol.

[@andrzejkopalnia]

I absolutely love this channel and congrats for having it taking off!!!! 😍

[@lookbehindyou5951]

Keep up the good videos man, let's get this guy to 100k subs

[@yeroun1974]

The push in doors are a great idea. I need that in my house too.

[@donreed]

Excellent work, sir! I became interested in something I normally would not look at longer than 15-30 seconds.

[@th3Vandal]

Love your content, great videos

[@Diegor35]

Unique house, loved! Man, you deserve way more views! Your presenting style is on point, sub, fav and nots on! =D

[@epicthief]

Always exicted what's on the market, keep it up and one day I might be able to have one these lovely spaces

[@cobraweems]

I love the videos on this channel, I hope you keep this up!

[@kamiandMel]

I’m from SILVERLAKE, Los Angeles! I was happy when you mentioned it 👍🏼🙌🏼

[@vazzaroth]

OH MY GAWD I LOVE THE TINY GARDEN RIGHT OUTSIDE THE OFFFFFFFIIICCCCCEEE!!!! I would love to have a little ricefish porch pond nestled in some mossy waterfalls to look at all day, sheit!

[@Shiro_Amada]

10:53 Thats where the TV used to be when people still used CRTs. Its why there are slats to allow IR signals to be picked up. The modern TV mount was a later addition.

[@FromAmericaToJapan]

Good video. Enjoyed it

[@isaberabera_]

I love meguro and naka-meguro. I loved when my train would pass through there

[@InfernosReaper]

Looking at the ceiling and floor, that one bedroom has 2 entrances because it is setup to be dividable into 2 sections. It just isn't configured that way at the moment. This is reinforced by the "smaller" bedroom being fancier. Speaking of that 2nd bedroom, I'm a weirdo for thinking the lower closet spaces would be cozy little places to sleep

[@ArchOfWinter]

That little attic closet can be a sleeping nook! One side is the bed, the other storage, and the main area just a general purpose room.

[@polyquaternium7]

Excellent video!, i would love to see more houses reviewed by you. The house itself looks more like a zombie apocalypse proof bunker than a home, too dystopian for my taste.

[@Ohhcrystaal]

A garage in Tokyo?! Dang… that’s amazing!

[@PplsChampion]

10:45 i think that's where the stereo / music stuff goes. or just where the TV was originally meant to go

[@spencer1280]

blue star burger looks good i wish i could try it

[@thefloorhasgone]

make that cool garage an art gallery ;)

[@annettewalter2273]

They thought of everything!

[@Kayametra]

I bet I know what that spot beside the TV mount that you said might be for a mini-bar might be for. All of that cabinetry looks fairly old so I bet that cubby was for a CRT TV that you could hide away to clean up the look. All of the wiring coming out of the wall passthrough behind the mount was added later on.

[@Mahbu]

At around 10:30, he looks into that self thing. . I think that is originally where you were to put your TV. I don't know about Japan but in ye olde days of the US, you would have your TV in a similar setup.

[@aidrianpatullo598]

at around 10:50 you're talking about the minibar area, but depending on the age of the house it could be for those old BIG box tvs

[@gp2101]

It reminds me of a house featured in the anime "given"

[@catswillruletheworld]

Super neat house! I'm not a fan of the floating stairs, my balance can be just awful when I'm tired, but otherwise I could see that as a place I wouldn't mind living in. Waaay out of my price range, but if I ever win the lottery I'll keep this channel in mind XD

[@Canadian388]

That first bedroom is surely designed to be split in two. Those tracts on the floor and the two doors mean you could put a wall right in the middle. Good for a family with kids.

[@mother3crazy]

I love your jacket! Looks just like Vincent’s from Catherine.

[@zero80473]

if this is avalable when i decided to move to japan yep i want it

[@5iftysixmedia69]

The cupboard you assumed as a mini bar is a space for a stereo or tv Alex lol

[@DavidMacchiaW]

Lower outdoor space would make an excellent spot for a Jacuzzi. If I was bringing in the kind of money to secure that rent, I would make an offer to buy the house outright.

[@LawdBreaktwist]

i really love this house, only thing (which is probably out of your control) it could have done with a bit of a clean, like the courtyard walls and closets

[@starwindracecar]

That isnt a mini bar its for a CRT TV before flat screens were a thing. You would have your AV stuff below with the TV on top plus you could hide everything. which was common in the 90 and early 00.

[@christianb3883]

I live im Canada and by no means plan on living in japan and currently have no plans to visit japan any time soon.....so why am I addicted to these videos?! 😅

[@PS3Cooooooool]

When i saw the hooks I immediately remembered me playing Evil within game, they are perfect to hand dead bodies!

[@ExpolringWithBudgyMcGhee]

Thanks for showing us allnthe cool places in tokyo, how much would this place sale for.

[@tomk9168]

I dont know about anyone else but id be sleeping in the crawl spaces

[@kankun123]

Not walk-in but more like crawl-in closets, lol. Great videos, btw. Very concise, interesting and fun. Looking forward to your new ones.

[@tenk2001]

I dunno how new the house is but are you sure thst recessed space in the living room console wasn't originally for crt TV and when tvs got thinner they just mounted Vesa and shifted everything over?

[@camf1991]

havent....havent you listed this one before? This garage was so familiar.

[@JohnBigOz]

I believe (Since there's two accounts) that some episodes are either being re-uploaded/updated or uploaded across a channel.

[@MayaYa]

10:44 looks like a cabinet for a CRT TV

[@TokyoPortfolio]

Could be. I prefer the idea of a bar tho.

[@eetadakimasu]

You're too young to know, the weird doors were likely another TV cabinet, that used to be a very common design

[@Volros64]

that space next to the tv may be for a stereo/record player

[@InfernosReaper]

You need a blender and mini fridge for a good mini bar, hence the plugs, right?

[@aznxtac808]

Not that it’s cheap, but for this price definitely seems like better value than San Francisco!

[@SharpStrike]

Honestly yeah, the price isn't that horrifying as someone lives in the SF Bay but Tokyo offers much better quality of life in terms of safety, convenience, and things to do. That being said the price for Japanese locals must be crazy since they don't have the tech salaries of the Bay though. I'd trade off square footage in my apartment to move there any day if I could miraculously learn Japanese and work there for a company that doesn't make you work crazy hours.

[@kurapan779]

You pay a lot for the location here. Naka-Meguro is a very popular upscale district very close to places like Shibuya, Ebisu and Roppongi, yet it has a more laidback atmosphere than the really busy places like Shibuya or Roppongi. I just checked and Naka-Meguro is currently on the 12th place of neighborhoods (defined by closest train station) where people wanna live in Tokyo. It clearly isn't for someone with average income.

[@aznxtac808]

@@kurapan779 yes! I really like Nakameguro a lot! You’re right, definitely not for the average income earner. Probably more for the expats working for some multinational company or something..

[@Robonator14]

Very nice video as usual. As for the place, i really have to say it doesnt feel comfortable to me at all. It makes me feel claustrophobic and all these dark colors in a small room don't help :D

[@TheTinKunt]

The dark colors are horrendous. They should do a quick remodel before charging those prices.

[@Nobunagawa]

Love that house! It lacks a balcony though...

[@pvopop4938]

Amazing place, if i was rich id buy it in a snap!

[@tankfantry8613]

In-N-Out suuuuuucks...Whataburger for life!

[@ascomycotinazzz]

isnt the minibar place to put altar or ihai?

[@deathtoyoutubeandtwitterbu5865]

As a large man I wouldn't trust those kitchen stairs. They look like they'd snap

[@polyquaternium7]

I'm not large but would not trust myself with those stairs, is myself falling through the counter halfway XD

[@ducheau100]

the kitchen island looks like a picnic table with a sink

[@ronochow]

What a strange layout. It has odd appeal, but also really quirky. The super long room looks like it was two rooms before. There's an AC unit on each side, and the dividing line in the middle. The "smaller" room looks like it could've been the master. The closet space could pass of as capsule hotel units XD.

[@RoyalMountedAnkleBiters]

"It's a cross between Soho in NY & Silverlake in LA"... LOL, I'll pass. Not the scene for me. I'm sure someone would love it though who likes that kinda location. Absolutely beautiful place regardless, the designer should be proud.

[@iandegiovani4703]

What did the last stairs lead to?

[@mipal7]

Always enjoy your videos, but didn’t you already post this one a while back? Asking for a friend. LOL!

[@TokyoPortfolio]

Yep! It was on my other channel. New content coming soon.

[@mipal7]

@@TokyoPortfolio Also, love how you mention Silverlake in your videos- I live in here :) Did you?

[@dherokbattleborn]

If I wanted to live in Japan I’d have to have a completely custom house built. Such a strange layout and so freaking expensive

[@gregh7457]

there is a youtube video of an american that built a custom house in japan and its a fusion of japanese and american design which i really liked because i really hate those metal unit kitchens and unit bathrooms here in japan. He put in custom wood cabinets and no plastic unit bathrooms. search youtube fore "i built a house in japan" if i remember the title correctly

[@dherokbattleborn]

@@gregh7457 Alright I’ll give it a look

[@dweis217]

@3:45 Doesn't get any more graceful than that. 5/7

[@ShadowAvatar]

Love to see inside the different houses, keep up the good work.

[@cmdrdata42]

Surprising they’re asking this much for how old the place looks. Solar is cool, but for the location a roof balcony would have maybe tiny bit made it pretty worth it.

[@femmebrulee5053]

I think that 2nd bedroom with the floor level closet is perfect for a child. I'm not sure why he believes this 2 bedroom rental is not large enough for a family with 1 child. People in large cities in the US like NY and San Francisco live in apartments as big as only the lower level of this rental. This rental has a whole, huge open space living room and kitchen plus underground parking with storage. Definitely more than enough room. The 1st larger bedroom, I would think about blocking off the 2nd door so there would be more usable space but even if you don't there's still enough space in that room.

[@AkumuDesu]

Hi Camera man! *wave*

[@drmfree]

It’s for a CRT tv 10:29

[@paulinedocherty6541]

Where did the stairs in the kitchen lead?

[@TokyoPortfolio]

They go to the bedrooms.

[@Elle0704]

Sharla and Chris weren’t interested in this property? Br2 could be a guest BR and/or filming space.

[@eetadakimasu]

Socks in a bathtub, lesson noted. Great video!

[@MaximumRelaxationZone]

Is that near the Peacock store?

[@TokyoPortfolio]

No, it's the other side of the river.

[@benubaid2137]

Security system in Japan homes or apartments its like "decor" stuff.

[@froztking7339]

Is the rental foreigner friendly?

[@adiohead]

0:40 Vegan ice cream!

[@antonyjackson2324]

Another nice place but not quite what looking for - this one has not made the “when I win the lottery” list for a place in Tokyo 🤓😂🎌

[@quantaviouskelley8032]

“Very nice”

[@m4t1ss]

When will there be an actual new video instead of a re-upload of a previously uploaded and now deleted video? :/

[@TokyoPortfolio]

Patience, my dear

[@VarvasNukka]

I really do love the all around top level windows in the middle floor, I bet it has incredible ambiance at night. Though I do wish you would have shown the other balconies as well.

[@rijoker]

Did blue star burger permanently close as google maps shows?

[@TokyoPortfolio]

Oh my god seriously?? It just closed yesterday!

[@rijoker]

@@TokyoPortfolio I had yet to go and after the video decided I would go this weekend. Looked it up and wwwhhhhaaatttt, closed. Oh well.

[@Charbond]

I cant believe you just passed over the fact you are basically walking on the kitchen countertops to go upstairs.

[@fabiozwei]

Man the garage ceiling’s quite short !

[@darrellsellers]

Most places have a min 1 year contract ? Is it possible to have a 1~2mo

[@cgigammez5749]

Maybe if you pay it all in advance

[@TokyoPortfolio]

It's possible, but you'll still have to fork over a ton of initial fees, most of which will not come back to you. If you want a short-term contract for only a few months, there are furnished places out there that can help you, but Airbnb will probably be your best bet.

[@farisbosnic1786]

Hi! 03:14

[@Cysand]

About how much would this house be if this were for sale?

[@TokyoPortfolio]

Probably around $1.5m-2m

[@arkhive506]

"This is, surprisingly, the office-" Uh... yeah, nah... that spot is funky as sin for an office. "It has an A/C" Just shut up and take my money!

[@chinchowpowpook]

Do people rent and sublet with approval from landlord?

[@TokyoPortfolio]

Subletting is almost unheard of, and is explicitly banned in most contracts

[@GhostZodick]

everything on Japanese house is so small. Not only the house itself small, everything about it is small. Your video even gives me claustrophobic. I think the ceilings needs to be 50% taller on every floor. And the top floor should be just one bedroom with a bathroom.

[@Deathaven]

As much as I love places like this, the controls always look like they have come from the 60s/70s.