My REALITY living in an OLD Japanese house. (3 culture shocks!)

[@bawintermage8351]

As for being a free tour guide, I know your fans would gladly pay for you to guide and arrange their tours. Having a friend in Japan, especially one as well versed as you, would be a tremendous benefit for first time visitors. Even language tours for return visitors would be helpful, I know I could use the practice

[@Mishe-shoshinsha]

Just a small token of thanks for your awesome channels. I've been watching (both) for many years, even though I only started learning Japanese last year! Hope your home improvements are going well! ❣❣❣

[@kemushichan]

Omg THANK YOU! 🤩 Any thing you want me to address or do in a video next?

[@frithbarbat]

Holy schmoley, you've had a second baby since i last watched your videos! In my defence I moved from the US to the Balkans a year ago so I've been busy, but, wow. Congratulations!

[@nikize]

Sorry, but NEVER EVER use your home currency unless you have a garbage card. ALWAYS use the local JPY choice! Everybody adds an extra charge for the exchange rate.

[@kemushichan]

UGH THE PLOT CONTINUES

[@tinahindi]

I am so glad that you cleared up that you were renting. so much wood paneling. this reminds me of a cabins in the woods.

[@Bakapooru]

Wait.... you want to pay in yen. If you pay with your home currency, the merchant has to do the exchange and the merchant can charge whatever fees they want on top of the bank's fees. By paying in yen, you'll pay with your bank's exchange rate, which is usually around 3% from the international exchange rate (plus if any card usage fees).

[@cate171]

I have found that the offered exchange rate on credit card machines is not competitive with the rate offered by my credit card, which has no overseas fees, so I always pick the local currency.

[@llamabean529]

Yeah I always picked to do the local currency for my card transactions because of this. Always turned out cheaper, no hidden extra fees.

[@Chatana23]

I was sooo concentrated on your video until HE appeared! OMG What a cuttie that baby boy 😍😍😍😍 He's like dad but caramel version (same thing goes for my little brother) 😅😅

[@Hamidmahdi]

2:20 so, I THINK this is where Japan has learned from Korea to heat the bathrooms using the floor heating. Typically it's the entire house/apartment floor that's heated while the bathroom floor isn't but sometimes you get lucky and the bathroom floor also heats up. Accommodations here are pretty well-insulated, and as the heat comes throughthe floor, you have to turn on the dehumidifier or risk growing mold on your walls. The crane thing is also commonly used over here even in western sized apartments.

[@akinoshimo]

Yup, when I lived in Japan (1980s), our house was freezing in the winter time. Indoor temperature could be +8C, so early in the morning before getting ready for work, I would go downstairs and start the kerosene heater, put a pot of water on top of the heater (to increase the humidity), and then go back upstairs and jump into our down comforter covered futon until the downstairs became a little warmer. our bathroom (お風呂) and sink area was always cold. Our family and friend's homes were the same. Our kotatsu was well used in the winter time as well. Now-a-days however, newer homes in Japan are much better insulated. I was much surprised how comfortable newer homes have become as well as better heaters ... Next, our kitchen (our home was built in the 1950's Japan), was small.... I bought a small American refrigerator, but the thing couldn't fit through the door (we had regular western style doors front and back) so we had to take the door off, remove all hardware on the door frame and then the fridge would slide through the door frame. Finally, when someone opens the fridge door, there was only 6inches (15cm) between the door and the kitchen sink. Because there is NO grounding in Japanese houses (yes, two prong outlets only, American Fridge needed a ground breaker adapter plug), DON't touch the fridge and the sink faucet at the same time (Japanese refrigerators not an issue)... I got a little reminder each time I did that (forgetful multitasking). But, Oh there is more: Water Heater, lighting, outlets, stairs, closet space .... story for another time. I do miss the Japanese room (和風部屋) with tatami mats. I love the smell of bamboo was well as the warmth (winter) and coolness (summer) of the mats. best of luck! I will leave this comment up for a bit, and then delete it.

[@kemushichan]

Omg I'm just realizing I said LEAF type pokemon. Ahahahahahahahhahahahah

[@andrewcarmichael8683]

We had a kerosene heater in the bedroom, but you have me scratching my head about the bathroom! I'm sure we must have done something, because it was cold in the winter.

[@bawintermage8351]

Cold house in Japan, I know thats true. My first time visiting Japan was in my friends traditional older Japanese house, in winter ❄️❄️❄️...Im from Florida, thought I was going to die and they were prancing around in T-shirts.

[@СергейШ-ч9т]

These japanese houses are basically frame houses. So you can use proper scandinavian style renovation for frame houses i.e. rockwool insolation, water heated floor for bathroom and water heated radiators under double-triple glass rotate opening windows, organized ventilation (in and out air flowing), electric and plumbing changes. And after that cosmetics. This what may be called proper renovation. Or maybe it's cheaper to rebuilt house from scratch.

[@kemushichan]

We're in that funny catch, can't rebuild from scratch because another house is in front of it on the plot. So, renovate forever but can't demolish until the house in front does

[@negakurai]

No one really does this here. Renovations are mostly superficial with low performance insulation added. The houses will still have an ACH50 of 10-15+. There’s really no Enerphit reno’s being done, which is essentially what you’re referring to. Even the new ZEH homes are decades behind in terms of building science.

[@klabkebash]

Just get radiant electric heated tiles for the bathroom. When your feet touch the floor it's warm.

[@spokenapplause]

My Tokyo bathroom's exhaust fan has a mode that makes it blow hot air into the room, instead of sucking the inside air out. In the winter I'll just run that for a while before showering, and it helps a lot.

[@kemushichan]

ohhhh this sounds like a major hack!

[@laurenbouchie2394]

Wait, you have 2 kids now? I must of missed something. LOL>

[@samaru1875]

16年もKZbinに動画のアップロードを続けてるロレッタは凄いね。こんなに長くやってる人は日本にはいないと思う

[@AuntieDeeDee]

I just bought a traditional Japanese house and can concur to all huddling in one room and closing the other doors!! 😂😂😂 Great video❤

[@aprilborchelt2422]

It’s been great seeing your videos again! I had my first son 6months after your first! I’m wanting to go back to japan maybe next year but I’m nervous about how to do it with a toddler…I’d be interested if you did a video on dos and don’ts with a toddler in japan or places that are kid friendly (ryokans, restaurants, transportation) I want to go again but want to make the trip worth it if I bring the kiddo!

[@kemushichan]

Congratulations mama!!! 🤩 Ready for the big two? *Noted* I'll see if I can swirl in my favorite tiddly bits!

[@aprilborchelt2422]

@@kemushichan Time is flying!! I can’t believe he’s already 18months 😳 And that would be awesome!! Thank you!

[@cbauch]

With all those stairs, how do you make sure the kids don't fall down them? We used gates at the top of the stairs to block them off.

[@wanderingdreams]

It's kind of wild hearing that an "old" house in Japan is only 30 years old, I've never lived in a place here in the US that was newer than the 1970s I think! (aside from a single dorm) Although I swear the builders of my current place, post war 1950s garden-style apartments, did not realize just how much insulation you should put in, it's a struggle to keep my place above 60 in the winter and below 80 in the summer!

[@justmejenpolar]

hahahaha loved how the neighbor appeared and gave you the salt:D

[@247hustlerr]

I missed you soooo much. Hope all is well with your baby and family.

[@lunalui]

I'm realy looking forward whatever your have in store about 空家 and the like. Insulation in Japan is the worst, even in new houses and flats. If you discover something about companies specialising in improving insulation of dwellings, I'd love if you could share it with us. Thanks! PS I was also curious about the difference between the choice of yen and the card's own currency, so I did try both to evaluate the effect, but there did not seem to be any notable variation.

[@hughesey7553]

The alga rhythm has led me to you after you disappeared for a while. Last video I saw was you and Boomer announcing you was pregnant. Congratulations and pleased you have a lovely yet complicated house. Look forward to seeing more videos.

[@kemushichan]

That squirrel A.rythmn is always shaking things up! Hope you've been well in the last couple years 😀👍

[@jeniifaa]

In an older-but-partially-renovated-house as well, we've been using a space-heater pointed into the ofuro from the door. When they slotted in the new unit bath- there was no insulation (literally open the tub panel and it's just the concrete). We survive by living under the kotatsu usually hahaha

[@Stick-a-fork-in-Gmorks-tort]

Gonna walk around all day singing, 🎵Culture shock, culture shock🎶

[@leeeplerine]

I lived in a home with very minimal insulation in Canada. And we bought an electric heated floor mat, which was really nice to have when my son was a toddler. and warm feet can make all the difference in a cold house.

[@kemushichan]

I don't know why I didn't think about this 😭😭😭

[@dees3179]

I am in the U.K. and although I have some insulation, so an advantage, I also can’t afford to heat my house. And of course we all know cooling isn’t a thing here! So I get by with having lots of open windows to keep the air moving….this has meant I’ve avoided mould so far and I’ve been here five years in the same house, eight in the previous. The room I am in I keep the door closed, then the next day I go in a different room and shut that door. That way nothing gets too stuffy. Bathroom…..yes, it’s cold! Showering is very uncomfortable in the winter so I can only manage once or twice a week. The rest of the time I make do with washing in the very large sink and only remove parts of my clothes at a time. Otherwise it is just too cold. But it means I don’t smell, and saves a fortune on electricity, gas and water. Utility bills here are crazy expensive so I have to keep them in check. Electric throw blanket or a hot water bottle makes life bare able if I’m sitting around. The rest of the time I just have to wear lots of clothes and keep moving. Basically, think how did our parents/grandparents/great grandparents lived and do that. I’ve got to prioritise paying the mortgage and eating, so heating doesn’t come onto the list except in an emergency. I’ll heat the house to protect it, such as if it’s below freezing and I’m worried about the pipes. But other than that I just have to lump it. Average indoor temperature here is about ten degrees Celsius in the winter when it’s cold, so not too bad. If the sun comes out the south side gets up to a few degrees warmer which makes a big difference.

[@WhatReallyMatters-737]

Fantastic, I'm going to be checking Klook out. Thank you. Fun video. Love it. 😮

[@milaemouse8442]

yah, i always thought, that if/when i buy an older house (in japan) that i should gut the interior and get insulation and all the termite damage fixed up...along with electrical re-cabling....

[@ISO_international_friends]

Annyeonghaseyo 👋🏾. It’s been a long time. Happy to see you again. ❤

[@Heidi2003]

Always love your videos!! All the best!

[@simondesu1]

Good going! I love the outdoor patio area. Not many Japanese have an outdoor space to relax or drink their morning coffee. Seems it's not popular here. Controlling temperature in old Japanese houses is definitely a challenge. Here's a link to a small renovation I finished in 2022. It's my teaching room now but keeping it comfortable for students can be a hassle (and expensive). kzbin.info/www/bejne/rJmYZWtqe9ain80si=Pdylqor_fBA06vTs

[@TenYen4796]

😞 I over slept today. Hello to my friend in Japan. 😊 I'll be there this summer. Cold weather I can handle but a cold house 😳 oh no....turn up the 🔥🔥

[@penultimateh766]

Yeah my house was fairly modern (1950s ha ha) but still darn cold in winter.

[@W4ABN]

Gotta get creative in small spaces. You're doing well and nice the owner allowed you to update some things.

[@joeyp1927]

Love how you communicate with your parents with a toy connected to a dial-up modem from the 2000s ;)

[@kemushichan]

YOU CAUGHT ME

[@joeyp1927]

@@kemushichan Last time I watched one of your videos you were doing a Mr. Donut haul. Please do one of those again! I miss Mr. Donut, we used to have those here in the US. There are actually no good doughnut chains here.

[@kemushichan]

@@joeyp1927 doesn't sound too difficult

[@bawintermage8351]

Ok, they kids are sooo cute,😊😊😊.

[@yawobi5083]

Creative use of space for a patio. Waste not want not.

[@suburbanview]

WOW your baby is running around!

[@jordanloftin9915]

I just went through and rewatched your birth video, to convince myself that that was indeed a year and a half ago and that the babe in this video is new hahaha. The timeline is very confusing lol.

[@kemushichan]

You and me, both! Hahaha 🤣🤣🤣

[@jordanloftin9915]

Congrats on your babies! 🥹 hoping the same for my husband and me soon too! 💙

[@lallison2825]

I always love these old houses, and then I remember they tended to age terribly. I love them though

[@BayeMcNeil]

fantastic video!

[@etherdog]

We KNEW you were pregnant again by the way the camera captured you, except for a few telling scenes, but the time dilation effect is pretty jarring. More importantly, you need to spend about a year with Janet Yellen in whatever capacity you can because the US is going to need you soon. I'm serious. You should reach out to Betsey Stevenson to get plugged in. Your work with MEXT and beyond has not gone unnoticed.

[@isekai421]

ありがとうございます！

[@kemushichan]

THANKyou,!!!

[@Na2Ocean]

I’m a 30 year old house and I’m NOT old 😾

[@kemushichan]

I'm actually having a culture shock thanks to you and one other comment below...it just occurred to me 30 years old is the NEWEST house I've lived in (other than one townhouse) because of all the *prewar* buildings in NYC etc. Houses really are built to last in the states! They're pretty much of little to no value here and I'm just hearing myself like... *Wow*

[@joeyp1927]

Would it be fair to say that Japan is behind Korea and China, let alone the US, in connectivity especially when it comes to travel? I watched another video recently where the vlogger nearly got stranded but was saved by Google which gave him the right directions, but even then he had to transfer buses at a worn-out hut in the middle of nowhere. the side o

[@penultimateh766]

I would say no, especially in rural areas. There are large sections of China with poor or no access. Japan's transport system is complicated for non-Japanese speakers but you can get just about anywhere.

[@joeyp1927]

@@penultimateh766 Rural areas, maybe, because there just aren't a lot of people to serve. But I would say China's urban/metro area is as good or better: even fourth-tier cities have modern metro systems. But I have seen NHK episodes about how they're maintaining small, one-car trains for rural areas in Japan and that is admirable.

[@23Lgirl]

@@joeyp1927 Then you have only watch Chinese propaganda.

[@joeyp1927]

@@23Lgirl I guess when Warren Buffett, Charlie Munger, Elon Musk and Bill Gates rave about Chinese infrastructure, they are propagandizing. I guess when Businessweek attributed China's manufacturing success to Chinese transportation infrastructure, they were propagandizing.

[@medimaple]

You're getting old

[@ohenrico17acr92]

Damn 😮