What IS an Average Japanese Apartment Like?

[@ChannelRalph]

Hey Greg, on behalf of the Internet I'd like to apologise for stupid haters etc. why should your audience judge you and where or how you live. You were generous enough to invite us into your home, and I thank you for that. Aiko is charming of course, Shin is fun and you come across as a loving father and good video maker.......so I watch and enjoy your videos. Other than that, who am I to judge. Keep up the good work. Ralph

[@Gigglegal320]

Agreed and ditto! Love these videos and so glad that Greg is sharing with us :)

[@suz7196]

Well said.

[@kaylakim2283]

👍👍👍

[@smissions7340]

+ChannelRalph Absolutely.

[@slfirst7037]

True all i want to watch great content sit back and relax. who am i to judge

[@SonyaLCH]

I feel bad that you are opening yourself up and your family up to benefit and teach us about culture and yet you are placed in the position of feeling the need to defend yourself. In my opinion this explanation was not needed. I appreciate you and what you do.

[@burgandy8240]

Exactly. Couldn't have said it better myself. Why do people care so much?

[@IrisMG]

Justify your lifestyle to NOBODY. You can afford a comfortable home for your family. Good for you! I hope other Japanese can be happy for your good luck instead of judgmental. Love your videos!

You can tell he is a decent guy to do all this and make a professional response to ppl who were being judgmental. Damn shame , he makes cute videos with his family and ppl had to find something bad with that. Give him a break geez!

[@elementarywatson5345]

Wow! $1,000 for a 3 bedroom apartment in Tokyo. That's pretty good!

[@beckyreyes2359]

Yeah for a month ,

[@jordan6287]

In the house I live in, it's $350 NZD per week = $1400 NZD per month ≈ $970 USD per month (¥104 000 JPY) Except my house has 4 bedrooms, a large kitchen and living area, a bathroom with a separate bath and shower and a toilet with a washroom separated from the house and a large backyard and front yard.... Just to put it into some perspective. While writing this comment, I realized how fortunate I am to be living in New Zealand.

[@jordan6287]

***** Oh my goooood how do you handle with that much space without feeling cramped??

[@jordan6287]

***** Where do you plan on going?

[@jordan6287]

***** Wow! The living circumstances sound very different compared to my country! Good luck with the move in the future! :)

[@richyjjsmith]

Here in Ireland, where we speak English, we'd call it an apartment, and since your videos are in English. I don't really see an issue with it being called an apartment. In fact the word "condo" is a word I've never heard used in Ireland for any type of building, I've only ever heard it used on American tv shows. But what I wanted to know is, what's it like sleeping on those little roll out beds, when you're presumably used to what we'd call a "real bed" from living in Canada? It certainly saves you a lot of room when you're not sleeping. Price seems pretty reasonable to me, Dublin is a MUCH smaller city than Tokyo, but you could easily pay twice what you do for less room.

[@LifeWhereImFromX]

+richard smith The futons "roll out beds" are better than I thought. At first we had a regular one, which had too little padding to me. But then we upgraded to a more modern one and it's great. I'll do a video on the main channel about it sometime soonish - which can mean from 1-6 months ;-)

[@genjii931]

+richard smith In the US, a condo is nothing but an apartment that you buy, as oppose to rent. They are often built to higher standards if the building is built specifically to be sold as condos rather than rented out, but some apartment buildings 'go condo' later on, so that part varies. Here it also has nothing to do with construction style or height of building.

[@taunks287]

+genjii931 Yeah, I had thought about a condo here in central Ohio at one point. From movies, I always figured they were more like a small house than an apartment size. Then I realized that the condos by me are basically just 2 bedroom townhouses that you own instead of rent. My friends mention the bonus of not having to do your own lawn care and such, but I kind of like doing those things.

[@drunkenek]

+richard smith I live in California, USA and I am always confused on what is a condo, townhouse, and apartment. All three are still "a part" of a building, either sharing a wall or a common structure. Let's just call everything an apartment and have a good day!

[@nir913]

I always believed Ireland speaks Irish or Gaelic. Maybe it's your second language.

[@froggy3784]

Its kinda funny how people are getting offended about how you called it an apartment! Like that tells you something about today's society

[@worldaviation4k]

ignore the comments where the youtube channel commenter doesn't even have a picture or subscribers. They are the trolls. And UK flats don't have card entry so he's wrong.

[@moonmoon4577]

yeah lol "uk project flats" aren't even that neat to be in, usually thats where the poorer folk are crammed.

[@melissacaldwell5598]

I know it shouldn't, but it always surprises (and galls) me that people are so ignorant and rude as to comment on what they presume someone's financial status to be, on top of that to call them deceitful. You do a wonderful job, I love to see the way you interact with the kids.

[@LifeWhereImFromX]

The video in which I spend a lot of time to arrive at the conclusion that I have a big apartment... but not that big :-)

[@LifeWhereImFromX]

+Abby P For a 3LDK that's not in the centre of Tokyo, yep, that sounds about right to me :-)

[@drafarieninga123o]

Wow! I didn't know that Tokyo had actual wards, much less 23. I thought that was just a trope in anime. Do you call them "wards" or just towns, (such as last video)?

[@LifeWhereImFromX]

+drafarieninga123o In English they're called wards.

[@Baka_Oppai]

+Life Where I'm From X Maybe i should have said not typical for a jvlogger. I think my comment come off a little more harsh than I meant it to.

[@LifeWhereImFromX]

+オッパイバカ Hey, no worries. Thanks for leaving this comment :-)

[@viewetteer2005]

Thanks for addressing this topic! I too read a lot of the comments and was a little disappointed to see some of the disparaging comments from others about the size and what is or isn't a typical japanese apartment. Much like many other places around the world, the variables listed when finding a place to live are just what you're able to find, afford, and access when you're searching; it's all relative. One of my very wise teachers told us during our culture study program (which is a lot like what you're offering on both of your channels :) ), that just because things are different from what you personally know, does not make it incorrect, just different from your own perspective. That's the beauty in variety - what's average to you may be upscale for me, or what's cheap for me may be exorbitant for someone else - but neither option is wrong. As a former (and future) resident of Tokyo, I enjoy both of your channels immensely and hope you continue producing awesome content! :)

[@yinji88]

wow i can't believe people ripped on you for graciously showing us your home...i mean did they think a family of four is going to crowd in a studio apartment?

[@jessicahai792]

Great video, Greg! Having lived in Japan for 5 years, looked at many apartments and stayed in a number of local homes, we don't think there is anything out of the ordinary when it comes to your place. I think many foreigners come to Japan in a different situation (perhaps on their own or without language ability) and don't really have access to local rentals, so they rent with places with English services that target a foreign clientele and are generally in the center of town, therefore they don't really understand the average family situation. Of course those one-room places in town will be smaller! But head out even just a small way into the suburbs and the situation is much different. In fact, our rent is far cheaper in Tokyo than it was in Melbourne for a place around the same size!

[@anirbanspr]

Don't listen to haters dude. I have a fascination with Japan and one day I would love to move to Japan. I find your videos extremely informative and fun for learning about life in Japan. Love your channels.

[@MelSol_Eim]

I like that you showed them some statistics! People will never be satisfied. When I saw the apartment video, I really enjoyed it! for me it was not about how a typical Japanese apartment looks like (I know that was the title of the video) but it was more to see how nice place you guys live in. Keep the good comments and dont let the bad ones get you. You are doing something they are not. You and your kid are showing other kids and other people how your life is in Japan and that is fantastic!

[@LifeWhereImFromX]

+Zaida renteria One thing I didn't mention in the video, is that I totally understand the point that it would be good to describe the place better. When you title videos, shorter is usually better. It would have been nicer if some commenters approached the topic a little more constructively (and most do). If it was only some comments that bugged me, I wouldn't make a video about it. But, I did think it was a good opportunity to clarify. Thanks for the support!

[@sanityisrelative]

I'm in Seattle and I WISH our rent was only $1000/month. I really like your vids, really informative. Thank you for uploading these.

[@thestarspark2288]

This was super interesting. :) Do you watch the KZbinrs Simon and Martina? They just moved to Tokyo. You guys could do an awesome collaboration.

[@Gauryuuki]

That'd be awesome.

[@stephaniepellos]

I'd definitely want to watch them do a collab video!! :D

[@GamerTime1226]

+The Star Spark I was just thinking that I should tell them about LifeWhereImFrom's recycling video because they were so confused about how it worked. lol

[@Kochopia]

+GamerTime1226 I was totally thinking of doing the same thing haha

[@teresarose3548]

*^_^* That would bring serious joy to my youtubing heart ♡

[@catrinalynne]

It's too bad comments got to you and upset you to the point where you had to clarify like as if to defend yourself or validate the previous video on your other or main chnl. I love your videos. try not to let haters or people's opinions or ignorance get to you personally. your doing great. keep it up.

[@LifeWhereImFromX]

+Catrina Lynne Haha, don't worry. I wasn't that upset. I did think since the video was getting so much traction that it would be good to explain further than I usually have the chance to do on the regular LWIF channel. Thanks for positivity!

[@catrinalynne]

+Life Where I'm From X okay good and you're very welcome

[@Academices]

Hi, Thank you for the tour and thank you for taking the time to go through the details of what an average apartment/mansion size is. I live in England. Life where I am from Instead of having a smaller apartment you would have a council owned (councils work under the government) apartment which can be older and not as well maintained as the councils under the government insist on taking responsible for it. As a result the council can't keep up with maintenance as there are so many council properties. So you would get an apartment that is the same size as the newer ones but they would be old, dusty, have damp or mold, more bugs as window frames are wood and have gone rotten and floors are wood not concrete. You can get mice really easily as they climb in and out of spaces you never knew existed. The newer apartments are (at guess from your video) the same price you are paying for your place. In some places that's cheap and other places its not cheap (just depends on your work prospects) The differences between your mansion home and out newer apartments are the bathrooms and wardrobe space. We don't have inbuilt wardrobe spaces or any recesses to put wardrobes. all the rooms have four walls (except the living room which I admit has a cupboard for the boiler). Our bathrooms don't have a toilet with a sink in it. its just a flushing loo. in the older houses the tank was higher up so that gravity flushed the toilet better. The newer toilets use pressure so it saves water but our country hasn't tried remote control toilets yet. our bathroom is all one room. We have a shower curtain (some have glass panels on the side of the bath) and the shower is over the bath. We can't spray anything else. If we did after 10 years of doing so the tiles will start to come away from the floor. so we have to be careful not to splash water. our old houses look nothing like japanese old houses. our old houses are more or less the same as the newer ones only with different light fittings and plug sockets. Some newer places have tried open plan, which means that you can see every room (except the bathroom) from this, there have been apartments built with living kitchen and dinning rooms, which is one room with kitchen facilities and enough space for living room furniture and dining room furniture. In older houses the kitchen is different from the living room and depending on the space in either the kitchen or living room or the resourcefulness of the resident you would decide where to put your dining room table, if you have a dining table. Thank you for your videos I enjoy them and wish you all the best.

[@teraphIl1000]

Wow! That's really cheap, compared to where I live. Here (in Paris, France) you'd pay around 2800$ a month for an apartment that big. Thank you so much for all these details, you have a beautiful home.

[@ChaoticShelly]

I think the comments you mentioned were really rude, but you took it with a stride. Obviously the only apartment you can refer show would be yours, so what is the point of attacking you for showing what it's like for you? Or the fact you called it an apartment and not a mansion - well, most people outside of Japan refer to these as apartments, since mansions are clearly a different kind of residence in the Western world. It seems really petty that people acted so offended by that video.

[@thedesertmisfit]

I'd like to say how lovely your family seems, I happened to see your daughter's video some time ago regarding breakfast and I was truly amazed to see such a little one who understands that a Japanese lifestyle (to most of us) is so unique, fascinating and for the most part, unobtainable. The apartment tour was lovely, it was both cluttered (by American standards, I suppose) and large (by Japanese standards, I suppose) and soooooo frigging organized!!! My home in America is so large, typical by many standards, and quite a lot of the space in my home is simply decorative...some rooms are only viewed and never really used. So to see how well organized, efficient and clean your home is made me a bit jealous because not only did it look welcoming, I truly do understand the work involved in maintaining a (smallish) home for four, but keeping it clean and inviting. Your family should be so very proud, the happiness glowing from the faces of your children speaks volumes about you!!!

[@nygiant1993]

Hey Greg I really enjoy watching your videos. It saddens me to know that the comments got to you. All I'll say is that alot of people on the internet dont really do any research and would rather blame someone who they feel lied to them, but its like they say "shoganai" dont let the crossfire get to you. Any way I look forward to you next video. PS: I love Japan and find it very helpful when you teach me words and how to say them. Arigato ne

[@provencio2]

Don't let a few people ruin it for you and your family. They will always be around trying to find fault. They take the fun out of the project. I'm a grandmother living in the desert in Arizona.I enjoy watching the love and interaction between your children and yourself. Be as natural as can be. People can take the fun out of it for the kids.

[@NGC197679]

I live in an area of the USA where the average size home is about 2,500 square feet. we are a family of four living in a 750 square feet home. I love it! your video encourages me to embrace our little home amongst all these big homes with joy. love how spacious it is. we also don't have a lot of stuff because we value family, education, experiences more than things. my hubby was born in Latin America too but grew up in th usa so we can relate to your videos a lot. thank you!

[@lordtian7780]

Stumbled onto your channel from the ramen mini-documentary, great work man! Very high quality videos. Did not realize how cheap rent within a 30 min commute of central Tokyo is! I'm in NYC right now and pay more than your rent for just 1 bedroom in a shared 3 bedroom about the the same size as your apartment in an area with a 30 min commute to Wall Street. If I can ever find a job that pays as much as what I make in NYC, definitely going to consider learning Japanese and immigrating to Tokyo :)

[@rskb1957]

I can tell you the story is the same for London. Most new builds for flats/apartments would be smaller. The cost comparisons don't end there either. I watched the video on travelling around Tokyo by train. When I did the cost conversion to GBP I thought I had made a mistake. I expected that having caught all those trains and the distance covered it would be around 10 times the amount. I really like these videos. They are informative AND fun.

[@cloverhighfive]

Wow, that was interesting! Well, I'm officially a middle-aged adult who finds it interesting to learn about sq meters, stats, rent, etc. lol!!!! I had watched videos from expats and abroad-students (there are quite a few channels out there) and what makes this apartment Japanese is the sliding doors, how you use the rooms (like the storage room - in Canada (you do know) we have closets by the front door), the bathroom arrangements, and... ...and the he size of the kitchen. It seems in Japan kitchens are always super small. Here, if we get an apartment with such a small kitchen, it's because it's a 1-person apartment or a crappy apartment. It would be a crime to have a 3-bedroom apartment here with a kitchen like yours. Of course, we have bigger appliances, but still. Here, we look first at kitchens - countertop space and space for the table and chairs - and at bathrooms (mostly to see if it needs repairs I guess). The size of bedrooms we can work with, it's like we don't care as much, as long as the beds fit.

[@LifeWhereImFromX]

+Clover HighFive The sliding doors are a blessing and a curse. Great because little space wasted, but not so great because they don't insulate sound that well (and don't lock). But I do love the efficiency of the layout. It makes the place feel a lot more spacious than other places that we used to live at (in Canada) that were 1,000 sq. ft.

[@cloverhighfive]

Still, I love my big(ger) kitchen. Do ppl in Japan just eat out more? Why do you think there is so little space devoted to making food? They eat so many different dishes! Isn't it ironic? I'll just throw meat and veggies in a pot in the oven, whereas Japanese food is bowl after bowl of this and that. Humans are fascinating.

[@LifeWhereImFromX]

+Clover HighFive What, you don't like the 50x20cm rectangle we have for counter space :-) Nope, we don't eat out because of the space. We use the stove as extra space, and the big sink also helps. You can even get cutting boards that cover the sink.

[@cloverhighfive]

I remain fascinated :D

[@boomboomkityfcuk]

I live in edmonton Canada in a 700 sq f condo and it has a small galley kitchen, I pay 1300.00 cdn per month. I'm surprised Tokyo is affordable :) I was always under the impression it was so expensive to live in Japan. I really like the layout too

[@Freya0727]

your situation is so similar to the San Francisco area. if you live at the core of San Francisco, a small studio apartment would be around $2000 - $3000 rent a month. but if you live outside of the area with a 30 - 45 minute commute to San Francisco, you can get a 2 bedroom apartment for half the price. i totally understand this!

[@SweetAngelPinay06]

I enjoyed watching the original video. Thank you for elaborating on it. I appreciate it! =)

[@PrettyTranslatorSarahMoon]

*Sobbing as I watch this in my nearly $1000k 1 bedroom apartment just outside Sacramento*

[@fenfen8612]

I think it was really good of you to emphasize all of these points about cost of living and room sizes in Japan. I think a lot of people who had misconceptions, or felt that their own apartments in Japan were small compared to yours neglected to remember that you also have a family and more people definitely needs more space! I loved how informative this video was; thank-you for sharing! :)

[@KingJames1981]

OUTSTANDING! AWESOME JOB BROTHER! You broke it down as meticulously as I would have if someone had made that same comment! LMAO! Love the sense of humor in it too!

[@_innerpeacekeeper]

Hi Greg thank you for taking the trouble for addressing the matter in such an eloquent manner. i personally loved the tour. thank you for opening your doors to us. please keep doing what you do, you have a lovely family and i appreciate your work. never mind those who criticise every single thing. just know it alls. can't please everyone!

[@clarakoh]

Love how you address comments from a research perspective and are not simply dismissive or automatically defensive. Keep making more fantastic videos with your beautiful family!

[@TheFamilyTies]

Thank you so much for make this clear! I watch your daughter's videos with my children. I used to live myself in Tokyo (back on 2009), and my friend had an apartment just like yours, so, reading those rude comments were upsetting, but I usually never comment on a video (I can get very passionate defending my ideas, lol). Please continue doing more videos about Tokyo, like, train stations, vending machines, etc. I miss Japan so much!

[@whizzzingwizzzard]

It's pretty cool that you take the time to read the comments and address them politely and seriously. When I lived in Japan, I had a small apartment in the Northeast, which came with a small kitchen, a smaller bathroom/bathing area, and two tatami rooms about the size of the kitchen. Although to me as an American it was quite small, it was in fact a lot bigger than the space my other American friends in Japan had who lived in "manshon." They usually had a small bathing area, a kitchenette that was part of the hallway, and one larger room to be converted for everything from eating to sleeping. In my apartment, there was a family of four who lived across from me. Same dimensions to their home, but four people packed in there instead of one. So when I saw your apartment, I actually did think it looked big, even though due to experience I could guess what the dimensions of the rooms and closet etc actually were. Maybe the reasons apartments where I lived were so different was because I lived in a very rural area. A lot of the housing was old. You only found more space if you were rich enough for a house. My friends lived in the city, but they had cheap apartments, so I don't think I ever saw what a more average-priced apartment would look like. I think a lot of foreigners who go to Japan, especially through English teaching programs that pick out housing for you, and who rarely come with families, would be familiar with the small, relatively cheap apartments and not with ones like yours.

[@amyoliveira183]

Don't let any negative comments get you down! I love your videos and find them very informative-they are a great peak into another culture. I especially love that you've lived in North America as well because you can more accurately compare things in both places. I'm from New Jersey, USA and I live in a place slightly larger in area (2 bedroom, 2 bath) for about the same price. Thank you so much for allowing the world to take a peak into your life! Japan suddenly doesn't seem that far away now!

[@Charlottethealpaca]

i just picked up you consistently drops the 'g's on words like living and its so funny😂

[@PoiPoiAloha]

Just discovered your channel! I live in Tokyo too (approx 45mins to Shinjuku) and I have to say, your home IS pretty spacious! ;) We live in 2DK with no room for a sofa. No hate tho. Keep up the great videos, your daughter is a fantastic host.

[@Mightyh0bbes]

I very VERY rarely comment but I just wanted to say I know that Internet comments can be frustrating. I'm glad that I have found both your channels, I'm fairly new to them, and am enjoying the content. Keep up the great work and just know their will always be conflicting comments. Also I respect that line you are walking between giving info and wanting privacy. Thanks again.

[@LifeWhereImFromX]

+Hobbes Velazquez Thanks for the comment and sharing your cost of living in Seattle!

[@indigill4417]

Well done! Our family really enjoys watching your videos.

[@RafaCena41]

My North American brain is screaming this is small but Japanese people are pretty resourceful so this is probably plenty of space for them. Btw, don't take hate comments to heart and just keep making cool videos!

[@alliemollie]

Thank you for making this because I didn't agree with most of the comments on that other video. This is really educational for people outside of Japan.

[@sianbobpang8649]

I love your videos, on this channel and LWIF. It's really nice to see what Japan is like from a real perspective. You and the main channel always seem to answer my questions without me having to ask. Really looking forward to Japan in Nov on my honeymoon! 😄 Great content, and a 'Bore da' from Wales! 😊

[@Crowend]

Me and my family love your videos. We hope to visit Japan one day in the future. Thank you and keep up the good work. We appreciate you opening up your lives to us.

[@mahulagway8110]

I love your channel because it's not the touristy stuff and I get to learn a lot from an "average" expat in Japan. Good luck and I'm looking forward to more videos in your channel.

[@Aletheides01]

That's almost the same price category as we have in south-western Germany. Your apartmansion is very nice. I enjoy both of your channels very much! Keep up the nice work!

[@aeggean]

I really enjoyed the other channel you created where Aiko shows us what life is alike in Japan. I would say it's a great resource for learning another culture, so thank you for sharing your experiences with us! Just wanted to let you know that you really don't need to feel obligated to do all the explanations, people should be thankful for what you shared on youtube, otherwise how can we know whats the other side of the world looks like! Don't take the internet too seriously, enjoy your life, dont be bothered by the picky comments!

[@LifeWhereImFromX]

+aeggean Thanks. I'm glad I made the vid though, as it something I can point to when people have questions. I wasn't really that bothered about it though. All the best!

[@themollygrove]

I appreciate the info you provided in terms of square footage and exchange rate, it definitely put your previous video into perspective (even I thought "man this seems bigger than what I imagined Japanese homes to be)! I've lived in one of the biggest US metro cities and paid close to the same amount of rent for about the size of your entire living room/dining room so I can't say I'm not envious!

[@edkammerman2533]

Hi Greg and family, your videos are enjoyable and informative. Don't feel you need to defend what you do it's rare that people like you share your lives. Your kids are amazing and so much fun to watch and listen to. Thank you for all you do.

[@bingkosaurus]

Appreciate your thorough and intelligent response to the comments, and whoa you really put some super detailed info about the whole thing. In Jakarta (Indonesia), the apartments/condos are usually a 20-30 stories building, often with a shopping mall or shops right beneath them, so maybe it adds up into 30-35 stories in total Cant wait for more videos on both LWIF channels :)

[@nyappynippon3411]

I really enjoy this channel and the other channel with your daughter. I think it's cool that you do expand upon topics covered in the other channel. The way you speak conversationally with viewers is really inviting and the information you give is accurate so I really appreciate your channels! Keep up the good work!

[@mints5858]

I'm Canadian and I'm not offended at all. What your saying is true. And your appartment or condo or whatever it is is still a rented home for a family. All places vary in prices and unit sizes and mostly depending on how much building owners are willing to make you rent for. I can find cheaper for that size apprt (or condo) or even pricier. So you know what? You're really nice for taking your time to explain all this, but somewhere someone will always have a say to something! lol! I love your videos coz its very informative and fun to watch so continue what you're doing!!

[@stvsueoka1]

OMG, that's a crazy deal!!!! I pay double in an OK 2BR/2BTH near downtown LA .... I need to move to Japan and save some money. Jesus.

[@crystalics]

It is really nice of you to share where you live with us and I'm grateful to that coz' I get to love Japan more. Don't mind those hate comments, they're not worth your time and energy. God bless to you and your family

[@owaffs]

You're bang on. It probably only looks big because people aren't used to seeing 3LDKs on KZbin. I lived in a 1LDK for 55,000 yen/month which was - understandably - small, but at least I didn't have to pay for the internet separately. What was weird is that because the bedroom was above the hallway with the bathroom and kitchen, the living room's ceiling was huge (which in a way was a pain because I couldn't do anything with it :-/ ).

[@revelry09]

I saw the video but didn't read the comments and I can't believe people were so opinionated!!! I lived in a 1k in Japan but I was living alone and my company provided the apartment. I thought your apartment was lovely:)

[@denisemariefournier3338]

Hi Greg and Aiko, I’m so sorry for some viewers that apparently are here just to hate and complain . I love everyone of your videos and I think u and Aiko do an awesome job explaining to us how it is in Japan . Try and ignore the haters pls and continue making videos for us ! 👍🏼

[@maggiehawkins1978]

I love that you do these videos. Everything is so interesting to learn about and see all the differences. I live in Indianapolis, Indiana so things are different but yet more similar than I would had thought. Please continue to make more videos. 👍🏼

[@zilkhaw]

Thank you so much to make this video. Really love all those videos that had been made by you guys. I think I would like to add some detail on the prices. Price of Apartment or Mansion is depends on 3 things most of the time. 1. The distance from Tokyo, most of the time it is cheaper when it is further from Tokyo. 2. How far is the building from the train station. 3. What kind of station is that? The train are classified into different type, Express, Rapid, etc, so if it is a bigger station, most of the trains stop there. However for smaller station, only normal speed train stops. Thus the bigger the station is, the rent of the building become more expensive as well.

[@LifeWhereImFromX]

+Zil Khaw Yep, I think you got the price details all right. Thanks for adding this.

[@jacalnan]

Greg, I love your videos! I just started watching these 31Mar16 and I get a kick out of your kids. I have two boys 14 and 16. Enjoy these younger years they go by so fast!! Jim from Mansfield TX

[@Angie-k8b]

i like it how you put all the web sites to find more information about living in a different country. Youre awesome. Keep the good work.

[@sjyoshiys]

SO interesting to see all the videos and the culture. thank you so much for sharing! onto another vid in ur channel :)

[@R.F.9847]

I'm from the US, and I'm surprised at how small your home is! It does look big on film, and I don't know if it's the camera or the way it's laid out (both in terms of how you have your things organized and in terms of the floorplan). I've lived in 800 sq ft apartments that felt smaller than the impression I got from your "Japanese Apartment" video. They were one bed, one bath, kitchen and living room, with no real defined place for the dining room. I'm also shocked at how expensive it is. But then again, apartment prices vary wildly across the US and I guess I'm lucky enough to live in an area where it's not so bad.

[@gnotknormal]

Hey, I thought I'd share a bit about life where I'm from - England! So here in England, we don't really use the word apartment, and when we do we usually use it to mean the same as when we say "flat". A flat, here, is a home that is part of a larger building, most of the time it only takes up one floor like yours, but sometimes they can take up two floors. They are usually accessed through a corridor and through a main doorway to the "block of flats". Apartment I suppose is usually used to mean an expensive or perhaps even a small 'professional' flat. Most flats will not have more than two bedrooms in and are usually for single people (one or two sharing), couples or like me, single people or couples with one kid. Traditional families will usually live in a house, rather than a flat or apartment. Now, I don't live near London so I don't know if it's different there, but here you'd be lucky to find a flat with more than two bedrooms, and often they will not even have a separate kitchen. A block of flats usually share a set of refuse/recycling bins and a garden. We also have maisonettes, which are characterised as flats that have their own entrance instead of a communal entrance and corridor. Maisonettes are usually also only two stories buildings, with one maisonette on each floor, so one unit above and one below. Most maisonettes will either have their own allocated garden space or only share with their upstairs/downstairs neighbour, whereas flats sometimes don't even have a garden. Most maisonettes and flats are usually rented as they aren't really intended for someone to live in for the rest of their lives. To settle down with a family you would pick a house. Houses here can be detached, semi-detached or terraced, with the value decreasing depending on how many other houses you're attached to. What you are living in, we would consider a maisonette, as it has it's own entrance (assuming the picture you showed was an example of a place like yours). But you would never get a three bedroom (+ dining room) maisonette or flat in England. As for size - I have no idea! In England we have tiny living spaces (I hate this), so everywhere looks massive to me. My flat is probably no more than a third of the size of your place, and I pay £530 a month. My flat is one of the biggest flats I've seen and the biggest in my block. Happy to talk more if you're interested :-) Have a great week!

[@iidm12]

You are doing an amazing job with videos on both of your channels ! I love watching them and getting to know more about daily life in Japan. Sending positive vibes your way !

[@ahhuh900]

Thank you for your videos! I love showing my friends these as it gives an accurate perspective on how my family and I used to live before we moved to the US!

[@fluffsnuff]

I find all your families videos so informative and interesting! I think it's great your expanding on this but I think also people watching videos to have opinions on your lifestyle or financial situation may be difficult to satisfy no matter what. I enjoyed just the effort and openness to share your life with us all! Beautiful apartment and family

[@anuproy1062]

Your channel teaches me so much about Japan!

[@franzfms86]

In general it is still type of アパート in 日本 I love your videos. Very informative. I hope I to see you soon when I get there.

[@kathygallegos4087]

excellent, excellent!!! very exciting to see all of your videos, Dono arigato go sai masu!!! I havent been back to Japan since 20 plus years ago. my family lives in Kyushu, and litres of cousins in Ikebukuro, Tokyo. and I can relate sooo much how the food, ( i so deeply miss) is and how different cultures live. so again thank you for all your wonderful videos!!, Gambate!! All the way from Dumas, Texas.

[@josereyes3312]

Hahaha Greg I really liked the little "Big pimpin zone" thrown in there, I had to double take. Love the videos, wish you and your family well. Looking forward to more videos.

[@eiennofantasy]

I completely agree with you about the apartments. I'm a bachelor and I'm living at 33sq meter mansion just on the border of Kanagawa/Tokyo for 75,000 yen. A lot of people (especially a few KZbinrs) are misrepresenting what Tokyo Apartments/mansions are like but you're the only one so far I've found that's taking in fact by fact of what it's really like and not glossing over things for people to expect what Tokyo Life is like.

[@scarletfluerr]

Welcome to the internet and the self appointed authorities who just have to spout off.

[@oneblueorange1]

I really like both your channels! Thanks for sharing what life in Japan is like! From Vic, BC

[@froggiesponds]

you and your family are such great people, i'm truly enjoying watching your videos!!

[@yvonnelui6165]

I enjoy watching your videos, they are informative and reflective. I am also a fellow Canadian (TO) and used to live in HK, so I can understand your 750 sqft apartment can seemed like a condo to some. Keep up the good work!

[@lydiawong3373]

Enjoy seeing you and your family interact. don't bother about the "haters" there will be some no matter what you do/say/clarify etc. But really keep up the good work. thank you for sharing a bit of your life with the rest of the world

[@VintageCurrent]

I've just seen the original video (how I found you), and your channel is so interesting! It's fascinating how differently we live across the world and our individual perspectives. My North American partner has recently moved back to Australia with me and hearing comparisons comes up is really fun.

[@sheikahchic]

The bottom line is that you live in an apartment, in Japan. Therefore, you live in a Japanese apartment. Discussion, and getting more information and other viewpoints, is good. Negativity, in my opinion, has no place, and there was no call for the hostility in some of the comments I saw.

[@angelinydoodle]

This was really interesting info! I just visited Japan recently and was wondering about the apartments and stuff :)

[@ebmozo]

Thank you so much for this info! It certainly clears up a lot of confusion in the minds of others, and it's very interesting for me because my family and I are going to Japan for 2 weeks in July (yay!!!). It's just a vacation, though. Anyway, part of our vacation is a 2-day trip to Tokyo and we are going to stay in an AirBnb in Ginza. It's not as big as your apartment (mansion LOL), but it's ok. People should travel to see that not everyone's lives are the same as theirs. I guess that's the point of your channel, right? This is where YOU are from. Me, I'm from Manila, Philippines, and my life is somewhat the same as yours. There are many many differences, though. That's why I love your videos! As they say in France, vive la difference! I hope more people from other countries would be inspired to also post videos like yours. In the end, we are "same same but different," as they say in Thailand. Have a great day!

[@notsomerapper]

1000 for a 3 bedroom apt is so cheap 😭 I live in a 3 bedroom 3 bath boarderline Orange County /Los Angeles in California and it's 2200+ a month

[@wocogamer09]

This is pretty cool and, in my opinion, unique. My fiancé and I met while we were both traveling to Japan in 2007 the country holds a special place in our hearts. Great video and thanks

[@Gauss6174]

im sorry did u just say fiance? its been 9 years since 2007, surprised that their hasn't been a marriage yet, but then again i don't care, it just took me by surprise

[@ladybugliz4577]

Gauss24 they meet in 2007. doesnt mean they got engaged in 2007 and have been engaged for 9 years.

[@Gauss6174]

***** honestlu cant remember if that was my line of thought when i posted my comment or if it was just the fact that 9 years is a long time for a relationship to have not gotten to the marriage part yet

[@BoraTateee]

You are right! Everything is relative. For example here in Brazil, a 70m² in São Paulo is pretty average, but where I'm living now on the countryside it would be considered a small apartment, good for one or 2 people but not for a family of 4 (and would be much cheaper than the same size apartment in São Paulo...). Your videos are great! Please keep doing it! :)

[@angelariosvalencia2132]

It's amazing how point of view is affected by life experiences. Different opinions on what is big and what is small really make me think that reality depends on who sees it. It's awesome that you show your life and your experience in Japan. You have the right of having a perspective on things and is really evident that you want to be fair and inclusive with everyone. Your video are really good and a great insight!!!! Keep it upppppppppp! I definitely want to see more! Best from Colombia, South America.

[@taylorgay1641]

I appreciate how much more relaxed you are in this channel. You use a more relaxed English accent, and it is fun to hear.

[@lenadutkiewicz3619]

I love how you show us the difference in cultures!! Your kids are so cute!!! Do more food videos please.

[@RoadsidePicnic]

I really envy the bathroom set up. We obviously try to be as conservative as possible with energy and water to keep bills ultra low but the bathroom is just so cool. It just looks and feels like one true piece where you won't have to worry about the floor getting wet. Our American bathroom is modern and newly built townhome but it seems everything is so separated

[@jilliancamacho3755]

Amazed people can be so rude. 🙄we love your channel!

[@Kim-j9m6v]

I really appreciate you taking the time to make these videos, thank you so much!

[@faziwuzy138]

haters gonna hate. i hope you dont feel discouraged by all the misleading/mean comments! i think you're doing a great job at these video and i hope you'll continue making them :)

[@koromir]

Yeah it may seem big but you do have two kids to raise and you work from home! I've seen a very tiny apartment on here and I would not feel comfortable in it. I love all your videos and a lot of them actually helped me get ready for my trip to Japan next week. So thank you. (btw my friend is taking me to that sushi place you went to with the kids. So excited!)

[@LandandHomesHawaii]

You guys are awesome and so humble and kind.! love watching your videos!

[@masetcp]

thanks for making that video. alot of people are ignorant when it comes to things they don't know about. I enjoy your videos greatly! thanks !

[@Wearyone]

Thanks, I really enjoy your channels and videos! it really makes me want to visit Japan! I planned a trip a while back but found it too expensive at the time. one day soon hopefully!

[@alfonsoparedes322]

Thanks for yr quite informed clarification. Dont care what other people might judge by titles, true that words like average are misleading but thats it, that is how our language is and have to put up with it. Keep the great work. Im new at yr channel, never heared before, although im not into youtube stuff a lot, but like to choose wisely what to watch and follow. Greetings from Mexico.

[@B1rdbrain]

I love your videos of everyday life. I am coming to Tokyo next week. I watch your videos to give me ideas of places to shoot photos. My favorite place is Akihabara.

[@120ail1]

There are some design details in Japanese apartments that make them quite a bit more livable compared to other apartments of an equal size. Things like sliding doors, having the bathroom sink in a separate room from the toilet (so someone can wash their hands or do their hair while someone else is bathing or using the toilet) really make the space function better. What shocks me is that I get a smaller space for a lot more money in America. I'm looking at moving and will be getting about 500 sq ft. or 45 sq m and will be paying around $3,000 USD monthly + $425 for a parking space if I choose to have a car.

[@sarahlinder980]

I have really enjoyed watching your videos, I appreciate your honesty, and the scope of the information you provide. Thanks, from Ottawa, Canada.