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Measurements

May 22nd, 2007

Before I start, I should give you warning that this post delves deeply into minutiae about the new apartment. Unless you’re into checking out other people’s places or are curious for some other reason, this post may be a huge bore for you. So be warned.

Before going to work today, I stopped by the Vanguard Towers to measure the place. In order to figure out which of our things we can fit into the new place and where they will go, I have to get precise measurements of all walls and distances; then I create an accurate-to-scale map on my computer; then I measure and represent each piece of furniture in the map; and then I arrange things to see how they’ll fit.

Already two things have become apparent, even before making the map. The first is that the bedroom will be a tight squeeze. I was hoping to have a bed and cabinets in the room. Now I have to wonder if the bed alone will fit. A 6-mat room (actually, a shade less than 6 mats) does not fit a queen-size bed very well. The problem is that my current bed has a headboard that’s 25 cm (10 inches) long. Without it, the bed would fit sideways into the room; with it, the bed fits, but it prevents a closet door from opening. Argh. But that’s what the computer map will be for–arranging the furniture well before it’s an immediate physical concern.

The second issue concerns space. The apartment is 72 square meters, only 12 square meters less than my current place. I’m wondering where the hell all that space is going; cut off a 6-tatami-mat-sized room (roughly 12 square meters) off of my current apartment, and I still seem to have more space here. The space, as it seems, goes to two places: the hallway in the new place (my current apartment has none) and the odd shape the living-dining area has. Angled corners eat up a certain amount of space without allowing for full utility.

These things are kind of disappointing and are leading to second thoughts. But then I just remember that really, almost any place we get will be like that. We’re not getting any bigger-sized a place near central Tokyo, and finding one that would fit the furniture perfectly would be even more rare still. I have to remember what a huge place I enjoy now, and that there are compromises to be made–especially with two people moving in together.

But in the end, these are design and arrangement problems; again, the map will help figure out how best to utilize the space. So we’ll see. Hopefully I can have the mapping done by the end of the week, and Sachi and I can puzzle over it.

In the meantime, I got digital photos of the apartment and the view. The first time I visited, I only took videos. So here are some images of the place:

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Click on the image for a larger (1000-pixel wide) view.

This first shot is a combination of three photos showing the kitchen (left) and the living-dining area, or what was visible of it from the other end of the room (my camera’s lens is not wide-angle). The brown-paper “curtains” make it hard to see the cut-in angle of the large windows. I show the apartment layout again below so you can see where I was standing for the shot–I was in the Living-dining (yellow) area, lower right corner, as seen on the diagram below.

Now here’s a shot taken from the other end of the room (top left of the yellow area) again with a larger view on click::

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Now, for the view from the balcony. First, the balcony itself. It’s really hard to show the whole thing, so I won’t try. But for a small taste, the image below shows the really narrow part of the balcony, the central part. Note that the balcony widens out to twice this much at each end–but since those are around corners, they’re danged hard to show.

0507-Balconynarrow-450

I can’t really show the wider end areas enough to do justice to them, there’s no vantage point far enough away to show them in full, so enough gets cropped out to make them look cramped; in addition, the outward view gets cut out as well, which is what makes the spaces refreshing. Ah well. Just imagine them.

Because the balcony goes around two corners of the building, it allows a view that starts (from left) just a shade left of North; East and South are both in full view, and West is just occluded by the building at the other end of the balcony. Here’s a squeezed 580-pixel-wide version; this image is a stitched panorama of eight or nine different photos. The original was 9000 pixels wide. If you click on the small image below, you’ll get a bigger (3000 x 333 pixels) image. The cardinal compass points are marked in light blue text and arrows. Just remember when you’re looking at it that it appears flat, but really represents a 270-degree roundabout view. If you could print it out on a strip of paper and then curve that to make 3/4 of a circle, that’s be the real view.

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One more shot, a crowd-pleaser, I hope: our new toilet.

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This is common in Japan: the bidet/washlet toilet. Or as I call it, “The Captain’s Chair.” Now do you see why?

That note, by the way, says that you can’t use this toilet yet.

Inevitably there will be more coming about the apartment. Can you just not wait?

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  1. May 23rd, 2007 at 06:30 | #1

    In order to figure out which of our things we can fit into the new place and where they will go, I have to get precise measurements of all walls and distances; then I create an accurate-to-scale map on my computer; then I measure and represent each piece of furniture in the map; and then I arrange things to see how they’ll fit.

    Good idea. What software do you use for that?

    I should do the same thing to map out where things should go when we move.

  2. May 23rd, 2007 at 12:54 | #2

    Congrats Luis! Looks like a very cozy place with a great view. Love those curtains too!! I’m guessing that unit has LAN ports in the walls already and probably a shared fiber line if you want it. At my previous mansion the internet fees were included in the kanri fee so I didn’t really have to pay extra for internet.

    Moving can be a royal pain but it’s always exciting to get a new place.

  3. May 23rd, 2007 at 14:20 | #3

    FWIW, I love this sort of thing and appreciate all the details you care to go into. I’m looking forward to seeing your finished diagram of how it all works out (as well as photos galore). This may be a female thing or it might just be me but your efforts are certainly not falling on “deaf” or disinterested ears.

    I also think it’s not a bad thing for you to talk about in detail as a way of helping others understand the challenges of living in Japan in a more concrete manner than most descriptions go into as well as to have your own record of the experience which you can read in the future to refresh your memory on how it all played out.

    BTW, our bedroom is 6 mats and a queen-size bed seems to fit just fine and we have two desks with 2 chairs, 2 small clothes hampers, a stand full of A/V stuff, two bed-side tables, and a treadmill in there to boot. If you diagram it, it will fit. 😉

    The place looks really nice. I wish I had those floors but I’m happy to have my rent instead of what I’m imagining yours to be.

  4. May 23rd, 2007 at 14:27 | #4

    Ah, one more thing I thought I’d mention is that you can change the closet-blocking space issues by removing doors (you can cover them and store them under your bed and replace them when you move out) if they open out (which is what I did) or you can replace them with pull down doors (my student told me she did that) or even a decorative curtain to cover the opening instead of a door. It gives you a lot more positioning flexibility than having to tolerate doors that open into the living space.

    You guys may have to consider new furniture (particularly taller or slimmer items) if all else fails. Having the right cabinets is especially important for utilizing space efficiently.

    Good luck!

  5. Luis
    May 23rd, 2007 at 15:12 | #5

    Sako: Shari suggested Illustrator, but since I’m not familiar enough to do things easily, I’m using InDesign (I used to use PageMaker for this kind of thing). I do this every time I need to redesign–I’ve done it for every apartment I’ve moved into for the past 10-15 years, and 2-3 times to help rearrange furniture at my office. InDesign works well because of the precise control over size and placement of objects; I just wish the interface were easier; my opinion is that it’s poor design by Adobe, not necessity. But it works.

    Roy: Yeah, we’re thinking of keeping those curtains. ;-P There are LAN ports in the main room and both bedrooms, but the Internet ain’t free. It’s 2000 yen to share the building Internet (100 Mbps divided by a few hundred people–no thinks!) or sign up with the ISP of your choice. At least it’s all F/O ready.

    My computer won’t fit in where the LAN port is, though–but no problem. I think the 24-inch iMac is 802.11n ready, and if I buy a new Airport base station for 20K yen, I can do wifi OK. Now I just have to figure out how to share hard disks over Airport…

    Shari: done and done. I finished a first but hopeful draft this morning. Here is a link to an image file of the arrangement so far. There are several things you won’t understand without discussion, but you should get the general gist from this. Interesting idea about removing doors from closets. I don’t think we’ll want to do that in the bedroom, but it might help a lot in the other room, where there’s a small closet and the door blocks out wall space.

  6. May 23rd, 2007 at 18:01 | #6

    Thanks for posting the diagram. It looks pretty good though I know sometimes the spacing looks misleading (gaps that look ample on a diagram may be narrow in real life). I’m wondering if the trainer being on the balcony may prove limiting in the long run (hot summers and cold winters outside might dissuade you from exercising there). Also, I think you once mentioned wanting to watch T.V. while you did it. Were I in your shoes, I’d probably rethink putting it outside (and likely find a spot for it in the spare room – perhaps where the low shelves are located, put a T.V. on the computer table and position it so I could watch while exercising). However, you know your habits better than I and it may work fine for you!

    By the way, if you ever need help with InDesign, give me a buzz as I’m nearly as good at it as Illustrator (which is to say, pretty good). I’m not sure what you find troubling in the interface but I’m guessing it may be the hidden capabilities which are there to encourage you to use styles as much as possible. I am surprised that you can’t easily use Illustrator if you can use InDesign as the basic graphical drawing functions are nearly the same.

    Keep those post coming!

  7. Luis
    May 23rd, 2007 at 19:06 | #7

    Shari:

    Yeah, I realize about the space and perceptions. If there’s a close fit, I would typically measure the space allowed in the diagram and find someplace in my present apartment where I could compare widths and try walking through/around. The only place which might be too tight is in front of the sofa; the glass-top table might have to be moved up against the wall, or a narrower table used. Or maybe the glass-top table could be shoved up against the TV table if the height is right. Like I mentioned, it’s a first draft.

    The exercise machine will have to stay outdoors. I would prefer indoors (I think–I’ve never tried it outdoors), but there’s literally no space. The diagram does not include all the plastic storage boxes Sachi has (including a few of my own), or her coat rack and other stuff; that spare room is going to be too crowded for it to really work. As it is, that black “low shelf” square represents four low/wide dresser-drawer thingies stacked on top of each other. We may have to discard one or two, or stack two by two next to each other.

    No, instead I’ll brave out the weather as best I can, and otherwise use the exercycle I have (which can fold up for easy storage) indoors.

    More when I get it done….

  8. TeA
    May 25th, 2007 at 00:34 | #8

    Lucky bastard.

  9. Paul
    May 28th, 2007 at 06:37 | #9

    In order to figure out which of our things we can fit into the new place and where they will go, I have to get precise measurements of all walls and distances; then I create an accurate-to-scale map on my computer; then I measure and represent each piece of furniture in the map; and then I arrange things to see how they’ll fit.

    Don’t take this wrong, but you’re a bit of a nerd. I’m sure this comes as no shock to you. Of course, takes one to know one, so welcome to the club. 😉

    I’ve enjoyed reading your stuff about home-finding. It does amaze me how something that seems rather basic can vary quite a bit between cultures.

    Me, I just found an apartment in a location I liked, sold my house, stuffed a bunch of crap into a storage unit and then moved to the new pad.

    When I decided to buy my condo, it was bigger than the apartment, so I knew I didn’t have any space issues. Went to the local Home Depot, hired three day laborer guys (all of whom were almost certainly illegals and who had less English than I had Spanish, but they worked hard and took care of my stuff) and drove my rented U-haul up for the move.

    It sounds like things are more complicated for you and Sachi. Best wishes on combining up your households.

  10. ykw
    June 4th, 2007 at 09:08 | #10

    How does one use one of these bidet things? After spraying the water, does one wipe w/ something? Is toilet paper used? Are these capable of inducing an orgasam?

  11. Luis
    June 4th, 2007 at 10:34 | #11

    Never used one, so I would have no idea.

  12. Anonymous
    June 7th, 2007 at 17:24 | #12

    Hi Luis,

    Do apartments in tokyo generally have open kitchen with 16 mats of living/dining space? Is it considered big or small in tokyo area?

  13. Luis
    June 7th, 2007 at 17:37 | #13

    Andy: I think that’s considered quite big. Apartments vary, of course. Most apartments have joined Living-Dining areas, but kitchens are often separate. Sometimes they are fully joined to the living-dining area with no walls or boundaries, and sometimes (as in my new place) they are joined via a countertop void in the wall separating the two areas.

    As for size, a common living-dining size is 8-10 mats for a mid-sized place, 6-8 in a smaller place. Places get smaller and more cramped the closer you get in to central Tokyo, wider and more spacious as you go outward.

    Will post more, but my students are finishing their tests….

  14. Andy
    June 7th, 2007 at 17:39 | #14

    I’ve stayed in a few rooms that feature one of those toilet thingy. Ironically, I always press the ‘off’ button.

  15. Luis
    June 8th, 2007 at 10:40 | #15

    Andy: I’ve used quite a few toilets equipped such, but have never used those features. Gotta admit I’m a bit nervous about it. Gotta ask Sachi if, for example, the water is warmed (horrible if not!) and what the pressure is like. All the same, I’ll bet that these are used mostly by women.

  16. Andy
    June 9th, 2007 at 18:34 | #16

    Never been a big fan of those wash units. Is it the quiet low speed model or two modes? I’ve always preferred the good old fashioned hard flush. In any case, whenever I sit on one I make sure the thing is ‘off’.

    So getting back to my ‘mansion’ hunting, is 240k yen a month considered a good deal or average rent in center tokyo (within yamanote)? I have found places in the north Oji area for about 150k a month but I’m not sure if its worth the commute since I’ll be paying less fares if I’m closer to center. What do u suggest ?

  17. Luis
    June 9th, 2007 at 18:46 | #17

    Andy: don’t know about the bidets at all… As for what is average rent, there are just too many variables to give a blanket answer. As I outlined in one of the “Ikebukuro” category posts, it depends on (1) size in m2, (2) distance from local station, (3) distance from major station, especially from central Tokyo, (4) age of the apartment, and a host of other smaller considerations, such as condition of the room, traffic noise, which direction the windows are facing, etc. etc.

    So what an average rent would depend on is what size, age, and distance from the local station you want, I suppose. For a fairly new, 70-75 m2 apartment within 10-12 minute’s walk from a major central Tokyo train station, I think 240,000 is pretty good. For a new, 75 m2 apartment 10 minutes from a station out near Tama, it sucks. And so on.

    You gotta get a sense for these things by looking at all the variables and checking out lots and lots of apartments.

    And I don’t know where you’ll be working, but most places I’ve worked at compensate employees for train and bus transportation every month.

  18. Andy
    June 9th, 2007 at 18:59 | #18

    Thx, Luis. Thats good to know. I guess its down to whether the commute time is acceptable. I think I like the Ojii area. Things are relatively cheap and its close enough to most business locations with access to both metro and JR.. hmmm!

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