A typical Japanese kitchen
The world has been fascinated by the Japanese style and culture for the longest time. From their uniquely outrageous sense of street wear to their other worldly culture, everything about them has been a constant point of bedazzlement for all of us. To top it all off, the Japanese also have their very own unique way of cuisine as well.
The world outside has constantly been fascinated by the Japanese’s unique approach to food. In what other cultures gourmet restaurant could you possibly find an entire menu made up of raw uncooked fish?
The fascination for their cuisine does not only stop at the extent of their food, many people out there are extremely curious as to how a typical Japanese kitchen would look like, what utensils would be in there?, how different would their kitchen be from ours?. To answer all those questions, today we are going to be looking at a standard build for a Japanese kitchen, and what you will likely find in your typical everyday Japanese kitchen.
In the heart of the typical Japanese kitchen you will find that their cooking style revolves a lot around the use of a stove and a hearth. You will notice that most of the elements of the typical Japanese kitchen carry forward certain trade marks from traditional predecessors, for instance the stove actually resembles the traditional style of cooking using pots over a Kamado, which is the traditional Japanese equivalent of a stove except that it uses an open fire instead of gas or electricity.
The hearth however is the more idyllic Japanese cooking place. The hearth or better known as Irori is the most symbolic items from the Japanese kitchen. It is basically a square shaped pit located in the floor and is normally found to be packed with ashes or earth. Over this pit you will find a hook which is used to hang pots and kettles. You might be wondering how a pit which was meant for a kettle be used for cooking, however if you look closely at the traditional Japanese style of cooking you will find that their cooking style revolves a lot around boiling, broiling and steaming, thus making the Irori a valid part of the Japanese kitchen arsenal.
The Interesting Features about Tokyo Apartments
Whilst most apartment buildings and office buildings have been constructed under some strict earthquake resistant guidelines, there are many condominium apartments and detached houses that have more resistance against earthquake in central Tokyo and the suburbs. The apartments have seismic isolation structure, damping structure, and earthquake proof reinforcements. Furthermore, there are some properties that have disaster prevention measures in place such as having water well and stocking emergency supplies including food and blankets.
An Apartment in Tokyo can also be rented through real estate agents rather than landlords. Apartments are generally rented for a minimum of two years. The biggest factor is PROXIMITY to the train station and other surrounding amenities like parks and convenience stores etc. This is what really drives rental prices. So the closer Tokyo apartment is to the station the higher the rent will be.
In Tokyo, “Jo” or “Tatami” is a system of measurement. Interior sizes are measured by the size of a reed mat called a “tatami” A single tatami is 1.8 meters by 90 cm. A typical sitting room in a Japanese apartment is 6 jo which is roughly 9 square meters. This is enough room for a television, coffee table and love seat. The term Mansion is used to mention a concrete or metal-framed apartment house of typical size found in Japan.
Tokyo as the capital of Japan has a lot to offer in terms of new architecture. The modern architectures took some innovative and eye-opening examples of what 21st century architecture. Typical Tokyo apartment can be seen in all types of shapes, varied amenities, flooring either wooden or laminated.
How do Japanese Celebrate Christmas
Christmas in Japan is relatively different from the Christmas celebrated in most countries. Only 1/2 of 1% of the Japanese population is estimated to be Christian, In spite of this, the Japanese are big fans of festivals and celebrations, including Christmas. Japan is a Buddhist country and Christmas has no religious meaning to them. The Japanese, who love anything sparkly with lights, could not resist importing Christmas and import only the fun parts of the occasion.
Almost everyone has a small plastic Christmas tree in their house decorated with bells, stars, wind chimes, etc. The stores all have Christmas trees and Christmas decorations. Santa certainly comes to home for kids through their bedroom window and left the present below the child's pillow. The presents tend to be 'cute' presents and often include Teddy Bears, flowers, scarves, rings and other jewelry. Christmas cards are also given to close friends. Presents are also given during this season as well to people who have done you a favor during the year, may be to companies, to bosses, to teachers, and family friends. These presents are known as 'Oseibo'.
Christmas in Japan has also developed into a romantic holiday like Valentine's Day in December. It is seen as a time to be spent with one's boyfriend or girlfriend in romantic ambiences, so fancy restaurants and hotels are often booked solid at this time. So on Christmas Eve, couples go to restaurants for dinner and may exchange presents & gifts. Christmas Day is not a holiday for people working in Japan. December 25th is not a national holiday in Japan, although December 23rd, which is the birth date of the present emperor, is. Christmas day is the biggest day of the year for KFC in Japan. Many Japanese even make reservations for their "Christmas Chicken" ahead of time. People line up at their outlets to pick up their orders. Christmas cakes are also popular. Cakes are round, two-layered with chocolate or white icing and Santa’s gracing the top. In short, Christmas in Japan is more like New Year's is to us—just a fun holiday.
The Christmas season comes during the month of the year-end parties. Company groups, hobby groups, sports groups, etc. often book a section of a restaurant to have drinking parties, known as 'bonenkai'. This phenomena leads to streets, subways, and trains full of people in varied states of intoxication during this season. Every year more than 400 million people celebrate Xmas around the world -- that makes Xmas one of the world’s biggest religious and commercial festivities. In approximately year 300 A.D., Christmas began at the beginning of the 20th century and is sure to keep on going.
Houses in Akihabara for Otaku
Akihabara has also been undergoing some major changes and redevelopment with the addition of the Akihabara Crossfield complex designed to promote Akihabara as a prime destination and center for global electronics technology and trade. It has a bit of everything. This is the place where you could buy electronics of all sorts; play with your favorite pet while having your coffee. This is the place where youngsters come together to buy special things they want to experience with electronics, games and cards. After the tour, you can shop for some souvenirs items too like key chain, t-shirt, Japanese dolls, sake glass, kimono and Japanese snacks. I guess, Akihabara is just a one- stop shopping destination for the electronic craze and games wizards.
Japanese Companies’ Dormitory
The dorm had no cafeteria, but it had a kitchen and a TV room. Each floor had a large common bathroom. Like a Japanese-style inn, the shower and o-furo (bath), is located in the first floor. It is communal; about two feet deep so that you could sit in it neck deep and soak. Men and women have separate baths. To foreigners, it is difficult to share the bath with others naked. Eventually, foreigners would soon love the o-furo, or the sento (public bath) and onsen (hot spring bath) as much as the Japanese do.
Dormitories had curfew time usually around 11:00 pm. By this time, the front gate closed and the door is locked. However, the back door is left unlocked all night. This is the perfect example of the Japanese concepts of honne (true feeling/intention) and tatemae (a person's facade). The front door is the tatemae that said everyone had to be home by 11:00 pm or suffer the consequences. The back door was the honne that recognized that the occupants are old enough to take care of themselves.
ORIX Real Estate Corporation
ORIX Real Estate Corporation, one of Japan's real estate companies,
renewed its corporate website. With the vision of expanding their businesses overseas,
in addition to Japanese, they now offer information in English and Chinese (Simplified/Traditional).
This website not only offers information on housing, offices, training facilities,
logistic facilities, golf courses, nursing homes, commercial facilities, hotels, inns and aquariums,
but also gives an easy to understand overview of ORIX Real Estate Corporation,
for instance by providing videos of each businesses.
Corporate website of ORIX Real Estate Corporation
Japanese: http://www.orix-realestate.co.jp/
English: http://www.orix-realestate.com/en/
Chinese (Simplified): http://www.orix-realestate.com/cn/
Chinese (Traditional): http://www.orix-realestate.com/cht/
Why rent a short term apartment in Tokyo
Tokyo is a perfect blend of culture and modernity infused together. It is a city where the traditions from the past come alive and merge with the technology and developments of the future. A city that has a lot to offer can cater to all your needs. So, if you have decided that you are going to visit this fascinating place, then you better think of staying here for a little longer than what you had planned. For that stay, you should considering staying in a short term apartment in Tokyo.
Short term apartments are very economical to almost everyone – those who come here for a vacation, for a business trip, and so on. Short term apartments in Tokyo are considered the best option for accommodation here since they provide one with all the basic facilities and amenities that one may need for their stay here at a very reasonable rate. So, instead of looking for a hotel, if one is here in Tokyo for a period of few weeks, then one should definitely choose a short term apartment in Tokyo.
They are fully serviced apartments that can make you feel at home while you are away from your actual home. Since you are also provided with services like maid and room service service, bilingual front desk and other such facilities, it becomes a very relaxing option for one –whether you are on a business tour or a leisure tour. You don’t have to worry about these basic works and that can make you comfortable.
Usually, short term apartments in Tokyo are centrally located amidst the most popular parts of the city, with close proximity to the markets and hang out places and also to the mass transit system, so as to make your stay easier in terms of commuting too. Short term apartments offer more room space, therefore giving one the bonus of privacy. You’ll be provided with a loaded kitchen, fully furnished rooms and living halls and bathrooms so you won’t really have to ask for anything more.
Moreover, short term apartments are easy to find. You just need to contact a real estate broker in Tokyo or some organization that deals with providing accommodations and you will surely find your way out to a short term apartment of your choice, and in your preferred locality. The best situation to choose a short term apartment in Tokyo will be if you are in a group and if you are planning to stay here for a few weeks. It will prove to be lighter on your pocket then. You should keep your documentations ready and with yourself to rent out these short term apartments.
Cost of Living in Tokyo vs Yokohama
First of all it is unfair to directly compare Yokohama to Tokyo, since Tokyo, is much more than just a city (Mega-city is the actual term, which makes the scifi geek in me smile) Yokohama has a population of around 3.6 million people, so it is a huge city in its own right. Yokohama is certainly more laid back and open spaced than Tokyo, which is a very nice thing, the bay area in particular is beautiful and feels very spacious. The architecture always looks to me to be from the future (more geeks points) I love just walking around and looking at the buildings
Yokohama is not only a great place to study, it's also a great place to live. Accommodation as well as food are often much cheaper compared to Tokyo. That's why many Japanese families decide to leave Tokyo's high tempo and crowded streets to live a more peaceful city life in Yokohama, while still maintaining the possibility to quickly have access to Tokyo if they need to go there since Tokyo is only a 20-30 minute train ride away, depending on where in Yokohama you live.
Even if the chances for finding work are greater in Tokyo, there are still many jobs available in Yokohama as well. You might even find work in Tokyo, but then end up having to spend a lot of money on commuting back and forth, unless your employer pays it for you.
Pros:
Up to 30% lower cost of food & living compared to Tokyo.
Close to the sea and several ultra-modern city districts.
Way less crowded compared to Tokyo.
Tokyo is only a 20-30 minute train ride away.
Cons:
Less opportunities compared to Tokyo.
If you commute to Tokyo often, it could result in a lot of spent money on tickets.
First of all it is unfair to directly compare Yokohama to Tokyo, since Tokyo, is much more than just a city (Mega-city is the actual term, which makes the scifi geek in me smile) Yokohama has a population of around 3.6 million people, so it is a huge city in its own right. Yokohama is certainly more laidback and open spaced than Tokyo, which is a very nice thing, the bay area in particular is beautiful and feels very spacious. The architecture always looks to me to be from the future (more geeks points) I love just walking around and looking at the buildings
Yokohama is not only a great place to study, it's also a great place to live. Accommodation as well as food are often much cheaper compared to Tokyo. That's why many Japanese families decide to leave Tokyo's high tempo and crowded streets to live a more peaceful city life in Yokohama, while still maintaining the possibility to quickly have access to Tokyo if they need to go there since Tokyo is only a 20-30 minute train ride away, depending on where in Yokohama you live.
Even if the chances for finding work are greater in Tokyo, there are still many jobs available in Yokohama as well. You might even find work in Tokyo, but then end up having to spend a lot of money on commuting back and forth, unless your employer pays it for you.
Pros:
Up to 30% lower cost of food & living compared to Tokyo.
Close to the sea and several ultra-modern city districts.
Way less crowded compared to Tokyo.
Tokyo is only a 20-30 minute train ride away.
Cons:
Less opportunities compared to Tokyo.
If you commute to Tokyo often, it could result in a lot of spent money on tickets.
If the idea of living in Yokohama is appealing to you, then take a look at a Yokohama guesthouse.
Serviced Apartments Make for a Comfortable Stay
Shinjuku-ku is a sprawling, expansive area of Tokyo, It is very easy to spend the entire duration of your time in Japan wandering its many winding streets and still never see everything there is to see. There are many accommodation options available for anyone staying within the geographic area of Shinjuku. From hostels, guesthouse, apartments and hotels of varying price.
The option I want to present to you just now is that of staying at a serviced apartment Tokyo. Serviced apartments slot in between standard apartments and hotels in their function. They possess the best traits of both. You get the freedom and space of an apartment and the amenities of a hotel.
It is the ideal living situation for a short term business trip or even as a long stay option, whether alone, with friends, a loved one or with your family there is plenty of space and you won’t feel like you are living in an nondescript box room. It will be easy to feel at home after a long day at the office, or if you are working from home you can make use of the business center facilities provided at no extra cost.
After your work day is over you can explore the areas round Okubo and Shin-Okubo stations. Here you will find the most famous “Korean Town” in Japan, with an abundance of delicious food to try. If you feel the need to spread your wings further a field, then you are mire minutes walk from Shin-Okubo station which is on the Yamanote line, which is one of Tokyo's busiest and most important commuter rail lines. Most of Tokyo’s major station can be accessed using the Yamanote. Allowing you, to venture out in this vibrant, fast moving and sometimes spectacularly beautiful city.
