Life in Japan - Apts

Despite having grown up in South East Asia and attending International Schools very few of my friends have actually come to Japan and are surprised to hear that I'm living here because I never had any interest in Japan back in my childhood. The question I often here is "What's life like in Japan?"

So here I am trying to answer that for all those that have never been here. today my focus will be on apts but if you have any requests for my future hubs please just let me know.

Simply put Japan isn't what you think it is. In the cities life is fast and furious while the countryside is almost like stepping back in time. I reside in Osaka (Japan's 2nd largest city, although now it might have been displaced by Yokohama) and it's simply amazing to see how organized the trains are and how Japanese people have been able to cram so much into small areas. The apts are much smaller than those in LA or Bangkok but at the same time no space is wasted. As Japan is a mountainous country the suitable land for building on is quite limited. Still, entering a Japanese house can be rather surprising because what it lacks for in size it makes up for in convenience (except for the lack of a nice sized oven).

Here are just some of the few amazing points in the apts I've been in.

1. Washlets - toilets that have heated seated and water to wash your behinds after you finish. It comes as rather a shock (and quite uncomfortable) the first time you experience it.

2. Microwaves - recently there are tons of various microwaves on the market that have numerous functions. Most of them have a defrost option as well as an oven mode and a toast mode. The newest models have a way of producing healthier foods through the use of steam (I believe).

3. The baths - WOW. At first they don't look like much as they are much smaller than Western baths but they make up for it in depth and functionality. At the push of a button the bath will FILL ITSELF to a PRESET TEMPERATURE and upon reaching the chosen amount of water a chime is given off. Once in the bath if the temperature drops you can reheat the water without adding more. I wasn't a bath man for many years here but now I'm addicted.

4. Internet - high-speed internet is commonplace here in Japan.

5. Floor storage - As space is limited Japanese try to use every nook and crany to give them storage space.

6. Fridges - most fridges here come with automatic ice-makers that have their own drawer in the fridge. Simply place water in a special tray when you leave and when you come back the ice is all ready for use. No need for trays anymore. Also some fridges here have doubleswing doors (not sure what to call it) meaning that you can open the main door from the left to right or visaversa. It's a simple idea but very useful in planning where you want to put your fridge.

7. Airconditioners that not only cool but also heat in winter.

there might be a few other things I'm missing but it's late so I'll leave it here and write more later.

ciao