Josiah and Noeru Henderson recently opened the doors to their ‘typical Japanese apartment’ giving the world a glimpse of life with just 214 square feet.
In large cities like Tokyo, living small has always been popular and often necessary. Newly married couple, Josiah and Noeru take us on a tour of their cozy home in Japan that might just make you wonder how much space you really need to be happy and content.
Josiah films the outside of the apartment building, which has three levels. He comments on the great neighborhood as he makes his way up to the apartment.
Josiah shows off the building’s ‘parking garage’ that stores their primary modes of transportation.
Noeru greets her husband at the entrance to their humble abode
With Josiah filming, Noeru beams with pride and a welcoming smile. “Welcome to Henderson’s..please come in.”
“Please take your shoes off”
It is customary to take your shoes off when entering a home in Japan.
“Oh yes, this is the genkan…this is very important because this is where you take off your shoes.” – Josiah
‘Another aspect that persists even in Western-style homes in Japan is the genkan, an entrance hall where people remove footwear. The flooring for the house proper is raised a little off the ground to prevent dampness from entering and to keep the living area from flooding in the case of heavy rain.’ – nippon.com
The small kitchen has everything they need.
Upon entering the apartment, the couple stands in the middle of the kitchen. Some may consider it a very small space but the couple agrees they have a ‘great sized kitchen.’
“This is our coffee counter”
The couple has started a coffee shop business in Japan and they display some of their prized coffee makers in the small but organized space.
Noeru’s microwave is her favorite kitchen appliance.
The microwave can also be used as an oven if needed. This is a perfect addition to a small apartment.
The tiny bathroom is surprisingly spacious.
Adjacent to the kitchen is the couple’s bathroom that features a decent-sized tub.
In Japan, baths are more common than showers.
The bathtub is called a Unit Bath in Japan. “Japanese people love baths in general…they take baths every day.” – Josiah
Josiah doesn’t leave out the fact that he is very ‘American’ and prefers a shower.
The living room may be small but it is bright and cheery and perfect for this young couple.
Living room, dining room, and bedroom all in one!
The couple shares a laugh together as they talk about their three rooms in one.
“This is our living room and if you come over here, this is our dining room and from this angle, it works as our bedroom.” – Josiah
An office/reading nook
The couple gives us a sneak peek at their ‘workspace’ and ‘reading nook’ on the tour. And yes, they are basically the same space but the layout is clever and creative.
The comfy cushion is also their bed.
At night, the futon is pulled out and put on the floor in their living room and the next morning it is put away again.
‘Many people sleep in beds, but traditional futons are still popular. A 2013 survey by Nifty found that 50% of respondents slept on futons laid out on tatami mats. During the daytime, futons can be stored in cupboards, making more space available in rooms.’ – nippon.com
Large closets are a Japanese staple.
They have these huge Japanese sliding doors that give it the illusion that it’s just a wall, which is nice.” – Josiah
The couple introduces us to their ‘pets.’
The couple lovingly jokes about their two ‘pets’ that sit in their living room. The two wooden giraffes are VERY easy to care for.
“These are probably the only pets were are allowed to have in this apartment and that’s ok.” – Josiah
That’s a wrap!
“Thank you for coming!”
A great view completes the cozy home tour.
“We have these nice windows they take up the entire wall.” – Josiah
Their space may be small but their dreams are big. Now watch the video below for the full tour of their simply adorable space.
Please SHARE this with your friends and family.
