Ultra-Small Parking-Space Sized 30 Square Metered Japanese Apartment for $500,000

– 17 November , 2010Posted in: Design

…and at half a million, it’s a steal, especially in Japan.

I don’t think I could do this.

This is not what I’d consider to be a comfortable lifestyle, no matter how minimalist, but I really admire and applaud his drive to own a home so badly, that he would build it on a parking space.

I think the concepts are interesting, it looks pretty spacious for a parking spot, and I wouldn’t do much here except cook quickly, eat, and sleep.

I’d probably spend a lot of my time outside, if possible.

Tags: 30 Square Feet, CNN, Home, Japan, Japanese, Living, Minimalism, Minimalist

About everydayminimalist

I'm a 20-something year old girl who lived out of a single suitcase in 2007, and now I'm living with less, but only with the best. You don't have to get rid of everything to become a minimalist! Minimalism can help simplify and organize your life, career, & physical surroundings. You can read more about me as a minimalist. Or come and visit my other blog Fabulously Broke in the City where I got out of $60,000 of debt in 18 months, earning $65,000 gross/year.

Mami

I’m originally from Japan and I have a house in Japan.
I’m not sure if I would consider this as a “steal” or “bargain” as CNN puts it…
While I admire their minimalistic lifestyle (minus the fact that 39 year old man still sleeping in the same room as his mom…, and that tiny kitchen… ), and even though I can’t be too sure because the news doesn’t reveal the exact location in Tokyo (it could be located in central Ebisu or Shinjuku etc where it resembles how things are in Manhattan), I still think this is quite bit too pricy. If you don’t mind a short time train ride from central Tokyo, you actually don’t need to pay half a million dollars to become a home owner (plus, trains in Japan are super clean compared to NY subways).
Ung Do

If more of our homes were built like this, at least in the cities, it would make us really think hard about our consumption choices because clutter could definitely mount fast.
- http://www.everydayminimalist.com evrydaymnmalist
  
  I still think I\’d need more space than that, but it\’s certainly efficient.
Ivy

In my country, we call this type of shoebox size apartments "mickey mouse apartments". It is quite common in Asian cities, and is usually occupied by singles who do not entertain or cook much at home, as eating out is quite cheap in Asia. To them, it's just a place to crash into bed after work – like a hotel room.
- http://www.everydayminimalist.com evrydaymnmalist
  
  That\’s such a cute name! Mickey mouse apartments.
  
  I guess since I treat my own home (I am half of a couple) like a place to crash (I live in a hotel room now), and I don\’t entertain at home but I cook a lot, I might be in the same mindset.
apleasingaroma

Not my style at all. And I'd agree with andrewodom that its "a fine example of taking 2,000 sq. ft. and trying to cram it into 200 sq. ft."
My recent post Tiny House
- http://www.everydayminimalist.com evrydaymnmalist
  
  Ditto. I felt the same way. It\’s too small for me, I\’d need at least 600 square feet to be comfortable, not 200.
Laurel

Very interesting! I wonder how it compares with 70 square feet “tiny houses” in the US?
- http://www.everydayminimalist.com evrydaymnmalist
  
  Oh like that little tiny house on wheels I saw once? That was also way too small for me.
Jaime

$500,000 for that tiny space? Why would someone pay that much for such a small home? I'd move out of Tokyo -not trying to be mean or anything but I would really move out of Tokyo.
- http://www.everydayminimalist.com evrydaymnmalist
  
  Some people can\’t leave their own city. I know people who have never left their hometown
Christiaan

I would definitely want to live there. What an amazing little home
(And bigger than my current 200 square foot single room home)

It's VERY expensive though, but that's to be expected in Tokyo. Brilliant find EM, keep 'em coming
My recent post Kyosho Jutaku- Living Large on a Tiny Footprint
- http://www.everydayminimalist.com evrydaymnmalist
  
  Better you than me then
  
  It seems too tiny. And what about kids?
  
  (I will try, thank you!)
andrewodom

I have watched and rewatched this video as it has made the web rounds the last week or so. The problem I have is that mostly this is not an example of minimalism or small building or anything even close. This is a fine example of taking 2,000 sq. ft. and trying to cram it into 200 sq. ft. There is nothing sustainable about his building that was really touched on. There is no real innovation other than stairs that shave inches on the ascent and the use of natural light (although Japanese cities are not known from being dark and peaceful at night). It makes me wondering what he had to do to secure the $500,000 to build such a home and if it would really be worth it. Is he progressing or just buying into the real estate game as so many Americans have?
- http://www.everydayminimalist.com evrydaymnmalist
  
  I heartily agree. I need at least 600 square feet to be comfortable for BF and I, and with kids, perhaps 800 square feet – 1000 square feet.
  
  I think the innovation is there — I see that he\’s utilized every bit of space he can, while keeping it clean looking and open with large windows.
  
  Sleeping in the same room with my mom would be a bit strange though. Maybe he needs a room divider.
  - Christena Painter
    
    I can’t even sleep in the same room as my dog, let alone my mother. Why can’t the bedroom be smaller and use the futon in the floorspace of the living room or something? Privacy. It’s a beautiful thing.
    - http://www.everydayminimalist.com The Everyday Minimalist
      
      You’re telling me But I hear in a lot of cultures (Japan comes to mind),
      privacy used to not be a big deal. Kids slept with parents in the same room
      until they were teens and so on.

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In a Nutshell

other blog: fabulously broke in the city
minimalist since: 2007 -- why minimalism?
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current location: canada/usa
home: hotel room
owns: 3 suitcases 2 carryons of stuff
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Ultra-Small Parking-Space Sized 30 Square Metered Japanese Apartment for $500,000

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