A Tour of my Japanese Apartment, Part 2

Part 2 of the globe-spanning epic. Part 2 sees me describing in more detail the differences between the place I am living in and the sort of place I could expect to live in back in the United States. I recently moved to Japan's Iwate Prefecture to teach English. This is a tour of the apartment my company found for me to live in. This video was taken on August 24, 2008, about two weeks after I first arrived in Japan, and about one week after I actually moved in to the apartment.

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[JeremyScottThompson]

hey...this will be me in 3 weeks...im moving to Iwate, im actually going to be teaching in Miyako City...where did you teach...im going to be with interac and they did warn me that it will probably be a private let and so nothing comes with it...ive planned ahead and bringing extra cash for that...your place does seem quite big..how much did you pay if you dont mind me asking

[theblessedlunatic]

I paid 50,000 yen a month for rent, plus utilities. During the winter my electricity and gas bills equaled about 7500 yen per month. Not too bad, although I'd have preferred a smaller place with lower rent since I hardly ever used the kitchen for anything.

I taught high school in Shizukuishi, and commuted 50 km three times a week to Nishiwaga, which sucked. I'm don't know Miyako, which isn't so weird I guess; still, I'm surprised I haven't at least heard of it. Is it a new contract?

[JeremyScottThompson]

Are you still in japan then or did you return home...Miyako City is about 2 hours drive east of Morioka City...Miyako is on the coast... Your place was quite big, the kitchen was unusually large so in this case i would agree with you to not needing that extra room...¥50,000 a month is cheap, and so is the utilities but i guess if you can get it cheaper then its even better...i will be teaching in just 2 high schools with no driving...its also i new contract

[theblessedlunatic]

I'm back in the United States now. Rent in Iwate generally is fairly low for Japan because there's not a whole lot there. My heating bill was higher than normal because I am from Florida and not used to cold weather. You're lucky to get an assignment with no long commute, although having a car did come in handy sometimes. Anyways, good luck! It'll be a great experience. Be sure to visit an onsen at least once while you're living in Iwate. Onsens are one of the things they do well there.

[trogdor7]

Cool! Can you post more videos of your life in Japan?

[tinybenni]

wait, you went to Japan and you cant speak Japanese? wth

[GimmeKitty]

Wow, your company must HATE you. I mean, no refrigeratour, or even a measly two-burner stove? All kitchens come with at least two burner stoves! And, a fridge.

Wow, this is a bare bones places, my friend. And, you are in good spirits in spite of that.

I wouldn't like a place that you can't do washing, or is near a washer or laundromat.

[venie882002]

You can't rent furniture?

[JeremyScottThompson]

in the north most places are private rent, especially for foreigners, theres not many leoplaces etc...in private rented places its is bare...you get nothing...if you buy a new house you dont get light fixtures etc because japanese like to use their own, a bit like buying your own lamp shade

[SonsearaB]

did you check to see if there are any rental companies for your appliances i know they have them in korea

[DavePerry2012]

Storage or it's a cooler.