Young Japanese prefer to stay at home very small

Mini apartments are sprouting up all over Tokyo, attracting young Japanese thanks to its convenient location and rents only around 50,000 yen / month.
In Japan, April is the start of the new school year, graduating students move to work. Many young people move to get ready for new life. The rental price, location and the size of the apartment are the factors they consider.

Lately, young people tend to live in surprisingly small apartments in Tokyo, according to Nippon. Real estate developer Spilytus offers a flat called Ququri. Each unit has its own bathroom, toilet, and kitchenette with a living area the size of three tatami mats – the standard way to measure room size in Japan, which is less than 5 square meters. Even with the addition of a loft about 6.5 square meters, these apartments offer just over 11 square meters of living space. The young people of Phu Tang tend to live in very small apartments in Tokyo because of the cheap price and convenient location. Photo: Japan Times. Over the past two years, demand for Ququri has shown no sign of slowing down. Spilytus has around 1,200 mini-apartments in Ebisu, Nakameguro, Shinjuku, Shibuya and other trendy areas of Tokyo. The rooms are always fully occupied and the company is building many new buildings every year. Breaking tradition, this unit does not require a deposit, commission for the landlord or lease renewal fees. Along with free internet access, the micro apartments become attractive to young people. New lifestyle trends The idea of ​​Ququri arose from the experience of company president Nakama Keisuke when renting a house in Tokyo. All he wants is a modern, cheap and close to work apartment, no matter the size. Ququri units currently attract more male tenants than women, at a ratio of 6: 4. Most of them are in their 20s and 30s, with about 60% being employees, and students accounting for more than 30%. Only 10% of residents are over 40 years old, some renting mini apartments right next to their homes. Rents vary by location, ranging from 50,000 to 80,000 yen / month. Today, with all types of entertainment packed into smartphones, many tenants prefer convenient locations over floor space. Tokyo micro-tenants are mostly men. Photo: Japan Times, Soranews24. A resident who has lived in the Ququri apartment for four years said that having less furniture means not having to worry about small floor space. Although very satisfied, this person also complained about some restrictions such as occasional noise from neighbors and a lack of a balcony. Another longtime resident said that when he moved in three years ago, he was surprised by the cramped living area. But because he was so busy, the apartment was basically just for sleeping, it didn’t really matter to him. Spilytus installed fiberglass for sound and heat insulation, sandwiched between two-layer walls. They are also building concrete apartment buildings, alongside the wooden buildings that have been the norm so far. The recent movement of minimalism and frugality is also the reason behind some people’s decision to live in Ququri. Many residents do not even have a television, but use smartphones or laptops for entertainment. Someone did not use the refrigerator with the statement: “The convenience store is my refrigerator.” Another said she lost 15 kg after moving in, because saving time going to work allows more time for jogging each morning. Consistent with a minimalist lifestyle Aiko (not real name) has lived in the Ququri apartment for 2 years, since moving from the Kansai region to Tokyo. She chose this place because it completely suited her own requirements of having a separate attic, bathroom and toilet, no matter the floor area. However, Aiko’s first impression upon moving in was that the apartment was indeed very small. The girl working in the tourism industry frankly talks about the pros and cons of living in such cramped conditions. She does not buy much furniture and cleverly arranges it to create a relaxing living space. However, having a fondness for collecting classic sneakers, Aiko complains about preserving them. Despite the limited kitchen space, Aiko realizes that she can use the dining table for a variety of preparation stages. The girl’s daily life is concentrated at the dining table while reading, studying, as well as eating or preparing to cook. She only uses the attic to sleep. Aiko has no television and has no intention of buying. “I want to cherish this space and my time,” she said. People living in micro-apartments often do not buy many things. Photo: Soranews 24. Aiko has no regrets about living in a micro apartment. Once in a more spacious place than before, she said she only spent money buying a lot of things. Aiko also found that large houses often have dead spaces and are difficult to properly heat in winter. “Since I moved here, I have never thought that I would like to live in a larger place,” she said. “Living conditions perfectly suited to my needs,” added Aiko. I also like white walls and floors because it is easy to choose furniture. I am very pleased to live in a place with smart design ”. According to Aiko, with a little ingenuity, anyone can create a comfortable life in a super small apartment. They are suitable for those looking for a minimalist lifestyle, she said. The current Aiko’s room is very little and tidy because it doesn’t accumulate unnecessary things. The spread of minimalism and the tendency to detach from materialism have fueled the popularity of micro apartments. According to the Nippon, This trend will continue to develop.