Yesterday I went out to take a look at the new Oak House Kichijoji 3 (吉祥寺), near by Inokashira Park (井の頭公園). The day was a bit drizzly, but I was surprised at how nice rain can be when you’re surrounded by so much greenery.
Once you step out of the station, there’s an entrance to the park off to the right. I didn’t think a walk around the park in the rain would have been prudent, but I’d definitely like to come here on any other day. It almost feels more like a forest than a park. There’s a nice pond and a small temple as well, and I was told that a bohemian menagerie of vendors, musicians, and performers of all calibers makes this place a regular hangout and chill spot, which strikes a sharp contrast with bustling Shinjuku. Imagine how gorgeous it must look in the spring time when the cherry blossoms bloom!
I also learned that at the end of the park lies the Ghibli Museum, designed by beloved anime director Hayao Miyazaki, whose animation Studio Ghibli is responsible for films like Totoro, Kiki’s Delivery Service, and the Oscar-winning Spirited Away. The architecture is also pretty interesting so I can imagine planning an outing with some friends interested in that sort of thing.
All this and I haven’t even got to the house! We walked for awhile through the peaceful, green suburbs and across the street from an elementary school was the house.
Simple exterior.
Plenty of shoe space at the entrance, to give you a feel of how many rooms are actually in here.
One of the hallways. Off to the left will be the living area, which is pretty big.
Finally, into the room…
Collapsible bed, and useful desk/shelf combination.
You don’t have to retreat from the green; bring some inside!
This watering can is a metallic duck. Way more awesome than a regular watering can.
Japanese-style closets are nice and roomy. That’s a clothes hanging rack and shelf in the bottom left there.
You could store things in your chair, too. Store what, you ask? Books, snacks, secret documents?
The kitchen in this shared space looks like a restaurant! I can imagine this would be perfect if you were throwing a little party or just like cooking a whole lot.
Here’s the freshly-painted bathroom area, with several showers off to the right and a private changing room in front of each.
Across the street in front of the elementary school are these cool dudes. Each face had such personality that I felt like naming them all!
This Oak House at Kichijoji 3 opens in the beginning of June, which is right around the corner, so if you’re even slightly interested, get in touch with Oak House right away!