If you don’t mind, I’d like to give an extremely over-simplified history lesson – During Japan’s economic boom in the 1980’s, real estate prices were ridiculously astronomical. When the proverbial bubble burst, things have gradually returned to some semblance of normality, except for real estate prices. Those typically don’t fall in line as much as one would like. Anyway, in those boom times, companies could afford to provide lodging for their full-time employees, but now it doesn’t seem feasible. More and more you read occasionally in the news that young people are finding that living in guesthouse arrangements or with roommates is the economical option. (It’s also more interesting, truth be told!)

This used to be one such dormitory, but the word ‘dormitory’ feels cold compared to how I felt poking around this place.

Sometimes modern Japanese architecture is minimalist and utilitarian to a fault – solid blocks of colorless concrete seems to have been the new chic in home design for awhile. This building may have a design evocative of decades past, but I’ll take the interesting lines and shapes here over uninspired modern geometry any day!

There are flowers and plants lining the pathway to the front door.

Pass under some arches…

Here is the lobby area, cubbies for shoes on the left and these lampstands felt like I was stepping into a hotel.

Here’s a view down the hallway. Strategically placed skylights, funky columns.

Each floor here has two or three small stove/sink combinations, perfect for quick meals when you don’t feel like heading up to the lounge or don’t want to wander too far! Perfect for the lazy like me. 😛

One of the first things I noticed were this row of sinks and cabinets. No need to crowd!

A few showers and cubby holes… and what’s that in the back? Could it be…?

Japanese style bathing! Fill the tub up with hot hot water, wash yourself over on the right, then step into the relaxing steamy brew. If you can get away for a weekend to an onsen or something I highly recommend it.

Off in the distance you can see two of our staff
working hard building racks! Way cool people.

Up the stairs to the 2nd floor lounge. It’s huge! There’s a tatami room back there too, I wonder what that’ll be.

Rectangular tatami mats and window, circular tables and window. The clock contains the same shapes. I’m sure this was a happy accidental arrangement. 🙂

Here’s one of the furnished single rooms. Look how spacious this is! If it were me, this is like an ideal room size.

3rd floor dining room. Also huge! It looks like we’re preparing this place from the top down, which is why the 2nd floor lounge looks like it’s still being moved into. High tables and chairs, and then another kitchen area to the left.

Here’s the view from the kitchen. This is oddly specific, but I love kitchens like this because I like cooking for people while I’m behind the counter like this; it feels like I am some master chef and they are waiting for me to delight them with culinary wonders. In reality, I’m an achingly average cook. 😛

Lounge area. There’s a TV on the left. Maybe it’s just the way I took the photo but somehow that table looks photoshopped in at some weird angle. D:

Here’s an idea of the double rooms. Still plenty of space!

3rd floor hallway. I am unable to discern exactly why, but I love the retro glass things here.

In the surrounding area is a building with a garden in the back. While I was walking around, a sweet older lady was carefully tending to the flowers. I snapped this from the roof.

Just around the corner is what looks like an old, old convenience store run by a tiny, solitary old lady. I have only been in Japan a few years and yet somehow I knew this felt ‘nostalgic’. Hand-made bento in a case looked enticing, far better than the cookie-cutter packaged meals you’d get at a bigger chain. I picked up some homemade chirashi-zushi and a bottle of tea, then sat down on a bench on the nearby street for my lunch.　It was delicious.

When I asked how to get to the house, they told me it was an 8-minute walk from the station. Maybe I’m spoiled because I live even closer to my station than that, so at first that seemed long, but it’s pretty much a straight shot down the street and then a left turn and you’re there, so it’s very brisk.

Right outside the station there’s a Tokyu supermarket, and plenty of restaurants and convenience stores. Also, Warabi is on the Keihin-Tohoku line, which will get you to Akihabara, Ueno, Tokyo, and Yokohama on one train. Change at Akabane for quick access to Ikebukuro, Shinjuku, Shibuya, and Ebisu. I’m the kind of person who to maintain a healthy distance from the city I work in, so I would definitely recommend this place. Rather reasonable, too!

I’ll go check it out again when it’s finally open and let you know how it looks! 😀