2010-07

Clair Shirokanedai #813

Agent Commission 50% off!

Bedrooms: 4
Floor Area: 115.36sqm / 1241.77sqft
Address: 8-16-3, Shirokanedai, Minato-ku, Tokyo
Access: 3 minutes walk to Shirokanedai Station / Namboku Line, Mita Line
12 minutes walk to Meguro Station / Meguro Line, Yamanote Line, Mita Line
Completion: Nov. 1981
Structure: Steel-reinforced Concrete

Rent: JPY400,000/month
Management Fee: JPY15,000/month
Key Money: JPY1
Deposit: 2 months
Contract: 2 years
Parking: None
Pets: Not allowed

Clair Shirokanedai stands in Shirokanedai (白金台) , a famous high-class residential area.  Close to stations and the main street, it is in a very convenient location, but at the same time, might not be very quiet.

Entrance with auto-lock.

Posts and elevator.

And to your room…

Corridor.

Kitchen, with lovable tiles and 3 burners.

Living dining room, 25.23sqm.

Bath room.

2 of the bedrooms are connected to the balcony.

View from the balcony, looking to the east.

One of the bedrooms is a Japanese style room!   Tatami (畳) mats are spread on the floor, and the door to the living dining room is Shoji (障子).
Not many apartments have Japanese style rooms today.  Maybe try sleeping in Futon (布団), instead of sleeping in a bed?

物件名：クレール白金台
賃料：400,000円
敷／礼　：2/1
仲介手数料50％Off

Thank you for checking Clair Shirokanedai.

–
Higherground Co.,Ltd.
2-8-3 Minami-Aoyama, Minato-ku, Tokyo, Japan
TEL:03-6459-2230
MAIL:info@higherground.co.jp
HP:http://www.higherground.co.jp/
TOP PAGE: http://livingtokyo.net/

Nisshin Palestage Yoyogi-koen #601

Agent Commission 50% off!
No Keymoney!

Bedrooms: 1
Floor Area: 104.43sqm / 1124.11sqft
Address: 4-37-5, Yoyogi, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
Access: 4 minutes walk to Yoyogi-hachiman Station / Odakyu Line,
5 minutes walk to Yoyogi-koen Station / Chiyoda Line
Completion: Sep. 2003
Structure: Steel-reinforced Concrete

Rent: JPY390,000/month
Management Fee: JPY30,000/month
Key Money: JPY0
Deposit: 2 months
Contract: 2 years
Parking: JPY36,000
Pets: Not allowed

Nisshin Palestage Yoyogi-koen stands in a quiet residential area, only 3 minutes far from Yoyogi-koen (代々木公園).  To know how Yoyogi-koen is an enjoyable place, please click here.

Entrance.

# 601 is a room on the top floor of Nisshin Palestage Yoyogi-koen, with an extensive balcony.

Number of rooms may seem pretty few, but the largeness of the rooms may make up for that.

Living dining room.  The glass doors lead to the balcony.

On the balcony is a tap.  May be useful for partying and barbecueing

View from the balcony.   Standing in a residential area , this room is higher than most of the other buildings in the neighbor.  You can see the tall buildings in western Shinjuku in the distance.

Back to the living dining room, facing the kitchen counter.

What makes this room luxurious is the largeness: 60.9sqm, and also, the fact that the floor is marble stone!

Kitchen.  The dark green color matches the white floor / wall and the wooden facing.

Wash room and bath room.

Toilet.

Bedroom (20sqm), with a walk-in closet.

物件名：日神パレステージ代々木公園
賃料：390,000円
敷／礼　：2/0
仲介手数料50％Off

Thank you for checking Nisshin Palestage Yoyogi-koen.

–
Higherground Co.,Ltd.
2-8-3 Minami-Aoyama, Minato-ku, Tokyo, Japan
TEL:03-6459-2230
MAIL:info@higherground.co.jp
HP:http://www.higherground.co.jp/
TOP PAGE: http://livingtokyo.net/

About a month has passed since the World Cup ended.  It was an event which enfevered people all around the world .

Maybe for some of you, the World Cup was the trigger to learn the rules of soccer.
For me, the World Cup was an opportunity not only to know about soccer, but also about the countries which took part.  You might have seen news or TV programs introducing the culture of each competing countries.

If you got interested in some of the countries, it is not easy to actually travel, as Japan is floating in the far east, but still, there are means to experience life in those countries.
One easy way is to go to ethnic restaurants.  In Tokyo, there are quite a few restaurants which are good at ethnic food.
Let me introduce you restaurants at which you can enjoy the cuisine from some of the best 16 countries.

Spain
Bar-Restaurante Miyakawa
Location: Azabu-juban
Website: http://br-miyakawa.hp.infoseek.co.jp/ (Japanese)
Enjoy the various Tapas in the atmosphere of a Spain Bar!

Germany
Budouya
Location: Aoyama
Website: http://www.budouya-web.com/ (Japanese)
Located in the German Cultural Center. In Winter, gibier is available.

Netherlands
cafe Regenboog
Location: Higashi-jujo
Website: http://caferegenboog.jugem.jp/?cid=3
Not a restaurant for dinner, but you can taste Dutch snacks such as pan cakes.

Ghana
Mama Africa
Location: Roppongi
Website: none
Chef is from Ghana. Serves West African food from Ghana, Nigeria, etc.

Paraguay
Asuncion
Location: Heiwajima
Website: None
The chef is from Paraguay. You can also taste Paraguayan beer which is very rare!

Mexico
FONDA DE LA MADRUGADA
Location: Jingu-mae
Website: http://www.fonda-m.com/
Live Mariachi (Mexican music) show is on every night!

Brazil
BARBACOA
Location: Aoyama
Website: http://www.barbacoa.jp/aoyama/en/index.html
Brazilian style barbecue buffet.

–
Higherground Co.,Ltd.
2-8-3 Minami-Aoyama, Minato-ku, Tokyo, Japan
TEL:03-6459-2230
MAIL:info@higherground.co.jp
HP:http://www.higherground.co.jp/
TOP PAGE: http://livingtokyo.net/

Comforia Shinjuku Gyoen Ⅱ 【Finished/終了】

Agent commission free!
Free rent for 1 month!
No keymoney!

Address:  3-13-1, Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo
Access: 2 minutes walk to Shinjuku-gyoen Station / Marunouchi Line
7 minutes walk to Shinjuku-sanchome Station / Shinjuku Line
14 minutes walk to Shinjuku Station / JR Lines, Marunouchi Line, etc.
Completion: Dec. 2005
Structure: Steel-reinforced Concrete

Key Money: JPY0
Deposit: 2 months (if keeping pets, 3 months)
Contract: 2 years
Parking: Available
Pets: Negotiable

Comforia Shinjuku-gyoen Ⅱ is the second series of Comforia Shinjuku-gyoen, after Comforia Shinjuku-gyoen Ⅰ, which we have referred to earlier.

Comforia Shinjuku-gyoen Ⅱ and Ⅰ stands very closely, but Ⅱ is a little closer to the stations than Ⅰ.
Another difference is that Ⅰ faces Shinjuku Dori (新宿通り), the main street, but Ⅱ doesn’t.
Standing just a few meters far from Shinjuku Dori, Ⅱ is in a relatively quiet environment.  However, if you value the view from your room, I recommend Ⅰ (the view from upper floors of Ⅱ is also great, though).  It’s up to your choice

Entrance.

Comforia Shinjuku Gyoen Ⅱ #1201 【Finished/終了】

Bedrooms: 1
Floor Area: 40.38 sqm / 434.66 sqft
Rent: JPY169,000/month
Management Fee: JPY10,000

Entrance.

Kitchen.

Living dining room. From the side window, you can see the great view of western Shinjuku: a forest of skyscrapers.

Bedroom faces the veranda.  The partition between the bedroom and the living dining room can be opened.

Watching the sunrise from the veranda.

Bath and washbowl.

Comforia Shinjuku Gyoen Ⅱ #1203 【Finished/終了】

Studio Type
Floor Area: 26.17 sqm / 281.70 sqft
Rent: JPY122,000/month
Management Fee: JPY7,000

Comforia Shinjuku Gyoen Ⅱ #604 【Finished/終了】

Studio Type
Floor Area: 26.40 sqm / 284.17 sqft
Rent: JPY112,000/month
Management Fee: JPY7,000

Comforia Shinjuku Gyoen Ⅱ #503 【Finished/終了】

Studio Type
Floor Area: 26.17 sqm / 281.70 sqft
Rent: JPY110,000/month
Management Fee: JPY7,000

Same room layout with #1203

物件名：コンフォリア新宿御苑Ⅱ
賃料：503号室110,000円、604号室112,000円、1201号室169,000円、1203号室122,000円
敷／礼　：2/0
仲介手数料無料！

Thank you for checking Comforia Shinjuku-gyoen Ⅱ.

–
Higherground Co.,Ltd.
2-8-3 Minami-Aoyama, Minato-ku, Tokyo, Japan
TEL:03-6459-2230
MAIL:info@higherground.co.jp
HP:http://www.higherground.co.jp/
TOP PAGE: http://livingtokyo.net/

One remarkable characteristic of the traditional Japanese living is that paper is used for various purposes.
For example, to keep out sunlight from the house, Japanese housings use Shoji(障子), which is made of wooden frame and paper, instead of using curtains made of cloth.  Shoji is also used as room dividers and doors.

Shoji is made of Japanese paper, Washi (和紙).
Compared to western paper, the fiber used to make Washi is much longer.  This makes Washi tough, and makes its life span long.
Washi was also used as Fusuma (襖, sliding door which divide rooms), Byobu (屏風, folding screen), etc.

Fusuma. Byobu.

Wonder why Washi was used so heavily?
For the Japanese climate is hot and humid, it was important to build houses in which people can enjoy comfortable lives since ancient times.
Washi was used for housing because it modulates humidity, and the material was plentiful.

Washi is not only used for housing.
Surprisingly, it was even used to make umbrellas!  The surface is coated with Kakishibu (柿渋, fermented juice of date plum) and oil, which repels water.

Today, Washi is not only used in the traditional way, but also used as modern art.  Various goods such as light shades are made, to fit modern houses as well as traditional Japanese houses.

Would you like to live with Washi too?
You can buy Washi at some craft shops, and interior accessory shops.

I recommend Haibara (榛原) for Washi goods.
Haibara is a long established shop, which has been in Nihombashi since 1806.  It was the first store to export Washi.  Washi from Haibara is housed in museums in Europe, such as the Louvre.

Haibara (榛原)
Location: Nihombashi, Chuo-ku
1 minute walk from Nihombashi station (Ginza line, Tozai line, Asakusa line)
Website: http://www.haibara.co.jp/index.html (Japanese)

–
Higherground Co.,Ltd.
2-8-3 Minami-Aoyama, Minato-ku, Tokyo, Japan
TEL:03-6459-2230
MAIL:info@higherground.co.jp
HP:http://www.higherground.co.jp/
TOP PAGE: http://livingtokyo.net/

Tokyo American Club (東京アメリカンクラブ) is a membership social club in Minato-ku, Tokyo. There are about 5,000 members and 12,000 family members from 52 countries.

Tokyo American Club was established in 1928, as a social club for the Japanese and American people in Japan. Within months, the club gathered about 200 members.

The first club located in the top 3 floors of Iwamoto Building in Yuraku-cho (有楽町), right across the street from the Imperial Hotel(帝国ホテル).

The second club opened in Marunouchi (丸の内) in 1935, with facilities such as a library, and a billiard room.

Tokyo American Club in Marunouchi

The club has been developing since it was established, but unfortunately, it was closed with the outbreak of WW2.   Soon after the war ended, the club restarted in Marunouchi with 350 members.

However, the club was not all the same as it was before the war.  The type of the members changed: more businessmen arrived in Japan, often with families.
Considering the situation, the Board of Governors decided to emphasize family services. In 1954, the club bought a new site in Azabudai (麻布台).

Former club building in Azabudai.

By the 1960s, the club in Azabudai had become overcrowded.  Construction of a new club in Azabudai began in 1972, and the new club opened in 1975. The new facility attracted many more applications for Membership from Japanese and non-American foreigners as well as Americans.

Today, this facility in Azabudai is under construction, being redeveloped.  The club is temporary located in Takanawa (高輪).  The new club in Azabudai is to open in 2011.

Lobby of Tokyo American Club in Takanawa.

For more information about the redevelopment of the Tokyo American Club, please click here.

–
Higherground Co.,Ltd.
2-8-3 Minami-Aoyama, Minato-ku, Tokyo, Japan
TEL:03-6459-2230
MAIL:info@higherground.co.jp
HP:http://www.higherground.co.jp/
TOP PAGE: http://livingtokyo.net/

Tokyo American Club is a social club in Tokyo.  The club has always contributed to promoting personal and business relationships, and today, there are about 5,000 members and 12,000 family members from 52 countries.

It has been located in Azabudai (麻布台) for about 50 years, but moved temporarily to Takanawa (高輪), for the club in Azabudai is now being redeveloped.  The new club in Azabudai is to open in 2011.

Image of the new Tokyo American Club in Azabudai.

The club consists of several membership restaurants, banquet halls, bowling stadiums, libraries, etc.
To keep up your health, there are pools, spas, and golf groups.  If you are willing to develop your understanding of Japanese culture, there are cultural classes, at which you can learn about tea ceremony (茶道), washi (和紙, Japanese Paper), etc.

Tea ceremony, and a light shade made with Washi.

The joy is not only for adults, but there are programs for children, such as boy scouts.

To become a member of the Tokyo American Club, you must be endorsed to the club by 2 club members, and have an interview by the council.

For non-members, Tokyo American Club puts on some programs open to public.
For example, there is an open Bon-odori (盆踊り, Japanese folk dance) festival every year.

Bon-odori in 2009

This year, Bon-odori festival is being held on Aug. 7th.  This may be a great opportunity to experience Japanese tradition with Japanese and Foreign people.

–
Higherground Co.,Ltd.
2-8-3 Minami-Aoyama, Minato-ku, Tokyo, Japan
TEL:03-6459-2230
MAIL:info@higherground.co.jp
HP:http://www.higherground.co.jp/
TOP PAGE: http://livingtokyo.net/

Comforia Mishuku 【Finished/終了】

Agent commission free!
Free rent for 1 month!
No keymoney!

Comforia Mishuku is the perfect apartment for cat lovers!
Below are the reasons why.

1. There are room doors with wicket gates for cats.
2. Floors and walls are made with material which are resistant to dirt and scratches.
3. There is room to place your cat’s toilet.
4. Balcony handrails do not have interspace, to prevent your cat from falling accidentaly.
5. Air conditioning is running 24 hours, keeping the air in the room fresh.
6. There is an indicator in the elevator, that tells others whether there is a cat on the elevator or not.

So, Comforia Mishuku is a great place to live comfortably with your beloved cat

For those who are not so interested in living with cats, the merit for you to live here is that Comforia Mishuku is located in Ikejiri-ohashi, which is only one station from Shibuya.

Another thing you should note is that Comforia Mishuku faces the National Route 246, so the environment might not be so quiet.

Address: 3, Ikejiri, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo
Access: 6 minutes walk to Ikejiri-ohashi Station / Denen-toshi Line
13 minutes walk to Sangen-chaya Station / Denen-toshi Line
Completion: Mar. 2004
Structure: Steel-reinforced Concrete

Key Money: JPY0
Deposit: 2 months (if keeping cats, 3 months)
Contract: 2 years
Parking: Available
Pets: OK up to 3 cats

Convenience store on the ground floor of the apartment, and a shop for cats next door.

Comforia Mishuku　#903 【Finished/終了】

Bedrooms: 1
Floor Area: 44.30 sqm / 312.92 sqft
Rent: JPY124,000/month
Management Fee: JPY6,000

Comforia Mishuku #1304  【Finished/終了】

Bedrooms: 1
Floor Area: 45.48 sqm / 489.56 sqft
Rent: JPY166,000/month
Management Fee: JPY10,000

Large shoes box at the entrance.

Bath, with a drying machine.

Living dining kitchen.

Bedroom with cat steps

Comforia Mishuku　#1303  【Finished/終了】

Bedrooms: 1
Floor Area: 44.30 sqm / 476.86 sqft
Rent: JPY175,000/month
Management Fee: JPY10,000

物件名：コンフォリア三宿
賃料：1304号室166,000円、1303号室175,000円、903号室124,000円
敷／礼　：2(猫を飼う場合は3)/0
仲介手数料無料！

Thank you for checking Comforia Mishuku.

–
Higherground Co.,Ltd.
2-8-3 Minami-Aoyama, Minato-ku, Tokyo, Japan
TEL:03-6459-2230
MAIL:info@higherground.co.jp
HP:http://www.higherground.co.jp/
TOP PAGE: http://livingtokyo.net/

Three rooms from Comforia Shinjuku-gyoen Ⅰ.

Agent commission free!
Free rent for 1 month!
No keymoney!

Address: 4-10-1, Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo
Access: 3 minutes walk to Shinjuku-gyoen Station / Marunouchi Line
9 minutes walk to Shinjuku-sanchome Station / Shinjuku Line
Completion: Sep. 2005
Structure: Steel-reinforced Concrete

Key Money: JPY0
Deposit: 2 months
Contract: 2 years
Parking: None
Pets: Negotiable

Sorry, no bedrooms…Rooms may be small for families.

However, this apartment stands in the center of Tokyo.  It faces the main street: Shinjuku-dori, and it takes only 3 minutes to Shinjuku-gyoen National Garden on foot!

Also close to convenience stores, supermarkets, a library, a post office, cafes, restaurants, department stores, etc.
If you are wishing for a convenient life in the city center, this might be the apartment for you.

Entrance hall.

The entrance adopts the no-touch key system.
You can open the lock by simply holding your key on the sensor.

Comforia Shinjuku-gyoen Ⅰ　#604 【Finished/終了】

Studio Type
Floor Area: 28.65 sqm / 308.40 sqft
Rent: JPY120,000/month
Management Fee: JPY7,000

Corridor.

Living dining room.

Kitchen.

Veranda.

Comforia Shinjuku-gyoen Ⅰ　#1204 【Finished/終了】

Studio Type
Floor Area: 28.87 sqm / 310.76 sqft
Rent: JPY126,000/month
Management Fee: JPY7,000

物件名：コンフォリア新宿御苑Ⅰ
賃料：604号室120,000円、1204号室126,000円、1304号室126,000円
敷／礼　：2/0
仲介手数料無料！

Thank you for checking Comforia Shinjuku-gyoen Ⅰ.

–
Higherground Co.,Ltd.
2-8-3 Minami-Aoyama, Minato-ku, Tokyo, Japan
TEL:03-6459-2230
MAIL:info@higherground.co.jp
HP:http://www.higherground.co.jp/
TOP PAGE: http://livingtokyo.net/

Ryowa Palace Daikanyama #702 【Finished /終了】

Agent Commission 50% off!
No keymoney!
No deposit!

Studio Type
Floor Area: 19.95sqm / 214.75sqft

Address: 4-26-2Higash, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
Access: 9 minutes walk to Ebisu Station / JR Yamanote Line, Hibiya Line,
11 minutes walk to Daikanyama Station / Hibiya Line
Completion: Jul. 1999
Structure: Steel-reinforced Concrete

Rent: JPY84,500/month
Management Fee: JPY8,500
Key Money: JPY0
Deposit: JPY0
Contract: 2 years
Parking: Not Available
Pets: Not Allowed

Ryowa Palace Daikanyama is a cozy room, halfway between Daikanyama and Shibuya.

Entrance.

Living room.

Kitchen.

物件名：菱和パレス代官山
賃料：84,500円/月
敷／礼　：0/0
仲介手数料50％Off

Thank you for checking Ryowa Palace Daikanyama.

–
Higherground Co.,Ltd.
2-8-3 Minami-Aoyama, Minato-ku, Tokyo, Japan
TEL:03-6459-2230
MAIL:info@higherground.co.jp
HP:http://www.higherground.co.jp/
TOP PAGE: http://livingtokyo.net/