In Japan, the price of an apartment in urban areas can be significantly higher than that of a spacious house in the suburbs.
The choice between living in an apartment or a house is a common dilemma for many young people today. With the increasing population density in major cities such as Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi, owning a separate house that meets the demands for space and quality of life is becoming increasingly unrealistic due to limited land availability and rising real estate prices. In light of this situation, apartment living has become the preferred option for most young people with average incomes, as it offers reasonable prices that cater to modern and convenient lifestyles.
However, in the land of cherry blossoms, wealthy individuals with high incomes tend to choose apartments. In contrast, those with lower incomes often live in separate, spacious houses.
In the famous Japanese series “Doraemon” and “Shin – The Pencil Boy,” the main character’s family belongs to the working class. Yet, they live in independent, spacious houses. Conversely, in Japanese dramas, educated individuals, such as lawyers, doctors, and writers—who have high incomes—often choose to live in apartments.
Why is it that in a country known for being “crowded with people and limited land”, the poor live in spacious houses while the rich opt for crowded apartments?
Many young people choose to live in spacious houses instead of apartments.
This can be explained by the fact that in Japan, families tend to preserve the tradition of living in homes that have been passed down through generations. Nowadays, many young people prefer to live in spacious houses because land ownership in Japan is private. Except in densely populated areas, these houses are both spacious and do not incur additional service costs. Therefore, they save on significant expenses, including property fees.
On the other hand, wealthy individuals, often businesspeople or members of the intellectual elite, choose to live in city centers because they offer surrounding amenities such as transportation and infrastructure. Additionally, high-end apartments always provide security systems, ensuring safety, high-quality living standards, modern amenities, and better disaster and earthquake resistance—elements that are crucial in Japan where such natural disasters are prevalent. However, living in an apartment also incurs additional costs such as management fees and monthly parking fees.
In modern Tokyo, with limited land and a high population density, renting an apartment is extremely expensive.
In return, living in the city center offers better job opportunities, recreational activities, and access to quality educational facilities. In modern Tokyo, rental prices for apartments can be higher than those for homes in the suburbs.
The houses depicted in Japanese films are typically not located in Tokyo. They are often found in remote areas where real estate prices are quite low. While life here may be more spacious and open, the distance from the city can be inconvenient for commuting and limits job opportunities and business networking.
Nevertheless, the choice between living in an apartment or a house ultimately depends on individual preferences. Not all wealthy individuals prefer to buy apartments, nor do all lower-income individuals choose houses.
Moreover, there is no clear distinction between the rich and the poor in Japan. You might live right next to a millionaire without knowing it, as their homes are often indistinguishable from those around them. This is due to the Japanese elite’s community-oriented lifestyle, characterized by a lack of ostentation, making it difficult to assess someone’s wealth based on their appearance.
