Our house... in the middle of our street...

Here are a few piccies of our little apartment in what is know as Shirasagi Residence. Right across the road are a few drink vending machines, including sake and beer! Handy! We park our mode of transport (bike) in the shed and catch the lift to the third floor. You must take off your shoes at the door of your apartment. We have a little rack where you can store your shoes.


The kitchen only has a stove and small grill. We have recently purchased an electric hot plate and found a rice cooker (God send) in Jono's apartment! Woohoo. Miyuki told us what the buttons said and so we have been using it a lot. You may have noticed the Uncle Toby's cereal on top of the fridge. After eating nothing but Special K and Bran Flakes everyday for three months we sent an SOS home and had some more exciting breakfast food sent over! (Thanks Mum.)


We use the computer all the time, it is our only means of entertainment. The kids at school just can't believe that we don't have a TV! We have been watching "Heroes", which a friend downloaded and kindly donated to us, and we are addicted! The Aussie girls have also been having "Sex and The City" viewing marathons. The Internet is also a life saver as we can listen to Triple J and 5AA (Jono has to have his sport) online as well as read The Advertiser. So we're not totally in a bubble. In the corner of the lounge, proudly displayed, is the fan we bought in Kyoto after the Geisha show. It even matches the curtains. Jono wants to take the credit for that!!!!!The bar you can see on the lounge and dining room walls is where we hang our washing. It's not warm enough to warrant putting it outside yet.


Yes, we do have the space-aged electric toilet with many bells and whistles!!! We have become fans of the seat warmer and are convinced that the initial 'ew' factor is purely psychological. An interesting feature of this "Shower Toilet" is that when you flush there is a tap that runs on top of the toilet which you use to wash your hands. That water goes directly into the toilet and is used on the next flush! A nifty idea. The first time I used this I freaked out because I didn't know how to turn the water off, but I have since learned that it keeps running until the toilet is full. All visitors: Please note!!!



Here is the Japanese top loading washing machine and the trough/vanity unit. Through a door on the right is the 'Wash' room. It is a really large shower room with a full length mirror right in front of you. Hmmmm. There is also a bath in the room. We have managed to get our hands on some familiar products such as Herbal Essence shampoo and Johnsons and Johnson body lotion. You can also get Rexena deodorant at the shop (no that's not a typo!).


The bedroom consists of two single beds and loads of cupboard space. Pretty simple really.

Well, there you have it. The grand tour of our humble abode. Drop by some time!!!!