NTS Renters: Japanese YouTuber’s DIY Rental, Tokyo 58sqm/624sqft

This charming and welcoming small apartment close to central Tokyo is the rented home of Hige and Watashi (the creators of the wonderful YouTube channel HIGE and ME / HIGE TO WATASHI in Japanese). It is a masterclass in how the challenges and constraints of renting can be met with creativity and a sense of fun. The calming plant-filled loft apartment is a reflection of the couple’s enthusiasm for vintage treasures, upcycling and clever DIY. A concrete wall that could not be altered has been brought to life with hanging plants suspended by a branch and metal hooks fixed to existing light fittings. Highly functional and flexible storage solutions have been created from recycled wooden apple boxes in the living room and a combination of DIY and flatpack furniture in the kitchen and dining room. When the ideal thing does not exist or cannot be found, Hige and Watashi simply make it, which only adds to the sense of character and warmth of this very special small home.

#smallapartment #architecture #govee

Renters: HIGE and ME / HIGE TO WATASHI in Japanese
Instagram: @204_apartment

Produced by New Mac Video Agency
Creator: Colin Chee
Director & cinematographer: Nam Tran
Producer: Lindsay Barnard
Editor: Jess Ruasol

[MWSays]

Appreciate showing rental spaces since there’s a lot of us who rent and knowing what others do with those limitations is very insightful. Thanks!

[sianthesheep]

It's good to see that you don't always need to be minimalist in small spaces - they've got a great balance of having the things they love out on show without it feeling cluttered. Something I'm trying to aim for in my own tiny space!

[AR-zrom]

I'm amazed they don't like the stairs, they bring character to the place I love it.

[kayemai]

Love what they did with the space and in a renter's condition- and I know they don't like the red stairs but I think it's pretty ICONIC and really brings the loft to another level *punintended

[Furnitecture]

It's really nice to see Hige to Watashi's living space from this outside perspective. Nice one NTS!

[angeyoung]

For me, this loft is not small it has beautiful proportions ! I really like the layout of this functional and cozy place...but not small lol! Many would like to have this kind of living area!😉😊

[KasSommers]

That red staircase is fabulous. Gives a great column of colour in an otherwise colourless apartment.

[garotadagavea]

For Tokyo, this is really a spacious flat. And very well appointed.

[buddyneher]

I really love how creatively they've worked with the constraints - putting green plants on the red stairs is genius!

[nmclaren]

I love the stairs! Funny that it's not intentional - the space is incredible

[raerae]

I would've loved a flat like this when I was living in Japan, they did very well to find it! It's such a beautiful and liveable space. It's nice to see a focus on what renters can do to use a small space just through the clever use of aesthetics, storage, furniture; and thinking about the visual levels.

[michc]

ahhh my two favorite channels in 1 place 😍 so excited to see Hige & Watashi featured in NTS. their space really stays true to who they are and their passions.

[Jane-tdvp]

I loved this, thank you for showing renters! When you live in a small space that you can't change permanently, you certainly have to get creative. It's lovely to hear the perspective of the people who live in the space, talking about how they use it. 👏

[daniellekorneliussen]

I became so extremely happy when I found that you had done a feature with my #1 favorite YouTubers: HIGE and ME‼️❤️I have been paying attention to their lifestyle films for a few years and just love all of it. Beautiful Beautiful Beautiful… Arigato‼️🙏🏽

[panamaveggie]

Great to see and hear you Watashi & Hige, beautiful place and great home tour

[Eduard]

By far my favorite home on this channel

[theaprileighth]

i've been following this couple on youtube for years. happy to see them sharing their room on my favourite channel.

[pattin]

Their relatively small space is so functional, personalized and aesthetic! Being a plant lover myself, it's eye-opening to see the possibility of having so many interior plants, despite the limitation of space. This is the only video of Hige and Watashi where I was introduced to their faces, making it a personal video. Very nice!

[ririla]

I love that they placed plants on the stairs to shift their focus on what they like. That's amazing. It's how you make things work with what you have. And the way he said "Stick to what you like" that spoke volumes to meee

[snowboarder]

I, on the other hand, love the red stairs. Maybe because I don't live in Japan I like how it's an ode on the traditional red bridges and pergolas.