After looking around at several apartments around work, I finally found one I liked. It's right next to a semi-major railway station, only 2 stops from work. There is a supermarket nearby, and a park right out the front. Of course, this one was more expensive than any other apartments I looked at, but hey, I've gotta have somewhere nice to go at then end of a rotten day, eh?
Before I came to Japan, I thought that the apartments would be so small. I was guessing that there would not be enough room for much of the stuff I wanted to bring (like lounge, bed, desk and other furniture). Mitsubishi would have paid for it, but I decided that I would leave it all at home and start afresh. But my apartment is really quite big! I wish now that I had brought all that stuff! But instead, I have had to buy more furniture and appliances. Oh well. At least I'm able to get stuff I like now!
My apartment is in the suburb of Itami. Itami is famous for being the 'birthplace' of the Japanese wine 'sake'. It also was home to Osaka's international airport until recent years. Itami is about 15 minutes by train from the Osaka CBD. It is a fairly residential area, and relatively pollution-free. Despite having a very old history, Itami is becoming more and more modern. My apartment building is probably about 10 years old.
My apartment is quite big. It has a nice big living room, and a japanese-style dining room. There are 2 small bedrooms, and a separate kitchen (which is rare in Japan!). Its on the 5th floor, giving me a nice view. I can see mountains in one direction, and when it is a clear day I can also see central Osaka in the other.
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