
Engrish, the comedic results when non-native speakers utilize English, is hilarious and when used on products and signs, the results are shared far and wide with great enjoyment. But sometimes it’s not just incorrect English that is really funny, sometimes it’s just the seemingly awkward usage of perfectly normal English. What do we mean exactly? Take apartment building, for example, which are notorious for sporting some of the most ridiculous names. Perhaps it’s for the best though, because sometimes it turns your modest accommodations into a luxurious palace! Would you like to live like British superstar Phil Collins? Would you like to live IN Phil Collins?!?
In Musashino ward in Tokyo, you will find the Phil Collins/Genesis fan’s greatest tribute, an entire apartment building called “Phil Collins Musashino”! This masterpiece even sports an apartment sign modeled after Phil Collins’ actual signature.
Image: sumaity via Kotaku
According to the Japanese site, Genesis Tribute, this building is actually quite well-known. Erected back in 1988 at the height of Phil Collins’ popularity in Japan, nowadays it just seems to perfectly blend into every other oddly named apartment building in Japan.
▼Perfect on your mantle! Or actually your mantle…
Image: Genesis Tribute
Japan is never one to shy away from using cool sounding English and apartment buildings go to great nonsensical lengths to make their apartments hip.
▼You have to become good friends with your neighbor if you live here, it’s part of the lease.
Image: RocketNews24
▼What is a T-Box anyway? Where is T-Box 1st? Why is “private space” written underneath?!?
Image: RocketNews24
Another popular trend is to name buildings after foods. Things like “Carrot”, “Spinach” and “Raspberry” are probably found in every city. It’s certainly an upgrade when you live in not just “Raspberry” but “Strawberry Heights” “Banana Heights” and the ultimate “Cake Heights”.
Emotions also make a fantastic building name, “Smile”, “Happiness” and the ubiquitous “Happiness II”. Other buildings are subject to unfortunate katakana conventions as “City Heights” turns into “shiti haitsu”, read exactly as you think it does.
▼At least the “shiti” is high off the ground
Image: Tokyo Apartments
The list goes on and on, “Moulin Rouge”, “Full House”, “Woody Royale”, “Rabbit House”, you never know if you are going to hit the apartment name jackpot, or toil away into obscurity in the “Castle Four Seasons”
▼”Sunny Court II”, “Celeb 21”, “Celeb Future”, this is where the “up and coming” starlets live in Japan
Image: Google Maps
If you have ever lived in Japan, odds are you’ve come across some fantastic apartment names yourself! Let us know your favorite ones in the comments!
Source: Kotaku
Top Image: Google Maps







Man arrested in Japan after leaving car in coin parking lot for six years, racking up three-million-yen bill
Blowfish-shaped fugu bento appears to celebrate Japan’s Blowfish Day [Taste test]
New Family Mart cinema opens inside Japanese airport
All Tokyo public high schools abolish rules forcing students to dye non-black hair, underwear color regs
Japan law lets you claim reward for finding lost property, man may have scammed it over 60 times
Man arrested in Japan after leaving car in coin parking lot for six years, racking up three-million-yen bill
Blowfish-shaped fugu bento appears to celebrate Japan’s Blowfish Day [Taste test]
New Family Mart cinema opens inside Japanese airport
All Tokyo public high schools abolish rules forcing students to dye non-black hair, underwear color regs
Japan law lets you claim reward for finding lost property, man may have scammed it over 60 times
Japan has omurice chocolate, and the weirdest thing isn’t how it tastes
Japanese Twitter user illustrates the difference between schoolgirl uniforms in major cities
Here are the top ten foodie factory tours for the fall throughout Japan
Japanese beauty magazine asks readers to identify the one crossdresser among 12 beautiful women
Downloads of 39-year-old Guns N’ Roses song increase 12,166 percent thanks to Gundam
Is China’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning affecting the lines at a popular Tokyo gyukatsu restaurant?
Three beautiful places to see Japan’s plum blossoms after starting your day in downtown Tokyo
Cherry blossom forecasts map shows Japan’s OTHER sakura season is starting right now
Huge Evangelion Unit-01 head appearing in lights in Japan to celebrate anime’s 30th anniversary
Take a trip to Japan’s Dododo Land, the most irritating place on Earth
New Studio Ghibli stamps leave an impression on your stationery…and your heart
Family Mart releases huge range of cute sweets for Cat Day in Japan
Japan’s first all-matcha ramen restaurant is now open in Kyoto【Photos】
Japan’s most famous Mt. Fuji view park cancels cherry blossom festival because of overtourism
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
Japan releases first official sakura cherry blossom forecast for 2026
Archfiend Hello Kitty appears as Sanrio launches new team-up with Yu-Gi-Oh【Pics】
China’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning looks to be affecting tourist crowds on Miyajima
Starbucks Japan releases new Frappuccino and latte for Valentine’s Day
Studio Ghibli releases new “komorebi” plush toys from Princess Mononoke and Spirited Away
Yokai are descending upon Tokyo this spring in the latest immersive art experience
Japan’s Naruto theme park now offering real-world version of Minato’s kunai ninja weapon
Our 52-year-old pole dancing reporter shares his tips for achieving your New Year’s exercise goal
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Studio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home
Major Japanese hotel chain says reservations via overseas booking sites may not be valid
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says
Starbucks Japan reveals new sakura drinkware collection, inspired by evening cherry blossoms
Updated cherry blossom forecast shows extra-long sakura season for Japan this year
Japan has omurice chocolate, and the weirdest thing isn’t how it tastes
Japanese Twitter user illustrates the difference between schoolgirl uniforms in major cities
Here are the top ten foodie factory tours for the fall throughout Japan
Japanese beauty magazine asks readers to identify the one crossdresser among 12 beautiful women
Downloads of 39-year-old Guns N’ Roses song increase 12,166 percent thanks to Gundam
A look back on 40 years of Japanese schools banning stuff
Create your own Sailor Moon heroines with the awesome Sailor Senshi Maker
We tried out the new Starbucks Cold Brew “Lime” coffee and it tasted unexpectedly refreshing
And now, we eat a bear paw we bought in Japan’s Chiba Prefecture【Taste test】
Japan’s famous Don Quijote discount retailer signs can now be yours with custom-made service【Pics】
15 Japanese students who are really nailing this high school thing
We get to be (probably) the first ever to try Nissin Cup Noodle’s latest creation: Gyoza ramen!
Leave a Reply