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
Wisteria season starts early with blooming of Japan’s Great Wisteria in its beautiful garden
Japan’s best conveyor belt sushi restaurant of seven years ago has now, finally, come to Tokyo
Japanese bento shop sells croquettes for 13 cents, but are they any good?
Japan has new rules for bicycle riders, and these 14 things could get you a fine or a court date
Japanese government wants overseas anime market to roughly triple in 10 years, but are they crazy?
Wisteria season starts early with blooming of Japan’s Great Wisteria in its beautiful garden
Japan’s best conveyor belt sushi restaurant of seven years ago has now, finally, come to Tokyo
Japanese bento shop sells croquettes for 13 cents, but are they any good?
Japan has new rules for bicycle riders, and these 14 things could get you a fine or a court date
Japanese government wants overseas anime market to roughly triple in 10 years, but are they crazy?
Drink vending machines disappearing in Japan as number drops to lowest in 30 years
McDonald’s and Gundam team up for customized anime mecha and fried chicken sandwiches[Video]
Final version of Sanrio: Beginning of Kawaii exhibition opens in Tokyo[Photos]
Japanese trains in Sapporo might be better than those in Tokyo, thanks to one special feature
Japanese toilet sweets put a new twist on tradition
Japan reportedly adding Japanese language skill requirement to most common foreigner work visa
Mt. Fuji decorated with a 500,000-flower pink carpet is Japan’s ultimate spring view
Lawson convenience store at popular tourist site is one of the most unusual in Japan
30 Pikachus want to share a Tokyo hotel room with you that has separate Grass, Water, Fire spaces
Man bites woman at cherry blossom park in Japan, dies shortly after
Starbucks Japan releases FIVE new Frappuccinos in a day, and we try them all in 90 minutes
Howl’s Moving Castle’s scene-stealing dog is here to clean your home as a plushie mop
Pokémon and Ikea Japan cross over into each other’s worlds with collaboration events
Japan now has a special desk for people who work at home with a pet cat[Photos]
Famous Tokyo cherry blossom spot installs view-blocking screens to fight overcrowding[Video]
Uniqlo announces new T-shirts for One Piece, Naruto and more for manga publisher’s 100th birthday
Train station platform ramen store closes its doors on half a century of history in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan releases new My Fruit³ Frappuccino at only 34 stores around the country
Krispy Kreme releases Super Mario doughnuts in Japan for a limited time
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
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Studio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
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
Drink vending machines disappearing in Japan as number drops to lowest in 30 years
McDonald’s and Gundam team up for customized anime mecha and fried chicken sandwiches[Video]
Final version of Sanrio: Beginning of Kawaii exhibition opens in Tokyo[Photos]
Japanese trains in Sapporo might be better than those in Tokyo, thanks to one special feature
Japanese toilet sweets put a new twist on tradition
Draw like a Studio Ghibli anime artist with exclusive watercolour set approved by Hayao Miyazaki
McDonald’s Japan adds new Hello Kitty and Pompompurin drinks to the menu for a limited time
Sonic the Hedgehog creator gets one last blow to his pride on final visit to Sega office in Tokyo
We followed Tokyo’s mystery walking map and ended up creating our own bar-hopping adventure
Tokyo Station staff share their top 10 favorite ekiben
Initial D wet wipe cases and bento boxes drift into Japan, available at Narita Airport too
Downtown Tokyo’s meaty monster Kaibutsu ramen will challenge your stomach, thrill your taste buds
Japanese hostess club women share the top five unattractive things guys do all the time