I moved to a UR apartment recently and I am new to Japan and have no Japanese speaking ability yet.
I have been searching for 2 of these things on the internet for 3 hours and I have my answer, more or less. But, I am not sure about some procedures. So I need some help.
I know that I need to take approval from UR management before I perform any of these, but keeping that aside here are my questions.
**Situation 1:**
Currently my UR Apartment has a plain old toilet seat. I want to install a washlet instead. I saw tons of YouTube videos and I am fairly confident that I can do it myself. The problem is that:
**a.)** I do not have a wrench and what size should I buy.
**b.)** Will the UR management allow ME to do it myself or they require some professionals to do it?
I am fine with some professional installing the washlet because they know what they’re doing and they’ll have all the tools. I am fine with paying extra money for this, as long as I get the washlet (which I’ll have to buy with my own money).
If anyone knows a company that could do this, please can you share some names/numbers?
**Situation 2:**
Since I just moved in, there’s no light in any of the rooms. I took a photo of the socket and looks like it’s the one with the “ears”. I saw some YouTube videos to see how to install the lights. But, they’re not super clear, but I have an overall idea. I saw some light fixtures in Yodobashi but they’re costly as hell. I found some on Amazon and they’re cheaper. This is the one I’m thinking of buying:
[https://www.amazon.co.jp/-/en/gp/product/B01I0X6QE2/ref=ox_sc_act_title_9?smid=A253DZYCBKBE1N&psc=1](https://www.amazon.co.jp/-/en/gp/product/B01I0X6QE2/ref=ox_sc_act_title_9?smid=A253DZYCBKBE1N&psc=1)
This is my socket type: [https://imgur.com/a/Pj1U41l](https://imgur.com/a/Pj1U41l)
I don’t see what type of socket that Amazon product supports.
Again, the question would be, should I install it by myself or pay some company to do it?
It would be great if someone could share some company’s name/number for these kinds of things.
If it helps, I am in Aoto, Katsushika ward.
I would really appreciate any help.
5 comments
I don’t have an 100% confident answer for situation 1 but I’m sure it’s ok.
Situation 2:
Standard light socket you can buy and install yourself from any shop like Ikea or other shops selling lights. Normal in Japan. They won’t expect you to live in the dark all time.
You install your own light and when you move out, you take it with you for your next appartement.
My previous tenant charged me for having left my light when moving out. I thought I was helping but nope.
About the socket, that is the standard light fixture in 99% of homes in Japan. You can be reasonably confident that any overhead light fixture you buy will fit.
For the washlet, unless you’re a handyman, I’d recommend just getting the installers to do it. It’s doubtful management will care. The exception being, if you need to cut anything, or put holes in walls, it’ll be a hard no.
For companies, just go to an electronics store or home center, and ask for installation.
For 1. I did it myself when I moved and its super easy, if you stick the old seat and pipes back on when you leave then management won’t have any issue. As for wrench size just get an adjustable one, and make sure to turn off the water either at the toilet pipes or for the whole room before you start.
I don’t know UR. But in my rental I wanted to install washlet myself but the valve didn’t give. I know I could use tool but didn’t want cause damage and hired one for 1man. When you move out you have to return it to how it was.
But since you’re asking about nut size, I suggest you don’t do it yourself.
Socket is standard and pretty sure the product you linked should work.
Sit1: have a look around your toilet. Is there something you can hook a water hose to that is capped off? Is there a power outlet in the room? If the answers are yes and yes, buy one and ask for installation. It’ll work. The distance between the holes where the toilet seat is fixed to the bowl is standardized. Putting the toilet seat on is fairly trivial because it may not even require special tools. If you’re not used to hooking up the hose yourself, and before you flood your place, get the tradesman to do it. If there is no water outlet that you can see, maybe (have somebody) ask UR about it. They only care if you damage or drill into the walls. Washlets are fairly standard; they don’t mind you putting one in and I would be surprised if the infrastructure wasn’t already there.
Sit2: As others have said, no problem. Buy the one off Amazon, it’ll work. It comes in two parts. One unit gets twisted into the ceiling outlet, it’s really just turning it 45 degrees or so. And then you hang the dome on that. You can do that yourself. I thought it would be complicated as well. I was used to having to drill holes into the ceiling to hang a light. This is so much easier.