Japanese Apartment Kitchens for Serious Cooks

Hi!

We’re about two months away from moving to Kyoto, Japan. I love cooking, we have some picky eaters at home, and baking is a big part of how I cook. I’ve started researching what to check before renting an apartment, and the kitchen is our top priority.

I’d love to have a built-in gas oven, but it seems more realistic to postpone that until we have our own place. In the meantime, for avid home cooks in Japan—especially those who like grilling and baking—what kind of kitchen setups work well for you?

Besides the oven, what else is important to look for in a Japanese apartment kitchen?

For example:

• Gas vs IH cooktop
• Space and ventilation
• Counter and storage space
• Electrical capacity and outlets (for ovens, mixers, appliances)
• Anything that surprised you after moving in

I’d really appreciate any practical advice or things you wish you had checked before renting.