8 Billion Won Tokyo Motoazabu Parkhouse, Located on a Propitious Edo Period Site

The statue in Arisugawa Park was moved to this park from its original location to avoid metal requisition during World War II, as stated by Cho Min-su. Thanks to this, the statue could be preserved without being destroyed, a behind-the-scenes story that has been passed down.

Cho Min-su said, "They say it was moved here to avoid metal requisition during the war. So, there's a behind-the-scenes story that allowed that statue to be protected," emphasizing the historical significance of the statue.

Although Arisugawa Park was donated by the Takamatsunomiya family, it uses the name Arisugawa-no-miya. This was done to inherit and make known the noble spirit of the Arisugawa family to the public, which holds a different meaning than a donor usually naming something after themselves.

Cho Min-su said, "One of the things I found meaningful was that even though the Takamatsunomiya person, or family, actually donated it, they named it Arisugawa-no-miya to inherit the noble spirit of that family and let many people feel it. I felt that was a bit different," adding, "Usually, if you donate somewhere, you want to let people know you donated, but they didn't use the name Takamatsunomiya; they used Arisugawa-no-miya, which I think is significant."

At the tennis courts within Arisugawa Park, there is an anecdote of a romance that began when Crown Prince Akihito competed in tennis against the daughter of a commoner, a chaebol company president. After the Crown Prince lost in tennis, he was captivated by the woman's confident demeanor, which led to their marriage, a story recounted as an imperial romance in Japan.

This background influenced the formation of a special emotional perception of tennis in Japan, explained Cho Min-su. Cho Min-su said, "Even Crown Prince Akihito, during a tennis match in Karuizawa against the daughter of a commoner company president, lost due to her skill, and captivated by her confident appearance, he actually married her, leading to the birth of an imperial romance." He added, "Because of this, the perception and emotional aspect of tennis in Japan seem to be a bit different."

The current location of the Chinese Embassy was originally the Taiwanese Embassy, mentioned Cho Min-su. According to the 'One China' principle, Taiwan withdrew, and China took over and used the site. The internal area alone spans 3,000 pyeong, and when the building became old and was rebuilt, laborers were brought directly from China instead of hiring Japanese workers. This suggests that the internal facility infrastructure was also directly managed by the Chinese side.

Cho Min-su stated, "Actually, it wasn't the Chinese Embassy from the beginning; it was originally the Taiwanese Embassy. But by expressing 'One China,' Taiwan effectively withdrew, and China took over and is using that very spot, which is said to have an internal area of 3,000 pyeong." He continued, "As the building aged, when it was rebuilt, they didn't request laborers from Japan but brought them directly from China. This means they effectively handled all the internal facility infrastructure themselves."

The development of Roppongi Hills took about 14-15 years just for land acquisition. At that time, there were about 400 landowners, and instead of compulsory acquisition, mutual agreement on urban development was reached through individual negotiations, research groups, and study sessions. Thanks to this process, Roppongi Hills is considered a textbook example of urban regeneration in Japanese history.

The fact that 80% of the original landowners successfully re-entered after the development was completed is an unusual case, and Cho Min-su questioned whether such a high re-entry rate could be achieved again. He explained, "It took about 14 to 15 years just to acquire the land. At that time, there were about 400 landowners, but instead of compulsory acquisition, they visited each person, negotiated, and continuously held research groups and study sessions to fully reach mutual agreement and consent on urban development. So, it is a product that is like a textbook for urban regeneration in Japanese history."

He continued, "Given that 80% of the more than 400 original landowners actually returned after the development was completed, it is exceptional, and I doubt such a probability will ever occur again."

Many investors deliberate between Azabudai Hills and Roppongi Hills, Cho Min-su revealed. Roppongi Hills is popular among clients who prefer comfort due to its large land area and smaller total floor area. Azabudai Hills, while potentially more confined than Roppongi Hills, is favored by those who prioritize convenience due to its latest equipment and facilities, trendy shops, and celebrity stores.

Cho Min-su said, "One of the most frequent inquiries from investors at our company is their dilemma between Azabudai Hills and Roppongi Hills," and explained the pros and cons of each Hills. He said, "Roppongi Hills, with its large land area and smaller total floor area, seems to appeal to customers who find it comfortable, whereas Azabudai Hills, while potentially smaller than Roppongi Hills, features the latest equipment, facilities, and all the trendy shops and celebrity stores, so those who seek convenience choose Azabudai Hills. That's why they often deliberate between these two."

The spider sculpture 'Maman' at Roppongi Hills is not just an art piece but expresses maternal love, mentioned Cho Min-su. If one does not know the hidden story behind the sculpture, it might be perceived differently, but knowing it changes the impression the work gives.

Cho Min-su said, "This statue actually expresses maternal love. If you don't know the story, it might feel different," emphasizing the importance of understanding the background of the work.

Evaluations of Roppongi Hills' commercial facilities vary among investors. Roppongi Hills is an open space that an unspecified public can freely use, but for high-net-worth individuals and investors who value privacy, it can be interpreted differently.

Cho Min-su explained, "Roppongi Hills is a space where an unspecified public can come and enjoy, but from the perspective of high-net-worth individuals and investors who value privacy, it can be interpreted differently."

The Grand Hyatt Hotel site next to Roppongi Hills was formerly the residence of Iwasaki Yataro, the founder of the Mitsubishi Group, Cho Min-su revealed. This shows that the site where a luxury hotel now stands was once a historic property belonging to a prominent Japanese corporate family.

Cho Min-su mentioned, "The Grand Hyatt Hotel next to Roppongi Hills was actually the original residence site of Mitsubishi founder Iwasaki," explaining the historical background of the site.

The International House of Japan, built on the former site of the Mitsubishi State Guest House, is one of the important buildings that marked modernization and contemporization, and is currently owned by a public interest foundation established with support from the Rockefeller Foundation. This building holds profound historical value, and it was decided that its disappearance due to redevelopment would be detrimental to national interests. Therefore, the building is being preserved, and only the remaining land is proceeding with redevelopment.

Cho Min-su explained, "Since it is one of the structures that signify modernity and modernization, a public interest foundation was established with the support of the Rockefeller Foundation, and that public interest foundation currently owns this property. Therefore, the disappearance of such a historically valuable property due to redevelopment could be an act detrimental to national interests. Thus, the property itself is preserved, and the remaining land is proceeding with redevelopment."

'Sushi Shunji,' located a 3-minute walk from the mansion to be introduced today, is a famous sushi restaurant run by a protégé of Sushi Saito. Sushi Shunji, following the philosophy of Sushi Saito, returned its Michelin stars and operates exclusively by individual contracts and private reservations, as reported by Cho Min-su. Sushi Saito itself was also originally Michelin-starred but returned them and operates in the same manner.

This is interpreted as a focus on their own philosophy and customer experience rather than the fame of Michelin stars. Cho Min-su said, "Would you believe me if I told you that one of the most famous sushi restaurants, Shunji, is located just a 3-minute walk from the mansion I will introduce today? Gourmets might know about Sushi Saito. Sushi Shunji, in particular, was the head chef, the protégé, of Sushi Saito."

He continued, "They also originally had Michelin stars, but they followed a philosophy. What philosophy? Sushi Saito also used to have Michelin stars, but they returned them. So, even though they could easily be selected, they chose not to and operate by individual contracts and private reservations."

The selling price of Motoazabu Parkhouse is 798 million yen, with a private area exceeding 133 square meters (approximately 40 pyeong) and a balcony area alone over 40 square meters. The fixed monthly management fee, including repair reserves, is 100,000 yen, and including parking fees, it amounts to approximately 160,000 yen, or about 1.6 million Korean won.

Cho Min-su provided detailed information, stating, "This property is 798 million yen, and the total area exceeds 133 square meters. In Korean pyeong, that's 40 pyeong, and the balcony area alone is over 40 square meters." He added, "The fixed monthly management fee, including repair reserves, is 100,000 yen, and if you include parking, it's about 160,000 yen, which is about 1.6 million Korean won in management fees."

The living room of this mansion boasts excellent views, with balconies connected in two directions: east and north. The east-facing balcony offers a direct view of Tokyo Tower, while the north-facing balcony provides a panoramic view of Roppongi Hills.

Cho Min-su explained, "One of the biggest advantages of the living room is that there's a balcony on the east side that you can go out to, but this is the north direction. You can also go out through here again."

He continued, "So, if you go out to the east, you see Tokyo Tower directly in front of you. And when you go out to the north, Roppongi Hills is right before your eyes. Could you experience such a view within Motoazabu?" emphasizing the rarity of the view.

Despite being north-facing, the bedroom is highlighted for its excellent view of Roppongi Hills directly in front. Stepping onto the balcony also brings Tokyo Tower into view, providing a landscape that more than compensates for the north-facing aspect.

Cho Min-su expressed satisfaction with the bedroom's view, saying, "This bedroom faces north. Isn't it great? With this kind of view and outlook, Roppongi Hills is right before your eyes, and if you step out onto the balcony, it's so good, even Tokyo Tower is in direct view."

This mansion is unusual for Japanese homes in having two bathrooms. A separate toilet and sink are installed within the master room, breaking the common perception of only one bathroom in Japanese homes and offering enhanced convenience.

Cho Min-su explained, "One of the most frequent questions I've received is, 'Why do Japanese homes only have one bathroom?' But here, there are two. Within the master room, there's a toilet and a sink like this."

The transparent glass bathroom in the mansion offers a sophisticated design, but opinions were raised that if a family uses it together, privacy issues would necessitate complementary measures such as 'noise treatment'. As a 3LDK structure is expected to be sufficient for a family of four, it's advisable to consider practical solutions.

Japanese homes tend to prioritize practicality, so when someone uses the bathroom, the transparent glass could restrict other family members from using the sink or powder room.

Therefore, it's worth considering separating the space through block treatment, for example, so that while one person is showering, another can use the powder room. Cho Min-su suggested, "If you're using it with family members, it might be a good idea to apply some noise treatment to this part." He continued, "When someone is in the bathroom, if it's transparent, it's virtually impossible to use, isn't it? So, blocking those parts and allowing one person to fully use the vanity or powder room while another is showering, separating the usage space like that, would be good to consider."

Cho Min-su revealed that this mansion inspired him to dream of personally designing and building his own private home in the future. He imagined starting with land purchase and creating his own estate, believing that the various elements seen in this mansion would serve as inspiration for future architecture.

Cho Min-su expressed his personal wish, saying, "I have a dream that later on, I won't just buy a private house, but actually start with land and build a private estate. And I hope all these details will be remembered and used when I build it later."

The mansion's parking lot is completely shielded from external view, ensuring maximum privacy for residents. The structure allows cars to exit the building directly onto an external path, designed so that no external gaze is felt while using a vehicle.

Cho Min-su emphasized, "I came out on the first floor, and as you can see, there's absolutely no sense of being watched or observed by people around. So, when a car exits the building, it can go straight to the exit path. It is undoubtedly a private mansion where no external gaze can be felt when entering or exiting by car."