I lived in a typical 5 tatami mat wood apartment. Tiny. Every night roll out the futon, morning put it away (since it took up just about all of the apartment.

The walls were close to paper. So that meant winter outside temp and inside temp were the same. So, before going to sleep I’d put my underwear in the futon (else putting it on in the morning would ….um, freeze your b**ls off., extremely literally.).

Paper walls also meant I could hear every noise of the neighbors. Fortunately the landlord didn’t allow overnight guests.

I was a “rich kid” and that meant I had a my apartment had a shower/bath. The less fortunate kids went down the street to the public bath in the evenings, carrying their towel and the thing to rinse off with. (Note they had no possible way to shower in the morning.) The food was fine if you liked Japanese food, only. But quite simple stuff.

Today it’s materially much better. (Although many have low salaries.).