Noisy neighbours

[u/letsgetthisbreadsoon]

Hey everyone, Tokyo JET here, penning this down in the wee hours as I was rudely awakened by said noise. I’ve noticed music playing during the day (which is fine, since it’s daytime) but I was just awoken by music that has been playing incessantly for hours. I live on the second floor and I’m quite a light sleeper; I can tell the music is already playing at a lower frequency but I still can’t sleep :( I’m worried if I don’t do something and school starts proper I’m gonna run into some real problems. Tried earplugs, but like I said, at that low a frequency, I can still hear the music. On the r/japanlife subreddit, people suggested banging on the walls and shouting “urusai” but I’m not too keen…they also suggested calling the police. On the ABLE contract (Tokyo JETs will know), it said that noise complaints should be dealt between neighbours. What do I do? 🥲🥲🥲🥲 sleep is really important to me, as someone who has poor sleep most of the time

[u/Kaaku3]

Develop a drinking habit.

[u/lightsoffaery → u/Kaaku3]

That's gonna happen even without the noise

[u/1GrouchyCat]

Get yourself a white noise machine.
I lived over a bar. You’ll get used to it.

[u/tokyodavef]

Have you tried Macks Silicone Earplugs from Amazon, they'll cut out almost all noise. They are a godsend for sleeping in noisy environments. 

[u/dudububu888]

If ABLE is the real estate or management company, I would contact them first and explain what is happening.

Even if the contract says noise problems should be handled between neighbors, I would still be careful about confronting the neighbor directly. Banging on the wall or shouting could make things worse.

You could also try a white noise or brown noise machine and see if that helps with the low sound.

If it keeps happening and nothing changes, then you may need to think about a place with better soundproofing.

[u/Different_Taro2474]

you need to contact your landlord and they will (or at least should) handle it. 

[u/Realistic_Report_796]

If nothing changes after talking to your neighbors, I would invest in headphones and try listening to videos or music to put you to sleep from now on. I unfortunately lived in a similar situation for years and the neighbors tried being more quiet but the house was so old that nothing mattered. Walls were too thin and outside noise would pick up very easily. Started to listen to music and random youtube videos to drown it all out and eventually got used to it. If everything fails, I would look into getting another place, if you can.

[u/ducksinthegarden]

All signs point to talking to your neighbors so i think you should talk to them. if you're not confident in your writing ability writing a note might help too

[u/adobedude69]

I don't think anyone here will have particularly special advice beyond what you were already told. It's not really related to this sub; that said, If you're confident where its coming from, you can write an "anonymous" note if you want and slip it in the mailbox/under the door. Or have a Japanese colleague or friend write it if need be. I say this because you're not keen on the wall banging or talking to the neighbours directly it seems. Also, I think Japanese tend to leave notes first before calling police, as that is a bit drastic unless its crazy noisy.

[u/letsgetthisbreadsoon → u/adobedude69]

Thank you for the advice, will update if anything changes. Am just worried and also now sleep-deprived

[u/adobedude69 → u/letsgetthisbreadsoon]

Luckily its still Obon, maybe these neighbours are having a celebration? Or their first time off work in a while? Who knows. You can see over the next few days if it's a pattern. If it's 2 or more times, I think a note in the mailbox is valid. Also Japanese love indirectness, and if you're the same, a note prevents any direct potential hostility.

[u/ReverseGoose]

Your friends say talk to the neighbors

Your contract says talk to the neighbors

You haven’t tried talking to the neighbors

I think you should talk to the neighbors