Facts About Japanese Houses Their Architecture Legends And More

Japanese-style houses are very eye-catching.Japan’s history is laden with family homes and earthquake-proof technology. A Japanese home is also a reflection of the financial wellbeing of a family.There are many interesting facts about Japanese houses. For example, did you know that the traditional Japanese house is made out of wood? These houses are called Minka and are built in contrast to the typical American home, which is made out of materials like vinyl and brick. Japanese homes are also typically smaller than American homes. This is because Japanese culture places a lot of emphasis on simplicity and efficiency. Let’s discuss some other fascinating facts about Japanese houses!Japanese Architecture FactsJapanese people are known for their great architecture and practical designs. The building material for many Japanese-style houses is also chosen very meticulously so as to make sure that they can resist earthquakes and typhoons. A family home in Japan is usually made of wood. These wooden houses are great for a place like Japan where there are frequent earthquakes.While an ancient Japanese house typically has a lot of open space and scanty furnishing, cities are rapidly changing in order to make sure that more people can be accommodated. Large buildings, such as those built a few centuries ago, did not optimize the space, and hence, modern homes are trying to build a more practical space.Wooden buildings were always more prevalent in Japan as compared to concrete buildings. This is because concrete and other such materials such as bricks do not build houses as strong as they would need to be in order to survive seismic waves and storms. Common features of traditional Japanese houses would include folding screens, tatami mats, and exterior walls made of shoji panels. These panels not only help in getting light inside the house but also save the inhabitants from any dangers such as earthquakes and storms.Large houses in Japan have many interesting characteristics such as tatami floors, such as a Tokonoma, Ranma, Engawa, Wagoya, and Fusuma. Small apartments, on the other hand, do not have too many rooms or a large amount of space since they are constructed in urban areas.Home And Apartment RentalThere are a few types of apartments and houses in Japan. An apartment complex is typically owned by an individual or even by a large corporation. Small apartment houses can then be rented. This facility is usually availed by people who want to live in the heart of Japan. Many modern apartments are basically small houses with much less space than a traditional Japanese home.An architecture movement called Metabolism is also behind much of the positive changes that have taken place in the Japanese construction of homes. This architecture movement reflects upon the city life of Japan and just how saturated cities are in terms of space.Other than this, there are many large, traditional houses in Japan. However, these Japanese homes are not very close to the city, and hence they are not practical for working people to live in.Western homes are quite different in many ways. Western-style homes do not follow the same set of customs and traditions as traditional ones. For example, it is nearly impossible for people to be allowed to enter a traditional Japanese home with shoes on. However, this is not the case with western homes. Most homes in the cities do not have such customs.Traditional homes also have seating areas adjacent to the main entrance. This seating area is usually quite large in traditional homes but the small spaces in places such as Tokyo do not allow people to afford such luxuries.Classic Features Of Japanese HousesThere are many features of Japanese homes which set them apart. They have sliding doors both on the inside of the house itself and on the outside as well. While the inner doors differentiate between the living cells, the outer doors act as storm shutters.Tatami mats are also very famous in Japanese homes. The mats are ideally made of rice straw and are very comfortable to sit on. People from Japan also associate new tatami floors with their childhood because of the striking smell that these mats have.In addition to a tatami room, traditional Japanese houses have a few more features as well. Shoji, or the panels made with translucent paper, are usually used as a way to create a distinction between rooms. Since the usage of glass is not prevalent in Japan, the translucent panels help in bringing in some natural light.Engawa is a long corridor-like structure that differentiates the storm shutters from the shoji or interior walls. An engawa can either be narrow or very large depending on the size of the house itself.A kotatsu is a very interesting low table that typically has integrated electric heaters. In the mild winters of Japan, families usually huddle up with their feet inside the heated table in order to keep warm.Ofuro is also an important part of a Japanese home. Ofuro is the Japanese word for ‘bath’. Japan did not have baths for a long time and it was only in the Meiji era that people began to take baths in their houses. This improved the sanitation system.Ranma are panels found at the top of shoji or fusuma. These panels are decorated with carved wood, which adds to the charm of traditional Japanese architecture.The amado or storm shutters make traditional Japanese homes resistant to forces of nature. The tokonama is a slightly elevated platform in the main seating area. It is common for people to showcase their art above this platform, which is also where guests are seated.Expensive Property In JapanThe price range of properties is largely variable in Japan since no two areas have the same amount of facilities. Places like Tokyo and Osaka are very densely populated and hence, buying an apartment can burn a huge hole in your pocket. According to modern architects, owning a space in the major cities of the world such as Tokyo is a luxury that cannot be afforded by many.While the traditional houses located in the outskirts of the city are cheaper, they are never nearly as sustainable. Hence, investing in a traditional house can easily backfire and cause huge losses. These wooden houses are usually built with a 30-year duration in mind, after which, the house collapses or needs to go through serious renovations. A simple wood-framed Japanese house costs on average 200,000 Yen/sqm to assemble and build. Additionally, according to some sources, the cost of building a traditional Japanese house in America could be anywhere from $400,000 to well over a million.Micro Houses And The Squeezing Of Japan’s Middle ClassWhether in Japan or any other part of the world, the squeezing of the middle class is a common phenomenon. An average person belonging to the middle class can neither afford a traditional house away from the city nor can they be able to take up an insufferable commute every single day for work.Since cities like Tokyo and Osaka have a very strong population count, it is natural that the demand for living spaces is high. This is why owners and sellers can tweak the prices for their tenants or buyers.The bourgeoisie, on the other hand, is capable of affording such luxuries. The upper-class person almost never gets stuck in the hustle of the city and can live comfortably in homes that are expensive to buy and maintain.Micro houses are coming up as a response to the decreasing spaces in cities. Such houses are very small and quite literally squeeze people in them. Micro housing is somewhat practical in some cases, but most people choose this option since it is cheap.

Japanese-style houses are very eye-catching.