An Easy Guide to the Traditional Japanese House Floor Plan

You've come to the right place if you are interested in a traditional Japanese house floor plan.

A traditional Japanese floor plan is similar to a Japanese apartment layout but at a much bigger scale. Read on to learn what you need to know about traditional Japanese homes.

What makes traditional houses different from modern houses in Japan?

Three main materials are used in the construction of traditional Japanese houses:

Japanese roof tiles

Japanese houses typically have roofs made of durable, low-maintenance clay tiles that can last up to 50 years.

Plastered painted walls

To help with humidity and fireproofing, a mixture of all-natural soil, straw, hemp, sand, and water is painted over the walls of Japanese homes.

Washi

Also known as traditional Japanese paper, washi is used in windows and shōji screens to help filter the light in Japanese homes.

The paper is handmade with distinctive texture and transparency, diffusing light differently with each washi.

What does a traditional Japanese house floor plan look like?

Translated image from daiya-koumuten

A Japanese floor plan divides and lays out each house section like an American one.

Japanese floor plans tend to separate the toilet from the bathroom area and have a designated entranceway for shoes. Many traditional Japanese houses will use tatami mats for flooring. Tatami mats are also used to describe the size of the room. 

What are the features of traditional Japanese houses?

There are 6 key features of traditional Japanese houses.

1. Fusuma 

A fusuma separates two rooms. The space becomes one room if it opens with a sliding shōji door.

Fusuma are traditional Japanese sliding panels that separate rooms or open spaces.

Fusumas are similar to shōji doors as they both act as room dividers. However, fusumas are made with opaque cloth or paper decorated with a scenic background, while shōji are made with more translucent paper.

2. Doma

Doma as seen in a Japanese floor plan

If you look at a traditional Japanese house floor plan, you will see 土間, which literally translates to earth floor, which may have been the case years ago. Currently, however, doma is typically made from concrete. 

For a Japanese house, the doma is an indoor multipurpose space. Think of it as a garage that also acts as storage or a social location. 

Traditionally, doma were indoor places for cooking and work that allowed one to make messes, e.g., making pottery, preparing seedlings for planting, etc. Over time, they became more flexible multipurpose spaces, such as bike storage, hobby space, or a transitional area between the entrance and the living area.

3. Sliding door

The visual difference between sliding and swinging doors

Sliding doors maximize space in a traditional Japanese house. They can be shōji doors or wood doors. 

These doors are on rails, so instead of swinging open, they slide open. Similar to fusuma, they separate areas of the house, usually between the dining room and between rooms.

They were originally made with Japan’s humid climate in mind to help maintain an open and breathable environment.

But nowadays, they are used to save space.

4. Veranda

The two different types of Japanese veranda 

In a traditional Japanese house floor plan, you’ll see 縁側 or a veranda.

A Japanese veranda has wooden planks extending beyond the room's floors, usually towards a garden. 

There are two types of Japanese veranda:

• くれ縁 (kure-en): an enclosed veranda to protect it from outdoor elements such as rain and the sun.

•  濡れ縁 (nure-en): an exposed veranda that can be an entry stepway.

Traditionally, verandas are used as communal spaces to relax.

5. Tsuboniwa

A small courtyard of a traditional Japanese house floor plan

坪庭 is translated as tsuboniwa, a small garden within a Japanese home. 

It is traditionally placed in a small, enclosed space to enhance natural light, improve ventilation, and provide a tranquil view of the changing season.

Although tsuboniwa requires maintenance, they offer beauty and functionality, especially in modern Japanese homes.

6. Tatami

A Japanese floor plan that combines both tatami and wood floors

Tatami mats are often the number one thing that comes to mind when talking about traditional Japanese houses. In a Japanese floor plan, tatami is used for more Japanese-style rooms.

They also function as:

• A comfortable surface to lie on

• A safe play mat for children

• A relaxing gathering spot

Tatami mats help regulate humidity by absorbing moisture in the air, which is extremely helpful in Japan’s humid weather. Many Japanese people who have tatami enjoy its natural fragrance.

Many modern Japanese houses have wooden floors with a mix of tatami or none at all.

Other features of traditional Japanese house

There are 4 other traditional Japanese house features: lattice doors, ajiro ceiling, exposed beams, and a ground window.

Some traditional Japanese architecture is not shown in the floor plan. Instead, they would be discussed with the architect or the interior designer.

Other traditional Japanese house features include:

• Lattice doors: they are usually sliding doors with vertical or horizontal wooden latticework  

• 網代天井: or ajiro ceiling is thinly sliced wood or bamboo woven together for the ceiling.

• 見せ梁: literally translated to seeing beams, these exposed booms make a room feel larger. These beams are usually made of wood.

• Ground window (地窓): a short window extending from the floor.

These other traditional Japanese house features help with space and lighten the room. Many houses use one or two of them rather than all four.

Should I have a traditional Japanese house?

Here, we compare the pros and cons of having a traditional Japanese house.

The advantages of traditional Japanese house

1. Humidity control

Many traditional Japanese houses are wooden structures. 

During the humid season, the wooden structures can “breathe,” expanding and taking in moisture from the air. This feature is great, especially in the summer when the humidity is high. 

2. Multi-use tiles

Japanese roof tiles are especially known for their soundproofing and fireproofing properties. They also offer good ventilation, which is great for the summer.

3. Durable

Surprisingly, Japanese wooden houses are more durable than you would think. With the correct material and structural design, wooden houses can resist earthquakes.

There’s a reason many Japanese houses were built with these materials and have remained standing for over 100 years.

The disadvantages of traditional Japanese houses

While having a traditional Japanese house sounds like a dream, there are a few caveats to be aware of.

1. Limited amount of space to build

This disadvantage is particularly prominent in Japanese cities like Tokyo. Building a traditional home is difficult, as it needs a large space.

By going to a more suburban or countryside area in Japan, a larger plot of land allows you to have more freedom to build and expand.

2. High construction costs

The materials and traditional techniques required to build a traditional Japanese house require skilled craftsmanship.

However, the cost of quality materials and the decreasing number of craftsmen who know traditional techniques contribute to the higher overall construction costs.

3. Limited interior design elements

Unlike Western interior design, which focuses on maximizing space for its function, traditional Japanese interior elements take a more minimalist approach.

4. Less insulation

Traditional wooden Japanese houses are great for the summer because of their breathability and ventilation, but they are not so great against extreme temperatures.

Because wooden house structures lack insulation, they can not maintain a stable indoor temperature, making the air conditioning system less effective at regulating the temperature.

5. Higher maintenance costs

While these houses will have less maintenance frequency, this maintenance will be higher than in a more modern home, as you need to consider the material and labor.

Additionally, you would need to check and protect against moisture and pests, which can be costly if there’s damage. 

Frequently asked questions

What is the structure of a traditional Japanese house?

Many traditional Japanese houses are built with wooden materials. Columns, beams, and braces support the weight of the structure. 

What are the types of rooms in a traditional Japanese house?

Most traditional Japanese houses have tatami rooms that serve as bedrooms. They also have a Japanese-style living room, a guest room, a kitchen, and a bathroom. Each room is separated by fusuma (wood and paper partitions).

What are traditional Japanese houses called?

Minka is the Japanese term for traditional Japanese houses.

In closing

Most Japanese houses can be considered traditional homes. If you're considering building a new home, look at a traditional Japanese house floor plan for layout inspiration and see if you can incorporate any elements into your new home.