The Typical Japanese Home

The way a typical Japanese room is designed is rooted in their culture and way of life. Even as beds and chairs are common to any home, most Japanese houses still keep one room traditionally Japanese.

In a traditional bedroom for example, instead of beds, there are futon beddings. In the living room or the visitor area, the absence of chairs is replaced with cushions.

Japanese homes are not complete without the tatami (straw mats).  These are rectangular mats measuring about 18 square feet, which is usually the size of a typical Japanese room.

In the ancient times, Japanese rooms normally don’t have windows. The walls are partitioned with sliding panels made of rice paper. The room is of multi-purpose serving as living and dining room during the daytime. By laying the futon after dark, the room then serves as a bedroom. In the morning, the futon is kept in the closet, to be used again when night falls.

The guest room is called zashiki. It is a part of the house with a slightly raised floor. There is usually a small alcove present, where an art work or a flower arrangement (ikebana) is found. Sometimes the alcove has ornate Japanese doll collections.