Japanese Homes

Modern homes of Japan. From the cities of Tokyo and Kyoto to the rural countryside, you'll find great examples of Japanese modernism, architecture and design. In many cities, space is limited. These Japanese homes feature innovative storage options, tiny gardens and modern design. You'll find shoji screen and Japanese soaking tubs, hot tubs here too.

A Tree Grows in the Center of This Restrained Tokyo Home
A Tree Grows in the Center of This Restrained Tokyo Home
Minutes from the capital city’s urban bustle, an architect blends steel, wood, and concrete into a harmonious retreat for a family of five.
By Stacey McLachlan - 6 months ago
A Rainbow of Colorful Arches Brightens Up a Live/Work Home in Japan
Pastel arches, exposed beams, and an open plan turn a family home into an architecture firm’s radical live/work space.
This Curvaceous Timber and Earth Cabin Blends Into a Japanese Forest
Japanese architect Tono Mirai—a pioneer of “earth architecture”—works with master artisans to craft a holiday retreat for a family from Tokyo.
A Japanese Painter’s Wedge-Shaped Home Tucks its Living Space Behind a Gallery Wall
A Japanese Painter’s Wedge-Shaped Home Tucks its Living Space Behind a Gallery Wall
This radical home along Japan’s Tokaido road, the country’s historic eastern sea route, doubles as an art gallery and studio.
- 10 months ago
An Architect’s Beach House Brings California Surfer Vibes to Chigasaki, Japan
Architect and surfer Kenichiro Iwakiri renovates a beach house for himself in Shonan, a region of Japan known for its surf spots.
A Cube-Shaped Japanese Home Opens Wide to the Mountains and Sky
A ribbon of glass slices through this monolithic house, framing views of the surrounding landscape.
A Gigantic Staircase Sweeps Through the Heart of This Tokyo Home
A surreal, larger-than-life staircase adds next-level functionality to a home in Minato, Tokyo.
This Japanese Home With Earthen Walls Was Inspired by Sandcastles
Instead of dumping excavated soil, ADX used it to build a new home for a client recovering from the 2011 earthquake.
This Japanese Architect’s Live/Work Space Embodies Quiet Reflection
The design of this three-level structure was inspired by a single tree.
An Airy A-Frame Home Connects a Community in Rural Japan
Designed by Takeru Shoji Architects, the Hara House opens up to the outside world.
A Compact House in Japan Is Defined by Dynamic Arches and Lush Courtyards
A Compact House in Japan Is Defined by Dynamic Arches and Lush Courtyards
Arbol Design creates a tiny house in Osaka with a cantilevered front facade that appears to float above a garden floor.
- a year ago
This Minimalist Japanese Home Pivots Around an Indoor Garden
An indoor/outdoor courtyard allows tree branches to graze the ceiling of this narrow Osaka residence.
A Climbing Wall Allows This Japanese Family to Bond While Bouldering
Horibe Associates carves out space for an expert-level climbing wall at the heart of this home in Tsukawaki.
A Shaded Veranda Wraps Around This Japanese Dwelling
Taken from the traditional engawa, the covered porch extends the living room toward the surrounding mandarin plantations.
Eastern Promise
A 400-year-old icon of Japanese design inspires generations of modern architects.
Back to Nature
A one-of-a-kind house on a Japanese island blurs the indoor-outdoor divide.
This Candy-Colored Apartment in Tokyo Looks Good Enough to Eat
Pastel hues, graphic patterns, and material contrasts in Adam Nathaniel Furman’s Nagatcho home make for an instant sugar high.
Compact Wooden Home in Japan
A distinctive wooden pattern lines the walls, floors, and ceilings of this compact home in Japan.
A U-Shaped Sanctuary in Japan Wraps Around an Atrium
In Kishiwada in Southern Osaka, this serene abode directs views toward rice fields and the woods beyond.
This Japanese Home Has a Sunken Interior That Blends Into the Earth
The Pit House in Japan has smooth, rounded walls and a subterranean kitchen and living area.
Budget Breakdown: A Tired ‘80s Home in Japan Gets a Bright Remodel For $164K
Additional windows and open shelving help Suita House in Osaka feel airy and modern.
A Dirt Floor Snakes Through This Spectacular Japanese House
Putting a spin on the traditional Japanese doma, a dirt floor extends throughout this home, forging an ever-changing indoor/outdoor connection.
This Futuristic Japanese Building Is Not Your Everyday Tree House
Inspired by the form of trees, an architect breaks the mold of typical, cuboid, multi-level structures.
This Dreamy Japanese Abode Is Part Greenhouse
In the city of Maebashi in Japan’s Gunma Prefecture, an extraordinary home features a solarium for the owner's plants.
This Whimsical Home in Japan Encourages Play and Exploration
Exposed wooden trusses and polycarbonate walls are just some of the features of this playful, Kobe residence.
Playful Platforms Revamp This Japanese Lake House Into a Fun, Five-Story Retreat
On the shore of Japan's Lake Nojiri, interrelated levels are cleverly used to create a multi-story home.
Before & After: An Old Japanese Farmhouse Gets a Modern Facelift
Once tied to a rice plantation, the renovated Shimotoyama House in Japan becomes a bright family home thanks to ALTS Design Office.
13 Spiraling Platforms Increase Space and Connection in This One-Room Home
In Osaka, Japan, a family's request for closeness is answered with this unique single-room design.
A Super-Insulated Home in Japan Brings Comfort to an Elderly Couple
This retreat in Ehime in northwestern Shikoku belongs to an aging husband and wife who don't see eye-to-eye on air conditioning.
10 Striking Homes Featuring the Japanese Art of Shou Sugi Ban
Shou sugi ban—meaning "burnt cedar board" in Japanese—is a type of charred cedar named for the centuries-old technique of preserving wood through fire.
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