Before you come to Japan be aware that our ideas of
housing and the Japanese ideas of housing are
different. That being said don't be afraid of
Japanese homes. A lot has changed in the way that
homes are built in Japan over the the last couple of
years. The thin walls, lack of insulation, and
tatami rooms throughout the homes are mostly gone.
The things that did remain are the size. A typical
American home usually runs around 140 sq meters
(1400 sqft) and a typical Japanese home runs around
80 sq meters (800 sqft). This doesn't mean that
larger homes are not available, they are. But homes
that are larger than about 1400 sqft tend to be
older, i.e. thin walls and no insulation. Also a
larger size home in Japan doesn't mean larger
always. Most homes that are larger just have several
rooms in them, more rooms means smaller sizes. Also
if you are interested in more traditional homes,
they are still here. These days however, traditional
Japanese house structures and those patterned in
Western style, subsist side by side in Japan. On one
side, you will find houses with traditional
structures of wood and wooden pillars. But as a town
develops and population grows, apartment complex, by
way of Western influence, have the Japanese also
adapting and embracing Western Architecture.
2.History
Sometime in the 8th century, Japanese aristocrats
began building houses for distinction. There houses
were called shinden-zukuri. Its beautiful house with
long hallways that stood in the middle of a very
large garden. Many of the upper class particularly
enjoyed the beauty of nature in the comforts of
their home.
The Samurais in the ancient days also built their
own distinctive houses. Called, shoin-zukuri, these
are basically temple like structures, deriving its
influence from Zen Buddhism. The main feature of
this house is the shoin, or the study alcove, where
art objects are displayed.
Common people lived in a gassho-styled house. These
are farm houses, still existing today in the
province of Kyoto. A gassho-styled house enables
farmers to keep their cattles indoors.
3. Characteristics
There are several things you should know before you
start to look for a home in Japan.
Homes with yards are fairly uncommon. When I say
yards, I mean like what a community in the States
would have. Here you might get enough room to have a
BBQ grill and your bicycle and maybe a small shed.
You also might have parking for 1-2 cars at you
home, but don't be surprised if you have to walk a
couple of minutes away to get to your car.
Sizes here are displayed in sq meters, so 1 sq meter
is equal to 10.75 sqft. Also homes are listed the
following way:
2K - two room home with kitchen
2DK - two room home with dining and kitchen area
3LDK - three room home with a living, dining and
kitchen area
4SLDK- four room home with study, living, dining and
kitchen area
They also come with a separate toilet and bath and a
genkan area (entrance to home) is almost always
present.
Also toilets and baths are in separate rooms in
Japan. Most newer homes will come with a toilet
upstairs and downstairs, but will only have a
bathtub downstairs. Japanese bath tubs and showers,
unlike America, are separated but in the same room.
You take a shower next to the tub, then get in tub
and soak. You do not take a bath in the tub, only
relax. Also most Japanese tubs are set up with re
circulation heaters. These tubs are nice because the
heat will always be set at a specific temperature
that you set. You can stay in the tub for hours and
never have to worry about the tub getting cold. The
down side to this is that American bubble bath is
not good for the tub. Also the newer tubs will fill
up and stop filling for you, just set the water
level and temperature and go, when you return your
bath will be ready.
Another surprise for Americans when they get to
Japan is the heating and air conditioning units
here. Unlike in the States, here you don't get
central air and heat. The a/c heater units here are
a lot smaller than those in the states. They only
control the room they are in or a couple of rooms
near them. Most homes come with two or three which
should be enough for a 3 bedroom home. Just be
careful in using these to much. They run off of
electricity, which can be very expensive. Most
Japanese families use kerosene heaters in the
winter, which work very well. The newer heaters are
very safe and clean. Your agent will explain how to
use these to you as all the controllers are in
Japanese.
Also the washer and dryers in Japan are different
from what you are probably use to. Unlike in America
were the washers and dryers hold a large amount of
clothes, here 2 to 3 pair of jeans will fill the
normal Japanese unit. Also cold water is the only
water used off base to wash with. Most Japanese
families do not use dryers because they use to much
electricity and do not dry all that well. Most
families tend to hand their cloths on the balcony or
in the home and dry them that way. Also Japanese
dryers do not vent out of them home but instead vent
into the bathroom. Unfortunately American machines
will not fit or work in Japanese homes.
4. Don't Worry
That being said....don't let what I said scare you.
Just use this information for a base on what you
should bring. Most of our customers are happy with
their choice to live off base. Many decide to stay
off base even after being offered housing. At first
most people are overwhelmed by the lack of size but
after moving in and getting settled they realize
that it wasn't as small as they though. Also many
wished they had brought other furniture. Let me know
what type of furniture you have or would like to
bring and I can let you know how difficult it will
be to fit it into a home. I am here to help you with
your move and believe me...I understand what it's
like. I am also helping in the design of our homes
so I try to get more American ideas into them. If
you have any questions please email me and I will do
my best to help you out.
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