Apartment Sizes and Floor Plans in Japan (2024)

Space tends to be at a premium in Japan—especially in the mega-city of Tokyo. The size and layout of apartments and single-family homes can vary greatly depending on location, budget, and other factors. There are, however, some common types of apartments and floor plans that you may come across.

Despite the smaller square footage, Japanese apartments and homes are thoughtfully designed with efficient floor plans that maximize functionality and minimize wasted space.

Whether you are looking for a place to rent or considering purchasing a property, understanding the various types of apartments and floor plans available in Japan can help you make the right decision.

Studio Apartments (1K or 1DK)

These are typically small apartments with one room as the living room, bedroom, and kitchen. “1K” refers to a studio apartment with a single room that serves as the living room, bedroom, and kitchen. The “1” indicates that there is one room in total, and the “K” stands for “kitchen.”

A typical 1K apartment usually has a small entrance hall or genkan, a bathroom, and a kitchenette area with basic appliances such as a sink, stove, and refrigerator.

The main living area may have a futon or sofa bed that can be used as a sleeping area at night and a small dining table or desk.

1K apartments are popular among single people or couples looking for a small and affordable living space and for students and young professionals who are just starting on their own.

One-bedroom Apartments (1LDK or 1DK+)

These apartments have separate bedrooms, living rooms, and kitchens. “1LDK” or “1DK+” refers to a one-bedroom apartment with a separate living room, dining area, and kitchen. The “1” indicates one bedroom, living room, dining area, and kitchen. The “L” stands for “living room,” the “D” for “dining room,” and the “K” for “kitchen.”

A 1LDK apartment typically has a separate bedroom with a door, while a 1DK+ apartment may have an additional room, such as a study or storage room, and the living room, dining area, and kitchen. The “+” sign usually denotes the additional room.

See Also

Guide to Japanese apartment layout terms - PLAZA HOMESTraditional Japanese House Floor Plans (with Drawings)Discover Japanese House Plans, Unique & Modern Design BlueprintGuide to Japanese Apartments: Floor Plans, Photos, and Kanji Keywords - Blog

These apartments are popular among small families or couples looking for more space and privacy than a studio apartment can provide. The separate bedroom allows for more privacy, while the separate living room, dining area, and kitchen make it easier to entertain guests or cook meals at home.

Two-bedroom Apartments (2LDK or 2DK+)

These apartments have two separate bedrooms and a living room and kitchen. “2LDK” or “2DK+” refers to a two-bedroom apartment with a separate living room, dining area, and kitchen. The “2” indicates two bedrooms in addition to the living room, dining area, and kitchen. The “L” stands for “living room,” the “D” for “dining room,” and the “K” for “kitchen.”

A 2LDK apartment typically has two separate bedrooms with doors. In contrast, a 2DK+ apartment may have an additional room, such as a study or storage room, living room, dining area, and kitchen. The “+” sign usually denotes the additional room.

These apartments are popular among families or groups of friends looking for more space and privacy than a smaller apartment can provide. The separate bedrooms allow for more privacy, while the living room, dining area, and kitchen make it easier to entertain guests or cook meals at home.

Three-bedroom Apartments (3LDK or 3DK+)

These apartments have three separate bedrooms and a living room and kitchen. “3LDK” or “3DK+” refers to a three-bedroom apartment with a separate living room, dining area, and kitchen. The “3” indicates three bedrooms in addition to the living room, dining area, and kitchen. The “L” stands for “living room,” the “D” for “dining room,” and the “K” for “kitchen.”

A 3LDK apartment typically has three separate bedrooms with doors, while a 3DK+ apartment may have an additional room, such as a study or storage room, and the living room, dining area, and kitchen. The “+” sign usually denotes the additional room.

These apartments are popular among larger families or groups of friends looking for more space and privacy than a smaller apartment can provide. The separate bedrooms allow for more privacy, while the living room, dining area, and kitchen make it easier to entertain guests or cook meals at home.

Single-Family Homes

One common layout for a single-family home in Japan is a two-story house with a living room, dining area, kitchen, and bathroom on the first floor and bedrooms and additional living space on the second floor. The bedrooms may be arranged as a master bedroom and one or two smaller bedrooms for children or guests.

Another common layout is a single-story house with a living room, dining area, kitchen, and bedrooms all on the same level. This type of house is often preferred by older or disabled occupants who may have difficulty navigating stairs.

In both types of houses, the living room and dining area are typically connected and may be separated by sliding doors or screens. The kitchen is usually compact and efficient, with a small counter or island for food preparation.

Japanese homes also often feature a genkan, or entryway, where visitors remove their shoes before entering the main part of the house. Tatami mats, traditional straw mats, may be used for flooring in some rooms, and sliding shoji doors may be used to divide rooms and allow for flexible use of space.

Overall, Japanese homes tend to emphasize functionality, efficiency, and simplicity while incorporating traditional design elements and attention to detail.

Other Terms to Know

In Japan, land and building areas are often measured and expressed in metric units (square meters) and traditional Japanese units (jyo or tsubo). For example, the size of a piece of land or a house might be listed as “300 square meters (approximately 181 jyo)” or “120 jyo (approximately 198 square meters).”

One jyo, the area of one tatami mat, equals approximately 1.65 square meters (17.76 square feet). One tsubo is equal to 3.3 square meters (35.58 square feet).

Apartment Sizes in Japan

In terms of size, studio apartments can be as small as 10 square meters (approximately 108 square feet), while larger apartments can be over 100 square meters (1,080 square feet). Generally, apartments in urban areas are smaller due to the high land cost, while apartments in suburban areas tend to be larger.

The following range of sizes tends to be standard in Japan:

The size of a typical single-family home in Japan can vary widely depending on the location, construction materials, and architectural style of the house, as well as the preferences and budget of the occupants.

However, in general, the average size of a single-family home in Japan is smaller than in many other countries due to the high land cost and limited availability of space in urban areas.

According to a 2019 Japan Real Estate Institute survey, the average floor area of a new single-family home in Japan was approximately 107.2 square meters (1,153 square feet).

This is significantly smaller than the average size of a new single-family home in the United States, around 240 square meters (2,583 square feet).

It is worth noting, however, that there is significant variation in the size of single-family homes in Japan, with some being much smaller and others being much larger than the average. In rural or suburban areas with more space, it is possible to find larger homes with more land.

Takeaways

The size of high-end residential real estate in Japan can vary widely depending on the location, construction materials, architectural style, and the preferences and budget of the occupants. However, such homes are larger and more luxurious than the average single-family home.

For example, in Tokyo’s prestigious Minato ward, some of the most expensive homes can cost tens of millions of dollars and can be several hundred square meters (2,000 ~ 4,000 square feet) in size. These homes often feature large living spaces, multiple bedrooms and bathrooms, and high-end finishes and appliances. They may also include swimming pools, gyms, and home theaters.

In other parts of Japan, such as in the countryside or resort areas, expensive homes may be even larger, with more land and elaborate landscaping and outdoor features such as gardens, ponds, or golf courses. Some of these homes may be traditional Japanese-style homes or villas with unique architectural features and materials, while others may be modern and cutting-edge in design.