Necessity is the mother of reinvention as well!

I lived in Japan for some time and was always amazed at the amount of people that lived in one space. It was always quiet and everyone polite. I could hear someone walk with high heels on the road outside my home at 8PM. I had used a karaoke place and an internet cafe to sleep in a few times because It was cheaper than a reservation at a hotel and I had missed the last train. This is typical, some internet cafes have showers for you to use.

When I first moved to Florida I was introduced to older houses when shopping for a house as used homes. Now that's all anyone if at all can afford. Inspiring post as usual...

Great post!

i've always been intrigued by the way people in japan have adapted to the population boom and subsequent housing "problem". it's inspiring to see the outcome - and triumphs!

Interesting bit of knowledge, Thanks!

I've always wanted to visit Japan. The place, her people, and her culture has always amazed me. When the tsunami struck, and in the midst of all that desperation, people would still queue for food and water, and sacrifice many personal comforts for the even less fortunate, I am in complete awe of the grace and dignity of the Japanese.

Those hotel beds or cubby holes are very small...don't think I could sleep in one of those. Very interesting blog post!

Beautiful article. I've only ever been to Hokkaido, but would love to visit Tokyo someday!

This post just goes to show you that you can make do with what little space you have. That's what I call thinking outside the box. I think those little pod hotels look cool, even for someone like me who is not keen on small enclosed spaces! Great post. Thanks.

really interesting article, particularly how economic issues have led to environmental ones

What a cool place. Anyone from there that I've dealt with online has always been the friendliest!

Thank you so much for this post!!! Super Cute & original ideas!!! XXX

always interested in other peoples' living spaces..great post!

Very interesting and so beautiful...

Love your post! I am now living in Tokyo, and it is nice to finally have an answer to why are there so many little houses, which do not look too sturdy or not meant to be permanent. It is indeed a waste to have a home so disposable. I am happy that you plan to create permanence, and this is probably the solution to this problem. With a little effort and lots of love, much can change for the better :)

A GREAT article...it opened my eyes to another way of life...Thank you!

Beautiful post, loving it all!

Amazing!!!

I lived in Japan for a few months. One month in a traditional wooden structure home. Which I found very breezy in the winter but beautiful with the paper sliding doors. All the children and myself slept in one room with a space heater and closed the other rooms off. Taking a bath was very different for me cause I was used to a heated bathroom. It did wake you up that's for sure. I also lived in a single home like the ones above attached closely together. Much warmer for sure and the bathroom too!. They do utilize space better, the toilet had a sink attached to the top part of the bowl and the bath tub was deep opposed to wide and I really liked that. Both homes offered different living styles and I enjoyed them both cause I LOVE JAPAN!!!!

Great post!

I love Japan!

You really can live quite happily in a tiny space, as long as it's reasonably well organised. It's nice to see somewhere with its own unique culture in these homogenised days. While it's generally a good thing not to have a throw-away attitude to housing, somewhere like Japan, where there's likely to be wholesale destruction due to natural disasters, it's a lot harder to come up with a truly long term solution to housing materials & designs. Possibly it might be liberating not to have such a solid view of your surrounding bricks & mortar. Here in the UK there are many very old houses, but that's because Nature doesn't demolish them on a regular basis. Maybe the local architecture is whatever the indigenous population has found to be most practical over centuries of experience.

Amazing post, i've learned so much, and I still want to move to Japan! :)

Fascinating! Our family currently is living in 176 square feet per person, in Philadelphia. One of the many upsides to living in a tiny home: I can vacuum my entire house in 30 minutes.

I worked in Tokyo a few years ago and it is an amazingly beautiful city, clean and filled with kind people....so unassuming and they live in a simple sweet way that is so functional. I loved my time in Tokyo!

Excellent posts! I love looking at housing blueprints too, I'm still waiting for that dream home!

such an interesting way to think about home and the way we use space for living. so functional and practical and i think maybe a good way to build community.

I've always been impressed with the way that Japan condenses their living spaces. I think those of us living in the United States, especially the suburbs (guiltily) use too much space. There is something amazing to be said about taking a space, that seems like there is no space, and customizing it to fit your needs. It is truly all about the organization I think, the better you know yourself the better you can make the space, no matter how big or small it is, work for you. We all could learn something from you.

Thank you for this informative post. My daughter is fascinated with the Japanese culture-she will love to read this for sure!

I'd love to go to Japan, but I always worry because tightly packed people make me claustrophobic in ways small spaces don't. (And then I see pictures of the trains in Japan and decide maybe I'll go to the Yukon instead.)

Great post! I'd love to go to Japan. My husband has been many times and says that its another amazing and adventurous world over there :)

great great post, love it..

Awesome post. Tiny living spaces are so fascinating to me. Our family of three used to live in a 500 sf space and as we've become a family of five we moved into a much bigger space and I am constantly marveling on the lack of efficiency of living in a large home. There is something very luxurious, intimate and warm about being in such a close space with your loved ones and being surrounded with a very carefully curated collection of necessities and loved items.

Interesting! I would have a hard time fitting in at 6' 1" tall.

Beautiful post. Efficiency at its best.

Interesting article, I find Japanese culture so fascinating - I actually wrote my dissertation on it! I guess at least if your house isnt very big theres a limit on how much 'stuff' you can own!

My ex boyfriend's grandparents live in a beautiful town in Nagano. The first time I visited they had barely been using indoor plumbing. The grandfather still preferred to use the outhouse in the garden!! The grandmother still put fish and other perishables in the cabinet instead of the fridge. The floors were covered in traditional tatami mats. The next summer they had added a whole new addition to the house. It was so funny to see a state-of-the art heated toilet that opened its lid when you entered the room. The ceilings were higher and they added a big fence around the house covered in traditional paintings. Their new microwave had a "cold" setting. It is strange to see the older generations embracing some of the young technology. Glad to see the reverse is happening as well.

Great article ~ Interesting photo's ~ Love the bright colors against the older structures

the capsule hotel looks so awesome! sweet!

Nice article. Very interesting!

Very interesting!

Awesome post!

Thank you for sharing your story! I also love renovating! Here in Finland there are lots of beautiful old houses with their own history.

Fascinating.

It was interesting to read about how economic factors have changed people's perceptions. Thanks!

Thank you very much for this article. Really interesting. It is a valuavle insight into teh housing trends. I am always interested in Japan and its design, habits and way of life.

Fascinating article! Thanks!

Wow! Way of life in Japan is completely different from Western...Perhaps I would feel lost at first but I'm curious to see the culture, houses, objects of daily life that I have ever seen in japanese anime!

Well done. Really enjoyed this article. Makes me miss home.

Japan! Tokyo!! Lovely!!

I visited Tokyo last year and I really didn't want to leave. I think it's impossible not to fall in love with Japan.

I love this seeing how other people live is always really interesting, great post.

I agree with bluebeeinatree. My hubby and I would love to return to Japan and see the country north-south-east-west by train. We did Tokyo and Kyoto a couple of years ago, love the awesome food and the non-stop pace of Tokyo, and for a change of pace, the Arashimaya region near Kyoto is also captivating.

I am from Japan, and I think Tokyo is a very strange place!

I think that all major airports should have capsule hotels. Every time I have International flights with overnight relays, I have a hard time camping on the floor at the terminal. This would really help.

I lived in Tokyo for six months and found homes there to be fascinating in their compactness. It was jarring compared to the McMansion area I came from. However, it was depressing how flimsy the homes there could be. I traveled to Kyoto several times and found the homes there to be bigger and stronger. I always wondered if the homes in Tokyo were not typical of those in areas that weren't bombed as hard during World War II.

This article just reminds me of how badly I want to go to Japan!

This post makes me think of the book Tokyo A Certain Style by Kyoichi Tsuzuki. It's a great pictorial examination of typical Tokyo dwellings. I've always felt most comfortable in smaller living spaces and desperately miss living in my 27' Airsstream. I think being in a small space makes you prioritize your belongings and by extension your interests and happiness. A widespread and true appreciation of an economy of scale is woefully absent from mainstream American architecture and planning. We may never come around culturally but I wish we could.

I just love that 70% is covered in woodlands even though it's such a small space to begin with. They'd rather pile up then take over all the land.

I love Japan!

wow...this was such an interesting read...I had no idea about the history and I commend you for your resourcefulness.

Very informative!

There are so many modern fancy buildings in Tokyo now but you can still see those beautiful old wooden houses. Sometimes they look more "new" and cool !

nice read

:)

SO interesting. My late father spent two years in Tokyo in the late '40s - I wish I had asked him more about Japan, although we do have many photos of his time there including photos of earthquake damage at Mikawa (I think). I don't know how I would feel living in such a small space. My old house and land is enormous by comparison - 8 rooms: some aren't used as they still need to be renovated, and we sit in an acre of land. We did start off in a small flat, which I loved - took an hour to clean top to bottom - but hankered after a garden. And now, with the kids growing and leaving, the house is too big for us, so the cycle is turning and we are looking for a small house!

Thank-you for this beautiful look into the life of modern Tokyo. It was so colorful and explained a lot about the Tokyo culture. I remember as a child reading our history books and seeing your capsule hotels. I remember thinking "wow, that is weird!" However, now I understand why. What a fascinating look into the Japanese culture in Tokyo. Thanks!

Thankyou for reminding me of 2 wonderful years I spent with my husband and 3 young children in Tokyo in 97/98. The unique culture made such an impression on us that we returned with the kids in 2007 for a holiday and are not done with Japan yet!

This is a beautiful post...

Wow, the capsules are eye-opening. Wonder about privacy and hygene. I have been working on housing renovation in Japan for five or six years, although I've never visited (someday). Your article has helped me to better understand the culture. Much appreciation.

what a fascinating article! thank you!

fascinating fascinating fascinating. I had no idea that such scrapping and rebuilding was going on, but it totally makes sense. why do I feel the need to state this? I DO NOT KNOW: staying in a capsule hotel was TOP OF MY LIST when I lived in tokyo for a few months. I highly recommend it, you guys.

I had the impression that traditionally lots of houses were made from wooden materials so that in the case of an earthquake, they would easily collapse and not cause much harm to the occupants/surrounding people. Imagine instead the potentially devastating effect of brick and mortar collapsing during such a natural disaster.

Awesome concept! Thank you for reminding me of a super super small but brand new apartment in Tokyo in 90s! I don't remember how tiny it was.... around 200sq ft I assume...? Yes, a convenience store was a step away and I did feel like it was my kitchen!! People's value is very interesting. It changes drastically depending on where you are and what you do now. I really doubt I could do any of what I used to do without questioning back then... like commuting in the train where you are just completely sandwiched by a bunch of strangers. Always interesting to know how Japanese living is perceived by outside of Japan!

Very interesting.

wow - a great read. very interesting read.

Rare to read such wonderful article, I really appreciate.

Wow, Japan always been my biggest dream and now it became bigger! So.... Big in Japan, guys? ;)

i lived in kurashiki for 4 years and loved my experiences of living in Japan....such fascinating social interactions and an amazing way of life.... so many things I would love to incorporate if I ever build my own house....not sure where to get tatami matting or heated toilets seats in nz!!

So interesting! I am fascinated by all things Japanese. Small home living may be the only way to go in Tokyo, and I don't think it's a bad example for the rest of the world to follow, either.

Love this post!

The capsule hotels look fascinating. I'm one of those weird people who loves sleeping in tiny places, so I would be right at home in one of those... although it would be pretty terrible if anyone near you snores.

I love architecture. It is so interesting what people can do with such a limited amount of space.

Loved this article, so informative. Makes me want to move there.

Excellent and very interesting article! Thanks!

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Smaller living spaces, interesting. . .

lovely story. good luck with your new home!

Great read. Found info about Tokyo capsule hotels interesting.

It brings all my childhood memories just looking at those photos! Me, born and raised up in Yokohama, now living in the village close to the capital of Switzerland. Getting used to so MUCH space here and when I go home, am always amazed how tiny my house is!!! but many families in tiny houses, just 5cm away to the next house, we must be kind to each other to stay peacefully. Those old times, all the neighbors were so nice to each other, Now? We don't even know our neighbor is still alive..... Thank you so much for the post!!!

This makes me long to visit the Japan I knew when I lived there 1984-1986. Stationed in Yokosuka, living in Hayama, riding the buses and trains everywhere. Tokyo was a magnificent modern rose, flashy and traditional all at the same time and ever-fascinating. I loved that Japan. I am from rural Ohio, so compact living in Japan should have been a culture shock, but novelty and sense of adventure cancelled out any sense of discomfort and instead I suffered when I left Japan. 26 years later I still long for Japan and the solitude-in-a-crowd, aromas, noises, conveniences and vibrant culture that always keeps one foot in the past.

Many people have nice memories of their visit to Japan. This includes me. I love the tradional Japanese house and what they call "big" in newer houses is big enough for me. The use of space is phenomenal everywhere one looks. People are respectful of their fellow citizens. Quite an experience. When one comes back from a long visit, it is hard to adjust to all the rudeness one encounters. We all find our niche and carry on but we would be wise to teach citizenship in our schools. The classes could use Japan as a perfect example. By the way, public schools work in Japan. Maybe not as well as they once were but they are still strong and inclusive. Tradional art is everywhere. Those old houses speak to the past and are evocative. If you want more glimpses of Japan look at Toshio Tamaki's photography here on etsy.

I've been in love with Japan since I was 12 (13 years now) and every time I find an artical about it I just drop everything to read it. I haven't had the chance to go yet (I'm learning the language first to make the experience perfect). This article was excellent. Living in the second biggest country in the world (Canada) and living in our very small and quiet capital filled with green spaces it is difficult for me to imagine living in a place so small as the one in the picture with my whole family. I mean as a teenager I had the basement all to myself with my own bathroom, a humongus kitchen and an inground pool in the backyard. Of course.....North America has always been the place to dream big and we are all raised to have a very large personal bubble of space......that's why I find it so facinating that so many people can share such small spaces and stay polite and discreet. Over here you'd get a funny look if you stand to close to someone and I must say I am guilty of feeling annoyed whenever I stand at the chinease super market and little old ladies almost stand on my feet.

An interesting post. Thank you for a glimpse into the life and culture of Japan.

What an informative article - I'm looking to go to Japan at the end of this year - can't wait to experience it.

I love to hear this as I believe this is begining to be more commonplace all around the world for our generation. We ARE forced post-consumers. But to those of us who see the future and embrace it, cheers! Really enjoyed this post, and I love Japan!

What a fantastic post. I traveled to Tokyo many years ago and fell in love with it. The culture of her people fascinates me. Thanks for sharing!

love the post!

Great article!

Very good article! I lived near Kobe in the 1970's for 3 years. Tokyo seemed so crowded to me then! I learned many good values from my Japanese friends and I feel part Japanese. I never need a big house and I always live near the train station!

beautiful!

Fascinating article. I've never been to Japan, but am so intrigued by what I read and hear. Tokyo, as you describe it, is a far cry from L.A. It seems very energetic and fast moving which is one of the reasons I'd love to experience it one day ...but even more interesting to me is the ingenuity born out of the lifestyle. Rental beauty lounges, capsule hotels...it's like everyone's breathing creativity instead of air.

Beautiful article! I went to Japan last summer and can’t wait to go back again. I immediately fell in love with this country and more importantly with its people.

I think of Japan and I think of minimalism, yet not, since it is so crowded and compartmentalized unlike London, England. Or perhaps I do not understand the terms I am trying to use. Article is lovely, thank you for sharing.

Loved reading your article. I was shocked when I first came here. The real estate agent was showing me a " mansion" as they call apartment buildings here, we were standing in the middle of a tiny tiny room, and I was waiting for him to show me the rest, but that was it! I now live in a big old wooden house, which shakes from it's foundation every time a car passes by. But I love it.