Best Collection Of 54+ Stunning Japanese Traditional-style House You Won't Be Disappointed

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Explore the authentic beauty of Japan and delve deeply into a unique culture and place with a stay in a Japanese Traditional-style house. Whether it's a rural mountain getaway or a luxurious villa near the city centre, there are plenty of houses throughout the country that capture the essence of Japanese style and hospitality. To help you find the perfect house for your stay, we've gathered the best Japanese Traditional-style houses for you to explore.

Japanese Traditional House Design

One of the best known traditional house designs to come from Japan is the ryokan. It is a type of inn, usually family-run, that offers accommodation and meals. Ryokans have been around for centuries and some even predate the Edo period. The design of these traditional houses is quite unique and is characterized by tatami mats, sliding doors and shoji paper-screens. Ryokans help to give an insight into the traditional lifestyle of the Japanese people, with the shiseido parlor and the tatami mats adding an authentic touch to the overall look and feel of a traditional Japanese home.

Japanese Traditional House Design

Shinto Shrines Architecture

The Shinto shrines that dot the landscape of Japan are some of the most beautiful structures in the world. They are intricately designed and dedicated to the Shinto deities, making them an important part of the spiritual life of Japan. Visiting one provides a unique insight into a different type of architecture, with traditional elements such as wooden frames, thatched roofs and maroon and white paintwork all blending together to create a striking work of art. The architecture of the Shinto shrines is very distinctive and has remained largely unchanged for centuries.

Shinto Shrines Architecture

Traditional House Crafts in Japan

In Japan, there are a number of traditional house crafts that have been practiced for centuries. One of the most popular is minka, or Japanese farmhouses. Minka houses combine traditional Japanese architecture, such as sliding paper doors and shoji paper-screens, with modern amenities such as electricity. They also feature stunning gardens and unique roof designs that are unique to Japan. Minka houses are popular with tourists and many are even open to the public for viewing.

Traditional House Crafts in Japan

Minka: Traditional Japanese Houses

The minka house is a type of traditional Japanese house design that has been around since ancient times. Minka were traditionally used as farmhouses and are characterized by their unique features, such as the large earthen floor called doma and the use of natural materials such as wood and stone. The design of the minka house is quite unique and includes verandas, hidden gardens and sheds for livestock. These unique features help to distinguish a minka from other types of traditional Japanese homes.

Minka: Traditional Japanese Houses

The 6 Must-Know Elements of Japanese Home Design

When it comes to Japanese home design, there are six must-know elements that must be present. They include simplicity, harmony, natural elements, flexibility, seasonality, and clear organization. These elements can be seen in almost all traditional Japanese homes, whether it’s a nagaya, a ryokan or a minka. The focus is on simplicity, with a focus on natural materials and clean lines, while at the same time allowing for flexibility and individuality.

The 6 Must-Know Elements of Japanese Home Design

Nagaya: The Long, Narrow Japanese Townhouses

The nagaya is a type of traditional Japanese townhouse that is characterized by its long and narrow design. Nagaya were traditionally built as rows of homes that connected to each other, forming a type of shared living space. This shared living space allows multiple families to live side by side without compromising their individual privacy. The design of the nagaya is quite unique, featuring sliding paper doors, tatami mats and shoji paper-screens. These features help to give the nagaya its traditional and unique look.

Nagaya: The Long, Narrow Japanese Townhouses

Tatami Mats: The Flooring of Traditional Japanese Homes

Tatami mats are a type of flooring commonly found in traditional Japanese homes. These mats are made of woven straw and are typically used to cover large areas of a room, thus providing a comfortable and aesthetically pleasing surface to walk or sit on. Tatami mats are usually covered in a special straw called igusa that helps to keep the flooring flexible and soft. Tatami mats are a great way to add a touch of traditional comfort and style to a Japanese house design.

Tatami Mats: The Flooring of Traditional Japanese Homes

Kitsune: Traditional Japanese Fox Temples

Kitsune are a type of traditional Japanese fox temple. These temples are dedicated to Inari, the deity of harvest and prosperity, and usually feature large stone statues of foxes. Kitsune may also feature wooden frames, verandas and shoji paper-screens. The design of kitsune varies from region to region, with some featuring more modern elements such as glass windows, while others remain firmly rooted in traditional Japanese culture.

Kitsune: Traditional Japanese Fox Temples

Ryokan: Traditional Japanese Inn

The ryōkan is a type of traditional Japanese inn. These inns are usually family-run and provide accommodation and meals for their guests. Ryokan usually feature tatami mat flooring, sliding paper doors and shoji paper-screens. They are a great way to experience a unique form of traditional Japanese culture as they provide an insight into the lifestyle of the locals. Ryokans are a great way to get away from it all and truly experience traditional Japan.

Ryokan: Traditional Japanese Inn

Shiseido Parlors in Japanese Traditional Houses

Shiseido parlors are a type of traditional Japanese tea ceremony. These parlors are usually found in traditional Japanese homes, such as minka and ryokan houses, and are characterized by their wooden frames, shoji paper-screens, and traditional tatami mats flooring. The focus of the shiseido ceremony is on the tea, which is served in a highly ritualized manner. The shiseido parlor provides an insight into the traditional culture of Japan and can be an unforgettable experience.

Shiseido Parlors in Japanese Traditional Houses

Appreciation for the Beauty of a Japanese Traditional-style House

Japanese Traditional-style house The appreciation of a distinctive Japanese traditional-style house is something to marvel at. From the use of minimalist styling to the incorporation of Zen elements , these dwellings are unique, earthly, and designed to be in harmony with nature. If the house is large enough, it may be accompanied by its own garden , utilizing large stones and concentrations of moss to bring forward the peace and tranquility of a traditional Japanese style. There are also small forged elements of luxury, such as shoji screen walls that are typically made of translucent paper, or rice paper , and set within a framework of wood. As for the tatami style, a room can be separated according to the needs of the dwellers. In the evenings, the room layout can be used for relaxation and tea and hosting guests. In the morning , the tatami can be transformed into an open and spacious area. Taking into account the necessary lifestyle of having an area to remove shoes and other items immediately after entering a house, the Japanese traditional style house has a genkan area . This is a mini-entrance and it serves as a practical way to separate the outside from the inner tranquillity. The arrangement of the furniture and items within a Japanese traditional-style house is also important. The furniture should be composed in a way, which not only follows the space but also the atmosphere of the house. This should be done using a basic symmetry or by positioning the furniture diagonally . Of course, the choice of colors used in a Japanese traditional style house should also not be overlooked as they bring an essential aspect of the house’s mood to life. Various neutral and subtle colors, as well as natural materials in the furnishings, all contribute to a simple and calm mood inside the house.

Lighting in a Japanese Traditional-style House

Japanese Traditional-style house Lighting in a Japanese traditional-style house is an overlooked element by many. To the Japanese, the lighting used in a typical house should be mostly natural light coming in from outside, as this is believed to bring in mild energy and air to the home. Natural illumination should be balanced with heavier, more traditional lighting at night. This can be done using a unique type of lighting known as ‘ ito-gi ’, which is a type of column-lighting made from Japanese cypress wood. In some parts of the home, such as the low and main tatami rooms, two ito-gi lamps are set up at the entrance to provide a warm and comfortable atmosphere. In addition, light boxes or mica floor lamps are often used to add accent lighting to rooms. These are positioned while keeping the overall balance of the house in mind, not only in placement but also color.

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