People who choose a Japanese-style room when searching for a home may seem to be in the minority, but these rooms actually offer many advantages that Western-style rooms do not, including lower rent and better ventilation. If you assess Japanese-style properties properly instead of avoiding them outright, you can achieve cost-effective solo living.
What are the advantages of living alone in a Japanese-style room?
Japanese-style rooms are often overlooked, but once you understand the following benefits, your perspective may change.
Rent tends to be lower even with the same location and floor area
Western-style rooms with flooring are the mainstream in the rental market, and popular properties often come with higher rent. Even with the same location and size, properties with Japanese-style rooms are often priced lower, which helps reduce monthly fixed expenses and makes them suitable for first-time solo renters as well.
Comfortable living through tatami's humidity control and air-purifying effects
The igusa rush used in tatami has natural humidity- and temperature-regulating properties. It absorbs moisture during the rainy season and summer, then releases it in winter, helping maintain a comfortable indoor environment. The hollow structure inside igusa also helps purify odors in the air, allowing it to function like a natural air purifier.
You can use space efficiently by storing away bedding
In a Western-style room, a bed takes up permanent space, but in a Japanese-style room, you can store your futon in the closet and use more of the room as living space during the day. This makes it easier to keep a limited layout feeling open and tidy.
Tatami helps reduce everyday noise problems through sound absorption
The air layers inside igusa act as sound-absorbing material, and they can absorb footsteps and impact noise to some extent. That makes tatami a reassuring option for people who work from home for long hours or who are concerned about nighttime living noise.
Soft cushioning improves safety
Tatami offers more cushioning than standard flooring, so dropped items are less likely to break and the impact of a fall is also reduced. It is a material with a well-established reputation, to the point that it is even used in judo dojos.
Built-in closets offer strong storage capacity
Built-in closets in Japanese-style rooms tend to have more height and depth than standard wardrobes, so with the right setup they can provide substantial storage. If you combine storage boxes and tension rods, you can improve storage capacity even further.
What kinds of Japanese-style rooms are best avoided?
When choosing a property with a Japanese-style room, pay attention to the following points.
Properties built before 1981 under the old seismic standard require careful confirmation
Properties with Japanese-style rooms tend to be older, and buildings constructed before the 1981 revision to Japan's seismic standards are not covered by the current standard. Be sure to confirm the seismic standard during the viewing.
Properties where the tatami has not been replaced for a long time
Tatami is generally turned over or replaced when tenants change, and its lifespan is about 10 years. Be sure to confirm when it was last replaced, because worn tatami cannot be expected to deliver its original performance.
Rooms with poor sunlight and poor airflow
Rooms that do not get much sunlight tend to trap moisture, making mold and dust mites more likely to develop. Because tatami's humidity-control effect has its limits, it is important to choose a room with as much sunlight and airflow as possible.
What layouts are recommended for solo living in a Japanese-style room?
To make the most of the texture and character of a Japanese-style room, the following three interior directions are recommended.
Modern style
Pairing the room with earth-tone or monochrome furniture and decor can turn a Japanese-style room into a modern space. Using darker colors in wallpaper or fusuma sliding doors can also be effective.
Industrial or vintage style
By keeping the color palette restrained and unifying the material feel, even a vintage style that may seem difficult at first can work well with a Japanese-style room. Adding accent colors in small amounts also helps sharpen the overall space.
Pop and natural style
If you use soft tones such as white and wood grain as the base and keep the palette to two or three colors, you can create a cohesive and warm space. It is also a style that makes it easy to gather decor that matches your personal taste.
When looking for a rental property with a Japanese-style room, it also helps to understand the basics of pre-move-in inspection and restoration responsibilities so you can avoid trouble.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q. Is it okay to place Western-style furniture in a Japanese-style room?
Yes, that is generally fine. However, furniture with casters or thin legs can damage tatami. It is advisable to protect the surface by attaching felt pads or furniture cork to the bottom.
Q. What should I do if I want to use a bed in a Japanese-style room?
Choose a low bed or a slatted bed designed to distribute weight across the tatami. Types that concentrate pressure on a single point are more likely to damage the tatami.
Q. How can I prevent mold and dust mites in a Japanese-style room?
The basics are regular ventilation and dehumidification. During the rainy season, use the dehumidifying function on your air conditioner and air out your bedding regularly to release trapped moisture.
Q. If the tatami is deteriorated, can the landlord ask me to cover the cost?
As a rule, deterioration caused by normal use is the owner's responsibility (see the restoration guidelines issued by Japan's Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism). However, it is important to document the condition before moving in.
