If you are looking for home design inspiration, minimalist home trends in Japan can be a source of inspiration. Minimalist style has developed rapidly and is becoming a very popular trend for residential design in Japan. What amazes me, the resulting minimalist small house architectural style looks perfectly meets the standard needs, even though the size is very narrow.

The trend of minimalist Japanese-style homes is also influenced by the earthquake cycle that often hits Japan. A house with minimal furniture is a concern of architects when designing a house to be earthquake friendly. This influence then becomes the hallmark of a minimalist Japanese-style house that looks authentic. The available furniture is only the main furniture that is really needed according to the needs and lifestyle of each home owner.

In addition, the housing industry in Japan continues to adapt to the increasingly limited availability of land. As a result, architects had to come up with ideas for creating a proper place to live. Because of these challenges, modern Japanese house designs have their own characteristics. One of them is getting rid of things that are considered unnecessary.

Here are some minimalist urban house designs in the land of Sakura, which might be an inspiration for those of you who are facing the same problem.

Slice of The City, by Alphaville Architects

Alphaville architects must find solutions to challenging situations. Clients want extra privacy, yet still get enough light into this minimalist urban home in Nishinomiya. As a result, the dwelling entitled “Slice of the City” manifests as a large block sliced ​​by vertical void that passes through as access to the entry of light. To maintain privacy, a ladder was made as a link between the two blocks.

Module Grid House, by Tetsuo Yamaji Architects

The house, which was built in Kanto District, applies an ancient housing metric system to differentiate it from other housing estates in the vicinity. Made with a “prefabricated” system, to facilitate construction. Creating a residence that is the perfect blend of contemporary and traditional architecture.

House in Midorigaoka, Architects Tattoo Work

The “House in Midorigaoka” contrasts with the typical Japanese suburban buildings you are used to seeing. Its simplicity and straight lines convey a contemporary sensibility. Careful distribution and selection of materials for the entire room, has covered the needs of each space.

“Relation” was built as a two-story house covered with a concrete structure. This Japanese house makes use of its interior distribution to create more floors. Visually, the design shows the parts of the floor that seem connected to one another. With various zones prepared, “Relation” is a house that keeps all the Japanese elements and characters.

House in Nagoya

This house, which only uses white paint, applies a house design that follows the flow of contemporary Japanese architecture. The main characteristic of this house in the Nagoya area is having windows and an inside garden for better lighting inside the house. The combination of the two results in the meeting center of several different spaces. At the point where it meets, there are natural and artificial components that combine beautifully.

Koro House

“Koro House” is a hexagonal house in a Japanese residency area. The corner of the hexagon forms a zone separation like an open exterior garden, with a private garden. There is a large common central zone on the inside of the house. Various places are arranged in such a way not only for comfort, but also for the privacy of the residents.

House in Minamimachi 03, Karya Suppose Design Office

“House in Minamimachi” is made hidden behind a concrete shell. The box shape that shaded the part of the house is used as a pattern to build the interior area. A light source sits on one side of an angled corner, to integrate the exterior and interior of the building.

Gandare House

“Gandare House” takes advantage of its tiny form by accentuating a distinctive facade full of innovation. In order not to appear boring, the designer uses a minimum of furniture made of metal and wood. This combination makes “Gandare House” a simple house, but not boring.