Find 86+ Inspiring Japanese Pole House Design Not To Be Missed

The traditional Japanese house design, or nohara shinden, is one of the most iconic and popular styles of Japanese architecture. Popular during the Heian Period of Japan (794-1185), it is characterized by its use of wooden columns, thick walls, tiled roofs, and an asymmetrical gabled layout. Nohara shinden is often seen as a combination of Japanese culture and tradition; it not only looks beautiful, but is designed for function, allowing for a comfortable and spacious interior.

Relatively in-tune with modern times, traditional Japanese house design is still popular in many spots in Japan. It incorporates both the beauty of nature and the practicality of modern architecture, making it the perfect aesthetic choice for anyone looking to create a timeless residence.

Modern Japanese house designs are what a lot of people think of when imagining a Japanese-style home – the inclusion of vast balconies, sliding doors, and open-air courtyards. These designs take advantage of the traditional elements while incorporating modern features to create a comfortable and visually appealing design.

Highly versatile, modern Japanese house designs mix well with nature, harkening back to the origins of traditional architecture. Moreover, they can be constructed using complex building materials – from wood and concrete to steel and stone. These constructions emphasize subtlety, grace, and lightness – desires that have been around for centuries in Japanese architecture.

The tatami house design, or futon-inari, is another common, traditional Japanese house design. Despite having origins in 12th century Heian Period palaces, this design has come a long way since then and its structures can now be seen all over Japan.

Designed to be relatively large and spacious, tatami house designs include a floor that is slightly lower than the rest of the house, distinctively separated by a wooden deck railing. A roof normally divided into two sections also distinguishes the design, with the lower section covering the balcony. With this aesthetic comes an airy and comforting atmosphere, often with furniture cushioned on the floor.

Sophisticated and understated, minimalist Japanese house designs are characterized by their minimalistic decor and open spaces, allowing for the natural beauty of the outdoors to be present. This style is popular amongst the Japanese, as it allows for tidy, flexible living with ample space for movement.

With this design, furniture is kept minimal, with sparse, essential pieces deemed enough to work around. Walls are also kept plain, without intricate patterns or detailing, to make the most of what little furniture can be included. Houses with this style also include a small garden in the backyard, making a seamless transition of the outdoors and indoors.

Zen house designs, or tea aisatsu, heavily emphasize simplicity and practicality, reflecting traditional Japanese ideals. Embracing the Japanese idea of bustling nothingness, these designs offer a natural and serene atmosphere with an overall calming presence.

Zen house designs encourage the use of natural materials to create an open, airy atmosphere; wood is popularly used for elements such as monk-style lounging chairs. Furthermore, minimalistic furniture allowed within these designs, as it is believed that fewer things clutter the mind and open it to spiritual exploration; ideas like bonsai trees and traditional Japanese artwork help keep this atmosphere consistent.

The fusuma house design, or fusuma no zukuri, takes its name from the fusuma sliding door panels that are commonly used within this architecture. It originated in the 16th century in Japan, combining elements of Western and traditional Japanese architecture.

The Fusuma house design uses tall wooden structures, ocean paper walls, and tatami mats to achieve its distinct aesthetics. Its distinctive sliding doors are paper-covered, and divide the house into spaces, with one room leading into another to provide privacy. The Japanese idea of simplicity is seen in the lack of external windows; light is provided through the gaps in the sliding doors and roofs, instead.

The techo house design, or yane no techo, is notable for its ornamental roofs made of latticed-wood. This design includes steep-angled walls that make the design feel more like a castle, and was commonly used for the houses of samurai soldiers.

The traditionally designed techo house incorporates the principles of feng shui, promoting the idea that people should be balanced in their environment. The elements within the design -such as the heavy beams, the decorative eaves, and the strong tea house walls- all work cohesively to bring the building together. Techo houses are often used as guesthouses, displaying traditional-meets-modern aesthetics.

The Minka house design, or minka no zukuri, is a typical Japanese traditional residence – constructed with a framework of wood, mud, and clay walls, and an elevated hurricane-rated roof. It is characterized by its broad overhanging eaves, which provide shade and protection from the elements.

Minka house designs are found all over Japan, and even in other parts of Asia. They have developed over time and have been adapted to fit the needs and lifestyles of people throughout the centuries. A favorite of the common folk, it is a great representation of the traditional Japanese style of living and is an excellent choice for anyone wanting to recreate that aesthetic.

The Gassho-style house design, or gassho no zukuri, is an architectural style found mainly in Japan. Taking its name from the Japanese word “kuwa”, which means “in the shadow of two horizontal rafters”, this style of house design focuses on the harmony of two opposing structures.

Characterized by its steeply pitched roof and inverted-V shape, Gasshao-style house designs protrude from the walls of the building. Its walls are made of earth, straw, and wood, and its roof is constructed with either thatch or fine wood shingles. Coffee-color is the most common shade used to paint its walls, promoting warmth and comfort.

The Shoji house design, or shoji no zukuri, is one of the most recognized styles of architecture in Japan. Its distinguishing feature is the use of a paper-covered sliding panel door, which allows the occupants to separate rooms from one another while still maintaining the same level of lighting in each room.

In addition, Shoji house designs have a limited number of furniture; they depend heavily on floor space, usually filled with pillows and cushions instead of cabinets and chairs. This design also uses paper for its internal walls and windows, creating a calming atmosphere with its natural lighting that is both energy and space-efficient.