Japanese Urban Apartment An Introduction

Question of the Day Based on the film clip, list and explain two differences you notice between living spaces in Japan and the United States.

Living Space: USA vs. Japan Japanese cities tend to have small living spaces Why? Japan is a much smaller country than the USA Check out this blueprint of a Japanese apartment in the next slide:

Small Spaces The size of Japanese apartments is often calculated based on the number of Tatami Mats that can fit in the apartment Tatami Mats are traditional flooring mats used in Japanese Homes

Other Differences Wearing Shoes in a person’s home is considered impolite in Japan Japanese homes will often have a bin for shoe storage in the main entryway

Other Differences To save space the bathroom is often broken down into 2 rooms: 1 room for the toilet 1 room with a sink and shower

Futons: Traditional Japanese bedding which folds up during the day to save space Western Style Futon Japanese Futons

Tour a Japanese Urban Apartment Watch this 1 minute youtube video and write down 3 differences you notice between an American and Japanese Apartment http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZHmIn0Ji628

Examples from other classes

Sources http://okinawahai.com/2008/12/shoe-cabinet.html http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Futon http://classroomforthelittle.blogspot.com/2011/05/japanese-box-apartments.html