Thisispaper Community
Join today.
Enter your email address to receive the latest news on emerging art, design, lifestyle and tech from Thisispaper, delivered straight to your inbox.
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.
Instant access to new channels
The top stories curated daily
Weekly roundups of what's important
Weekly roundups of what's important
Original features and deep dives
Exclusive community features
Jutaku — Guide to the Most Extraordinary Modern Homes in Japan

Discover jutaku—a fascinating exploration of Japan's small but radically designed homes, where constraints breed innovation.

Jutaku — Guide to the Most Extraordinary Modern Homes in Japan

In Japan, where land is scarce and urban life pulses at breakneck speed, a new kind of architecture has emerged, pushing the boundaries of what a home can be. This phenomenon, known as jutaku, is more than just an architectural trend—it's a radical rethinking of how space is defined, used, and experienced.

While the word jutaku simply translates to "house" in Japanese, the homes it represents are anything but simple. Built on minuscule plots, often no larger than a parking spot, jutaku homes are at the forefront of design innovation, where every inch is a provocation, a challenge, and an opportunity for creative rebellion.

At first glance, these houses may seem chaotic, even eccentric—angular façades jutting out from narrow streets, contorted geometries that seem to defy logic. Yet it is precisely this audacity that makes jutaku so captivating. Far from being haphazard, each of these homes is a marvel of engineering and design, transforming what could be seen as spatial limitations into exhilarating experiments. Architects like Kengo Kuma, Ryue Nishizawa and Sou Fujimoto have embraced these constraints, creating structures that not only stand out visually but redefine how we think about living in dense, modern cities.

In the world of jutaku, there is no hierarchy. A modest structure from an emerging architect might sit comfortably alongside a masterpiece from a renowned figure like Tadao Ando. Here, it's not about prestige or legacy but the sheer force of innovation. These homes don’t blend into the backdrop—they stand defiantly apart, making bold, unapologetic statements on the streets of Japan. They challenge the viewer and the inhabitant alike to reconsider what a home can be. How small is too small? How abstract is too abstract? Jutaku houses operate in a space where questions like these are embraced rather than avoided.

Beyond their avant-garde exteriors, jutaku homes are also studies in efficiency. Every inch of these compact spaces is meticulously crafted to serve multiple functions. Staircases double as bookshelves, walls fold away to reveal hidden storage, and entire rooms shift to adapt to the changing needs of the day. These houses aren’t just a response to the physical limitations of urban Japan—they are a commentary on how we might live smarter, leaner, and more thoughtfully in a world where space is increasingly at a premium. They are, in many ways, a glimpse into the future of urban living.

But what makes jutaku truly thrilling is its sense of impermanence. In Japan, homes are often seen as temporary, lasting just 30 years before being replaced by something new. This mindset allows for a kind of architectural freedom seldom found elsewhere—a willingness to experiment, to embrace the ephemeral nature of existence. It’s a philosophy that permeates jutaku, where homes are not bound by tradition but are free to explore the wildest edges of architectural possibility.

Below are 10 extraordinary projects we’ve selected to give you a sense of what jutaku is all about. If you’re ready to dive deeper and unlock full access to the Jutaku Edition, subscribe to Thisispaper+ now.

No items found.
Jutaku is a collection of 90+ Project.

Subscribe to Thisispaper+ to get total access to all travel guides, special editions, print archive, submission module and more.
Join Thisispaper+
Jutaku
90+ Projects
Web Access
Link to Maps
90+ Projects
Mobile Access
Apple/Google Maps
japan
familyhouse
interiors
architecture
‘Jūtaku’ is the Japanese word for ‘house’. Nowhere in the world have architects built so many small and exceptional homes as in Japan, and nowhere with such ingenuity and success.
Population: 
Cost of Espresso: 
Time Zone: 
Jutaku
Join +
We love less
but there is more.
Become a Thisispaper+ member today to unlock full access to our magazine, advanced tools, and support our work.
Travel Guides
Japan Guide
Explore Guides +
Submission Module
Submit your work to reach our global 2M audience.
Curated Editions
Art on Blockchain
Explore Editions +
Bonus: the fuzzy feeling of supporting an independent family-run company ✨
Thisispaper Magazine
A book of stories about thinkers and makers.
In this publication we have collected stories from the designers and artists that inspire us with their creativity and skill. Whether working in fashion, design, photography or architecture, they share the commitment to process and have a strong, personal voice.

How do you create an inspiring workplace? How does the space we work in influence our health? Can the workspace boost your creativity and well-being? To answer these questions we reached out to experts in the field.
Go to Shop