Exploring Japanese interiors

Thanks to my husband's redundancy payout, my young family and I were able to travel to Japan over the recent school holidays. This was my fourth visit to this incredible country, and as always, we had a fantastic time. Our daughters were fully immersed in the rich culture and cuisine that Japan is renowned for.

Japanese interiors have always captivated me with their unique blend of simplicity, elegance, and functionality. They reflect a deep connection to nature and traditional aesthetics, which I find incredibly inspiring.

Key elements of Japanese interior design include minimalism, the use of natural materials like wood and bamboo, and traditional features such as tatami mats and shoji screens. The muted colour palette and Zen influences further enhance the serene and harmonious atmosphere.

The beauty of Japanese interiors lies in their ability to create peaceful and balanced environments that foster a mindful lifestyle. They beautifully showcase the respect for nature, craftsmanship, and cultural heritage that are deeply ingrained in Japanese design.

Minimalism

Japanese interiors often embrace a minimalist approach, focusing on uncluttered spaces. This simplicity creates a sense of calm and allows for mindful living. It should be said that Japan has an extremely high population (123 million+) and yet a small land mass which is riddled with mountains, this has accumulated in smaller interior spaces which to feel organised usually are minimal in aesthetic.

Natural Materials

Wood, bamboo, paper (washi), and stone are commonly used in construction and decor. These materials not only add warmth but also contribute to a connection with nature. I'd like to also make note that I'd very rarely come across white plasterboard walls, most interior walls were finished in tiles, wallpaper or Tsuchikabe, an earthen wall comprising of clay, rice straw, sand and seaweed.

Yanaka Sow entry foyer with raised tatami mat flooring and shoji screens. Photo by me.

Tatami Mats

Traditional Japanese homes or ryokan often feature tatami mat flooring, made from rice straw and covered with woven rush grass. They provide a unique texture and warmth to the space. We experienced many lovely interiors featuring tatami mats, each with their own colourful edging. At the Kyoto Imperial Palace, the mats had different colours based on hierarchy and who would be using the rooms.

Traditional tatami mat flooring in one of our accommodation stays. Photo by me.

Shoji and Fusuma

Shoji sliding panels made of wood and rice paper offer versatility in space, allowing for flexible room layouts while diffusing light softly. Fusuma are sliding panels used to separate rooms, often decorated with beautiful artwork. Fusuma can help create privacy while maintaining an open and airy feel.

Kyoto children's bedroom with fusuma sliding screen doors, detailed bedhead and textured walls.

Colour Palette 

Japanese interiors typically favour a muted palette, using earth tones and subtle hues that promote tranquility. Accents of colour can be found through natural elements like plants or art pieces.

Outdoor Connection

Japanese design often blurs the line between indoor and outdoor spaces, incorporating large windows or screens and gardens that harmonize with the interior. Often you will see beautiful stones carefully placed within the garden with a feature ornamental tree.

Our accommodation in Kyoto had a small yet impactful private rear garden which could be viewed from the bathroom side window or the family tatami room.

If you have any questions or are curious about particular aspects of Japanese design, please don't hesitate to contact me. I'm eager to hear from you and keep the discussion going, thank you for exploring Japanese interiors with me.

I'm excited to share more of my global travel insights from my next adventure, which is to Palm Springs later this month. I'll be delving deeper into the world of mid-century modern interiors and exploring specific aspects and styles that I found particularly intriguing.

Generate conversation, Jenni