Traditional Japanese homes are constructed by stacking wooden columns on top of a level base of packed dirt or stones. Wooden homes may be found all over the world. The floor is elevated several tens of centimeters and placed across horizontal hardwood floor beams to avoid dampness from the ground. Ceilings are high with heavy timbering.
In more modern houses, floors are usually made of wood or concrete. There are many different types of furniture used in Japanese homes. Tables can be round or square, with legs that go straight down or at an angle. Chairs have backs and are used instead of beds. Beds are called tatami because they are often made of rice straw and beaten into a thin flat sheet known as a tatami. They are put up for the night by folding them back lengthwise and then tying them together at the corners with sisal rope.
Japanese homes do not have windows but instead use sliding doors made of wood or bamboo. These are opened and closed using large brass knobs or handles. Some rich people had their houses wrapped in silk curtains but otherwise it's just plain wood everywhere you look.
Modern apartments and condominiums are also built with bare walls. A few paintings or photographs are hung on the wall but most of it is empty space. Bedrooms have white sheets spread out on the bed as a decorative element alone. Pillows are only used as decoration too.
Japanese homes feature a big roof and deep eaves to shield the house from the scorching summer sun, and the frame of the building bears the weight of the roof. The size of a Japanese home depends on who lives in it; if it is a single man, he will probably have a smaller house than if it is a family with many children. There are several different types of Japanese houses, depending on where they are built:
In cities, modern apartments and condominiums are more common. These structures use metal and plastic instead of wood for their frames, which are usually hollow so that people can move around inside without affecting their temperature. The walls and ceilings are made of panels that can be taken off to allow for easy cleaning or to add new colors to the apartment.
In rural areas, farmers build simple one-story houses with wood frames and tiled roofs. They are usually only about five rooms long, but some larger houses have been built in Japan.
In cool climates such as in Hokkaido, Japan, people build large wooden mansions with many rooms and decorations. These are for sale to wealthy owners who want to live in them while they go about their daily business in the city.
House walls used to be built of woven bamboo coated with dirt on both sides. Today, they are mostly made of wood.
Traditional Japanese buildings have three levels, with living space on the upper floor and storage space on the lower floor. The kitchen is located on the first floor next to the entryway. The toilet (or "toilette") is usually located outside, in a separate structure called a "bathhouse".
Modern buildings often use less land than their traditional counterparts and can be much taller. They may also have several floors, with office spaces, shopping areas, etc. inside them.
When a new building is constructed, the existing site is typically cleared away before the foundation is laid. This may mean removing trees, plants, or other features that make the site unique. Once the foundation is in place, it provides support for further construction projects. The basement is then filled with concrete to provide extra stability and drainage for when it rains. The first story consists of one main room, which is usually the living room, while the second story has more bedrooms. A traditional Japanese house will usually have four rooms on the first floor and two on the second, but this could be any number of rooms.
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