The Trend of Tatami Rooms in Floor Plan

—Case of Detached Houses in the Tokyo Metropolitan Area—

Abstract

In this study, we analyzed the data obtained from our questionnaire survey of the families living in independent custom-made houses in the Tokyo metropolitan area. The number, location and function of the tatami rooms were investigated with a view to examining the future prospect of tatami rooms in the area. The results are as follows: About 7% of the families have no tatami room. About half of those families had to abandon the idea of having a tatami room due to restrictions such as the scale of the house or building cost. It appears that younger families have fewer tatami rooms. About 57% of the families have one tatami room. The majority of them arranged the tatami room connected to the western style living room to serve as guest room. About 28% of the families have two tatami rooms. Both location and function of tatami room are varied; a combination of using them as Japanese style living room (next to western style living room) and as master bedroom (separated from other rooms) is often found. About 30% of the families have two spaces for relaxation, i.e., a western style living room and a Japanese style living room. In other words, a tatami room functions as the second living room.