- Wood: Traditional Japanese buildings are often constructed using wood, due to the abundance of forests and the cultural value placed on woodcraft and joinery. Wood is particularly favored for its flexibility and resistance to earthquakes.
- Earth and stone: Natural elements such as earth, stone, or even soil are often used in the construction of traditional Japanese architecture, especially for foundations and walls. These materials provide thermal mass, helping to regulate indoor temperatures.
- Simplicity and minimalism: Japanese architecture tends to favor a sense of simplicity and minimalism. Buildings are often composed of clean lines, open spaces and understated ornamentation, reflecting the Japanese aesthetic values of wabi-sabi (imperfections and impermanence) and ma (negative or empty space).
- Flexibility: Many traditional Japanese buildings are designed with flexibility in mind. They may feature sliding doors, partitions or screens to easily modify the layout of a space according to changing needs or functions. This versatility allows for both private and communal spaces within the same structure.
- Roofs: Traditional Japanese buildings often have prominent, gently-sloped roofs. These roofs may be made of materials like tiles or thatch. They extend beyond the walls of the buildings for several purposes: to provide natural shade and protection to the structure from the elements, and to create overhangs that provide ventilation and light, while sheltering windows and doors from rain.
- Verandas: Many Japanese buildings feature verandas, which serve as transitional spaces between the interior of the building and the surrounding environment. They provide sheltered areas for outdoor activities, enjoying nature, or facilitating interaction with the outside world.
- Tatami mats: These woven straw or rush mats are a prevalent feature in Japanese buildings, especially traditional ones. They cover the floors of rooms and provide a multifunctional surface for sitting, sleeping, or conducting activities such as tea ceremonies or martial arts.
- Shoji screens: These translucent paper screens are commonly used in Japanese buildings to control light, ventilation and privacy. They can be slid or folded, creating customizable levels of openness or separation within a space.
