Micro-apartments, known as “kyosho jutaku” in Japan, have been around since the 13th century, when Kamo no Chomei wrote an essay about living in a small hut. However, their popularity surged in the 1990s when Japan’s population began to grow rapidly. Today, these compact living spaces are not only a solution to the country’s high population density and expensive real estate, but they also offer an affordable and practical option for single residents, such as college students and recent graduates.
These apartments typically range from 50 to 300 square feet. Despite their small size, these spaces are creatively designed to include all the necessary amenities such as a kitchen, a living area, a bathroom, and even a place for a washing machine. Some micro-apartments also feature communal bathrooms and kitchens, resembling dormitories. To maximize the limited space, the kitchen is often located in the hallway, and washing machines are placed in the main room. In an interesting twist, many of these tiny apartments even have a second floor, which is often used as a sleeping area.
Won Kim’s photo project offers an intimate exploration of a tiny apartment hotel in Tokyo, designed as a guesthouse for backpackers. Kim discovered the hotel during his backpacking trip across Japan and returned two years later to photograph it. He lived there for several months, getting to know the residents and capturing the compact, womb-like spaces they called home. The hotel is situated on a single floor of an office building in north-east Tokyo, housing both short-term visitors and essentially permanent residents. Photo by Won Kim.
In recent years, a real estate developer named Spilytus has built over 100 micro-apartment buildings under the brand Ququri. These units, which measure a mere 95 square feet, are equipped with a shower room, toilet room, kitchenette, and living area. Despite their size, which is roughly half that of a typical Tokyo studio apartment, they have attracted more than 1,500 tenants. Their popularity can be attributed to their affordability and strategic locations near transit-rich districts like Harajuku and Shibuya, where units rent for about $500 per month. These factors enable residents to live in their preferred neighborhoods without breaking the bank.
Kim’s fascination lay in how each resident utilized their small, confining space. The delineated tiny home and its contents revealed details about the inhabitant’s personality, quality of life, and their ability to adapt to such a unique, enclosed environment. These photographs not only document the living conditions but also provide a personal narrative of each resident, encapsulating their life within the confines of their tiny homes. Photo by Won Kim.
While residents of micro-apartments often report not having enough space to stretch out, many have embraced the minimalist lifestyle. Trends around minimalism and decluttering have made this “just-the-basics” lifestyle seem more appealing. Despite their size, some residents find these spaces relaxing and even beneficial for their health and lifestyle. For instance, one resident replaced their commute time with routine jogging and lost 30 pounds.
Living in a micro-apartment comes with several benefits. They offer cheap rent, making them an affordable option in expensive cities like Tokyo. Cleaning is also much easier due to the smaller space, and the limited space can help residents save money by discouraging unnecessary purchases. Furthermore, the small size of these apartments can be a good excuse for those who prefer a less sociable lifestyle.
Micro-apartments are not exclusive to Japan. The concept has been adopted in various U.S. cities facing high rents and homelessness issues. For instance, San Francisco is considering a 70-unit complex of transitional housing in tiny homes, and Los Angeles recently opened the Alexandria Park Tiny Home Village, which consists of 103 single-occupancy cabins. As the rental market intensifies, the U.S. could potentially learn from Japan’s approach to micro-housing.
