Building

kenpeiritsu -建蔽率

This refers to the propotion between footprint of the building and the land area it sits on. The area of the building as seen from above is called the “building area (horizontal projected area).” For instance, if a two-story house has different areas on the first and second floors, the larger area will be considered the building area.

yosekiritsu -容積率

This refers to the propotion of a building’s total floor area to the size of the land it sits on. The total floor area is the sum of the floor space across all levels of the building. For instance, in a three-story house, the total floor area is the combined space of the first, second, and third floors.

senyomenseki / senyumenseki -専用面積/専有面積

“專有面積” refers to the floor space within a unit that the residents can freely use. On the other hand, “專用面積” includes not only the living space but also areas like balconies that have exclusive usage rights. As a result, “專用面積” is typically larger than the “專有面積”.

jo -帖・畳

“畳” and “帖” are both quantifiers used to measure room size. One “帖” equals about 1.62 square meters. In the past, since most rooms were traditional Japanese-style, room size was typically described by the number of tatami mats, or “畳”. However, as Western-style rooms and flooring became more common, “畳” continued to be used for Japanese-style rooms, while “帖” was used for Western-style rooms. This change reflects the evolution of room design over time.

nando -納戸

Originally, a “納戶” referred to a space for storing clothes and other items inside the house. In real estate ads, it often describes rooms without windows or with very small windows. According to Building Standards Act, residential rooms must have windows that are at least one-seventh of the room’s floor area in size (Building Standards Act Articles 28, Section 1). Recently, the term “Service Room” has also become common. There is not a clear difference between “Service room” and “納戶”—it is mainly a matter of style. In Japanese-style homes, it is usually called a “納戶”, while in Western-style homes, it is referred to as a “Service Room.” On floor plans, “S” means “Service Room”, and “N” means “納戶”.

kensazumisho -検査済証

Under Japan’s Building Standards Act, newly constructed or renovated buildings must undergo inspections to ensure they meet legal standards. After construction is completed, a designated inspector or authority conducts an on-site inspection and issues a certificate based on the results. This certificate proves that the building meets the standards of the Building Standards Act and is safe. It is extremely important in real estate transactions. If a building doesn’t have this certificate, it could affect the property’s value and impact loans or insurance.

apato, manshon -アパート、マンション

Apartments and condominiums are both types of multi-unit housing, but they have some differences. Apartments are usually older buildings, often made of wood or light steel frames. They tend to have lower rent and come in various sizes. Condominiums are typically made of concrete, offering better earthquake resistance, and are usually newer. They generally have better management and more amenities.