Wood in Japan

In Japan, pieces of wood have been discovered from the Jomon Prehistoric Sites dating back more than 5,000 years, telling us that people have used wood in their daily lives since that time. Today, the Japanese people continue to use wood to build houses and furniture and make a variety of other everyday items.

Why, then, does Japan have so many trees, and why do the Japanese build their homes out of wood?

Here we explain the tree culture Japan has nurtured—a subject people normally pay little attention to—as well as high value-added Japanese lumber, its durability and seismic resistance, and the unique features of Japanese trees.

Tree culture or Wood
culture
in Japan

01 Introduction:
Japan’s land and its wood culture

Two-thirds of land in Japan is forested, and a wide range of over 700 types of trees can be found in those forests. Learn how Japan’s rich natural environment was created.

02 Traditional Japanese wooden homes that can withstand severe climates and earthquakes

Even today, homes in Japan are built of wood. This is not only because wood was easily accessible. Here, we look at the reasons from the perspective of Japan’s weather and natural disasters.

03 Features of Japanese trees and timber

What types of wood are commonly used in Japan, and what are their characteristics? This section introduces a number of typical Japanese tree species and their uses.

04 Features of Japanese homes and wooden furniture

The Japanese take their shoes off in the home. The homes themselves have other features unique to Japan, including tatami mats, shoji and fusuma. Learn how this distinctive style of housing came about.

05 Durability, fire resistance, seismic resistance, and termite-repellent features of Japanese lumber

When compared to stone or brick, wood is generally a lighter, softer material. How do houses made of wood compare in terms of durability, fire and seismic resistance, and other features? This section explains the safety and security offered by wooden homes.