Behind a simple concrete exterior, this house by Japanese architect Tsubasa Iwahashi contains a complex arrangement of rooms connected by three different kinds of staircase (+ slideshow). More about Tsubasa Iwahashi completes Hyōgo house containing three types of staircase
An elevated terrace stretches along one side of this narrow house in Nara, Japan, providing the residents with glimpses into the neighbourhood (+ slideshow). More about House in Nara by Keiichi Sugiyama boasts a raised cedar terrace
Volcanic ash is mixed into the concrete shell of this angular house in central Tokyo, which was designed by Atelier Tekuto for a pair of chemists (+ slideshow). More about Atelier Tekuto completes crystalline concrete home for two chemists
A traditional Japanese construction method was used for this house in Tokyo, which features four wooden columns arranged in a square to support the rest of the timber frame (+ slideshow). More about FT Architects' 4 Columns house features a traditional timber frame and minimal interior
A bright orange wall screens a staircase that leads to a bathroom on top of this concrete house in Tokyo by Takuro Yamamoto Architects (+ slideshow). More about Concrete home by Takuro Yamamoto Architects overlooks an allotment and woods near Tokyo
A pair of large terraces channel through one side of this white house in Tokyo by Takuro Yamamoto Architects, providing residents with an outdoor yoga space and a sheltered parking area (+ slideshow). More about Little House Big Terrace by Takuro Yamamoto Architects features an elevated yoga terrace
This house in Osaka by Japanese studio Tato Architects features walls that step back and forth, worktops that merge with staircases, and windows that wrap around entire rooms (+ slideshow). More about Tato Architects' House in Toyonaka is divided into offset horizontal volumes
The zigzagging roof of this house near Mount Fuji was designed by architect Hiroki Tominaga to help snow slide off, and its profile is highlighted after dark by a glowing facade (+ slideshow). More about Angular roof helps Mount Fuji house by Hiroki Tominaga Atelier shed snow
Surrounded by farmland in rural Japan, this house by architecture studio Tailored Design Lab features a steeply pointed roof that frames views of the landscape, and an oversized chimney that provides natural ventilation (+ slideshow). More about Family house in Japan designed by Tailored Design Lab to embrace its farmland setting
Long horizontal windows step around the matt black facade of this family home in Osaka by Alphaville Architects to frame different views of the nearby Yodo River (+ slideshow). More about Windows spiral towards the roof of Osaka house by Alphaville Architects
A deep slice through the body of this house by Japanese studio Alphaville reveals a trio of staircases that angle up between different rooms (+ slideshow). More about Alphaville's Slice of the City is a house cut into two uneven sections
The concrete walls of this Tokyo house were designed by architect Hugo Kohno to step in and out, giving the building extra structural support while creating built-in shelves and seating (+ slideshow). More about Cranks house by Hugo Kohno features concrete walls that step in and out
The couple that occupy this combined home and workspace in Tokyo each have their own domain – downstairs is a salon for a hairdresser, while upstairs contains a workspace for a writer (+ slideshow). More about Wooden house by Suzuki Architects also contains a hair salon and a writing studio
Parisian office DGT Architects aimed to condense the architectural history of Japan's houses into a single home with this elevated timber volume supported on an earth-clad base. More about DGT Architects' A House for Oiso aims to "capture the essence of Japan from all ages"
This Tokyo house and office for a funeral director has been split into three sections so that two can be removed later, in case a planned road gets built through the site (+ slideshow). More about Shingle-clad home by Starpilots can be split up to make way for a road expansion
MAMM Design has completed a two-storey residence in Kai, Japan, featuring a long mezzanine described as a street where the family can come together (+ slideshow). More about Open-plan house in Japan by MAMM Design features mezzanine "street"
Black textured walls give this seemingly windowless Tokyo residence by ARTechnic Architects a bunker-like appearance (+ slideshow). More about Angular black walls fold around SRK home in Tokyo by ARTechnic Architects
Japanese studio Niji Architects has squeezed two homes into its Town House in Takaban, which features a steeply pitched roof, windowless gables and strips of horizontal steel cladding (+ slideshow). More about Gabled townhouse in Tokyo by Niji Architects is clad in strips of white steel
The minimal interior of this house in Japan's Hyogo prefecture features a basic palette of white walls and wood surfaces aimed at providing a calm and comfortable environment for its elderly residents. More about Tsubasa Iwahashi converts a family home into a stripped-back dwelling for empty nesters
The roof of this Japanese home by Y+M Design Office has been designed to hang like a shawl, drooping over the house to cover a terrace, tea room and carport (+ slideshow). More about Shawl House by Y+M Design Office has a roof that slopes down to shelter a tea room and terrace