What is 1LDK Apartments? – Compared to 1K, 1R and 1DK

When browsing apartment listings in Japan, you often come across terms such as 1R, 1K, 1DK, and especially 1LDK, one of the most popular apartment options. This article will explain what is 1LDK Apartments as well as distinguish it from other types of one-room studio apartments.

Housing Layout in Japan

R, L, D, K Meaning

R,L,D,K are abbreviations to describe the layout of an apartment or a house in the world of Japanese real estate. These terms will indicate the number of rooms as well as the functions of the rooms, excluding bathroom/ toilet or foyer (genkan) where the shoes are taken off. The meaning of R,L,D,K is as follows:

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Besides, a number is usually added before these above terms to indicate how many bedrooms there are.

Some samples are:

1R = one room apartment

1K = one bedroom apartment with a separate kitchen

1DK = one bedroom apartment with separate dining and kitchen area

1LDK = one bedroom apartment with separate living, dining and kitchen area

Other features

What are 1R, 1K, and 1DK Apartments?

1R – One Room Apartment

“1R” or ワンルーム (wanru—mu) is the simplest type of apartment in Japan as it literally refers to a room. There are no walls or any type of division separating the entryway, bedroom, and kitchen. As you walk into this compact layout, you can see all its barely minimal functions within your reach. There is only enough room in the kitchen for a counter with one electric stove and a small fridge underneath. The bathroom type used in 1R is normally “unit bath” which consists of tub, sink, and toilet.

洋室 means Western-style room (no tatami flooring)

Some 1R in big cities arrange beds in lofts to save space. In that case, it can be hot during summers, and not possible for taller people to sit or stand up. Furthermore, note that you risk suffering from the food smell ruining your clothes, your sleeping, and the whole atmosphere in the room. Last but not least, you shouldn’t expect storage, a built-in closet, or a washing machine in 1R.

Some 1R in big cities arrange beds in lofts to save space.

Pros: low price, suitable for one person

Cons: no built-in closet and washer, maybe no stove (you need to buy a portable electric stove yourself), sleeping and cooking in the same space

1K – One bedroom apartment with a separate kitchen

The primary difference between a 1K and 1R is that in a 1K layout, there is a separation between the entryway, bedroom, and kitchen.  However, 1K apartment is not too much more spacious than 1R, the main room both ranges from 13-sqm to 25-sqm on average. This means that it is hard to find a place for some pieces of furniture. Another similarity between 1K and 1R is both come with prefabricated bathroom instead of separated toilet and bathroom. But a plus point for 1K is there is usually a balcony where you can put a washing machine and hang the wet clothes. Besides, the kitchen in 1K can contain more than a stove, including a sink, a hood with a cupboard underneath.

1 jyou is 3.03 sqm so 8 jyoy is about 24 sqm.

1K apartments are an ideal choice regarding affordability almost the same as a 1R but allow residents to avoid food smells from the kitchen saturating linens and clothes

In a 1K layout, there is a separation between the entryway, bedroom, and kitchen.

Pros: affordable, suitable for one person, the wall between bedroom and kitchen

Cons: no built-in closet, small kitchen counter which is also a corridor

1DK – One bedroom apartment with a separate dining and kitchen area

Obviously, as D stands for “dining” and K stands for “kitchen”, 1DK has a separate place for both dining and kitchen. 1DK is considerably larger than 1R and 1K, its main floor space can be around 25-sqm to 30-sqm. The bathroom can be unit or separated from the toilet like in the floor plan below. Most 1DKs are furnished with built-in storage, some will also have built-in closets.

1DK is considerably larger than 1R and 1K, its main floor space can be around 25-sqm to 30-sqm.

Unlike 1R and 1K apartments, 1DK apartments expand the space for eating purposes as well as storage. It also means full-size fridge and two-burner stoves, of course. But as the convenience increases, so does the price, which may be pretty high for students or short-time visitors.

Unlike 1R and 1K apartments, 1DK apartments expand the space for eating purposes as well as storage.

Pros: built-in storage and closet, more spacious kitchen fitted with dining space, separate place to sleep and eat, separate toilet and bath

Cons: quite expensive for one person

What is 1LDK Apartment

1LDK is the biggest type of condo designed for single people and also the most common in big cities. The floor place really varies from 25-sqm to 35-sqm and even more regarding luxurious apartments. It has a space for the living room, dining room, and kitchen, which is separated from the bedroom by the wall. This space is usually much larger than the bedroom. So you can have proper sleeping space and still enough living/dining/kitchen room for more items and even some styles to your house. In 1LDKs, the bathroom and toilet should be separate. Built-in storage or closet should also be available.

1LDK has a space for the living room, dining room, and kitchen, which is separated from the bedroom by the wall.

Thanks to its roominess, 1LDK can house two people or even small families. Moreover, you can lead a pleasant life and coordinate your interiors. Even though the rental cost for a 1LDK will depend on the size, location, age, floor number, in Tokyo, a renter must pay ¥120,000 ($1,100) to get a 23 ward 1LDK.

In a 1LDK apartment, you can lead a pleasant life and coordinate your interiors.

Pros: well-furnished with closets, storage and wash; a living/dining/kitchen space; multiple rooms to decorate;

Cons: too spacious, expensive for one person

Have a 1LDK Virtual Room Tour through this video: