What's the Difference Between 1R, 1K, 1DK, and 1LDK Apartments?

When looking for an apartment in Japan, you will likely come across terms like 1R, 1K, 1DK, and 1LDK. These terms, which indicate the general floorplan of the apartment, are widely used all over Japan, but foreign residents new to the country may be unfamiliar with them. In this article, we explain the differences between these floorplans, as well as each one’s advantages and disadvantages.

The Meaning of K/R/D/L

The letters used in the floorplans are the first letter of a type of room in English, as shown below:

R: Room (a bedroom space; the initial number in the floorplan indicates the number of rooms, and the R is omitted for all floorplans except for 1R)

K: Kitchen (a space for cooking)

D: Dining (a space that can be used as dining room with a table, chairs, etc.)

L: Living (a space that can be used as a living room with a sofa, TV set, etc.)

1R (One Room)

A 1R apartment is the simplest type of floorplan. It is basically a one room studio apartment, with no partitions between the entrance, the kitchen, and the living space/bedroom.

Advantages of 1R Apartments

The following are some advantages of 1R apartments:

・Suitable for a simple lifestyle

・Lower monthly rent

・You can make do with simple interior furnishings

1R apartments are small and compact, and are generally suitable for people who prefer a simple lifestyle, or those who want to minimize their rent. By making use of simple furniture, you can enjoy a minimalist but modern lifestyle.

Disadvantages of 1R Apartments

The following are some disadvantages of 1R apartments:

・Space is limited

・Privacy can be limited

Since there are no partitions between the bedroom and living space, it can be hard to get some privacy when you have visitors or when you are living with another person. It may also not be suitable if you have a lot of things that take up space.

1K (One Room + Kitchen)

A 1K apartment is a one room studio apartment with a kitchen that is partitioned from the room. Like 1R apartments, 1K apartments have compact floorplans with the living room and bedroom making up the same space.

Advantages of 1K Apartments

The following are some advantages of 1K apartments:

・Reasonable monthly rents

・Suitable for singles or couples

・Relatively easy house management

Just like 1R apartments, 1K apartments are relatively small and compact, making cleaning and house management fairly easy. Rents are also quite reasonable, so they are suitable for singles or couples living a simple lifestyle in the city.

Disadvantages of 1K Apartments

The following are some disadvantages of 1K apartments:

・Storage space is limited

・Space for furniture is constrained

Since 1K apartments are generally small, you may not have enough space to store large items or arrange your furniture freely. You need to keep this in mind when choosing furniture or buying items that take up space.

1DK (One Room + Dining + Kitchen)

A 1DK apartment is a one bedroom apartment with a separate space that acts as a kitchen and dining room.

Advantages of 1DK Apartments

The following are some advantages of 1DK apartments:

・The kitchen and dining/living room are in the same space, making movement easy

・Suitable for couples or small families

・Provides more space than 1R or 1K apartments

In 1DK apartments, since the kitchen space also serves as a dining and living room, so you can relax while preparing food in the kitchen. There is also more space compared to 1R and 1K apartments, so it is suitable for singles, couples, or small families.

Disadvantages of 1DK Apartments

The following are some disadvantages of 1DK apartments:

・Space for furniture or storage is constrained

・Monthly rents are generally higher compared to 1R/1K

While 1DK apartments are generally larger then 1R or 1K, it may still be difficult to place large pieces of furniture. And since it has a larger floor area, it also tends to be more expensive to rent.

1LDK (One Room + Living + Dining + Kitchen)

A 1LDK apartment is a one bedroom apartment with a separate living/dining room and a separate kitchen space. It has a larger floor area compared to 1R, 1K, and 1LDK apartments.

Advantages of 1LDK Apartments

The following are some advantages of 1LDK apartments:

・More space allows for more comfortable living

・Partitioning between rooms gives more privacy

・Suitable for families

Compared to smaller apartments, 1LDK apartments provide more space, making it more comfortable to live in and easier to arrange furniture. It also gives more privacy due to the separation between rooms.

Disadvantages of 1LDK Apartments

The following are some disadvantages of 1LDK apartments:

・Monthly rents are generally higher

・More effort required for maintenance and cleaning

Since they have more floor space, 1LDK apartments normally have higher rents. The larger floor space also means that it takes more time and effort to clean and maintain the house.

Summary

Understanding the unique terminology used to describe Japanese apartments is one of the first steps you should take when you go house hunting in Japan. Each apartment type has its own advantages and disadvantages, and choosing the type that fits your needs, lifestyle, and budget is very important. The large number of apartment types and layouts can be confusing at first, but this gives you the freedom to choose the most suitable home for yourself.