The kitchen has always been a utilitarian space where the design is focused on functionality rather than aspect and this caused kitchens to become simplified over the years, resulting in the contemporary minimalism. However, Japanese kitchens have always been simple so combining this influence with a contemporary décor is a great way to obtain a simple and practical look with a hint of Japan.

This is a kitchen where Scandinavian and Japanese elements were combined to create a chic and minimalist design. The two styles are similar in the sense that they’re both really simple so the elements combine naturally.{found on studiojunction}.

Japanese interior design uses a lot of wood. It’s a way of restoring the balance after depriving the room of all unnecessary elements. This way the design stays simple but feels warm and inviting.{found on tato}

If you’re aiming at a highly modern look, then you can simplify the color palette as much as you desire and use white as the primary tone along with neutral greys. A pop of blue here and there would be refreshing.{found on wielaretsarchitects}.

Create a serene and relaxing ambiance in the kitchen by including nature in your design. For example, try adding a small zen indoor garden to the kitchen. It can be a small space enclosed with glass.

Use raw materials and finishes such as concrete to offer your Japanese-inspired kitchen a contemporary, industrial twist. You can still make the room feel inviting through other elements.

Maintain the sense of openness in the kitchen by matching the furniture to the walls and keeping the color palette simple and neutral. Use white as the primary color and complement the décor with wooden accents.{found on takuroyama}.

Or design a wood-based kitchen and match everything, including the walls, furniture, floor and ceiling. Keep the designs simple and practical or you’ll risk creating a rustic décor instead of a modern one.{found on movedesign}.

Sometimes the elements that offer character to a décor aren’t even part of the design itself. For example, the views often play an important role and a beautiful cherry tree placed in the right spot can enhance the kitchen décor and give it a subtle Japanese-inspired flair.{found on k2d}.

Minimalism is usually synonym with the color white. In the case of the kitchen, the color is combined with glossy finishes to create a clean and fresh look.{found on yasunaritsukada}.

Colors such as beige or brown are often considered outdated and old fashioned but they’re wonderful option for any kind of Japanese-inspired décor. It’s because they’re pure, warm and closely related to nature.{found on hatano}.

Give your minimalist kitchen more character with elements such as a simple but interesting lighting fixture, a touch of green or a layout that knows how to take advantage of the views and adjacent spaces.{found on arakawaarch}.

A kitchen doesn’t need to be extra spacious to look amazing and this is especially true in the case of Japanese homes. Given the extreme simplicity and practicality of the designs and decors, this is the style you should opt for when the space is limited.{found on yaita}.

Open shelves are popular in Japanese interior design and, in the case of the kitchen, they’re extremely practical. It’s up to you to make them look wonderful and natural.{found on sinato}.

Reserve the most suitable spot on an open floor plan for the kitchen. It should get enough natural light, be somewhat separated from the living space yet close enough so that it too can function as a social area.{found on flathouse}.

It’s important for any kitchen to be user-friendly so take into consideration your lifestyle and all the things that define you. For example, this Japanese kitchen had to be wheelchair-accessible so it has a low counter and no wall-mounted furniture.{found on kazuya}.

It’s beautiful the way the dark kitchen island and the ceiling frame the other lighter-colored features in the room. The combination of colors and finishes is really elegant, one being reminiscent of the Japanese culture and the other versatile and typical for most modern decors.{found on den-nen}.

Because this kitchen is part of a very narrow house in Japan, it had to be organized like this. The fridge is like a guardian that offers it a comfortable and more private feel and the wooden counter top matches the dining table to perfection.{found on muji}.

The odd angles and layout of this kitchen are a characteristic of the entire house. It’s an interesting example of how architecture responds to unusual locations or landscapes. The kitchen is tucked into a nook but it doesn’t feel cramped or gloomy thanks to the glass wall and doors.{found on mds}.

If you want to take open shelves to the extreme, here’s how you can do that in the kitchen while also offering the space a bit of Japanese flair. It’d a bi odd to see no cabinetry under the sink or counter but it’s a design choice that allows the kitchen to feel airy and spacious even though it’s not.{found on camp-archi}.

The use of teak wood for the ceiling but also for the cabinetry allows the kitchen to look refined and sophisticated while also maintaining its simplicity.{found on kurosakisatoshi}.

Designed to look simple and sculptural, this kitchen is part of a house that shares the same defining characteristics. Sitting on a piece of land two meters below the roadside, the house and the kitchen in particular get to offer wonderful views.

It’s common for Japanese homes to try to invite nature in by using lots of wood. This one has red cedar walls, ceilings and furniture and this create a very comfortable and welcoming atmosphere.{found on Architect Show}.