Photos that show how obsessed Japan is with minimalism

By Jacob Shamsian From Business Insider

Minimalism is taking over. Figures like Marie Kondo are becoming famous by spreading the gospel of throwing everything out and keeping just what you need.

The movement is most prominent in Japan, where the influence of Zen Buddhism instills a desire for simplicity. For them, less is more.

There’s also practical concerns: It’s cheaper to be a minimalist. And because Japan is regularly beset by earthquakes, it doesn’t always make sense to have a lot of valuable possessions lying around in your house. Nearly half of earthquake injuries come from falling objects.

Take a fascinating look into the sparse aesthetic of minimalism:

In Japan, some bedrooms are so stripped down, they don’t even have beds.
REUTERS/Thomas Peter
What does a minimalist keep in his fridge? Not much.
REUTERS/Thomas Peter
The bathrooms also keep it simple.
REUTERS/Thomas Peter
This one couldn’t be more austere. There aren’t any consumerist products in sight.
REUTERS/Thomas Peter
Sink counters exist to keep stuff on them. All you need is a toothbrush, and that doesn’t require one.
REUTERS/Thomas Peter
A window ledge can be just as useful as a sink counter.
REUTERS/Thomas Peter
Everything has its place.
REUTERS/Thomas Peter
Just one spoon and one fork is necessary.
REUTERS/Thomas Peter
Minimalist Saeko Kushibiki stores away her futon mattress in her apartment. Out of sight, out of mind.
REUTERS/Thomas Peter
Even living rooms are de-cluttered. The only furniture here is a desk and chair.
REUTERS/Thomas Peter
…and sometimes not even a chair.
REUTERS/Thomas Peter
It’s all about having only simple objects…
REUTERS/Thomas Peter
…but that doesn’t mean they can’t be beautiful.
REUTERS/Thomas Peter
The lack of furniture means more space to stretch out.
REUTERS/Thomas Peter

For more on this story go to: http://www.thisisinsider.com/inside-japans-extremely-minimalist-homes-2016-6/#in-japan-some-bedrooms-are-so-stripped-down-they-dont-even-have-beds-1