"Less is More" is a philosophy of life that Japanese people live by as they opt not to have too many possessions that will clutter their living spaces or surroundings. This may be attributed to their eco-conscious nature. In fact, there is a word "mottainai" in the Japanese language that exhorts them not to be wasteful! All this makes minimalism a really popular way of life in Japan, as Japanese people will aim for a sparsely functional, yet calming look for things in their daily lives! Here's how you can spot instances of minimalist culture in Japan:

Minimalist houses Popular retail store, Muji which paves the way in minimalist and sustainable living is certainly not resting on its laurels by introducing various lines of pre-fabricated houses. A particularly impressive line-up, Muji Hut is conceived by 3 renowned designers and comprises three sleek models made up of three different materials (wood, cork and aluminium). The smallest model is just a mere 106 square feet! Although these huts are small, they are built with various amenities that make living so memorably awesome in Japan: shoji-style sliding doors, tatami-style floors and of course, the ubiquitous bathtub! Other pre-fabricated Muji houses include the three-storey Vertical House that promotes vertical living with its sleek, adjustable split-level design that maximises interior space. All in all, these Muji houses prove that living in tight spaces need not be claustrophobic when they are inspired feats of architectural design! Not only that, one can do his part to conserve the environment because these houses do not take up much space at all!

Minimalist shopping Unlike retail stores in other countries which attract customers with elaborate displays and vivid set-ups, shopping in Japan can be a spiritual experience as shops offer a stripped-down and spacious interior, thus enabling you to slowly take in the few products in sight and feel their essence. Beige - a woman's clothing brand located inside the Tamagawa Takashimaya shopping centre in Tokyo - even offers shoppers a multi-faceted shopping experience as its visually clean white walls and wooden box-shaped fixtures house a shop, a library space and a gallery space. This really has the dual advantage of letting ladies relaxing their senses and broadening their knowledge of fashion at the same time. Not only that, dogs also get to enjoy the benefits of minimalist shops! At Chico, a dog shop in Osaka and Shizuoka, dogs can happily romp around in a tunnel that travels from the shop to an outdoor dog run, leaving their owners to source for souvenirs for them. Lastly, if you want to experience what a minimalist hair-styling salon feels like, make your way down to Equip Hair Salon in Osaka, where only one seat is available in the midst of grey concrete and wooden interior. You will feel like royalty as the hairstylist gives his undivided attention to you.

Minimalist living Have you ever been invited to a Japanese person's home and wondered why his or her apartment looks so neat and orderly? Have you ever wanted to achieve such a visually clean look for your own home? Your Japanese friend has probably paid heed to the advice dispensed by world-renowned decluttering expert, Marie Kondo.

Nominated as one of Time magazine's 100 Most Influential People in 2015, Ms. Kondo has created a stir globally with her ground-breaking book "The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up". She advocates that you pick up an item during your spring-cleaning process and ask yourself if it evokes joy. Her philosophy: if it brings you joy, keep it. If it does not, throw it away.

This novel way of thinking has revolutionized the lives of millions of Japanese and foreigners alike as they now find it easy to dispose of stuff and surround themselves with objects that exude pleasurable feelings in them. Why don't you apply this tip the next time you clean up your home?

This uniquely Japanese minimalist approach to living stems from the concept of wabi-sabi: appreciating the essence of an object—with its quirks and all—as well as its impermanence. Thus, it may do us well to check out minimalist houses and stores in Japan so that we too can soak in this heightened sensitivity to beauty and derive more out of our experiences!