1K, 1LDK, 2LDK: Japanese Apartment Layouts Explained (2026)

If you have ever looked at a Tokyo listing and wondered what "1K" or "1LDK" means, you are not alone. It is the single most common question we get. These are not sizes in square feet, they are Japanese layout codes, and once you know the system it is very easy to read.

Quick answer: The number is the count of rooms, and the letters describe the other spaces: R = room, K = kitchen, D = dining, L = living. So a 1K is one room plus a separate small kitchen (a studio), a 1LDK is one bedroom plus a combined living, dining and kitchen area (good for a couple), and a 2LDK adds a second bedroom (good for a family).

The layout codes, decoded

• 1R (one room): a single room where the kitchen is inside the main space. The most compact option, often 13 to 20 square metres.
• 1K: one room plus a separate small kitchen, divided by a door or partition. The classic single-person studio, usually 20 to 25 square metres.
• 1DK: one room plus a dining-kitchen big enough for a small table. Around 25 to 30 square metres.
• 1LDK: one bedroom plus a proper living-dining-kitchen. The sweet spot for couples, usually 30 to 45 square metres.
• 2LDK / 3LDK: two or three bedrooms plus a living-dining-kitchen. Family territory.

What each one costs in Tokyo

Layout drives price as much as location. Across Tokyo, a 1K studio runs from 74 000 to 140 000 JPY, while a family 1LDK in central Minato reaches around 260 000 JPY. As a rule, moving up one layout (say 1K to 1LDK) roughly doubles the rent. You can compare exact medians by ward in our Tokyo Rent Index.

How to use this when apartment hunting

Decide your layout first, then your area, because layout sets your baseline budget. A single person almost always wants a 1K. A couple should look at 1LDK, not two 1Ks. Watch the size in square metres too: two 1LDKs at the same rent can differ by 10 square metres. For where these layouts are cheapest, see our cheapest Tokyo neighbourhoods ranking, or let us handle the search.

Data: layout medians from 528,660 active Tokyo listings, 2026.