An Overview of the Japanese “Genkan”

Adam Porcher is a computer science student at Mercer County Community College in New Jersey, where he also enjoys acting in theatrical productions. Adam Porcher previously worked as a host and clerk at The Brothers Moon in Hopewell, NJ. Outside of school, Mr. Porcher spends his free time playing sports, writing lyrics, drawing cartoons, and learning about Japanese culture and history.

One of the attributes of many Japanese homes is the “genkan,” or entrance foyer. Just like many homes in Western countries, the “genkan” is the place where homeowners traditionally receive their guests before they are ushered to the main living space. However, in a typical Japanese home, the “genkan” is also the place where guests take off their shoes and change into indoor slippers, so as not to bring any dirt into the house. The “genkan” is a slightly lower area of the floor and typically has a shoe closet where house residents and guests can store their shoes.

Some Japanese homes have a spacious, well-lit, and decorated “genkan” where there is a small bench for guests to sit on when they remove their footwear. There is also often a dedicated place to store umbrellas, keys, shopping bags, and letters.

While “genkans” are very common in Japanese homes, they can also be found in schools, hotels, traditional restaurants, and other establishments.