Japanese residential design has evolved as a distinctive response to social, political, and climatic pressures-along with the powerful individual ideas of its architects. "Japan Houses" presents 28 of the country's finest contemporary houses. Each house is beautifully captured through breathtaking photographs, showcasing the creativity of Japan's leading architects and designers and their innovative use of building materials, spatial concepts, and aesthetic surprise.

Marcia Iwatate is one of the leading professionals in the Japanese design and food industry. She is the author of Eat.Work.Shop., and co-author of Shunju: New Japanese Cuisine, which won a James Beard Award in 2004.

Geeta Mehta is a partner in the Tokyo based design firm Braden and Mehta. She has worked on corporate interiors for clients like AIG, Morgan Stanley, and the Tokyo American Club.

The photographs of Nacasa & Partners Inc. have been featured in Domus (Italy), Architecture Cree (France), Interiors (US), Ambiente (Germany) and Blue Printo (England).