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Man in Japan Builds Micro DIY Tiny House on Wheels


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Had to show you this amazing micro home called Tiny House Japan.

It’s obviously a Japanese inspired and designed little shelter on wheels.

This mobile micro cabin was designed and built by Tagami Haruhiko and is meant for use as a tiny camping trailer able to be towed by a small vehicle.

Another cool feature which you’ll get to see more of below is that the structure can be separated from the trailer chassis so you can leave it parked on camp, at the garden, etc. while getting to use the trailer for something else if you wanted.

And did I mention that it has a pop up roof feature? You’ll actually be able to watch a video of it in action below.

I encourage you to enjoy, comment about it below, and re-share if you want.

Introducing: Tiny House Japan

© instagram.com/tinyhousejapan

All Images © Tagami Haruhiko

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Video: Pop Up Roof in a Micro Tiny House

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Video: Getting this Micro Cabin On/Off Trailer

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Video Version of this Post

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Alex

Alex is a contributor and editor for TinyHouseTalk.com and the always free Tiny House Newsletter. He has a passion for exploring and sharing tiny homes (from yurts and RVs to tiny cabins and cottages) and inspiring simple living stories. We invite you to send in your story and tiny home photos too so we can re-share and inspire others towards a simple life too. Thank you!
{ 27 comments… add one }
  • June 12, 2014, 5:03 pm

    Love the look of this but I’d like to see images of the other areas – toilet, shower, sleeping area.

  • June 12, 2014, 9:03 pm

    I usually don’t care for built in furniture but this is a beautiful little house. I love the ceiling in the kitchen. Too bad it would be too cold for here.

  • Sky Benoit
    June 12, 2014, 10:21 pm

    Love this and it is what I would like to build on for my Utility Trailer. Are there any plans available for this or anything similar to this?

    • Alex
      June 13, 2014, 8:42 am

      Hi Sky. Thanks, glad you like it! You can check out our tiny house plans resource page here and you might be able to find something that works for you there: https://tinyhousetalk.com/plans. If not, I also suggest considering learning how design your own based on the dimensions of your utility trailer and your own needs too using these free SketchUp lessons: https://tinyhousetalk.com/tiny-houses-in-sketchup/

  • Glema
    June 13, 2014, 1:13 am

    Just a few suggestions, your choice of course if you use them 🙂 wool tapestries would help with the winterizing. And thick curtains during winter made perhaps from died wool blankets that can be rolled up and down at will. And a nice rope style rug for the floor will help in winter. We can’t see it all so we don’t know if there is any style of heating. For summer, rolled baboo mats for the windows, looks like the beach style would be plenty to cover the windows and be inexpensive enough to get a few. One could cover the floor as well for when the “camper” is not on the trailer. Bamboo can surprise you with it’s warming properties. Bamboo beach style mats can be used on the pop up roof as well on the inside to help in the cooler times. Rolled wool blankets or small tapestries folded up for winter? Just some ideas, hope they help. God bless, I love this little camper, would prefer rounder edging here in the states though.
    wool=winter, bamboo summer. 🙂 Happy Trails

  • James
    June 14, 2014, 4:56 am

    I’m a bit confused. The photos suggest this version is just dining room/kitchen, whereas the model also has a toilet, shower and bedroom. The model must be for a larger version, I guess?

    • Alex
      June 26, 2014, 6:06 am

      You are right, there are two model “Basket” that is on photo and “Xylocopa” that is the model one.
      http://tinyhousejapan.jimdo.com/%E4%BE%A1%E6%A0%BC-%E8%A3%85%E5%82%99/

    • charles
      December 27, 2014, 12:04 pm

      I’m betting something close to 2×2 for the bottom and above looks close to 1×4. The frame resembles what guys up north her use for fish houses. I have a jeep wrangler and this size / weight would work for my limited towing weight.

      • Chris
        March 30, 2015, 5:13 pm

        Thanks for your assessment. I used 2x3s on my build, but next time I would try 2x2s!

        • Chuck
          November 18, 2015, 10:48 am

          Say, where did you find windows? I’m wanting to build this fall. Windows and doors need to be planned out before framing. Thanks.

  • TomLeeM
    June 15, 2014, 8:12 pm

    I think this is really nice. It reminds me of a tiny caboose.

  • Danette
    July 1, 2014, 11:34 am

    I like it! Especially the pop-up roof.

  • Anthony McCarthy
    July 11, 2014, 1:01 pm

    I keep coming back to this one because it is so beautifully laid out and thought out. I wonder how it could be made practical for winter in a really cold climate because it is a great one.

    • Chuck
      November 18, 2015, 10:51 am

      For a cold climate, I’m aiming to insulate with rigid foam between the 2×2. A space heater should work great to hear the small space. I’m looking to build a 5×10 for year round use. Lots of planning for sure.

  • Kathy
    November 1, 2014, 2:36 am

    I am a little late in discovering this little gem. The smaller of the two looks like a winner for one person like myself, whose bucket list is to see all of the national parks inexpensively. I love the simple food prep area and storage ( I am sure I can fit in a tiny cooler), and even the need to unroll a bedroll on the floor at night. I really love the pop up roof. However I am wondering if there is a potty hiding somewhere in there? And perhaps water storage?

    • cq
      February 18, 2015, 2:05 pm

      I have a 5×8 all aluminum trailer. Using some of his ideas, I think I could build one similar to include a small fridge, bed/bench, compositing bucket, and small wood stove for heat.

      Rough estimate would be 1000 just for the framing and outside skin, skipping the roof. I could be insulated but you’d want your wool socks / slippers on in the winter!

  • Chris
    December 25, 2014, 11:20 am

    Does anyone know what size studs he uses for his frame? Seems like 2×2, maybe 2x3s. No way are they 2x4s…… I’d love to build this, I’d buy the plans in a second but attempts to get a response by email have failed. If anyone here thinks they could help, please reply to [email protected].

  • Chris
    March 29, 2015, 10:59 pm

    Well, I just went ahead and built my own version. First video is here:

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xpUTc7pKqMI

    I used different sized cedar siding, but I did the Shou Sugi Ban style, just like the original.

    • March 30, 2015, 12:35 pm

      Thanks for sharing Chris! I’m putting this video in a post now for everyone to check it 🙂 Awesome job!

  • Cynthia Taylor
    March 30, 2015, 5:08 pm

    Would like to ser the toilet and bed. Would like to see this 26 feet long with room for my console piano maybe hang some wind chimes or paper lanterns with soft light and some cold plum wine.

  • Cynthia Taylor
    March 30, 2015, 5:20 pm

    Want to see Xylocopa in 3D, furnishings and all.

  • Diane
    April 9, 2015, 2:35 pm

    I’m REALLY late in finding this. What a precious little cabin! Has anyone figured out how to get plans for this and/or the Xylocopa?

    Chris,
    You did a fantastic job on yours. Ah, to have such skills!

  • Susanne
    June 8, 2015, 6:45 pm

    Saw “Chris’s” video… Very nice…even if it was just me I’d like more space.. Love the roof and the door; allowing light and view. I’d like at least a small couch that is comfortable to sit and sleep on… Unless that black item he placed on floor serves the purpose but add pillows of some type for back support…

    • Chris
      June 9, 2015, 9:45 pm

      Hi, I tried to keep mine very small so that it could travel easily and often. I like keeping the floor available for transporting items, so I didn’t add in much furniture. I used the Japanese style of floor futons and a small set of pillows/small table set up. But Tatami shows how you can easily add in tables and chairs. Or maybe a simple murphy bed.

  • Cynthia Taylor
    June 9, 2015, 9:40 pm

    Make it longer with more wheels like 30 to 40 feet long with double doors for an entry so I could add my console piano. An Incinolet toilet an induction cooktop and a full length soaking tub at one end of the house with solar panels on the roof for electricty and some sort of rain collection system for water.

  • Leo lee
    August 24, 2017, 11:10 am

    Hi, how can I get the tiny house plans?

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