Raffan A Compact One-Room Apartment Designed for Urban Living
Daito Trust Construction Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Minato-ku, Tokyo; Representative Director, President, and CEO: Kei Takeuchi) today announced the launch of Raffan, a new line of compact one-room apartments designed specifically for modern city dwellers. Sales will officially begin on September 1, 2025, with availability initially limited to 10 units across Tokyo’s 23 wards.
Blending innovative space design with accessibility and affordability, Raffan seeks to meet the evolving lifestyle needs of single-person households, particularly younger generations and professionals who prioritize location and convenience over large living spaces.
A Concept Born for the Modern Urban Landscape
The name Raffan is derived from a fusion of “Raffine” (sophisticated) and “Urban,” reflecting the product’s design philosophy: to offer a refined, intelligently planned home in the heart of one of the world’s busiest cities.
Daito Trust Construction, a leading innovator in the Japanese housing sector, has identified a strong shift in demand in Tokyo. With rising property costs and limited available land, compact yet well-designed apartments are becoming increasingly attractive to residents seeking urban convenience at reasonable rental prices. Raffan represents the company’s response to these changes, balancing profitability for landlords with functionality and comfort for tenants.
Each unit is situated within walking distance—five minutes or less—from key stations on the Yamanote Line and other major transportation hubs. This ensures residents benefit from excellent access to employment centers, universities, entertainment districts, and essential services, making Raffan a practical choice for people who value time efficiency and mobility in their daily routines.
Space Efficiency Meets Smart Design
The Raffan apartments are configured as two-story rowhouse-style units, thoughtfully crafted to maximize the usability of small urban lots. Despite the compact footprint, the design incorporates features that make the most of every square meter.
- First Floor (14.58 sqm):
The ground level includes a sanitary kitchen, a compact shower unit, and an integrated sink. The layout optimizes circulation, allowing tenants to enjoy a private yet functional bathroom and kitchen area within a minimal footprint. - Second Floor & Loft (20.15 sqm + 3.9-tatami loft):
Upstairs, residents will find a cozy living space complemented by a loft measuring 3.9 tatami mats. The loft can serve as a sleeping area, study space, or storage, giving tenants flexibility to adapt the apartment to their lifestyle.
By minimizing unnecessary floor space while still providing essential amenities, the Raffan model allows for rental pricing that remains accessible to younger residents—even in highly desirable central Tokyo locations.
Addressing the Challenges of Urban Housing in Tokyo
Tokyo’s housing market has long been characterized by high rents and limited land availability. Young people in particular often face difficult choices when selecting apartments: either pay higher rent for a central location or compromise with a larger but less accessible property further from the city center.
Complicating matters further are the legal restrictions in Tokyo’s 23 wards. Local regulations such as one-room ordinances and high setback requirements have made it increasingly challenging for developers to maximize land usage through traditional apartment designs. These factors have highlighted the need for innovative housing solutions capable of efficiently utilizing small lots without sacrificing livability.
Raffan was conceived as a direct response to these pressures. Its compact design not only complies with existing legal frameworks but also provides an attractive option for tenants who prefer smaller, more affordable apartments close to their workplaces, schools, and lifestyle amenities.
A Step Toward Sustainable Urban Living
Beyond addressing immediate market demands, Daito Trust Construction sees Raffan as part of its broader mission to promote sustainable urban development. By creating apartments that use limited land resources more efficiently, the company contributes to reducing urban sprawl while also minimizing construction costs and energy consumption associated with larger buildings.
Compact living also aligns with shifting societal values. Many younger urban residents are moving away from material accumulation and instead embracing lifestyles centered around experiences, convenience, and digital connectivity. Smaller living spaces—when designed intelligently—can encourage sustainable consumption patterns and lower overall environmental impact.
Daito Trust Construction intends to monitor the market’s response to the first 10 Raffan units closely. Based on tenant feedback, the company will explore opportunities to expand the concept further, potentially rolling out new developments across other high-demand neighborhoods in Tokyo and beyond.
Balancing Profitability and Tenant Satisfaction
For property investors and landlords, Raffan presents an attractive opportunity. The combination of compact unit size and prime location ensures competitive rental demand, particularly from young professionals and students seeking accommodation within Tokyo’s central wards.
At the same time, the thoughtful layout design enhances tenant satisfaction, which is crucial for long-term occupancy rates. By creating spaces that feel more functional and livable than conventional micro-apartments, Daito Trust Construction aims to reduce turnover while ensuring steady rental income for owners.
This dual focus on profitability and livability underlines the company’s strategy: housing must not only meet tenant needs but also provide sustainable returns for investors in a challenging urban real estate environment.
Expanding the Raffan Vision
While the initial rollout is small—just 10 units—the company views this launch as a pilot project for future growth. If the reception from tenants and investors proves positive, Daito Trust Construction plans to refine and expand the Raffan model, exploring variations in design that could include additional loft options, energy-efficient building technologies, or even smart-home integration tailored for compact living.
Moreover, the company envisions Raffan playing a role in Tokyo’s long-term urban development strategy. As Japan grapples with demographic shifts, including an increasing number of single-person households and an aging population, compact and accessible housing options will become even more essential. Raffan provides a blueprint for addressing these demographic changes while keeping affordability and sustainability at the forefront.
