How Big is 8 Square Meters (86 Sq Ft)? Conversions to Tsubo/Tatami, Room Layouts, and Photos
We will explain exactly how big 8 square meters (about 86 square feet) is, showing reference photos of a hotel room, converting it to unique Japanese units like Tsubo and Tatami (Jo), and discussing standard room layouts. Please use this guide as a reference when staying at a Japanese hotel or renting an apartment or condo in Japan.
The Japanese word “Heibei” means “area” or “square meters,” and its unit is “㎡” (sq m).
A space of 8 square meters is about 2.83 meters by 2.83 meters (approximately 9.3 ft x 9.3 ft). Therefore, if a building is a perfect square one-story structure, its frontage would be about 2.83 meters (9.3 ft).
In Japan, square meters are called “Heibei” and are standard units used for accommodations and rental properties. However, there are also unique Japanese measurement units such as “Tsubo,” and “Jo” or “Tatami,” which are also frequently used.
We have included a conversion table showing exactly how many Tsubo and Jo (Tatami mats) 8 square meters is equivalent to.
Note that “Jo” (帖) and “Tatami” (畳) have the same meaning and are pronounced the same way in certain contexts. When there is a number in front of the character for Tatami, like “1 畳”, it is pronounced as “Jo” (e.g., Ichi-jo). When the word stands alone without a number, it is pronounced as “Tatami”.
8 square meters (approx. 86 sq ft) is so small that you will rarely see it in standard apartment rentals. It would mostly be a “One Room” (studio) layout without a private bathroom or toilet. While it is not impossible for one person to live in, it would feel extremely cramped. As for accommodations, you will hardly see this size in standard hotels, but you might find rooms of this square meterage in traditional inns (Ryokan) that do not include an en-suite bathroom.
Now, let’s take a closer look at 8 square meters. We have also compiled photos of other square meter sizes and reference guides for “Jo (Tatami)” and “Tsubo,” so please check them out as well.
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Dimensions of 8 Sq Meters (86 Sq Ft) and Conversions to Tsubo and Tatami (Jo)
To give you a better idea of how big 8 square meters is, we have summarized in the table below the width and length if it were a perfect square, conversions into “Tsubo” and “Tatami (Jo)”—which are frequently used to express floor space in Japan—and the standard room layout.
| Square Meters (Heibei) | Tatami (Jo) | Tsubo | Dimensions (Width x Length) | Standard Layout |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8 sq m (86 sq ft) | 4.94 Jo | 2.42 Tsubo | Approx. 2.83m x 2.83m (9.3 ft x 9.3 ft) |
N/A |
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Please note that the standard size of a Tatami mat (Jo) varies by region. Here, it is calculated based on the Japanese real estate standard of 1 Jo = 1.62 sq m. For more details, please see “Explanation of Tatami Sizes such as Kyoma and Edoma“.
Photos of an 8 Square Meter Room
Please take a look at the photos we took of hotel and ryokan rooms to get a real sense of what an actual 8 square meter (86 sq ft) space looks like.
HOTEL NUPKA
Previously known as “Hotel Minoya,” this property was fully renovated and opened as HOTEL NUPKA on March 1, 2016. It is highly accessible, just a 3-minute walk from Obihiro Station, and the cafe space on the first floor where you can dine has a very stylish atmosphere.
Being exactly 8 square meters (86 sq ft), the room is quite narrow as you can see, but the bed width is 130 cm (approx. 51 inches or 4.26 feet). There is no bathtub, but the shower room and toilet are separated. These photos were taken in February 2018.
