I can’t seem to find the information I’m looking for, for homes that have genkans, are they exclusive to the front entry?
I want to have something similar for my new home, I realize that the front entry will more than likely only be used for guests as we rely on cars. The garage is an attached entrance accessed just off the kitchen. We will probably just carry the shoes to the shoe closet, not exactly efficient. Shoes coming and going in the backyard need work too. Help if you can, I genuinely just curious how modern Japanese homes address these concerns.
https://www.reddit.com/r/japan/comments/vtengm/multiple_genkans/
2 comments
Yes.
Obaachan’s house has two genkans.
If you’re building a home, you can put in as many genkans as you want.
Kind of late, but I have a new house in Japan with a built in garage. We have a big genkan at the front entrance with a side room for shoes like [this picture](https://www.reform-azuma.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/6462aa51-200×300.jpg). (not my house).
The entrance from the garage into the house is narrow sliding door. It’s a thick and weatherproof exterior door, with strong locks. This keeps out heat and cold since garages by nature are not insulated, and it prevents someone from being able to break into the main house if they manage to somehow open the big garage door. Once you open the small door and enter the house, there are two small steps up to the main level. A small shoe shelf is built into the wall next to the stairs.
Sometimes it’s annoying when the shoes you want are at the other entrance, but since they are just down the hall from each other it’s not that of of a deal.
As for the backyard, we keep rubber slide sandals as outdoor shoes on the step right outside the patio door. It’s partially covered by an overhang, so they don’t get wet unless there is a windy storm blowing the rain sideways. Since they are rubber, so it’s doesn’t matter if they get wet. Obviously they aren’t fashionable, but since they are only used for the backyard, no one cares.