Generally speaking, Japanese don't maintain their houses for generations. They appreciate new houses emanating fragrance of new timbers and new straw mats. It is said that this characteristic comes from the frequent occurrence of natural disaster in Japan, such as earthquake, typhoon and tidal wave. I think there is some truth in such understanding. In a country hit by big earthquakes every year, it is ridiculous to build houses with durable materials like bricks which might easily collapse and kill lives. If you build house with timbers, it is resistant to earthquakes. However, it is fragile to typhoons which attack at least a few times a year. Japanese are therefore accustomed to destruction of their own houses by natural disaster and as a result come to appreciate new houses with their fresh fragrance. Every new generation demolishes the house of its parents' generation and builds its own house, in many cases a few times in the whole life. This means at the same time that the houses cannot be so big. It is common in Tokyo to say that a man needs only a place with 6 feet length to lay down himself and take a rest. More place or facility is not necessary