Housing Day (Jutaku Day)

What is Housing Day?

June 25th is "Housing Day" (Jutaku Day) in Japan. It was established in 1978 by the National Federation of Construction Workers' Unions (Zenkensoren), a labor organization for people working in the construction trades. The date was chosen to honor the birthday of the Spanish architect Antoni Gaudí (June 25, 1852). The day aims to raise awareness of the work and skills of local construction craftsmen—carpenters, plasterers, and others—and to give people an occasion to seek advice about and inspect their homes.

Why Gaudí's birthday?

Antoni Gaudí was an architect from Catalonia, Spain. He is known for buildings in which stone, iron, and tile were shaped by craftsmen's handwork into distinctive curves and colors.

• Major works: the Sagrada Família, Casa Milà, Casa Batlló, and Park Güell in Barcelona. His works are inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
• Forms learned from nature: he is known for bringing natural shapes such as plants, bones, and caves into architecture.
• Working with craftsmen: he is said to have built his works through close collaboration with craftsmen, using models as well as drawings.

The Sagrada Família's "Tower of Jesus"

Gaudí took over the design of the Sagrada Família in 1883 and devoted himself to it until his death on June 10, 1926. Construction continues to this day. The central "Tower of Jesus Christ" reached its full height of 172.5 m when its cross was set in place in February 2026, and its completion was celebrated with a blessing on June 10, 2026, the 100th anniversary of Gaudí's death. The Sagrada Família had already become the tallest church in the world in October 2025, when the rising tower passed Ulm Minster in Germany (about 161.5 m). Work continues on other parts, however, including the "Glory Façade" that will serve as the main entrance, and full completion is still some way off.

Housing Day activities

Around Housing Day, local unions belonging to Zenkensoren hold a variety of events run by local craftsmen.

• Housing consultations: craftsmen answer questions about problems with homes and renovations and offer advice on improvements
• Information on local programs: introducing local support such as housing renovation subsidies
• Repair volunteering: repairing the homes of elderly people living alone, as well as nursery schools and elementary and junior high schools
• Knife sharpening and cutting-board planing: popular events that make use of craftsmen's skill with blades and wood
• Woodworking classes: children try their hand at making things from wood with guidance from craftsmen

Ideas for spending Housing Day

• Check just one thing that has been bothering you around your home—a torn screen door or a leaky faucet, for example. Small problems are easier to fix the sooner you deal with them.
• The rainy season makes homes prone to trapped humidity. Check the ventilation and look for mold around closets and windows.
• Browse a book or watch a documentary about Gaudí's work, and read up on the newly completed "Tower of Jesus."
• Look up local builders and craftsmen. Knowing someone you can ask when something goes wrong brings peace of mind.

A day to appreciate our homes and the craftsmanship that builds them

June 25th is a day to turn our attention to the homes where we spend our daily lives, and to the craftsmen whose skills support them. Just as Gaudí's architecture has been built by the handwork of craftsmen for more than 100 years, the homes around us are also built and maintained by carpenters, plasterers, and other skilled workers. Why not take a little time today to look over your own home with care?