I think it really depends on what you are looking for. Older Japanese homes are, though often "run down", very nice in my opinion. More modern residences have turned towards a manufactured feeling unfortunately but when you take into consideration the constraints of possible earthquake and expense of land it is rather impressive how residences are arranged. The technical challenges, which go unseen, are not simple I would imagine. The boxlike look is, I think, probably driven by land value.

Furniture in Japan is often practical and low to the ground which might not appeal to some people. People used to spend their time exclusively sitting on the floor of their homes. I wouldn't be surprised if the majority of Japanese still do.