What Is a Tsubo to Square Meter Converter?
A tsubo (坪) to square meter converter helps you quickly translate between Japanese and international area units. The tsubo is a traditional Japanese unit of area still widely used in real estate, architecture, and land measurement across Japan. One tsubo equals approximately 3.306 square meters, or roughly the size of two tatami mats.
How to Use This Converter
- Enter a numeric value in the input field.
- Select the unit you are converting from (tsubo, m², tatami, ft², acres, or hectares).
- Click Convert to see the equivalent values in all other units instantly.
Key Conversion Factors
All conversions are based on the standard definition where 1 tsubo equals exactly 400/121 square meters (approximately 3.30579 m²). The jō (tatami mat) used here follows the standard size of 1.6529 m², which is half a tsubo. Note that actual tatami dimensions vary by region in Japan.
1 Tsubo = 3.30579 m² = 2 Jō = 35.5832 ft²
1 m² = 0.3025 Tsubo = 0.6050 Jō
1 Acre = 1,224.18 Tsubo = 4,046.86 m²
Where Tsubo Is Used
In Japan, tsubo remains the standard unit for property listings, floor plans, and land transactions despite the metric system being official. Real estate agents, architects, and homebuyers all use tsubo alongside square meters. Understanding this conversion is essential for anyone buying, renting, or designing property in Japan.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is the tsubo still used in Japan?
The tsubo has deep cultural roots in Japanese architecture and daily life. Property sizes have been described in tsubo for centuries, and the unit provides an intuitive sense of scale tied to the tatami mat system that Japanese people grow up with.
What is the difference between tsubo and jō (tatami)?
One tsubo equals exactly two jō (tatami mats). While tsubo is mainly used for land and total floor area, jō is commonly used to describe room sizes, such as a "6-jō room" (about 9.9 m²).
Are tatami sizes the same everywhere in Japan?
No. Tatami dimensions vary by region: Kyoto-style (kyōma) mats are larger at about 1.82 m², while the compact Nagoya and Tokyo sizes are smaller. This converter uses the standard (chūkyōma) size of 1.6529 m², which is the most widely referenced value.