Photo/Illutration An apartment with a 30-square-meter terrace allows residents to feel as if they are engaging in outdoor leisure activities at home in Tokyo’s Meguro Ward. (Keiko Nannichi)

When a man in Konosu, Saitama Prefecture, had his 30-year-old home remodeled this past summer, he replaced a room on his second floor with a 33-square-meter balcony. 

As a refreshing breeze now passes through the outdoors platform, the 58-year-old homeowner thought that it should be “equipped with artificial turf and a hammock."

The outdoor structure can be used as well for barbecue parties and film screenings using a projector.

The man is part of a trend as people are increasingly using their balconies for camping and other recreational uses. 

Those unable to venture out during the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic can enjoy a taste of glamping, a portmanteau of “glamorous” and “camping,” at home.

In addition, many people are finding novel uses for their verandas in the so-called "veran-ping" boom.

Seeing consumers’ desire to utilize their balconies for not only hanging their laundry out but also outdoor leisure activities, home builders are seeking new business opportunities.

With veran-ping in mind, the renovation plan for the homeowner in Konosu was suggested by Sumitomo Realty and Development Co.

“If there is such a space, one can dramatically change their lifestyles at home,” said a Sumitomo Realty and Development representative. “We will further step up efforts to propose that type of residence from now on.”

More priority is currently being put on verandas and other outside fittings likewise at newly built homes.

Ino-Brand, a house construction firm in Yokkaichi, Mie Prefecture, designed a residential arrangement with an external space of 40 to 50 square meters along the living room on the second floor.

The company signed franchise agreements with 27 building contractors nationwide from last year through this year for them to sell the unique setup named Glamp.

The outside space is half covered with a roof to allow residents to eat out or telework there. Though the prices of Glamp-mounted homes start from 18 million yen ($164,000), 1 million to 1.5 million yen higher than their ordinary counterparts, orders have begun coming in.

“The structure can ensure residents’ privacy better than yards,” said Shinji Endo, president of ino-Brand. “The design was devised before the novel coronavirus outbreak, but the proposal has ended up meeting demand in this era as things turned out.”

The veran-ping wave has also reached apartments.

Tokyu Land Corp. started making balconies larger at some apartments within the Branz City Minami-Kusatsu housing complex in Kusatsu, Shiga Prefecture, which went on sale in July.

The depth of the extended outside platform measures 2.3 meters long, 0.5 meter more than that of standard balconies.

Sumitomo Realty & Development equipped 16 apartments on the first floor of the City House Shimo-Meguro residential complex, which was completed in May in Tokyo, with 30-square-meter terraces. However, hosting barbecue parties on them is prohibited.

“We expect residents to use the space as an extension of their living rooms, such as placing outdoor gear on them,” said an official of Sumitomo Realty & Development.

Offering tables, chairs and other camping goods, Snow Peak Inc. in Sanjo, Niigata Prefecture, said the growing fad is providing momentum for its business.

“Individuals who have become interested in veran-ping last year or afterward have actually started camping, leading to an increased number of people casually involved in the activity,” said a public relations representative of Snow Peak.

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