Apt.1 2F Japanese Room: Sliding Door Repair Pt.1

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u270fufe0f Originally published: 2021-10-16 / ud83dudd04 Updated: May 2026

Hi, it’s DIY Dad! Time to start renovating the tategu (u5efau5177 u2014 all moveable door and panel elements) in the 2nd-floor Japanese room. In this post I’m covering the before-state u2014 and trust me, it was rough.

2026 DIY Dad Notes: Kitchen Walls and Tategu Renovation

2026 DIY Dad Notes: Kitchen Walls and Tategu Renovation

ud83duded2 RECOMMENDED PRODUCTS

Fusuma Replacement Paper Kits

Fusuma renewal is the fastest Japanese-room refresh u2014 paper, paste, and 2 hours.

Amazon US u2192
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With the 1st-floor kitchen walls finished, the work now moves to the final touches and tategu renovation of the 2nd-floor Japanese room (u548cu5ba4 washitsu). Apt. 1’s renovation is steadily closing in on completion.

Kitchen Wall Finish: Wallpaper vs. Paint

Choosing a wall finish for the kitchen:

Wallpaper:

Stain-resistant type u2014 grease wipes off easily
Anti-mold feature ideal for the humid kitchen environment
White or light colors give a clean look and make stains visible early

Paint:

Use water-based paint rated for kitchens and bathrooms (mold and moisture resistant)
Gloss finish makes stains easier to wipe off
Kitchen panels are an option near the stove

From a rental cost-management standpoint, DIY Dad goes with wallpaper finishes.

2F Japanese Room Wall Renovation Complete (Vol.11: Wallpaper)

The long-running 2nd-floor wall renovation is finally done u2014 from subfloor prep in Vol.1, all the way through to wallpapering in Vol.11. After finishing, check:

Are wallpaper seams invisible? (check at oblique angle with a light)
Are corners cleanly finished?
Are switch and outlet cutouts precise?
Has the paper bonded fully with no air pockets?
Are the baseboard and ceiling molding lines clean?

The sense of achievement when you see a finished room is hard to describe. That “I did this myself” feeling is exactly what keeps you coming back to DIY.

About Tategu: Fusuma, Shoji, and Doors

Tategu renovation has as much visual impact on a room as walls, ceilings, and floors. The 2nd-floor Japanese room tategu work covered:

Fusuma (u8956): Traditional solid sliding door panels. Here, instead of re-papering with fusuma paper, I’m applying wallpaper over the top.
Shoji (u969cu5b50): Lightweight sliding screens with translucent paper over a wood lattice. Either re-paper with shoji paper, or convert to wallpaper.
Door frames: Cover with matching wallpaper for a unified look throughout.

How to Re-Paper Fusuma

Remove old fusuma paper (dampening helps it peel more easily)
Inspect and repair the wooden frame
Dampen new fusuma paper if using a water-tension type
Press from the center outward, pushing air to the edges
As it dries, the paper tightens for a smooth finish

Iron-on fusuma paper is more beginner-friendly and harder to mess up. Available at any home improvement store.

Cost vs. Impact of Tategu Renovation

Fusuma paper (set of 4): u00a52,000u20133,000
Shoji paper (one room): u00a51,000u20132,000
Paint for door frames: materials only, u00a51,000u20132,000

For roughly u00a55,000u20137,000 in materials, the whole room gets a new feel. One of the best cost-per-impact DIY moves you can make in a rental renovation.

Now, the actual before-state photos. The plan is the same: apply wallpaper directly over the fusuma panels and the hinged door. Let’s see what we’re working with first.