The objective of this research work was to critically study the fundamental characteristics of traditional Japanese architecture and their impact on architectural expression and theory in Western cultures. Particularly, the new architectural style, sukiya-zukuri, was developed and perfected in the construction of tea rooms during the 17th century in Japan. Since then, its aesthetic and constructional features have been and continue to be a source of aesthetic and compositional inspiration for many architects and artists. Throughout this research, the basic compositional, aesthetic and constructional peculiarities of the sukiya-zukuri style are identified and analyzed with the aim of comprehending its philosophical directions. Afterwards, the Japanese influences on the Western civilizations are investigated via the listing of completed architectural projects. Each one of those projects reveals a diversity of compositional and constructional features with Japanese roots and different aesthetic interpretations. Finally, the outcome of this research is the critical analysis of some architectural approaches, in which the Japanese philosophy, combined with the predeveloped material and construction technologies, contributes to the formation of novel hybrid aesthetic styles, spatial arrangements and innovative practices.