system
Given the following post, respond as if you're commenting on Reddit:
human
ELI5:How is it that old Japanese houses seem to be made mostly of paper, but don't seem to experience any problems during rain seasons?

Just generally curious as to how this works. For example if one of these were built in, say England would it survive the rainy weather?

Edit:wow I got a lot more responses than I expected! thanks everyone.
gpt
Traditional japanese buildings are built primarily of wood and wood products, the use of stone being reserved for special buildings such as pagodas. The large roofs,  usually made of tile or thatch, we're built to over lap the furthest extremities of the base, providing excellent protection from the elements.