So, to state the obvious here, Japanese people don’t wear shoes in the house. There are various theories as to why some countries do wear shoes inside, and some don’t. One of the main ones for Japan is that, because of their climate, Japanese houses are generally raised off the ground. Thus, the floor is less of an extension of the outside earth, and more of a totally different space. You’ll notice that even in Japanese apartments, they build in a difference of height between the main living space and the entrance way.
Removing shoes obviously has its pluses and minuses. Probably the biggest plus is that taking off your shoes opens up the possibility of using your entire floor space as an area to “lounge around on”. If you are reasonably sure that your floor is relatively clean, then you are more comfortable to use the floor tables, the floor cushions, the futon for sleeping or the heated kotatsu.
If you do decide that you want to go the take-your-shoes of route, then the next problem that needs solving is what to do with all that footwear that collects around entrances. Which is why you won’t find a Japanese home without some kind of footwear storage solution inside the doors. So, if you really want to japanify your home, you’re going to need a shoe rack.