A registered Kyo-machiya just off Gojo Street, renewed for modern living while preserving its pre-war Kyoto character.
Project Type
Ground-up Renovation
Completion
July 2025
Historic bones, renewed for central Kyoto life.
This registered Kyo-machiya sits quietly off Gojo Street in Shimogyo Ward, placing it within easy reach of central Kyoto while still feeling calm and private. Less than seven minutes on foot from Gojo Station, and close to both Higashi Hongan-ji and Nishi Hongan-ji temples, the home offers the rare balance of heritage atmosphere, daily convenience, and access to some of Kyoto’s most important cultural landmarks.
Originally built before 1930, the two-storey wooden machiya was renovated with care for its existing structure and traditional details. Dark timber beams, latticework, shoji-style doors, a compact inner garden, and a dramatic glass floor preserve the home’s Kyoto identity, while updated kitchen, bath, lighting, flooring, and climate systems make the space practical for contemporary use.
⸺ Sourcing
We locate heritage properties across Kyoto and rural Japan — machiya, kominka, and former temples whose architectural integrity makes them worth preserving. Each candidate is evaluated for structural soundness, historical character, and restoration potential.
⸺ Design
Our in-house architects assess the structure and develop a sensitive restoration plan. We map what to preserve, what to repair, and where modern systems can be integrated without disturbing the home's character.
⸺ Structural Restoration
Original timber frames, beams, and lattice work are stabilized and refinished by hand. We reinforce where needed using traditional joinery and contemporary techniques — always invisible, always reversible where possible.
⸺ Modern Systems
Plumbing, electrical, insulation, and climate control are introduced behind the scenes. Kitchens, bathrooms, and storage are reimagined for contemporary life, specified in materials that match the home's vocabulary.
⸺ Interior Detailing
Hand-applied plaster, custom joinery, hinoki ofuro, integrated lighting — every visible surface is considered. We source from the same workshops that have supplied Kyoto's machiya for generations.
⸺ Handover
The completed home is documented, photographed, and prepared for its next chapter. We support new owners through purchase, registration, and the early months of living in their restored property.