A refined machiya renovation beside Kitano Tenmangu Shrine, next to Kamishichiken — Kyoto’s oldest geisha district.
Project Type
Ground-up Renovation
Completion
August 2025
Tradition kept close, comfort brought forward.
Set beside Kitano Tenmangu Shrine and next to Kamishichiken, Kyoto’s oldest geisha district, this machiya renovation was shaped by its historic surroundings. The goal was not to over-modernize the home, but to keep its quiet Kyoto character intact while making each space feel warm, practical, and ready for daily living.
Inside, traditional details are paired with a darker, more refined material palette. Exposed beams, latticework, tatami rooms, wood finishes, soft indirect lighting, and carefully selected fixtures give the home a calm atmosphere, while the updated kitchen, bath, washroom, and storage areas bring modern comfort into a compact machiya setting.
⸺ 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.
