Two traditional Kyoto cottages combined into a spacious private residence near Kiyomizu-Gojo, Gion, and the Kamo River.
Project Type
Heritage-style Renovation
Completion
May 2025
A private residence shaped from two Kyoto cottages.
This 100㎡+ residence was created by combining two traditional Kyoto cottages into one generous private home. Located just four minutes from Kiyomizu-Gojo Station, a block from the Kamo River, and close to Gion, Higashiyama, and Kiyomizu-dera Temple, the property offers a rare balance of central Kyoto access, cultural surroundings, and residential privacy.
Inside, the renovation was guided by warmth, craftsmanship, and daily comfort. Natural wood finishes, shoji screens, exposed beams, soft lighting, and a landscaped inner garden give the home a quiet Kyoto atmosphere, while modern kitchen, bath, washroom, and storage areas support practical long-term living.
⸺ 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.