Kyoto Machiya Ordinance
In 2000, Kyoto City formulated the "Kyoto Machiya Revitalization Plan" and has been working in cooperation with many people to develop initiatives for the preservation and revitalization of Kyoto townhouses. Furthermore, in November 2017, in order to re-examine the value of Kyoto townhouses and connect this to their preservation and inheritance, the "Kyoto City Ordinance on the Preservation and Inheritance of Kyoto Machiya" (Kyoto Townhouse Ordinance) was enacted. This ordinance stipulates that not only owners of Kyoto townhouses, but also users, businesses, citizen activity groups, citizens, and the government should work together to preserve and inherit Kyoto townhouses, and it also establishes a system for prior notification regarding the demolition of Kyoto townhouses to identify the risk of demolition in advance and connect this to preservation and inheritance.
Furthermore, in February 2019, the "Kyoto City Machiya Preservation and Inheritance Promotion Plan" was formulated, and various initiatives related to the preservation and inheritance of Kyoto townhouses, including those stipulated in the ordinance, are being promoted comprehensively and systematically.
> Ordinance leaflet (PDF)
> Kyoto City Ordinance on the Preservation and Inheritance of Traditional Kyoto Townhouses (PDF)
> Kyoto City Ordinance on the Preservation and Inheritance of Traditional Kyoto Townhouses Enforcement Regulations (PDF)
> Key points of the Kyoto City Machiya Preservation and Inheritance Promotion Plan (PDF)
> Kyoto City Machiya Preservation and Inheritance Promotion Plan (PDF)
> Information booklet about Kyoto townhouses
> (Insert in the ward edition of the city newspaper) Enactment of the Ordinance Concerning the Preservation and Inheritance of Kyoto Machiya (December 15, 2017 issue) (PDF)
> (Insert in the ward edition of the city newspaper) Initiatives for the preservation and inheritance of Kyoto townhouses (March 15, 2019 issue) (PDF)
> Kyoto townhouse renovation plan
Current state of Kyomachiya
Kyoto townhouses, symbols of Kyoto's streetscape and lifestyle, have seen a resurgence in value in recent years. They are now used in a variety of ways, including not only as residences but also as shops, cultural and artistic facilities, university campuses, and offices. However, many Kyoto townhouses are being demolished without any consideration for their preservation or transmission.
A follow-up survey conducted in fiscal year 2016 on the "Kyoto Machiya Town Development Survey" confirmed that the number of Kyoto machiya (traditional townhouses) decreased from 47,735 in fiscal years 2008 and 2009 to 40,146, while the number of vacant houses increased from 5,002 to 5,834. This translates to the loss of 800 houses per year, or 2 houses per day.
> Kyoto Machiya Town Planning Survey
Definition of Kyomachiya as defined in the Kyomachiya Ordinance
The Kyoto Machiya Ordinance defines a "Kyoto Machiya" as a wooden building constructed before 1950, when the Building Standards Act was enacted, that possesses a traditional structure and a form or design that originated from urban life.
*1 If the year of construction is unknown, it may be listed in the closed land register (for a fee) obtained from the Legal Affairs Bureau.
*2 What is a "flat-roofed roof"?
This refers to a building where the entrance is located on the side parallel to the roof ridge (the flat side).
Cases that fall under the category of "cases where the 'flat-roof' condition does not apply" are not covered.
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| Passageway garden and firebox | |
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| inner garden | Courtyard |
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| Exterior wall or high fence adjacent to the neighboring property | |
>Experience a Kyoto townhouse in VR
> The ABCs of Kyoto Machiya: A Basic Guide to Buildings and Lifestyles
Designation system based on the Kyoto Machiya Ordinance
In order to preserve the precious Kyoto townhouses, which are symbols of history and culture, the Kyoto Townhouse Ordinance designates districts where Kyoto townhouses are concentrated and where the townscape and lifestyle culture remain strong, as well as individual Kyoto townhouses. In addition, various forms of support are provided, including subsidies for the renovation costs of Kyoto townhouses in designated districts and individual Kyoto townhouses.
> Designation system based on the Kyoto Machiya Ordinance
> Status of designation based on the Kyoto Machiya Ordinance
> Seeking information on designated candidates
> Subsidy program for designated Kyoto townhouses
A system to identify Kyoto townhouses at risk of demolition in advance and lead to their preservation and succession
Regarding Kyoto townhouses, when considering disposal, including demolition, we have established a pre-notification system to allow people to notify the city at an early stage. This system will provide a wide range of options for preserving and utilizing the townhouses, thereby contributing to their preservation and transmission.
> Request for consultation regarding the preservation and inheritance of Kyoto townhouses
> Notification required when demolishing a Kyoto townhouse
> Kyoto townhouse consultations
Initiatives by businesses to preserve and pass on Kyo-machiya
The Kyoto Machiya Ordinance requests the following from real estate agents and demolition contractors:
1. To all real estate agents
The Kyoto Machiya Ordinance stipulates that real estate businesses should endeavor to provide information and advice regarding the preservation and inheritance of Kyoto Machiya to owners, buyers, and tenants. We request that you actively provide information on the designation system, the pre-demolition notification system, and support systems.
> Designation system based on the Kyoto Machiya Ordinance
> Notification required when demolishing a Kyoto townhouse
> Support System Menu
2. Demolition Contractors
The Kyoto Machiya Ordinance stipulates that demolition contractors should endeavor to provide owners and others who intend to demolish a Kyoto Machiya with information regarding the preservation and inheritance of such properties. We request that you proactively provide information on designated systems, pre-demolition notification systems, support systems, etc.
For other designated properties and Kyoto townhouses within designated areas, it is necessary to confirm with the owners whether a demolition notice has been submitted to Kyoto City.
> Requests to demolition contractors
> Designation system based on the Kyoto Machiya Ordinance
> Notification required when demolishing a Kyoto townhouse
> Support System Menu
Kyoto City Kyomachiya Preservation and Succession Council, etc.
Kyoto City Council for the Preservation and Succession of Traditional Kyoto Townhouses
The Kyoto City Machiya Preservation and Succession Council deliberates on important matters concerning the formulation of the "Kyoto Machiya Preservation and Succession Promotion Plan," which sets forth goals and initiatives for the preservation and succession of Kyoto townhouses, and the enforcement of the "Kyoto City Machiya Preservation and Succession Ordinance," enacted in November 2017.
Kyoto City Machiya Preservation and Succession Council, Designation Subcommittee
The "Kyoto City Machiya Preservation and Succession Council Designation Subcommittee" deliberates on district designations and individual designations based on the "Kyoto City Ordinance Concerning the Preservation and Succession of Machiya Houses," which was enacted in November 2017.
Please note that this information is confidential as it includes information that is not to be disclosed under Article 7 of the Kyoto City Information Disclosure Ordinance.
Kyoto City Council for the Preservation and Inheritance of Traditional Kyoto Townhouses, New Construction and Other Kyoto Townhouse Subcommittee
The Kyoto City Council for the Preservation and Inheritance of Kyoto Machiya Houses, New Construction and Other Kyoto Machiya House Subcommittee, deliberated on the ideal form and guidance measures for newly constructed houses that can be recognized as Kyoto Machiya houses, in order to promote the construction of housing that inherits the wisdom of Kyoto Machiya houses and can coexist with existing Kyoto Machiya houses.
Kyoto City Machiya Preservation and Utilization Committee
In fiscal year 2016, in response to a request from the mayor, the "Kyoto City Kyomachiya Preservation and Utilization Committee" was established to investigate and deliberate on "the basic policy regarding the preservation and utilization of Kyomachiya" and "a mechanism for predicting the demolition of Kyomachiya in advance." In November 2017, the "Kyoto City Ordinance on the Preservation and Inheritance of Kyomachiya" was enacted.