I want to build a house (Shinmachiya) that utilizes the wisdom of Kyo-machiya.

In Kyoto City, in order to preserve the distinctive townscape and pass on the lifestyle and culture of Kyoto, efforts are being made not only to preserve and pass on existing Kyoto townhouses, but also to promote the development of "new townhouses," which are newly built houses that can coexist with existing Kyoto townhouses, utilizing the wisdom of Kyoto townhouses.

Shinmachiya aims to realize "the inheritance and development of lifestyle culture," "the creation of a charming townscape," and "the inheritance of traditional techniques and skills." Rather than simply imitating traditional Kyoto townhouses, it is a new type of Kyoto residence that is suited to the needs of the times while inheriting the wisdom of Kyoto townhouses that has been cultivated over Kyoto's long history.

Shinmachiya's logo

The design depicts the silhouette of a traditional Kyoto townhouse and the character for "new."
The designs also incorporate motifs such as "lattices," "insect cage windows," and "noren (traditional Japanese curtains)."

Guidebook "Recommendations for Shinmachiya"

We are creating a guidebook, "A Guide to New Kyoto Townhouses," which explains the concepts behind building houses that utilize the wisdom of traditional Kyoto townhouses, and the ingenuity required to incorporate that wisdom. We have organized the items that should be prioritized during the design process into the following five guidelines. Please use this as a reference when building a new Kyoto townhouse.

Five guidelines

> A Recommendation for Shinmachiya (Summary Version) (PDF)
> A Guide to Shinmachiya (Main Booklet) (PDF)
>It is also available as a digital book at the Kyoto City Information Center.

Introducing Shinmachiya partner businesses and examples of how to incorporate the "Shinmachiya Recommendations"

With the aim of promoting and raising awareness of "Shin-machiya," a type of housing that utilizes the wisdom of traditional Kyoto townhouses, we are recruiting businesses that support the purpose of promoting Shin-machiya and are working on its construction and promotion as "Shin-machiya Partner Businesses." We introduce the names of these businesses and their initiatives related to promoting Shin-machiya. In addition, we introduce "Shin-machiya Case Studies," which showcase examples of homes that incorporate the wisdom of Kyoto townhouses as envisioned by each partner business (examples of how to implement "Shin-machiya Recommendations").

Find a partner business for Shinmachiya

This section introduces businesses (Shinmachiya Partner Businesses) that support the concept of Shinmachiya and are working to promote Shinmachiya by supplying housing that incorporates the wisdom of Kyoto townhouses. Please use this as a reference when building a house in Kyoto City.
> New Machiya Partner Business (Design + Construction Company)
> Shinmachiya Partner Business Operators (Design Companies)
> Shinmachiya Partner Business Operator (Real Estate Industry)

Shinmachiya Partner Business (Design + Construction Company)

Name (location/telephone) (*1)	Company Profile/PR	Of the five guidelines (※2) for Shinmachiya, the areas in which they excel	Examples of Shinmachiya
Takeuchi Construction Co., Ltd. (4-7 Setogawa-cho, Saga Shakadomonzen, Ukyo-ku) Phone: 075-882-7878) ⇒Our company's vision of a new townhouse	We are promoting a locally sourced and consumed approach to home building, based on the theme of "building homes with Kyoto wood." We build houses that make the most of wood, such as wooden houses and comfortable wooden houses, and we value the materials and the craftsmanship of our artisans. Takeuchi Construction has long been committed to building new Kyoto townhouses (Shin-machiya), which are ecological buildings that inherit the wisdom of traditional Kyoto townhouses and homes that cherish Kyoto's culture.	[Guideline 1] Collaboration with neighbors, mechanisms to connect with the town [Guideline 2] Design that takes regional characteristics into account [Guideline 3] Interior Design Space [Guideline 4] Natural materials, floor plans that allow for diverse uses [Guideline 5] Japanese roof tiles, earthen walls/plaster walls, Japanese-style rooms, tatami mats, traditional construction methods	Case Study 1 (The House in Murasakino) Case Study 2 (The Hermitage at Futagooka) ⇒See other examples here
Araki Construction Co., Ltd. (52-2 Umezu Takane-cho, Ukyo-ku) Phone: 075-882-8668) ⇒Our company's vision of a new townhouse	We specialize in the repair of old houses, including traditional Kyoto townhouses, and the design and construction of houses utilizing reclaimed materials. We strive daily to preserve the charming landscape of Kyoto while passing on traditional designs and techniques to new townhouses.	[Guideline 1] Collaboration with neighbors, mechanisms to connect with the town [Guideline 2] Design that takes regional characteristics into account, planning for narrow plots (eel's beds), and facility design that takes the landscape into consideration. [Guideline 3] Balancing gardens, furnishings, traditional styles, and energy conservation. [Guideline 4] Easy maintenance, natural materials, versatile floor plans, and use of reclaimed wood and antique fixtures. [Guideline 5] Japanese roof tiles, earthen walls/plaster walls, Japanese-style rooms, tatami mats, traditional construction methods	Case 1 (A new townhouse with an attached insect cage) Case Study 2 (House made of burnt cedar) ⇒See other examples here
Nakakura Co., Ltd. (24-12 Nishinokyo Ikenouchi-cho, Nakagyo-ku) Phone: 075-841-0182) ⇒Our company's vision of a new townhouse	With the philosophy of "connecting people, towns, and skills," we build homes that preserve Kyoto's beautiful streetscape and pass it on to future generations. Even when built alongside traditional Kyoto townhouses, Nakakura homes are designed to maintain harmony with the streetscape, incorporating the essence of Kyoto townhouse design into their exteriors and textures, even in newly constructed homes. At the same time, we are committed to performance that allows for comfortable and long-term living, and we excel at building homes that combine the wisdom of Kyoto townhouses with the latest technology.	[Guideline 1] Collaboration with neighbors, mechanisms to connect with the town [Guideline 2] Design that takes regional characteristics into account, and facility design that considers the landscape. [Guideline 3] Gardens: Balancing traditional styles with energy conservation [Guideline 4] Use easy-to-maintain, natural materials, reclaimed wood, and antique building materials. [Guideline 5] Earthen walls, plaster walls, Japanese-style rooms, tatami mats	Case Study 1 (House of Light, Garden for Gathering) ⇒See other examples here
Sumiya Co., Ltd. (50-1 Nishinohitsugawa-cho, Yamashina-ku) Phone: 075-582-6100) ⇒Our company's vision of a new townhouse	At our company, a dedicated architect will be assigned to each client, directly listening to their wishes and creating a plan. We utilize additive-free materials, essential for highly airtight homes, and offer floor plans, furnishings, and materials that incorporate ideas from traditional Kyoto townhouses, designed for comfortable living in Kyoto. As all of our staff are from Kyoto, we are able to provide service that is mindful of the unique connections within the region.	[Guideline 2] Design that takes regional characteristics into account, planning for narrow plots (eel's beds), and facility design that takes the landscape into consideration. [Guideline 3] Garden [Guideline 4] Easy maintenance, natural materials, and a floor plan that can be used in a variety of ways [Guideline 5] Earthen walls, plaster walls, Japanese-style rooms, tatami mats	Case Study 1 (Mr. I's Residence) ⇒See other examples here
Kobayashi Construction Co., Ltd., established in the first year of the Genji era. (36 Kagamiishi-cho, Ichijo-dori, Omiya-nishi-iru, Kamigyo-ku) Phone: 075-441-0073) ⇒Our company's vision of a new townhouse	At Kobayashi Construction, we have been involved in many buildings, including traditional Kyoto townhouses, with new construction, renovation and repair, and real estate as our three main pillars. We believe that future homes, like traditional Kyoto townhouses, should be "homes that can be passed down through generations." Our company's mission is "to enrich lives through tradition and science." We build homes that possess an appeal that you'll want to pass down to your children and grandchildren for many years to come, while also incorporating the fundamental performance features of a house: earthquake resistance, insulation, energy efficiency, and refurbishment capabilities.	[Guideline 1] Contour with neighbors [Guideline 2] Design that takes regional characteristics into account, planning for narrow plots (eel's beds), and equipment design that takes the landscape into consideration. [Guideline 3] Balancing gardens, furnishings, traditional styles, and energy conservation. [Guideline 4] Easy maintenance, natural materials, versatile floor plans, and use of reclaimed wood and antique fixtures. [Guideline 5] Japanese roof tiles, earthen walls/plaster walls, Japanese-style rooms, tatami mats, traditional construction methods	Case Study 1 (Newly built Kyoto townhouse using modern construction methods)
Hayashi Construction Co., Ltd. (343 Yodogiwame-cho, Fushimi-ku) Phone: 075-631-0888) ⇒Our company's vision of a new townhouse	Our company specializes in passive design (designing homes that utilize natural energy such as sunlight and ventilation to create comfortable living spaces) that incorporates the wisdom of traditional Kyoto townhouses. We create high-performance new townhouses by combining the technology cultivated over 50 years since our founding with 23 years of experience in adopting new high-insulation and high-airtightness technologies. We strive every day to be a construction company that acts as a bridge connecting traditional Kyoto townhouses, which have witnessed Kyoto's long history, to new townhouses that will be passed on to the future of Kyoto.	[Guideline 1] Collaboration with neighbors, mechanisms to connect with the town [Guideline 2] Design that takes regional characteristics into account, planning for narrow plots (eel's beds), and facility design that takes the landscape into consideration. [Guideline 3] Balancing gardens, furnishings, traditional styles, and energy conservation. [Guideline 4] A floor plan that is easy to maintain and can be used in a variety of ways. [Guideline 5] Japanese tiles, Japanese rooms, tatami mats	Case Study 1 (Mr. T's Residence)

>Introduction of Shinmachiya Partner Businesses and Examples of How to Incorporate "Shinmachiya Recommendations" Back to Top

Shinmachiya Partner Business (Design Company)

Name (location/telephone) (*1)	Company Profile/PR	Of the five guidelines (※2) for Shinmachiya, the areas in which they excel	Examples of Shinmachiya
Takimoto Architects (First-Class Architectural Office) (570-2 Sujichigaibashi-cho, Kamigyo-ku (Sakyo Atelier) 34 Yamabata Kawabata-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto City) Phone: 075-746-2926) ⇒Our company's vision of a new townhouse	We place great importance on the spirit of "harmony" that the Japanese people have preserved since ancient times when designing buildings. It's not just about the visual aspect; it also encompasses many other things, such as the tactile experience, the atmosphere, the history, and the wisdom. Kyoto townhouses are no exception, and they embody the essence of what our ancestors left behind. We consider how these elements can be incorporated into modern buildings and offer our suggestions accordingly.	[Guideline 1] Contour with neighbors [Guideline 2] Design that takes regional characteristics into account, and planning for narrow plots (eel's beds). [Guideline 3] Balancing gardens, furnishings, traditional styles, and energy conservation. [Guideline 4] Use of natural materials, floor plans that allow for diverse uses, and use of reclaimed wood and antique fixtures. [Guideline 5] Japanese roof tiles, earthen walls/plaster walls, Japanese-style rooms, tatami mats, traditional construction methods	Case Study 1 (K Residence) Case Study 2 (Nanzenji I Residence)

>Introduction of Shinmachiya Partner Businesses and Examples of How to Incorporate "Shinmachiya Recommendations" Back to Top

Shinmachiya Partner Business (Real Estate)

Name (location/telephone) (*1)	Company Profile/PR	Of the five guidelines (※2) for Shinmachiya, the areas in which they excel	Examples of Shinmachiya
Hachisei Co., Ltd. (619 Takahashi-cho, Higashinotoin-dori, Takatsuji-agaru, Shimogyo-ku) Phone: 075-341-6321) ⇒Our company's vision of a new townhouse	Since 1963 (Showa 38), we have been working as a real estate company, observing the changes in Kyoto and playing a part in its urban development. Initially, we sold ready-built and custom-built homes, but around 2001, we shifted to the refurbishment and sale of used homes, mainly Kyoto townhouses. While conducting extensive research into renovation techniques for traditional construction methods, we have undertaken renovations with a wide variety of concepts tailored to the characteristics of the buildings and the surrounding areas. As of 2020, we have renovated over 450 Kyoto townhouses. In addition to building renovations, we continue to work on the refurbishment of used homes, including the revitalization of alleys and leasing and utilization proposals for large Kyoto townhouses. Using the traditional construction techniques cultivated through renovations, in 2018 we successfully undertook the development and sale of new Kyoto townhouses using traditional construction methods, utilizing the continuous building design system.	[Guideline 1] Contour with neighbors [Guideline 2] Design that takes regional characteristics into account, planning for narrow plots (eel's beds), and facility design that takes the landscape into consideration. [Guideline 3] Gardens and furnishing spaces [Guideline 4] Utilization of natural materials, reclaimed wood, and antique building materials [Guideline 5] Japanese roof tiles, earthen walls/plaster walls, Japanese-style rooms, tatami mats, traditional construction methods	Case 1 (Ebisu Alley) Case Study 2 (Kyoto Tsumugi) New!⇒See other examples here

*1 Clicking the link will take you to the page of each partner company.

*2Five Guidelines for Shinmachiya

>Introduction of Shinmachiya Partner Businesses and Examples of How to Incorporate "Shinmachiya Recommendations" Back to Top

Other examples

This section introduces other housing examples (incorporating the "Recommendation for Shinmachiya") conceived by each Shinmachiya partner business. Clicking on each example will take you to the respective partner business's page where you can view details of each building.

classification	Shinmachiya Partner Business Name	Architectural Examples
Real estate industry	Hachisei Co., Ltd. ⇒Company ProfileHerePlease take a look.	Asahi Nagaya
Design + construction	Takeuchi Construction Co., Ltd. ⇒Company ProfileHerePlease take a look.	H Residence, Sakyo Ward, Kyoto City - A newly built house with a tea room Construction of the new M residence in Fushimi Ward, Kyoto City Houses in Kamishichiken New construction project for House A in Kita Ward, Kyoto City
Design + construction	Araki Construction Co., Ltd. ⇒Company ProfileHerePlease take a look.	New Kyoto townhouse construction II A house with a double-glazed window
Design + construction	Nakakura Co., Ltd. ⇒Company ProfileHerePlease take a look.	Small two-family house
Design + construction	Sumiya Co., Ltd. ⇒Company ProfileHerePlease take a look.	House with a courtyard House with an earthen floor

*1Five Guidelines for Shinmachiya

> See other examples Return to top

Recruiting Shinmachiya Partner Businesses

We are seeking businesses (Shinmachiya Partner Businesses) that support the concept of Shinmachiya and are working to promote Shinmachiya by supplying housing that incorporates the wisdom of Kyoto townhouses.

1. Become a Shinmachiya Partner Business

(1) Featured on the Kyoto City website

The Kyoto City website will feature company profiles of Shinmachiya partner businesses, examples of completed projects (based on Shinmachiya guidelines; limited to properties within Kyoto City), and information on Shinmachiya-related events such as open houses.

> Introduction of Shinmachiya partner businesses and examples of how to implement "Shinmachiya no Susume"
>Introduction of other examples

(2) Issuance of Shinmachiya Partner Business Certificate

You will receive a Shinmachiya Partner Business Certificate (A4 size).

(3) Use of the Shinmachiya logo

Shinmachiya partner businesses can use the Shinmachiya logo when undertaking initiatives related to Shinmachiya.
> Shinmachiya Logo Mark Usage Guidelines (PDF)

2. Application Requirements

The Shinmachiya Partner Businesses must meet all of the following criteria:

(1) The applicant must be a person who designs, constructs, or supplies residential housing.

(2) Based on the "Recommendation for New Machiya" issued by Kyoto City in March 2020, the applicant has posted "What I Think of New Machiya" on their own website and has included a link to Kyoto City's New Machiya website.

> Guidebook "Recommendations for Shinmachiya"

(3) There are plans to undertake initiatives to promote and raise awareness of Shinmachiya (traditional townhouses).

(4) Having experience in constructing or renovating a house in Kyoto City* (which incorporates three or more of the five guidelines for Shinmachiya (limited to those that have been legally constructed, etc.; however, guideline 2 is mandatory)) for which construction commenced on or after September 1, 2007.

*The term "residence" as used herein refers to a building whose construction began on or after November 24, 1950, and which, in whole or in part, is intended for residential use at the time of application to become a Shinmachiya Partner Business Operator.

(5) Not being a member of an organized crime group as defined in Article 2, Item 4 of the Kyoto City Organized Crime Exclusion Ordinance, or a person closely associated with an organized crime group as defined in Article 2, Item 5 of the same Ordinance.

(6) Not having received any penalties for violating the provisions of the Architects Act or the Construction Business Act within the past five years.

> Q&A regarding application requirements (PDF)

3. How to apply

Please submit the required documents to the Kyoto City Machiya Preservation and Succession Section via email, fax, mail, or in person. For the "Property Information Sheet," please also submit the data (email or CD-R (USB is not accepted)).

*Applications are accepted at any time.

* For new registrations, please submit the "Application Form," "Property Information Sheet," and "New Town House Checklist."

* If you are adding a property, please submit the "Property Information Sheet" and the "New Town House Checklist" from the required documents.

* If you wish to have event information related to Shinmachiya posted, please submit the "Shinmachiya Event Information Posting Request Form".

Required documents

　> Application form (Word)
　> Property Information Sheet (Word)
　> New townhouse checklist (Word)
> Proposal to include links to "My Idea of a New Machiya" and the Kyoto City New Machiya website on my own website.
　> Request form for posting event information at Shinmachiya (Word)

Contact/Submission Address

Urban Planning Bureau, Urban Regeneration and Creation Promotion Office (Kyoto Machiya Preservation and Succession Section)
488 Kamihonnoji-mae-cho, Teramachi-dori Oike-agaru, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto City (Window No. 8, 2nd floor of the branch office)
TEL: 075-222-3503
FAX: 075-222-3478
MAIL:[email protected]

4. Changes to the content of the announcement / Cancellation of the announcement

(1) Changes to the content of the announcement

If there are any changes to your application details, please submit a change request form via email, fax, mail, or in person. After reviewing the information, we will update the website accordingly.
If you wish to have your information removed from the website, please submit a removal request form via email, fax, mail, or in person. After reviewing the form, we will remove it from the website.

Notification form

　> Change Request Form (Word)
　> Removal of Publication Request Form (Word)

(2) Discontinuation of publication

If any of the following conditions are met, you will lose your status as a Shinmachiya Partner Business Operator, and your listing as a Shinmachiya Partner Business Operator on the Kyoto City website will be removed.

a. When an act that violates laws and regulations is committed.

(i) When you no longer meet the application requirements of (i) 2.

(c) When the business goes bankrupt

E. When a business operator requests the removal of a listing.

O. When deemed ineligible as a Shinmachiya partner business operator for any other reason.

5. Manual

　　> Guidelines for implementation (PDF)