Hamaya-san started a shop in a rented Kyoto townhouse.

The Hamaya residence is located on Iwagami Street, just south of Takoyakushi, along a street with many traditional townhouses. A small, light green flag marks the location of "sumao," a general goods store for home furnishings.
"I want to live in an old wooden house." With that in mind, they searched for properties not only in Kyoto but also in Takarazuka and Nara, and it was there that they found this Kyoto townhouse.
When they first met, the kitchen, toilet, and bathroom had already been renovated, and it seemed that they didn't experience any particular inconvenience in their daily lives. However, two years after moving in, they decided to undertake further renovations to make their living even more comfortable.

Key points of the renovation

The process of installing underfloor heating while people are living in the house.

Since the renovation work was carried out while the family was still living in the house, the entire family participated in tasks such as removing the plywood from the walls and re-plastering the mud walls.
A major highlight of the renovation was the addition of underfloor heating. Apparently, the coldness of the Kyoto townhouse in winter has been greatly improved by installing underfloor heating.
The second floor, which had been experiencing heat in the summer, was insulated at the ground level beneath the roof, ensuring sufficient ceiling height.
A few years after that renovation, they are now renovating the "shop area" to use it as a shop.

The Charm of Kyoto Townhouses

Many Kyoto townhouses have their entire frontage open to the public road. However, the shop area acts as a buffer zone between the shop and private spaces, and it can be partitioned with curtains or fittings, offering a flexibility that allows the homeowner to use the space as they wish. They mentioned that the wooden pillars and beams can be nailed into, giving homeowners the joy of being able to make changes to their home.

Tips for renting a Kyoto townhouse

A flexible space that can be used as a venue for various events.

From lattice doors to large glass fixtures that serve as display windows.

In Ms. Hamaya's home, the landlord lives nearby, so she is able to consult with them regularly and carefully about renovations and other matters. Building a relationship of trust with the landlord and being considerate so as not to cause them any anxiety seems to be key to enjoying life in a traditional townhouse.
When they opened the shop, they replaced the lattice work on the front of the building with large glass fixtures. They kept the removed lattice work so that they can one day restore it to its original state.

What impressed me most was their awareness that they are not just renting, but that they are "being allowed to live" in a traditional Kyoto townhouse that has existed in the area for a longer time than people, and that they are "using it with the next person in mind."