KYOTO, Japan--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Hachise Co. Ltd., a Kyoto-based real estate company marketing traditional Kyo-Machiya townhouses, has launched a new project to build entirely new Kyo-Machiya employing Japanese traditional construction methods using stone foundations and wooden joints without the use of metal parts. This represents the overcoming of regulatory issues that have rendered the new building of Kyo-Machiya over the past several decades extremely difficult.

The appeal of Kyoto, one of the world’s leading cites for tourism, lies in its beautiful townscapes that retain an air of history, in addition to its many famous temples and shrines. However, the type of townhouse building known as Kyo-Machiya, which is a wooden structure built according to traditional construction methods, fails to meet criteria stipulated in the 1950 Buildings Standards Act. The building of new Kyo-Machiya townhouses has therefore been impeded since the law was enacted. For this reason, authentic Kyo-Machiya sold today were generally built prior to 1950.

Hachise overcame these regulatory issues by adapting special structural calculations that would enable Kyo-Machiya built by traditional construction methods to meet earthquake-proofing criteria. In the past, few people had even attempted to build new traditional Kyo-Machiya because the structural calculations involved with traditional construction methods under the current law would be too complicated in many ways. Such calculations, as well as their approval process, would require substantial time and effort. Even if approved, the construction itself would require time-consuming manual work done by skilled craftsmen as well as a larger volume of timber. Hachise, however, has unflaggingly strived to realize these calculations. Having worked hand-in-hand with a specialist organization for several months, the company ultimately obtained approval for constructing entirely new Kyo-Machiya.

Hachise began handling Kyo-Machiya townhouses as of the year 2001. In addition to the renovation and re-selling of Kyo-Machiya for modern living, it also has initiatives for shared housing, guest houses, and more, all of which contribute to the preservation of Kyo-Machiya. Even so, because the cost for renovating old machiya as well as maintenance costs can be extremely high, many are sold or even knocked down. Survey results taken in the year 2016 indicated that some 5,600 machiya were lost over a seven-year period, which means that on average about 800 are demolished every year. Many have been turned into parking lots, condominium buildings, and hotels.

Having understood the limitation of preserving existing Kyo-Machiya, Hachise now steps into the option of constructing and increasing new Kyo-Machiya. Currently, four new Kyo-Machiya townhouses will become available in March, at which time the company is slated to hold an open house. This new machiya-building project, called “KyoTsumugi,” is an opportunity to convey traditional building techniques to future generations. Hachise’s goal—and its expectation—is to popularize it as a new means of maintaining the beautiful look of Kyoto well into the future.

About Hachise Co. Ltd.

Founded in 1956, Hachise is a Kyoto-based real estate company known as a Kyo-Machiya specialist. The core business of Hachise is sales of restored Kyo-Machiya townhouses, which are structurally reinforced and fully renovated by way of extensive technique and know-how. Another focus of Hachise is its comprehensive follow-up support, including housing maintenance and rental management services. Hachise launched its global website in July 2013.

Head office: Shimogyo-ku, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture

President: Kohei Nishimura

For more information, please visit:

http://www.hachise.com/