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Weekly Featured Property: Timeless Kyoto Machiya near Tofukuji

A 19th-Century Treasure Just Minutes from Kyoto Station

Historic wooden home from the first year of the Meiji era (1868)

1 minute from Tofukuji Station (Keihan Main Line), 2 minutes from JR Nara Line

Renovated for comfort, retaining traditional charm

Ideal for vacation home, cultural rental, or preservation-minded ownership

South-facing with bright interiors and open loft

¥14.8M / ~$98,000 USD as of Oct 2025

In the heart of Kyoto’s historic Higashiyama district, this two-story wooden machiya offers a rare opportunity to own a piece of living history. Registered in 1868, the first year of the Meiji era, this machiya (like many structures documented during that wave of rapid bureaucratization) may in fact predate its official record, making it a rare witness to Kyoto’s transition from the shogunate to modern Japan.

This more than 150-year-old 1LDK home blends traditional craftsmanship with thoughtful modern upgrades. Its location is nothing short of remarkable: a one-minute walk to Tofukuji Station on the Keihan Line, two minutes to JR Nara Line, and just 20 minutes on foot to Kyoto Station.

While subject to historical and landscape preservation regulations, including no rebuild permission (learn more in our guide to rebuildable and non-rebuildable properties), this property’s cultural authenticity and unbeatable location make it a compelling choice for anyone seeking a foothold in old Kyoto.

✨ What Makes This One So Special?

• 🏯 A Living Artifact of Meiji-Era Kyoto

  Registered in 1868, this machiya predates Japan’s first railways and embodies the country’s transition from Edo to modern times. Original wooden beams and layout reflect Kyoto’s traditional architecture, yet the home has been lightly modernized for comfort, including renovated bathroom and toilet (2015) and updated flooring and walls.

• 🚉 Unbeatable Access, Peaceful Setting

  Just steps from Tofukuji Station, this home connects effortlessly to central Kyoto, Osaka, and Nara. Despite the proximity to major transport, it sits on a quiet, narrow street that preserves the timeless charm of Higashiyama. From the entrance, you can stroll to Tofukuji Temple, Sanjusangendo, or the Kyoto National Museum in minutes.

• 💡 Renovated, Radiant, and Ready

  The home is south-facing, ensuring abundant sunlight throughout the day. Features include a loft, wooden deck, open living staircase, and modern toilet, all while maintaining the warmth and intimacy of classic Kyoto design. The compact 43.7 sqm interior feels bright and inviting, perfect for one or two residents, a personal retreat, or a quiet studio space.

📍 Living in Higashiyama, Kyoto

Despite its timeless scenery, Higashiyama is remarkably convenient. The home sits just 1 minute from Tofukuji Station (Keihan Line) and 2 minutes from JR Tofukuji Station, offering effortless access across the Kansai region. From here, it’s only one stop (or a pleasant 20-minute walk across the Kamo River) to Kyoto Station, one of Japan’s major Shinkansen terminals connecting directly to Osaka, Nagoya, Tokyo, and the rest of the country.

Within walking or cycling distance, you’ll find supermarkets, convenience stores, and small local cafés, while the main roads (Shichijo, Higashioji, and Gojo) offer frequent city buses that connect easily to Gion, Kawaramachi, and central Kyoto. The neighborhood’s flat terrain and compact scale make daily errands simple and enjoyable, whether by bicycle or on foot.

👋 Welcome to Higashiyama

Life in Higashiyama moves at its own beautiful pace. The district is home to Tofukuji Temple’s maple gardens, Kiyomizu-dera, Sanjusangendo, and Yasaka Shrine, all within walking or short cycling distance. In autumn, the hills glow red with leaves; in spring, temple paths fill with cherry blossoms and soft evening light.

The area blends long-time residents, students, and artisans, creating a community that feels grounded yet creative. Locals enjoy browsing pottery shops and galleries, joining neighborhood festivals, or relaxing along the Kamo River, just a short walk away. Despite its popularity with visitors, the inner residential lanes remain quiet and respectful, offering a deep sense of place and continuity.

Everyday life here feels poetic and lived-in: a balance of history, craftsmanship, and calm. Whether as a retreat, studio base, or slow-living home, Higashiyama invites you to experience Kyoto not as a tourist, but as a participant in its ongoing story.

🗺️ Quick Property Snapshot

• 🏠 2-story wooden home (machiya style), 1LDK layout

• 📐 43.7 sqm (470 sqft) building / 35.1 sqm (378 sqft) land

• 📅 Registered Jan 1868 (at least 157 years old)

• 🛠️ Renovated 2015 (bath, toilet, flooring, walls)

• 🚉 1-min walk to Tofukuji Station (Keihan Line), 2-min to JR Nara Line

• 💡 South-facing, excellent light and ventilation

• 🌸 Loft, wooden deck, modern bath, living staircase

• 🔥 City gas, public water/sewer

• 🏮 Cultural Property & Landscape restrictions apply

• 🚫 No rebuild allowed (as-is sale)

• 💴 ¥14.8M / ~$98,000 USD

🔍 Why This One’s Worth a Look

For a fraction of the cost of even a small Tokyo apartment, you can own a registered piece of Kyoto history in one of Japan’s most culturally significant neighborhoods. Though it cannot be rebuilt, this home’s solid structure, updated amenities, and extraordinary location make it ideal for careful stewardship and enjoyment.

Perfect as a personal retreat, artist’s residence, or long-term cultural investment, this machiya connects you directly to the story of Japan’s modern era, and to the everyday grace that still runs through Higashiyama’s streets.

🌸 Make Kyoto Your Cultural Base

If you’ve ever dreamed of waking up to temple bells, walking through narrow alleys lined with old wooden homes, and living where Kyoto’s seasons unfold in full color, this is that dream made real. For under $100K USD, this Tofukuji machiya offers an authentic, tangible connection to Japanese history and a once-in-a-generation chance to live inside Kyoto’s story.

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