The first owner was a leading foundry craftsman of the time.

Tawara An Retreat was built by foundry craftsman, Zouroku Hata. Since the end of the Edo Period, the name “Zouroku”, as well as his traditional casting techniques, were passed down from generation to generation. He is even known to have handled the Imperial and State Seals of the Meiji Emperor. The fact that Zouroku Hata was entrusted with such important items shows that he was an extraordinary craftsman.

According to the current Zouroku Hata (6th generation), it was likely the 1st or 2nd generation Zouroku who built Tawara An Retreat. Since then, generations of Zouroku Hata have used the house as a workshop and residence. Although it has certainly aged over the years, the materials and construction which met the aesthetic standards of top-notch craftsmen are authentic. Even the modern master craftsman in charge of the renovation was impressed.

The aesthetics of using the authentic materials, even in places people may not be able to see

The first thing we noticed was the luxurious use of unprocessed rare wood as “solid board.” Today the same kind of wood is sometimes used, but in most cases, it is sliced thinly and pasted onto plywood to be used as “sliced veneer.” There is wisdom in using beautiful wood grain effectively. Nothing matches this solid wood in terms of the attractive appearance brought on by humidity and age. What further surprised us was the high grade of solid natural wood used in places not usually visible, like ceiling boards and under tatami mats. First-class materials such as Yoshino Cedar and Fat Pine were freely used throughout the construction.

The craftsmanship of assembling such materials was also excellent. Floor pillars made of twisted crape myrtle, railings on the porch assembled without using a single nail, and floorboards fastened using hidden nails likely hand-made one by one by carpenters at the time.

During renovations, we repaired damage while leveraging the charm of the house as much as possible. While doing this, we also introduced facilities that fit the modern lifestyle. In doing so, we chose materials that best suited the original atmosphere and flavor of the house.

A Location where Kyoto’s History, Culture, Commerce, and Lifestyle are Intermingled

Tawara An Retreat is located just south of the Kyoto Imperial Palace, the emperor’s former residence. This location, in the center of Kyoto, has many attractions.

First of all, being located in the center of Kyoto, many popular tourist spots such as Kiyomizu Temple, Gion, Nijo Castle, Kinkakuji Temple, and Nishiki Market can be reached within 15 minutes by taxi. The surrounding area is a grid of small streets, lined with Michelin-starred restaurants, long-established confectionery shops, and tool stores. This means you can even enjoy walking around the neighborhood. It is the perfect base for sightseeing in Kyoto.

Furthermore, Karasuma Oike, the largest office district in Kyoto, is only a 10-minute walk away, meaning it can even be considered for business use. Kyoto University and other famous universities are also located in the area, making it a perfect educational environment.