A Small Private Kyoto Townhouse for Creativity and Reflection
A Study You Can Stay In
TSUBONOI is a small, nine-tsubo Kyoto townhouse, designed to feel like a private study you can stay in. Built in 1922, the house retained much of the character of an ordinary Kyoto machiya. To preserve its unique charm, we renovated it together with architecture students in Kyoto, using traditional techniques and natural materials wherever possible.
While retaining the original floor plan and many of the building’s original elements, we added a dedicated workspace and the modern amenities needed for contemporary living. The space is designed to allow guests to immerse themselves in their own creative work and research.
Away from the bustle of sightseeing, take time to reflect in a historic Kyoto machiya. As soft light shifts throughout the day in the inner courtyard, Tsubo no I offers a quiet stay where you can experience Kyoto as if you were living here.