1.5 years Renovating a Traditional Machiya townhouse in Kyoto - Complete Journey Part I

[@FoxyfloofJumps]

Wow.... I guess contractors are the same for you as they are here in the USA. I'm sorry you lost your beautiful original roof. Thank you for your sacrifices, and your pain. You have saved me many times over. When I finally start my own renovation project, I will remember this video in excruciating detail.

[@Shaz221]

I am binge watching all the videos about the house renovations, you've been so patient and I hope you and your family are enjoying the home now, after some months have passed

[@oldenslo4141]

You have hit 2 of the biggest stressors in life, moving or changing residence and the birth of a child. Your house looks great so far, who cares about moving boxes? We all understand that you are moving in and are excited to show others. Great job by the way!

[@GoodOldHousesJapan]

Thank you for the comment as always! You are spot on with the 2 big stressors plus the daily complaints I get from my wife for things I do and don't do 😂. The boxes won't be going away anytime soon so I'll just be showing the house the way it is. I hope to have the video ready within June!

[@lilliannomad2414]

Thank you so much for sharing. I have some similar experience for my old house in Kyoto which I brought 3 years ago and still looking for contractors ! I am learning from your videos and trying to find solutions!

[@mollylysowski6656]

So glad I found your utube truly should be so proud house renovating isn’t easy but so so worth it in the end

[@orlandocolon9960]

America Florida: your new home look great, I,m so happy for you and your family: 😁🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟👍.

[@GoodOldHousesJapan]

Thank you for the greetings from Florida...!! Liking the house and neighbourhood so far. Waiting for the first winter though 🤣 hope it doesn't get too cold inside a machiya.

[@urso1457]

Thank you for sharing your experience!! Lots of pain in the renovation history...

[@sg-su1cn]

You are sharing harsh realities of life. I personally learnt few lessons from your videos that I will use whilst building house, though I belong to different country.

[@weirdandwow]

Oh you poor thing, I feel your pain about the roof as I left my contactor for just 3 hours and they did things I did not want them to do. Thanks so much for sharing your hardship during this renovation process, it gives me a good advice for a project we hope to do in the next 6 months. Thanks, you have done an amazing job, and I admire you being able to get over things and just moving on to the next thing.

[@nickloong]

Usually the rule of thumb for me is to have a site supervisor to overlook the entire progress of the renovation. Although it might sound like that's an additional cost, but it is totally worth it as there'll be less miscommunication and wastage of material and time. But then again, if budget is a concern, its best that you relay your instructions well to the contractors who are working for you!

[@GoodOldHousesJapan]

Thank you for the advice Nick! There is a site supervisor but he doesn't go everyday, plus the demolition is technically not a part of the renovation as I requested the demolition to be done by a separate company. It wouldn't be so complicated if I'm on site everyday to check the progress tbh but that's not so realistic with so many other things on hand.....

[@nickloong]

@@GoodOldHousesJapan Renovations and moving house are generally stressful activities, hence not recommended to do these things often, it's bad for health. Haha..😅✌️

[@GoodOldHousesJapan]

@@nickloong I'm glad I won't be moving again anytime soon...hopefully.

[@voodoonexus]

I like these in depth videos man, wish I could actually talk to you about all questions I have regarding the process of buying, renovating and moving. Your channel should have more viewers! Best of luck bro.

[@jefffinney7429]

Planning to buy in Kyoto (and may renovate something) for 6 month a year retirement destination. Don't see much joy spending more time living in Tokyo. Leaning towards a location between Otsu (Shiga) and Kyoto.

[@GoodOldHousesJapan]

Kyoto city is getting expensive but definitely a good idea to explore the surrounding areas such as the southern part of Shiga!

[@LorraineinAustralia]

I’ve loved watching your renovations. So glad you are finally moved in. Cheers from Australia 🇦🇺🇯🇵

[@GoodOldHousesJapan]

Thank you for the kind message! It's a long process but I'm glad to be home :)

[@sebastyc]

OP is correct about finding a professional doing the job of renovation. Never go into business / jobs with your friends. It's going to be messy if something burdens up!

[@richardp4520]

So interesting to watch the progress of the project and really glad you have a beautiful home now for your lovely family. I'm from Australia but I spent a week in Kyoto in 2019 and fell in love with the place. I rode a bicycle EVERYWHERE in Kyoto. Maybe down every street I think. I rode about 200km around Kyoto and I loved the Machiyas in the little back streets. I loved the little architectural details and cute little gardens - so much so that I created a little Japanese style garden at my house in Adelaide 🙂

[@GoodOldHousesJapan]

Thank you Richard! Kyoto is the best city in Japan to be biking around. Good to hear you have a piece of Japan inside your house in Adelaide! I hope it comes with a Tatami room for viewing indoors as well :)

[@KurageHikari]

Finally, good job!! おつかれさまでした！Hope you get to make a lot of wonderful memories in the new house ✨

[@GoodOldHousesJapan]

Thank you Miwhoami! いつもありがとうございます！ Now we actually get more time to enjoy activities inside/outside the house as a family that we are finally settled. Would love to get back to travelling to small towns as well.

[@seanmong9524]

Thanks for taking the time to walk us through your entire journey of renovating your machiya. Fascinating and informative. 👍 Sincere congratulations re moving to your new home! Enjoy the fruits of your labor and love. 🎉

[@GoodOldHousesJapan]

Thank you Sean! I'm glad you find the video informative. Me and my family are enjoying the house & neighborhood so far! Please do come have a tea or coffee when you are in Kyoto :)

[@hiitbang8301]

Thank you for sharing. I would have visit you if I saw this video earlier as I was in Kyoto few weeks ago.

[@GoodOldHousesJapan]

Better luck next time ;)

[@jomashing]

What a journey, congrats on your new home! It's lovely.

[@GoodOldHousesJapan]

Thank you Joe. It took a lot longer than I expected but it is worth the wait...

[@dixcreative]

Sadly employing friends goes badly often - keeps your friends and work separate. A very good tip in life always.

[@GoodOldHousesJapan]

To be exact it was my ex-colleague so I think it was a bit better than employing a friend...but anyway yes definitely not a good idea to be employ someone based on purely friendship.

[@Robertdiamondking]

I have a few issues with some of your points I’m not sure the architect is the one responsible for the things you are expecting of him. You guys agreed on the contractor but if it’s someone who you were hoping to work with then you wait because he may not have been able to even start the job for a bit. I find that you usually get what you pay for. For example the 30 million ¥ price may have been pretty close given everything they were including and how much you had to eventually cut out. Second the demo costs were quite different but look what happened with the cheap company. The made a big blunder. Also I feel a bit bad for the contractor because now he has no budget for his own ごみtrash and debris removal as the job progresses. The constant amount of trash and packaging etc cannot be underestimated(literally) and it’s one of the places I often make big mistakes on with my budget. Btw I’ve never heard of Kyoto city inspectors going to a machiya to inspect it but no doubt the water pouring in from the roof is a horrible disaster. Anyhow still like your videos and would love to meet up in Kyoto some time. 😊

[@etherdog]

What a tale--well detailed and impressively described (and it didn't seem like a 30 minute video)! Your frustration was evident, and I don't blame you for feeling that way, but I hope it doesn't inhibit your comfort in your new home. Hopefully you can out your lessons learned to good use. Looking forward to part II!

[@GoodOldHousesJapan]

Thank you for the kind words...it's scary putting on long videos especially when it's purely me talking 😂. Me and my family have been enjoying the comfort of the new home so far. Still lots of small things left to be done inside the house, but I'll be taking that slowly now.

[@notanotherutubeuser]

so happy to see it finished woo hoo

[@GoodOldHousesJapan]

Thank you David. I'm also very glad that it's finally completed... now on to new projects!

[@peterlo1890]

Thanks for sharing the info. We do understand there are many stuff to consider for major renovations.

[@GoodOldHousesJapan]

I would love to be able to share more on the technical side of the renovation as well, unfortunately I'll need more experience and knowledge to do so.

[@hatter10_6]

Thank you for sharing this journey. Again, a very informative video.

[@GoodOldHousesJapan]

Thank you Max for watching! Still lots to share but limited time 😂

[@jeffq2302]

Great summary.

[@GoodOldHousesJapan]

Thank you Jeff!

[@douniahelenedavid5923]

Hello, can you summarized your renovation plus taxes and give the total amount of your expenses. Thank you

[@nopefoh]

welcome back and congrats Machiya-sama on moving into your new home! i hope you and your family continue to settle in well. regarding what you said @ 19:32 would you say Japan is being hit pretty hard by inflation?

[@GoodOldHousesJapan]

Thank you for coming back ラガス sama! We are liking the home and neighborhood so far :) Yes Japan is being hit hard by inflation but it's not entirely related to covid. The rising construction cost is something happening to most developed countries I believe...

[@Haladmer]

Wow.. I knew you had some... issues.. with the companies/process, but to hear that they took the entire roof?!? I'm glad they tried to at least compensate part of the cost/work, but wow... Did you end of saving any of the genkan elements you mentioned early on? I know you were thinking of ways to save/display some of the signage and other little detail pieces if possible, so hopefully the demolition company didn't destroy everything!

[@GoodOldHousesJapan]

Yes the roof was a "pleasant" surprise. I'm happy with how it turned out though. It would cost a lot more without the compensation from the demolishment company. Those old parts are still inside my house (miraculously saved throughout the renovation). I haven't thought of a good way & place to display them though...too many things needed to be done first.

[@Ash-ki1mc]

Congratulations~

[@GoodOldHousesJapan]

Thank you Ash!

[@hanazuki333]

omg no floor heating . that is most important thing to have. especially in such old buildings.

[@GoodOldHousesJapan]

It's only October now so I can't say much, but I've got my heavy armed slippers ready for winter...lol

[@ronisworld2916]

Your house looks great. looking forward to the tour!

[@808zhu]

What was the US company that's renovating machiya? Nevermind. I found it. 🙂 Thanks!

[@GoodOldHousesJapan]

Actually I have no idea. What is the US company that renovates machiya?

[@808zhu]

@@GoodOldHousesJapan Hachise I think it was

[@808zhu]

@@GoodOldHousesJapan I joined the FB group for kominka.. Thank you for your referral. 😊👍

[@GoodOldHousesJapan]

@@808zhu That is a company based in Kyoto!

[@808zhu]

@@GoodOldHousesJapan I'm going to ask them for a job or internship. 😅

[@ericzhao5077]

LMAO!!! HAHAHAHAH. I have question. Dose the quote include the furniture? such as toilet ect.

[@GoodOldHousesJapan]

Toilet, bathtubs, basin are all included in the quotation. Furniture will be separate.

[@ck7642]

Mahalo!

[@GoodOldHousesJapan]

Mahalo!!

[@808zhu]

Aloha 🌴🤙

[@GoodOldHousesJapan]

Aloha!!

[@norinickrrostron9001]

You look tired...

[@GoodOldHousesJapan]

Sorry for looking tired.... but I was tired.