Supporting New Business Openings in Japan

We support businesses looking to newly enter Japan from overseas.We provide assistance for new openings in Kyoto in particular, as well as throughout Japan.

1. Finding the Right Property We work with local real estate companies to introduce properties suited to your plans, whether purchasing land or leasing a tenant space. We cover the Kyoto area as well as Osaka, Tokyo, and nationwide. While Japanese real estate prices have been rising in recent years, they remain very reasonable compared to other major world cities. Kyoto in particular is a city of culture, and its value will only continue to grow.
2. Building Design and Architecture For hotels, condominiums, and guesthouses, design quality and architectural expertise are essential. In addition to creating designs that attract customers and reflect the owner's vision, a highly profitable plan is equally important. Architects well-versed in working with international clients will carefully bring your vision to life.
3. Construction Management Once design and layout are finalized, selecting the right construction company is critical. We can arrange construction firms, contractors, and carpenters suited to each category — hotels, condominiums, restaurants, cafés, and more.
4. Total Coordination of Timber and Reclaimed Wood Choosing the right materials for your space is extremely important. We will coordinate the placement of materials to their best advantage, ensuring that reclaimed wood and natural timber truly shine throughout the building. We will select from our extensive collection of fine timber and antique wood to help you create a truly world-class building.
5. Traditional Japanese Building Materials Available For example, Japanese bamboo is beautiful and refined. We can also source materials unavailable outside Japan, such as Nishijin-ori kimono fabric from Kyoto for wall coverings, plastered earthen walls by skilled craftsmen, and tatami made from rush grass — and we will actively incorporate these into your project.
6. Planning in Compliance with Japanese Law Japan has a wide range of laws and regulations. Understanding them thoroughly and incorporating them from the planning stage is crucial. We will help you navigate the legal requirements unique to each country to ensure a smooth opening.

For Overseas Clients Considering Opening a Business in a Kyoto Machiya

Kyoto is known as a city of 1,000 years of history, boasting a magnificent culture steeped in tradition. Having been spared from wartime destruction during World War II, many precious old machiya (traditional townhouses) still remain in the heart of Kyoto. If you are considering launching a new venture using one of these historic buildings, please don't hesitate to reach out — we will personally show you the properties. We also offer paid real estate viewing tours of Kyoto for prospective owners, bundled with sightseeing, dining, and accommodation arrangements.

Menu Development and Food Sourcing Consulting for Restaurants

Even after securing land, a building, and materials, the "software" side — such as creating a restaurant menu — is equally important. We provide consulting on sourcing channels for meat, fish, sake, and other alcoholic beverages. We will also guide you in understanding Japanese business customs to help you build a thriving, long-lasting establishment.

Delivering the Japanese Spirit of "Wa" and "Zen"

At the heart of the Japanese spirit lies the timeless values of *omotenashi* (hospitality) and *omoiyari* (compassion). We believe that delighting guests and earning their return visits is what transforms a business into a truly thriving one. By respecting customers and treating staff as partners, genuine connection is fostered — and from that connection flows higher motivation and greater profitability.

Using Reclaimed Wood in Interiors to Evoke History

Kyoto is home to many "century companies" — businesses over 100 years old — more than almost anywhere else in Japan. Studying these long-running enterprises reveals a common thread: they continuously evolve in step with the times. They also share a deep reverence for history and tradition, a commitment to the present, and a vision of hope for the future. Japanese reclaimed wood embodies this very spirit — grown for 100 years in the mountains, used in homes for another 100 years, and now repurposed to serve as a guardian of prosperity for yet another 100 years. Surely the gods of the mountains and the trees are watching over it still.

Designing with the Japanese "Washitsu" (Japanese-Style Room)

Traditional Japanese homes and Kyoto machiya are rich with distinctly Japanese cultural elements. In particular, washitsu, zashiki (formal reception rooms), and tea rooms carry the deep spirit of wabi-sabi. Understanding this tradition and its refinement is key to creating Japanese-style architecture using authentic Japanese timber that resonates on a global stage. We provide full support for construction using the masterful techniques of skilled carpenters — the same craftsmanship found in Kyoto's renowned temples and shrines.

The Quality of a Building Is Determined by Its Materials — Timber and Reclaimed Wood

In my work, I travel frequently to countries outside Japan for timber purchasing and import projects. After completing business, I often dine at Japanese restaurants and sushi restaurants abroad — and I am consistently struck by how few of them reflect a truly authentic Japanese aesthetic. It is essential to use genuine Japanese timber and to carefully observe key design proportions when planning and constructing a building. We will help you use branded timbers such as Kitayama Cedar, Kiso Hinoki Cypress, and Yoshino Cedar to create spaces that satisfy even the most discerning high-end clientele worldwide.

Sourcing and Producing Japanese Antique Furniture and Fixtures

We support Japanese-style interior coordination using antique tansu chests, cupboards, tables, and more. As a licensed antique dealer, we can offer a total proposal including valuable antique and vintage furniture and accessories. We believe that developing an interior design concept aligned with your establishment's vision is essential to achieving the right overall balance.

We Can Introduce Rural Kominka (Traditional Farmhouses)

Large, relatively affordable traditional farmhouses located just outside the city center are extremely popular right now. Nestled among mountains and blessed with natural surroundings, these *kominka* are steeped in history and tradition.Beyond plumbing and electrical renovation, it is important to work with architectural designers to carefully craft the space using Japanese timber and reclaimed wood, finishing it with quality materials over time. We will thoughtfully guide you through the renovation process to enhance the value of these grand old properties — whether as a vacation home, guesthouse, or permanent residence.