京都Kansai
English-Speaking Property Management in Kyoto
Nowhere is a machiya more coveted — or more demanding — than Kyoto. These lattice-fronted wooden townhouses require constant, knowledgeable care, and Kyoto's preservation rules add another layer. MonoHaus manages Kyoto property for international owners with the craftsmanship these homes deserve.
From a Gion machiya to a Higashiyama residence, we coordinate traditional carpenters, manage seasonal upkeep, navigate the city's landscape and preservation ordinances, and report to you in English every month.
対応物件What we look after
Properties we manage in Kyoto
- Kyoto machiya (Gion, Higashiyama, Nishijin)
- Traditional residences
- Guesthouses & minpaku
- Kominka on the city fringe
地域の特徴Local know-how
What Kyoto property needs
Preservation & landscape rules
Kyoto's ordinances shape what you can change. We keep renovations compliant and protect the property's heritage value.
Machiya craftsmanship
Earthen walls, sliding shoji, timber frames — we use craftsmen who specialise in traditional Kyoto construction.
Homes we look after in Kyoto
Good to know about Kyoto
- Nearest airport
- Kansai International Airport (KIX) via the Haruka limited express; Osaka International Airport (Itami, ITM) by limousine bus
- By rail
- Tokaido Shinkansen to Kyoto Station; JR, Kintetsu, Keihan and Hankyu lines across the city
- Hazard map
- Check flood, landslide and tsunami risk for any address on Japan's official hazard map portal. Open the hazard map
- Property tax
- Fixed asset tax is billed by the city or town, usually in four instalments through the year (dates vary by municipality). We watch for the notices and make sure none are missed.
Our year looking after a home in Kyoto
Spring (Mar–May)
- Seasonal inspection and garden tidy
- Check gutters and drains ahead of the rainy season
Summer (Jun–Aug)
- Airing against rainy-season damp and mould
- Typhoon preparation in late summer
Autumn (Sep–Nov)
- Post-storm checks with photos
- Leaf clearing and pre-winter checks
Winter (Dec–Feb)
- Dry-season checks: outside taps, heaters, fire safety
- A good time for planned repairs
Timing is planned around each house — this is the usual rhythm.
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サービスServices
Our services in Kyoto
Property management in Kyoto — FAQ
- Can I take down or heavily rebuild my machiya?
- Kyoto City has an ordinance aimed at preserving kyo-machiya, and certain machiya come with a requirement to notify the city well before demolition. Landscape rules also govern exterior colours, roofs and signage in many districts. We help you find out what applies to your house and coordinate with the city and specialist builders before any plans are fixed.
- Will Kyoto tax my house differently because nobody lives in it?
- Kyoto City has created a tax on homes that are not used as anyone's residence (hi-kyoju jutaku tax), and its timing and scope have attracted a lot of attention. We can forward and translate any notices you receive, but whether and how it applies to you is a question for a licensed tax accountant (zeirishi).
- How do you deal with Kyoto's muggy summers in a closed-up wooden house?
- The basin traps heat and humidity, which is hard on tatami, earthen walls and the narrow back gardens (tsuboniwa) that machiya rely on for airflow. On each visit we open the house from front to back, check under the floor for damp and termites, and keep the garden trimmed so air can move.
- How much does property management in Kyoto cost?
- Plans run from ¥14,000 to ¥42,000 per month depending on how often we visit — quarterly, every other month, or monthly. The right cadence depends on your Kyoto property's type, age, and condition. Rental management is 5% of rent, and renovation is quoted separately.
お問い合わせ
Own property in Kyoto?
Tell us about it and we'll send a personalised care plan within 48 hours — in English, built around how homes in Kyoto need to be looked after.