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March 3, 2023 -- House Rebuilding Project

Even the gorilla is surprised! Renovating a house with Japanese harmony -- "WA/和" (Part 3)

Our renovation project for an old house in Yokosuka's Shonan Takatori suburb, with the theme of blending old and new, has finally been completed. The remodeling & renewal work was finished through a process of trial and error on a limited budget. The house, including interior and exterior, has become beautiful and looks completely different from its original appearance.

Additionally, did you know that an urban redevelopment project is currently underway in the nearby Oppama district -- and it is attracting a lot of attention in the city. There are plans to build a new transportation terminal in front of Oppama train station, widening the surrounding roads, and developing other future-oriented projects. We are very much looking forward to the coming years, when we think that an even more comfortable living environment will be created in the area.

Ryukyu-style tatami mats have been installed in the Japanese-style room (WA-SHITSU). Although they are all the same color, a checkerboard pattern emerges when the tatami mats are arranged facing different directions. There is a wide range of color variation in the room, so you will be able to create a stylish space by using your favorite colors.

Ryukyu-style tatami mats are more durable than regular tatami mats, and they have no woven-cloth edges, giving them a cleaner look.

Furthermore, it is interesting to note that the Japanese-style room has "YUKI-MI" SHOJI/sliding panel-screens. (YUKI-MI is a SHOJI with a glass bottom half that allows you to see the outside scenery even when the SHOJI is closed.) This house has a well-arranged & beautiful garden, so you can enjoy viewing it from inside the room.

Lately, as lifestyles have become more Westernized, homes with Japanese-style rooms have become less common, but those types of rooms are still ideal for lying down and relaxing while enjoying the scenery, or as a space for children to play. We hope you will enjoy our Japanese-style WA-SHITSU space.

The master bedroom on the second floor was originally a Japanese-style room and then was converted into a Western-style room with white as the basic color. The entrance has been repositioned so as to provide a more spacious layout compared to the previous design.

A large-sized bed can also be carried-in and placed in this room. The SHOJI screens were intentionally left in-place, but their frames were painted white to give the room a sense of unity.

The weather has gradually warmed up and the flowers on the plum tree near the house's entrance have started to bloom. We have created a parking lot for two cars and have been renovating the property to make it more comfortable for residents, while also keeping the seasonal trees, shrubbery, and other features that can be preserved.

Prior to its current renovation, the property had been rented for many years to U.S. military-related customers. But, with its sale and purchase, it is now under new ownership, and we have now begun accepting rental applications for the remodeled and improved house.

For those who are considering renting homes to local U.S. military-related customers or have concerns about how to utilize idle land, we are always ready to make a proposal tailored to your needs. Please feel free to contact us!