Hachise Co. Ltd. (hereafter Hachise), a Kyoto-based real estate company dealing with traditional Kyo-Machiya townhouses, officially starts worldwide sales by launching a brand new website in English ( http://www.hachise.com/ ).

Kyo-Machiya are traditional Japanese townhouses developed as residences for merchants and craftsmen after the relocation of the capital to Kyoto in 794, basically shop or factory is placed in the front and living space in the back. Currently there remains about 48,000 Kyo-Machiya(*), whose quaint appearance is one of the striking characteristics of Kyoto's streetscape.

About 2% of those townhouses, however, are demolished annually(*) due to deterioration or vacancy, and turn into condominiums or parking lots, etc. Constructing a new Kyo-Machiya today is extremely difficult under the regulations of the Building Standards Act which went into effect in 1950. World Monuments Fund, a U.S. nonprofit organization that works to preserve the world's architectural and cultural heritage at risk, has listed Kyo-Machiya townhouses in the Official Watch List 2010 and 2012.

In 2001, Hachise started handling Kyo-Machiya townhouses as properties, which were formerly considered as "lands with valueless old house" in the real estate market. Appreciating "patina" that only emerges on vintage structure, Hachise renovates aged Kyo-Machiya into residences with modern facilities installed. The facades are often restored to their original appearances with consideration for the streetscape, while the interiors are designed in various styles, from traditional Japanese to stylish modern.

In response to the growing interest and demand from abroad, Hachise has established a new system to assist customers around the world in purchasing, maintaining and renting Kyo-Machiya townhouse properties.

What Hachise provides:

- Website in English ( http://www.hachise.com/ )

- English communication support by in-house staff

- Property purchasing consultation and support

- After-sales maintenance services

- Rental Management services

About Hachise Co. Ltd.

Founded in 1956, Hachise is a Kyoto-based real estate company known as a Kyo-Machiya specialist. The core business of Hachise is sales of restored Kyo-Machiya townhouses, which are structurally reinforced and fully renovated with its experienced technique and know-how. Another focus of Hachise is comprehensive after-sales support, such as housing maintenance and rental management services. Hachise also manages some sharehouses, utilizing large Kyo-Machiyas which are relatively difficult to be used as individual's residences. Kyo-Machiya inns, approximately 50% of whose guests are from abroad, are another part of its business.

Hachise started creating a worldwide sales system in July 2013. It aims to be more global to offer people around the world a pleasant life in Kyo-Machiya admiring local culture and craftsmanship of Japanese traditional architecture, and to preserve as many historical Kyo-Machiya townhouses as possible for the next generation.

Head office: Shimogyo Ward, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture

President: Kohei Nishimura

For more information, please visit:

http://www.hachise.com/about/profile.html

(*) "Kyo Machiya Machizukuri Research," Kyoto City, 2008-2009

Source: Hachise Co. Ltd.