Keihan Real Estate Co., Ltd. (Head Office: Chuo-ku, Osaka; President and Representative Director: Yoshihisa Domoto; hereinafter “Keihan Real Estate”) and REAL Co., Ltd. (Head Office: Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto; President and Representative Director: Koshiro Tanpo; hereinafter “REAL”) are pleased to announce the joint development of a new luxury accommodation concept, the 「Reiwa New Kyoto Machiya Project 」

As part of this project, 「HITOTOSE Haru – Kyoto Gion Shirakawa 」, a luxury private rental machiya, is scheduled to open along the Shirakawa River in Kyoto on　Thursday, September 10, 2026.

Before the opening, preview visits will also be held for members of the media.

HITOTOSE Haru – Kyoto Gion Shirakawa

 

■ Background and Concept of the Project

The 「Reiwa New Kyoto Machiya Project 」 is an initiative to develop luxury accommodation facilities in prime locations, primarily in Kyoto’s Higashiyama area, with a focus on both convenience and design.

One of the project’s defining features is its proactive incorporation of new construction, rather than limiting development to the renovation of existing traditional Kyoto machiya or standalone houses.

While carefully designing exteriors that harmonize beautifully with Kyoto’s historic streetscapes and landscape, the project combines modern technologies and contemporary ideas with traditional Japanese culture to create a new form of architecture and hospitality: the 「Reiwa New Kyoto Machiya」 , a contemporary interpretation of the Kyoto machiya that can be passed on to future generations.

By combining Keihan Real Estate’s expertise in real estate development with REAL’s experience in planning and operating accommodation facilities in Kyoto, the project aims to offer a new kind of stay that brings together Kyoto’s distinctive aesthetic sensibility and modern comfort.

 

　　 　　　　　

 

■ About HITOTOSE Haru – Kyoto Gion Shirakawa

HITOTOSE Haru – Kyoto Gion Shirakawa is located in Gion, Kyoto, yet offers a peaceful setting along the Shirakawa River, away from the bustle of the surrounding entertainment district.

 

 

The Shirakawa area is known for its atmospheric scenery, which changes beautifully throughout the seasons. In particular, the area around 「 Nasuari-no-michi 」, where the property is located, is lined with cherry trees that come into full bloom in spring.

Inspired by this beautiful spring landscape, the name 「Haru」, meaning spring, was chosen for the property, while scenes and seasonal imagery associated with spring are woven throughout its design concept.

 

Each floor is designed around a different expression of Japan’s seasonal beauty.

The first floor, “Shitamoé,” evokes the first signs of life emerging after winter, capturing the vitality of early spring as new shoots begin to sprout.

The second floor, “Oborozuki,” takes inspiration from the ethereal moon floating across a spring night sky.

The third floor, “Shirakawa,” expresses the clear, refreshing flow of the Shirakawa River, creating a serene atmosphere that feels as though the mind itself is being gently cleansed.

Each floor offers a distinct atmosphere, enriching the experience of staying in the house.

From top: 1st Floor — Design Concept “Shitamoé”; 2nd Floor — Design Concept “Oborozuki”; 3rd Floor — Design Concept “Shirakawa”

 

The property also features the participation of ODO Co., Ltd. (President and Representative Director: Miki Orihara), which has consistently overseen the design concepts for the HITOTOSE series.

Traditional Japanese craftsmanship, including plasterwork and washi paper, has been brought into the present through the hands of skilled artisans, with each space carefully composed to create a harmonious balance between tradition and contemporary design.

 

From top: 1st Floor — Kirie paper-cutting artwork by Keiko Hagiwara; 2nd Floor — Plasterwork by Arato Saito; 3rd Floor — Plasterwork by Okuno Sakan

 

All rooms: Washi paper by Kamisuki Hatano / Wataru Hatano

 

By bringing Kyoto’s scenery into the property and creating an experience rooted in the character of this particular place, HITOTOSE Haru – Kyoto Gion Shirakawa offers guests a memorable stay that can only be experienced here.

 

　

 

【Property Overview】

Location: 324-16 Furunishichō, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto 605-0065, Japan

Property Name: HITOTOSE Haru – Kyoto Gion Shirakawa

Capacity: Up to 4 guests

Scheduled Opening: Thursday, September 10, 2026

Official Website: https://rinn-kyomachi.com/list/hitotose-haru/

〈Some photographs by Toshihide Kajiwara〉

 

【Building Overview】

Property Type: Ryokan (Japanese-style inn)

Structure: Three-story wooden building with galvanized steel sheet roofing

Floor Area: 1st Floor: 54.01 m²
2nd Floor: 52.40 m²
3rd Floor: 37.57 m²

Total Floor Area: 143.98 m²

 

■ HITOTOSE — The Luxury Private Rental Machiya Series Recognized by International Design Awards

The HITOTOSE series is REAL’s highest-end private rental machiya brand.

The name “HITOTOSE” evokes the passage of time throughout the year, including the four seasons of spring, summer, autumn, and winter.

Opened in March 2024, Rinn Kyoto Miyagawasuji hitotose Aki received the Best of Best award in the Concept Design category of the Red Dot Design Award, one of the world’s three major design awards. It also received the Silver A’ Design Award in the Interior Space and Exhibition Design category of the A’ Design Award & Competition 2025, earning recognition both in Japan and internationally.

In March 2026, Rinn Kyoto Kamogawa hitotose Natsu also opened, further expanding the HITOTOSE series.

 

【Rinn Kyoto Miyagawasuji hitotose Aki】

 

【Rinn Kyoto Kamogawa hitotose Natsu】

 

 

■ Future Business Development and Property Opportunities

As part of this project, Keihan Real Estate and REAL aim to develop approximately one property per year, primarily in Kyoto’s Higashiyama area.

In line with the future expansion of the project, the companies are also actively seeking information on suitable real estate properties.

By creating accommodation facilities that harmonize with Kyoto’s history and culture while offering new value, the project will continue to propose unique stay experiences that are worthy of Kyoto’s historic streetscape.

*Please note that the names of the accommodation facilities in the HITOTOSE series operated by REAL are scheduled to be changed. The names of the two properties currently in operation will be changed sequentially.

 

【Company Profile】

Keihan Real Estate Co., Ltd.

Established: June 21, 2000
Capital: JPY 3,394.8 million
President and Representative Director: Yoshihisa Domoto
Head Office: 15F OMM Building, 1-7-31 Otemae, Chuo-ku, Osaka, Japan
Business: Condominium and detached-house development and sales; real estate brokerage; income-producing real estate development

Keihan Real Estate operates a wide range of businesses based in the Kansai region, as well as in Tokyo, Hokkaido, Okinawa, and overseas.

With the mission of supporting and enhancing people’s lives, the company aims to create comfortable living environments and contribute to society.

In Kyoto, Keihan Real Estate has handled a total of seven traditional Kyoto machiya properties to date, promoting the preservation and continuation of machiya while contributing to the development of the city in ways that enhance Kyoto’s unique appeal.

 

From top: Rinn Shiki Juraku; Rinn Hanayacho Asagiri; Rinn Kyoto Ebisu-cho

 

REAL Co., Ltd.

Established: February 2013
Capital: JPY 10 million
President and Representative Director: Koshiro Tanpo
Head Office: Oike Building 5F, 206 Takamiya-cho, Oike-dori, Higashinotoin, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto, Japan

Business: Operation of Kyoto machiya ryokan, hotels, and other accommodation facilities; planning, design, construction, sales, and consulting services for accommodation facilities; real estate sales, leasing, management, agency, and brokerage.

 

Official Social Media: https://real-ec.co.jp/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hotel_rinn/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@hotel_rinn

 

As of August 2026, including properties scheduled to open, REAL operates 74 accommodation properties comprising 443 rooms in Kyoto, including 22 hotel-style properties and 52 private rental machiya properties.

The company operates two core businesses: accommodation operations and real estate development, including the development of accommodation facilities and the conversion of properties originally intended for other uses into accommodation facilities.

REAL has established a distinctive distributed hotel operation model, which is still relatively uncommon in Japan, and is one of the country’s leading hotel operators in this field.

The company plans to expand its operations in Kyoto to more than 700 rooms by 2029, while actively pursuing both new developments and operator changes for existing accommodation facilities.

 

【Media Inquiries】

〈REAL Co., Ltd.〉

Public Relations: Matsuo / Fukuda
Email: kikaku_kaihatsu@real-ec.co.jp
Tel: +81-75-254-7508
Office Hours: 9:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m.
Closed: Saturdays, Sundays, and national holidays

 

〈Keihan Real Estate Co., Ltd.〉

General Affairs Department: Ishikawa / Hirano / Muramatsu
Email: koho@keihan-kiss.co.jp
Tel: +81-6-6946-1341Office Hours: 10:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m.
Closed: Wednesdays and Sundays

 

【Inquiries Regarding Real Estate Property Opportunities】

〈Keihan Real Estate Co., Ltd.〉

Contacts: Miura / Kobayashi (Hide)
Email: senryaku@keihan-kiss.co.jp
Tel: +81-6-6946-1343
Office Hours: 10:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m.
Closed: Wednesdays and Sundays

 

〈REAL Co., Ltd.〉

Contact: Kawamura
Email: info@real-ec.co.jp
Tel: 0120-86-9334

 

【Media Preview Event Before Opening】

Preview visits for members of the media will be available by appointment from August 20 through August 31, 2026.

Advance registration is required. Please apply using the designated application form.

We will accommodate your preferred date and time whenever possible.

We would be pleased to welcome members of the media for a preview and hope you will consider covering the property.

*Please note that we may not be able to accommodate all requested dates and times. Thank you for your understanding.

 

〈Application Form〉

https://forms.gle/m7fGHBexn6gb5w5T7

 

〈Application Form: QR Code〉

〈Preview Details〉

Dates:
August 20–31, 2026
Representatives from Keihan Real Estate will be present only on August 26 and 27.

Time: 10:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
Appointments outside these hours may be arranged upon request.

Location: 324-16 Kofuruchō, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto 605-0065, Japan

Access: Approximately 6 minutes on foot from Exit 2 of Sanjo Station on the Keihan Main Line.

Application: Advance registration is required via the application form.