[65350] Yakushi-yama Zen Retreat | Kita ward, Kyoto City. | Traditional Japanese Houses for sale

Yakushi-yama Zen Retreat

Kita ward, Kyoto City.

This rare property is located in Kyoto’s urban area—both a major tourist destination and industrial city—yet offers sweeping views of its iconic landmark, Mount Hiei. Unlike the familiar machiya townhouses, it is a large and distinctive kominka with an unusual architectural layout. Modest in appearance, the main house is solidly built in a traditional temple style and functions as a Zen training hall, complete with a zazen meditation room and a tea room. Despite its tranquil atmosphere, the property sits in a convenient neighborhood for daily living, with JR Kyoto Station reachable in about 50 minutes by bus and subway.

Photos

Facade and exterior

According to the testimony of a longtime caretaker, this building—known as “Jakujo-an”—was reconstructed during the Showa period, modeled after an earlier structure that once stood on the same site, a fact supported by historical records.

Zazen meditation room and Tea room

The zazen meditation room was used as a place for spiritual training and inner calm, while the tea room served as a space for gathering and hospitality until recent years.

-Shakkei- Borrowed landscape & Zen garden

Closely connected to the scenic Takagamine Plateau, the property occupies an elevated position that offers a proud borrowed landscape, with views of Mount Hiei unfolding through the garden to the east.

Main House

The fusuma “Konoe Peony” motif

The fusuma sliding doors of the tea room feature the “Konoe Peony” motif, suggesting a connection to the distinguished Konoe family, founders of the neighboring temple Ichiyo-in. The Konoe family is one of Japan’s most eminent noble lineages, having served the imperial court since ancient times.

Additional House (water area)

Property entrance and hallway

Area

Takagamine Hill is just over a ten-minute walk away, ideal for enjoying seasonal scenery such as autumn foliage. The scenic Kamo River, Kamigamo Shrine, and the renowned Zen temple Daitoku-ji are also nearby. The Nishigamo residential area offers easy access to daily amenities. Please note that the entrance to Jakujo-an is on the west side of the property, and visitors are kindly asked not to pass through the grounds of Ichiyo-in Temple when visiting.

Floor Plan

Main House and others

Property layout

360°view

Please click on the image below.

General Info

Price	114,000,000 JPY
Property name	Yakushi-yama Zen Retreat
Property No.	65350
Location	3 and 4-3, Omiya Yakushi-yama Higashi Cho, Kita Ward, Kyoto City, Kyoto Pref.
Land area	806 sqm (Public register area). / 1159.51 sqm (Provisional survey. Private road costs not included)
Floor area	1st Floor: 156.36 sqm (Public register floor area) / Main House: 129.71 sqm, Add. House: 25.83 sqm (Provisional survey)
Layout	Zen meditation room + tea room + 3 rooms + water area house
Structure	Wooden
Year Built	Unknown (According to the house appraisal report, 1964)
Parking spaces	Under investigation
Public Transport	6 minutes walk from Yamanomae-cho bus stop on the Kyoto City Bus.
Topography	Flat
Land rights	Ownership
Water supply	Public Water
Sewerage system	Public Sewer
Gas supply	City gas
Electricity supply	Available
Use districts	Category 1 exclusively Low-Rise Residential District
Urban planning	Urbanized area
Adjacent road	A 3.52m to 3.72m wide public road borders the property on the west side for 2.63m.
Private road burden	About 3.51 sqm
Set back obligation
Usage Status	Vacant
Property Tax
Note	-It cannot be rebuilt because it does not meet the road access requirements under the Building Standards Act. -Cannot be used as accommodation. -Unregistered building: Yes

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Hachise Co., Ltd.

619 Takahashi Cho, Shimogyo Ward, Kyoto City, Kyoto Pref.

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Why KORYOYA houses?

The traditional Japanese houses listed on KORYOYA are all built before 1950 with the traditional construction method.

The traditional method is the result of more than a thousand years of past carpenters passing down their efforts and wisdoms. As no new houses can be built with the traditional construction method under current law, the high craftsmanship is in danger of becoming a dying art.

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