Transformez votre point de vue. Préservez l'histoire. Construisez votre avenir.

As a licensed immigration lawyer, I have established this project to preserve the very soul of Kyoto. Why not come to Kyoto and save traditional architecture together?”

As a project led by a Certified Administrative Scrivener (Immigration Lawyer) and former Kyoto Prefectural Government official…” “Full Visa Sponsorship: Expert handling of your visa application…” “Complete Life Support: Comprehensive assistance with local registration, housing, and community integration.

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🏠 The Mission: Beyond Restoration

Kyoto’s iconic Machiya (traditional townhouses) are more than buildings; they are living masterpieces of sustainable architecture.
However, we are facing a major crisis… Many Machiya are lost through external capital development, their value unappreciated.

A sense of urgency that ‘the very soul of Kyoto may disappear’ is what gave birth to this project.

Our project invites you to move beyond being a tourist. You will work side-by-side with local masters, using original tools and sustainable materials to breathe new life into Kyoto’s historical landscape.

🛠 What You Will Experience

• Master the “Art of Wood”: Intensive, hands-on OJT (On-the-Job Training) in traditional Japanese carpentry, including intricate joinery (Sashimono) and clay wall techniques.
• Authentic Living: Reside in a beautifully restored Machiya, experiencing the “Kyoto lifestyle” firsthand as a member of the local community.
• Cross-Cultural Innovation: Share your North American perspective to help us develop a new, “Hybrid Tradition” that resonates globally.
• Certification: Receive a formal “Certificate of Traditional Craftsmanship Training” upon completion to bolster your professional portfolio.

⚖️ Professional Legal Support

Navigating Japanese immigration can be daunting. As a project led by a Certified Administrative Scrivener (Immigration Lawyer) and former Kyoto Prefectural Government official, we provide:

• Full Visa Sponsorship: Expert handling of your “Specified Skilled Worker” (Tokutei Gino) or relevant visa.
• Life Support: Comprehensive assistance with local registration, housing, and community integration.
• Career Pathing: Guidance on long-term residency or professional pathways within the Japanese architectural industry.

🔍 Transform Your Craft.

We welcome students and professionals from any field (e.g., Design, Sustainability, Fine Arts, Liberal Arts, Business).
We are not just a place to teach… ‘Hybrid Tradition’… where Kyoto’s techniques and the perspectives of North America’s youth mix.”

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📅 How to Apply

Be part of the first generation of International Machiya Craftsmen.

1. Visit our English portal: https://matsutani-gyosei.com/alex_visa/en/passing-down-tradition-to-the-future/
2. Submit your portfolio or a brief statement of interest.
3. Interview: Successful candidates will be invited to a virtual interview with our project lead, Motoyasu Matsutani.

“Tradition is not just about preserving the past; it’s about creating the future together.”