First off, let me ask you something.
Bought a house in Kyoto but have no idea who to ask for help?
And maybe you’re not so confident with Japanese?
This message is for you.
When I was a high school student, I, Always Ninja Okami, used to live in the United States and Canada. Before I left Japan, my greatest teacher Dr. Mineko Miyake told me, “Once you get there, be prepared to be called a Yellow Monkey or a Jap. (lol)” Thanks to that heads-up, I had some mental armor going in. And sure enough, when someone actually said it to me, I just thought, “Wow, they really said it. LOL.”
But more than that, I was helped by sooo many people.
Even if my language is clumsy, if I speak from the heart, there are people all over the world who will respond with their hearts. I learned that firsthand.
The same thing happens here in Japan, too. It’s the same with Japanese people. Whether the other person is Japanese or foreign, there are kind and generous people.
But there are also people who make you think, “Are you serious right now?” even among fellow Japanese.
Sadly, no matter what country you’re from, there are people who keep their distance or look at you with prejudice simply because you’re a foreigner.
I guess you’re someone who has already bought a house in Kyoto and is living here, or maybe you’re living elsewhere in Japan, or heck, maybe even overseas and thinking about moving to Kyoto.
Even among Japanese people, it’s hard to tell who’s being honest and who’s just putting on a polite front.
So for someone from a different background, culture, and way of thinking, trying to figure out which Japanese person is truly trustworthy must be even harder.
That’s exactly why I’m laying myself bare on this site. I want you to judge for yourself whether I’m a Japanese person you can trust.
When I was overseas, I was helped by neighbors, the cashier at my local supermarket, the lady at my favorite fudge shop, the hairdresser, the pizza guy… They supported me in all kinds of situations, and sometimes even taught me, corrected me, and helped expand my language.
Even though my eyes, skin, and hair were different, even though I was just a “little yellow monkey” in a foreign land, there were people who didn’t treat me with prejudice. They smiled and helped me. That’s how I got by.
So now, it’s my turn. I’m on the “home” side here in Japan, and I want to be the one who receives others with an open heart.
Throw your heart at us. We’ll catch it, straight from the heart.
We all live on the same planet. As a member of Inoue Koumuten, I’d rather build bridges than get stuck behind language walls. That’s what drives my work.
Of course, this isn’t charity or volunteer work. We are professional craftsmen. But we want to work with sincerity and build a win-win relationship.
This page contains important information we need to confirm before accepting your request. It may feel a bit formal, but that’s just proof of how seriously and carefully we approach our craft.
If you read through and think, “Okay, I get it,” then we’re confident we can help you.
Now, let us walk you through our service area and request requirements.
Service Area
We are based in Joyo City, Kyoto Prefecture, and primarily serve the following neighborhoods (Terada, Kuse, Tomino, Nagaike, Najima, Hirakawa, Biwasho, Mizunushi, Kozuya, Ichinobe, Kannondo, and Naka).
In addition, we may be able to accept requests depending on the content and site conditions in surrounding areas such as Kyoto City, Kumiyama Town, Uji City, Yawata City, Kyotanabe City, Ide Town, and Kizugawa City.
* We may not be able to accept requests in some areas or for certain types of work. Feel free to contact us first – we’ll let you know what’s possible.
Who We Can Help
We only accept requests from individuals who meet all of the following criteria:
- Foreign nationals who have purchased a home within Kyoto Prefecture. (Please contact us to confirm whether your area is within our service range.)
- You must be the legal owner of the property. (your name must appear on the official title deed)
- You must be a foreign national who can communicate in English
We do not accept requests from:
- Tenants renting a house or apartment.
→ In Japan, renovation work is typically under the landlord’s authority. - We do not accept requests from anyone other than the legal owner.
→ Inquiries may be made by a spouse or family member, but we cannot proceed with any work unless the request is formally submitted by the legal owner. - Those who cannot provide proof of ownership for the property to be renovated.
→ Ownership verification is required for the specific property where the work will be performed.
Ownership Confirmation
Before we begin any work, we need to confirm that you are the legal owner of the property.
To proceed, we kindly ask that you provide a copy of the following two documents. Both are required.
- A copy of the 登記事項証明書 / Certificate of Registered Matters issued by the Legal Affairs Bureau. (This is the only valid proof of ownership in Japan.)
- 在留カード / Residence Card (Zairyū Card) for photo identification. (Passports and driver’s licenses are not accepted.)
We will take a copy or photo of these documents for our records. This helps us avoid problems – like starting work on a rental house without the landlord’s permission. That’s why we need to confirm that you are the legal owner of the property.
* Rest assured, we will not use these documents for any other purpose. We stake our reputation built over 80 years on that promise.
Payment Policy: Full Payment in Advance
We kindly ask for full payment in advance before we begin any work.
Why? In some cases, people may return to their home country unexpectedly. To avoid situations where work has started but payment cannot be completed, we require full payment before we begin.
Once we’ve bought the materials and started the job, and then you suddenly fly home… Well, that’s just impossible for us. Hell yeah, we’re builders, not bounty hunters! XD
We appreciate your understanding and cooperation.
Final Note
And one last thing… If you can read and understand everything on this page – you’re exactly the kind of client we can help!
Contact Information
We may be on-site and unable to answer immediately. And also, to avoid any misunderstandings or miscommunication, please contact us first via LINE or email. This helps us keep a clear record and respond accurately.
LINE / Email: Reach us anytime – we’ll reply as soon as we’re off-site.
LINE
Click the button on the left and add INOUE KOUMUTEN as a friend before sending your inquiry.
We’ve prepared two forms to better match your situation. Choose the path that suits your home journey, whether you already own a property or are planning to build.