kitori

The first step in homebuilding begins in a space filled with dreams, like a toy box

We discovered a unique house showroom along New Okutama Street on the south side of Tachikawa Station. Step inside, and you’ll feel as if you’ve jumped into the world of a picture book. Let’s explore and see what kind of place it is!

Kitori is a company that builds new houses, renovates old ones, and designs shops and stores. Their showroom features a mosaic window made of colorful glass and a warm wooden door. At first glance, it resembles a café or restaurant.

Ichino Yamanaka, the company’s representative, welcomed us with a warm smile. Inside, we discovered a stylish bar counter. He explained that it is used for meetings but transforms into a lunch table at noon. How amazing and delightful!

On the second floor, a large table is placed at the center of the main area and is used as a meeting space. The furniture, flooring, and walls on each floor are samples that visitors can see and touch. We want to explore and check all areas, including the kitchen, business room, and many others. The second floor was used as a filming location for the TV drama Lion no Kakurega in 2024.

Kitori excels at creating atmospheres infused with art, which led them to produce a picture book. The book, Boku wa Okurimono, was featured as one of the performances in the Tachikawa Project in December 2024.

On the rooftop, there is a space with a Middle Eastern ambiance. “When we have discussions here, our ideas grow into even bigger dreams,” says Yamakami-san. It’s easy to understand that such a beautiful place naturally inspires creativity.

The captivating showroom, filled with charm and appeal, opened in July 2016. The starting point that led Yamakami-san to this moment traces back to his 30s, when he decided to become a furniture craftsman. “At first, I was making furniture, kitchens, and walls. Eventually, I started building houses and stores. This showroom is filled with my favorite pieces, such as furniture, walls, and more,“ he says.
Most customers are drawn to Kitori’s work through word of mouth. Through countless meetings with them, Yamakami-san explored each person’s joys and preferences, which bring him joy and happiness as well.
One day, he was approached by a woman whose mother, in her 70s, was living alone. Concerned about her mother feeling isolated, she wanted a house where people could gather, ensuring she wouldn’t be lonely. While a spacious living room might seem like the ideal solution, they doubted many guests would actually visit. Through their conversations, Yamakami-san discovered that the mother enjoyed cooking. He suggested she open a small onigiri shop on the first floor, operating just one or two days a week. Unexpectedly her daughter left her teaching job and started a café. Today, the shop became a local community café, attracting many neighbors.
Living in a house that reflects your dreams, that is Yamakami-san’s concept.

Asking his next step in future, ”I dream of producing a beautiful town, even in a small street. I want to create a place where cafés, bookstores, artist studios, offices, and residences blend seamlessly, and people wander around. It is like the nagaya communities of the Edo era or Disneyland where people actually live,” smiled Yamakami san. A person who creates an atmosphere like a picture is someone with a big dream.

※The showroom is by appointment only. Please visit our website for more details.

※The content of the article is as of the time of publication. (Posted in February 2025)