This video documents the complete renovation of a 40-year-old kitchen and living room by a Japanese carpenter in his own self-built home. After a decade of planning, he undertakes the project to modernize the dated space, improve functionality, and create a more open-plan layout. The process involves dismantling the old structures, removing a central partition wall, and addressing the challenges of older Japanese construction, such as a lack of insulation and house settling. Key upgrades include installing new Hinoki (Cypress) flooring, adding fiberglass and foam insulation, replacing single-pane windows, and reconfiguring the kitchen into an efficient L-shape. The renovation concludes with the creation of custom storage shelves and a TV stand from high-quality Kiso Cypress, transforming the compartmentalized rooms into a single, bright, and spacious living area.
A Carpenter's 40-Year Journey: Renovating a Self-Built Japanese Home
0:00:41 A Long-Awaited Project: After living in the house he built 40 years ago, the carpenter begins a major renovation of the kitchen and living room, a project that had been planned for over 10 years.
0:03:18 Creating an Open-Plan Space: To modernize the home, he removes the partition wall between the eating kitchen and the living room, moving away from the traditional Japanese layout of smaller, separate rooms to create a larger, more open living area.
0:04:47 Modernizing the Floor & Adding Insulation: The original floor is dismantled, revealing a lack of insulation—a common trait in older Japanese homes built to stay cool in summer. New insulation, a plywood subfloor, and 15mm solid Hinoki (Japanese Cypress) planks are installed.
0:06:10 Dealing with a Settled Foundation: He notes that the house, built on a former rice field, has settled by 15-16mm over 40 years, presenting a challenge for leveling the new structures.
0:07:35 Upgrading Windows and Doors: Old single-pane windows prone to condensation are replaced with modern double-pane versions. Hinged doors are also swapped for space-efficient single sliding doors to improve flow.
14:14 Sealing Traditional Walls: To improve energy efficiency without compromising the home's character, he seals gaps in the traditional mud-plastered walls with urethane foam before installing fiberglass insulation in the ceiling.
18:44 Redesigning the Kitchen Layout: The old, inefficient kitchen with cabinets in a 5-meter straight line is transformed into a modern, L-shaped layout to create a more practical work triangle and free up space.
21:20 Closet Conversion and a Surprise Find: A closet in the adjacent room is converted into a stylish open storage space. During the demolition, he discovers a large, fully intact shed skin of a Japanese rat snake.
24:43 Crafting Custom Furniture with Premium Wood: Using high-quality leftover Kiso Cypress, known for its beautiful sheen and fine grain, he builds custom storage shelves and a TV stand, adding a unique, high-end touch to the new space.
29:25 The Final Transformation: A before-and-after comparison showcases the dramatic results: a dark, dated, and compartmentalized area is now a bright, spacious, and unified living space with beautiful natural wood finishes.
31:22 Project Conclusion: The renovation took a month to complete. While this project successfully transformed a major part of the home, the carpenter notes it represents only 20% of the total work needed, with the bathroom and exterior walls still requiring attention.