Where every wall tells a story of transformation.
Step into spaces reborn—not just renovated, but reimagined. Here, 20-year-old concrete shells become sunlit sanctuaries, cramped 2DK layouts expand into fluid living canvases, and forgotten details emerge as quiet luxuries. Each project carries the scent of hinoki wood, the whisper of hand-troweled plaster, and the warmth of a home rediscovered. These aren’t just apartments; they’re love letters to modern Japanese living.
Find inspiration for your own transformation.
Compact galley kitchens reimagined with Shaker-style birch cabinetry, quartzite countertops, and hidden under-cabinet lighting that makes midnight ramen prep feel like a ritual. Every drawer glides on silent Blum soft-close hardware—no more slamming, just the quiet hum of possibility.
Tiny 3-tatami bathrooms transformed into spa-like retreats with hand-painted Moroccan zellige tiles, deep soaking tubs, and Toto washlets that remember your preferred water temperature. The scent of yuzu bath salts lingers long after you’ve stepped out onto heated hinoki floors.
Cramped 6-mat rooms expanded with floor-to-ceiling shoji screens, recessed LED cove lighting, and built-in walnut storage that hides clutter behind seamless panels. The air hums with the quiet whir of a Daikin air purifier, filtering out city dust while preserving the aroma of freshly brewed sencha.
Sleep sanctuaries where 80s-era fluorescent lighting gives way to adjustable warm-white LEDs, tatami mats are layered with memory foam for joint relief, and custom cedar headboards absorb sound for undisturbed rest. The only thing louder than your breathing is the distant chime of a Furin wind bell outside the window.
Genkan spaces that greet you like an old friend—with shoe storage that fits 12 pairs, a built-in bench for tying laces, and a motion-activated Philips Hue light that welcomes you home. The scent of beeswax polish on the oak shoe rack mingles with the faint tang of rain on your umbrella.
End-to-end transformations where 30-year-old 2DKs become open-plan havens with structural reinforcements, soundproofed walls, and smart home systems that adjust lighting based on the time of day. The first step inside feels like slipping into a perfectly tailored kimono—every inch designed for you.
Micro-living redefined: 20sqm spaces with Murphy beds that disappear into walls, modular IKEA Kallax units that double as room dividers, and magnetic paint walls for displaying art without nails. The space breathes with you—expanding when you’re awake, contracting when you need rest.
Vertical living at its finest, with custom steel staircases that double as bookshelves, loft beds suspended from exposed beams, and skylights that frame the moon at night. The air is cooler up here, carrying the scent of aged wood and the faint metallic tang of Tokyo’s night breeze.
Slide to see the magic unfold.
Every transformation begins with a single question: What if? What if this cramped kitchen could feel like a chef’s studio? What if this drafty bathroom could become a private onsen? What if this 30-year-old apartment could feel brand new? These are the answers—captured in the quiet moments between demolition and rebirth.
A 1989-built apartment where peeling vinyl floors and flickering fluorescent lights gave way to white oak herringbone flooring, a custom walnut kitchen island, and a hidden pantry with pull-out spice racks. The client’s grandmother’s Imari porcelain now sits proudly on open shelving, catching the afternoon light.
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A 22sqm studio where the client’s insomnia met its match: soundproofed walls, a custom tatami platform bed with built-in reading lights, and a cedar-lined closet that doubles as an aromatherapy diffuser. The bathroom’s Moroccan zellige tiles were hand-cut to fit around the existing plumbing—no two tiles are the same.
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A 3LDK where three generations now gather: a kitchen with a pull-out step stool for the grandchildren, a bathroom with a built-in baby bath, and a genkan with a hidden shoe bench that doubles as storage for the family’s collection of geta sandals. The scent of miso soup simmering on the IH stove fills the air by 6pm sharp.
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A 4th-floor walk-up where the attic became a loft bedroom with a skylight that frames the Tokyo Tower at night. The custom steel staircase was powder-coated in matte black to match the client’s Le Creuset cookware, and the loft’s railing was designed to double as a drying rack for hand-washed delicates.
View case studyHow a 1989 apartment became a 2025 showpiece.
When architect Yumi Sato first stepped into this Nakameguro 2DK, the air smelled of stale cigarette smoke and 30 years of takeout dinners. The vinyl floors were peeling, the fluorescent lighting buzzed like a swarm of cicadas, and the tiny kitchen had barely enough counter space for a rice cooker. But Yumi saw potential—not just in the space, but in the life it could hold. This, she thought, is where someone will fall in love, cook their first meal, or finally get a good night’s sleep.
The apartment’s 1989 layout was a maze of small, closed-off rooms with paper-thin walls that amplified every sound from the neighbors. The client, a freelance graphic designer, needed a space that could double as a home office, but the existing 6-tatami living room couldn’t fit a desk and a sofa. The kitchen was a galley nightmare with peeling laminate countertops, and the bathroom’s cracked tiles had become a breeding ground for mold. Worst of all? The apartment was on the north side of the building, meaning it received almost no natural light.
Cedar Grove Light’s team began by removing the non-load-bearing walls to create an open-plan living area, then reinforced the remaining structure with steel beams hidden behind custom walnut cabinetry. A skylight was cut into the ceiling to flood the space with natural light, and a custom walnut kitchen island was installed to provide both prep space and a dining area. The bathroom was gutted and rebuilt with hand-painted Moroccan zellige tiles, a deep soaking tub, and a Toto washlet that the client now calls ‘life-changing.’ The final touch? A hidden pantry with pull-out spice racks and a built-in coffee station, because even small luxuries deserve a home.
The open-plan layout increased usable space by 30%, allowing the client to fit a home office, dining area, and living room in the same footprint. The custom walnut island alone added 1.2 meters of counter space—enough for meal prep, dining, and even a small herb garden.
The skylight and strategically placed mirrors increased natural light by 400%, transforming the apartment from a dim cave into a sunlit sanctuary. The client now wakes up to golden morning light instead of the buzz of fluorescent tubes.
The renovation increased the apartment’s value by ¥8.5 million, making it one of the most sought-after units in the building. The client received three unsolicited offers within a month of completion—all above asking price.
The client now hosts weekly dinner parties in her new kitchen, has converted the former ‘office nook’ into a reading corner, and reports sleeping better than she has in years. ‘I don’t just live here,’ she says. ‘I thrive here.’
"I used to dread coming home. Now, I’m the one who suggests we stay in. The space feels like it was designed just for me—even the way the light hits the kitchen counter at 3pm. Kira didn’t just renovate my apartment; they gave me a home I love."
Hear from those who’ve lived the transformation.
Every renovation is a story—of frustration turned to joy, of chaos turned to calm, of a house finally feeling like a home. These are the voices of those who trusted us with their spaces, their memories, and their dreams. Their words aren’t just testimonials; they’re love letters to the homes they never knew they could have.
I cried when I saw the finished bathroom. Not because it was beautiful (though it is), but because it was mine. The deep soaking tub, the heated floors, the way the light hits the zellige tiles in the morning—it’s like stepping into a luxury onsen every day. My husband jokes that I’ve become a bathroom snob, but I don’t care. This is where I start and end my day, and it’s perfect.
As a chef, I’ve worked in some of Tokyo’s best kitchens, but my own was a disaster—peeling laminate, broken drawers, no counter space. Kira didn’t just fix it; they turned it into a space where I want to cook. The magnetic knife strip, the pull-out spice racks, the way the exhaust hood actually works—it’s like they knew exactly what I needed before I did. My first dinner party here had 12 courses. My friends still talk about it.
We bought this apartment because it was all we could afford, but the layout made us feel like we were living in a shoebox. Kira’s team saw potential where we saw problems. They knocked down walls, added a skylight, and turned our cramped 2DK into a space where we can actually breathe. Our son now has a loft bed with a reading nook, and we have a dining table where we can host our families. It’s not just a renovation; it’s a new chapter.
I’ve lived in this apartment for 15 years, and I thought I knew every flaw—until Kira showed me what was possible. The custom cedar shoe rack in the genkan, the way the light hits the kitchen counter at 3pm, the soundproofing that finally lets me sleep through my neighbor’s karaoke sessions—it’s like they took my complaints and turned them into solutions. I’m not just happy with the result; I’m grateful for it.
My studio was so small that I had to choose between a bed and a desk. Kira’s solution? A Murphy bed that folds into the wall, a dining table that collapses into a console, and enough storage to hide all my clutter. The best part? The hidden laundry area behind a sliding panel. I used to dread doing laundry; now, it’s just another part of my routine. This space doesn’t just work for me—it works with me.
We inherited this apartment from my grandparents, and while we loved the memories, the 1980s layout wasn’t working for our modern life. Kira’s team respected the past while bringing us into the future—a custom walnut kitchen island, soundproofed walls, and a bathroom that feels like a spa. My grandmother’s Imari porcelain now sits on open shelving, and I like to think she’d approve.
Tokyo’s neighborhoods, transformed one home at a time.
From the quiet backstreets of Yanaka to the high-rise canyons of Shinjuku, we’ve left our mark on Tokyo’s most beloved (and sometimes overlooked) neighborhoods. Each area has its own rhythm, its own challenges, and its own opportunities—and we know them all. Whether you’re renovating a 30-year-old 2DK in Nakameguro or a micro-studio in Shibuya, we bring the same precision, care, and creativity to every project.
12 projects completed
Where narrow alleys and cherry blossoms meet modern minimalism. Our Nakameguro projects often involve opening up cramped 2DKs to create sunlit living spaces with custom walnut cabinetry and hidden storage. The scent of coffee from Blue Bottle mingles with the aroma of hinoki wood in these homes, where every detail is designed for slow living.
18 projects completed
The heartbeat of Tokyo, where tiny studios become micro-sanctuaries. Here, we specialize in space-saving solutions: Murphy beds, collapsible furniture, and hidden storage that makes 20sqm feel like 40. The sound of Shibuya Crossing fades away behind soundproofed walls, replaced by the quiet hum of a Daikin air purifier.
9 projects completed
A village within the city, where families gather and traditions thrive. Our Jiyugaoka renovations often include multi-generational solutions: pull-out step stools for grandchildren, built-in baby baths, and genkan spaces that accommodate geta sandals and strollers alike. The scent of miso soup simmering on an IH stove is the soundtrack to these homes.
14 projects completed
Where old-meets-new in the best possible way. Ebisu’s mix of Showa-era apartments and modern high-rises means we’re equally comfortable reinforcing 50-year-old beams as we are installing smart home systems. The result? Homes that feel timeless, with the quiet luxury of hand-troweled plaster and the convenience of a Toto washlet.
11 projects completed
A leafy escape where bathrooms become onsen and kitchens become chef’s studios. Meguro’s older buildings often require structural reinforcements, but the payoff is worth it: deep soaking tubs with views of bamboo groves, kitchens with magnetic knife strips, and genkan spaces that welcome you home with the scent of cedar.
8 projects completed
Tokyo’s most stylish neighborhood demands the most stylish renovations. Here, we’ve transformed galley kitchens into chef’s studios with 2-meter-long Caesarstone countertops, installed custom steel staircases that double as bookshelves, and created loft spaces with skylights that frame the moon at night. The air is cooler here, carrying the scent of aged wood and the faint metallic tang of Tokyo’s night breeze.
15 projects completed
Where families put down roots and traditions take shape. Our Setagaya projects often involve creating spaces that grow with the family: home offices that convert into guest rooms, kitchens with pull-out step stools for little chefs, and bathrooms with built-in baby baths. The sound of children’s laughter echoes through these homes, mingling with the quiet hum of a Mitsubishi air conditioner.
22 projects completed
A neighborhood of extremes, where micro-studios and sprawling apartments exist side by side. Our Shinjuku renovations maximize every inch: Murphy beds that disappear into walls, dining tables that collapse into consoles, and hidden laundry areas behind sliding panels. The result? Spaces that feel expansive, even when they’re not.
Your home’s next chapter starts with a conversation.
Every great renovation begins with a single question: What if? What if your cramped kitchen could feel like a chef’s studio? What if your drafty bathroom could become a private onsen? What if your 30-year-old apartment could feel brand new? The answers start here—with a consultation, a sketch, and a team that cares as much about your home as you do.
Meet with our design team to discuss your vision, your budget, and your timeline. We’ll bring sketches, material samples, and a listening ear—because the best renovations start with understanding you.
We’ll visit your space, take measurements, and assess the possibilities. Bring your ideas, your Pinterest boards, and your wildest dreams—we’ll help you separate the ‘nice to have’ from the ‘must have.’
Within 7 days, you’ll receive a detailed proposal with 3D renderings, material swatches, and a transparent breakdown of costs. No surprises, no hidden fees—just a clear path to your dream home.