Important Cultural Property: Watanabe Family Residence Thatched Roof Renovation Open to Public. Observation and Experience Event to be Held in Kyotamba Town (May 10)
Kyotamba Town, Kyoto Prefecture, will host an on-site public viewing and experiential event on May 10, 2026, for the thatched roof renovation of the Important Cultural Property "Watanabe Family Residence," the first such renovation in approximately 24 years. This event, funded by corporate Furusato Nozei and crowdfunding, aims at cultural property preservation and the inheritance of traditional techniques.
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Kyotamba Town (Mayor: Genichi Hatanaka), Kyoto Prefecture, will hold an on-site briefing session on Sunday, May 10, Reiwa 8 (2026), in conjunction with the ongoing replacement and partial repair work of the thatched roof at the Important Cultural Property "Watanabe Family Residence."
The Watanabe Family Residence is a representative folk house in the Tamba region, built in the mid-Edo period, and is a valuable cultural property that conveys the history and life of the region to the present day. This renovation is the first full replacement of the thatched roof in approximately 24 years since Heisei 13 (2001), and is being carried out with the aim of addressing aging and preserving and transmitting the cultural property.
This renovation was made possible through corporate Furusato Nozei (hometown tax donation) and a Furusato Nozei-type crowdfunding. This on-site briefing session will be held as part of the return for supporters, as well as with the aim of inheriting thatching techniques and promoting understanding of traditional culture.
On the day of the event, the cultural property repair site will be open to the public, and in addition to explanations of the progress of the work, there will be observation and explanations by thatched roof craftsmen, and an experiential program using models. By allowing visitors to experience the cultural property preservation site, which is usually not visible, we aim to broadly disseminate its value and necessity.
**Thatched Roof Renovation After Approximately 24 Years**
This work is a renovation that has been undertaken for the first time since the full replacement in Heisei 13, involving the renewal of the roof, which has deteriorated over time, and partial repairs.
This is an important initiative to maintain the value of the cultural property and preserve it for the future.
**Public Viewing of the Repair Site**
At the on-site briefing session, the Kyoto Prefectural Cultural Property Protection Division will provide explanations of the building and the construction work, and Miyama Kayabuki Co., Ltd. will provide observation and explanations of their work.
In addition, a thatched roof experience using models will be held, offering participants an opportunity to directly engage with traditional techniques.
**Cultural Property Preservation Through Corporate Furusato Nozei and Crowdfunding**
This renovation project was realized through corporate Furusato Nozei and Furusato Nozei-type crowdfunding, and is being promoted as an initiative where the administration and supporters cooperate to protect cultural properties.
▼Crowdfunding Page (Furunavi)
"To the future with the good old charm of Kyotamba. A project to replace the roof of the Important Cultural Property 'Watanabe Family Residence' to pass it on to the next generation." Furusato Nozei Furunavi Crowdfunding
**Event Outline**
**Date and Time**
Sunday, May 10, Reiwa 8 (2026)
① 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
② 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM
*Reception starts 30 minutes prior to each session
*In case of rain, the event will be postponed to Saturday, May 16 (cancelled even with light rain)
**Location**
Watanabe Family Residence (17 Iwanoue, Shimoyama, Kyotamba Town, Funai District, Kyoto Prefecture)
*Observation will be from the exterior (interior viewing is not possible)
*Approximately 20 minutes walk (approx. 1.5 km) from JR Shimo-Yama Station
*Parking: Public parking lot in front of Daifukukouji Temple
**Target Audience**
General Public
**Capacity**
20 people per session (first-come, first-served)
**Participation Fee**
Free
**Content**
・Explanation of work progress and expression of gratitude to crowdfunding supporters (Kyotamba Town Board of Education)
・Explanation of cultural property and work details (Kyoto Prefectural Cultural Property Protection Division)
・Thatch work observation and craftsman explanation, thatch experience (Miyama Kayabuki Co., Ltd.)
**Application Method**
Morning Session Application (11:00 AM - 12:00 PM)
Afternoon Session Application (2:00 PM - 3:00 PM)
**Inquiries**
Kyotamba Town Board of Education, Social Education Division
TEL: 0771-84-0028
The Watanabe Family Residence is a representative folk house in the Tamba region, built in the mid-Edo period, and is a valuable cultural property that conveys the history and life of the region to the present day. This renovation is the first full replacement of the thatched roof in approximately 24 years since Heisei 13 (2001), and is being carried out with the aim of addressing aging and preserving and transmitting the cultural property.
This renovation was made possible through corporate Furusato Nozei (hometown tax donation) and a Furusato Nozei-type crowdfunding. This on-site briefing session will be held as part of the return for supporters, as well as with the aim of inheriting thatching techniques and promoting understanding of traditional culture.
On the day of the event, the cultural property repair site will be open to the public, and in addition to explanations of the progress of the work, there will be observation and explanations by thatched roof craftsmen, and an experiential program using models. By allowing visitors to experience the cultural property preservation site, which is usually not visible, we aim to broadly disseminate its value and necessity.
**Thatched Roof Renovation After Approximately 24 Years**
This work is a renovation that has been undertaken for the first time since the full replacement in Heisei 13, involving the renewal of the roof, which has deteriorated over time, and partial repairs.
This is an important initiative to maintain the value of the cultural property and preserve it for the future.
**Public Viewing of the Repair Site**
At the on-site briefing session, the Kyoto Prefectural Cultural Property Protection Division will provide explanations of the building and the construction work, and Miyama Kayabuki Co., Ltd. will provide observation and explanations of their work.
In addition, a thatched roof experience using models will be held, offering participants an opportunity to directly engage with traditional techniques.
**Cultural Property Preservation Through Corporate Furusato Nozei and Crowdfunding**
This renovation project was realized through corporate Furusato Nozei and Furusato Nozei-type crowdfunding, and is being promoted as an initiative where the administration and supporters cooperate to protect cultural properties.
▼Crowdfunding Page (Furunavi)
"To the future with the good old charm of Kyotamba. A project to replace the roof of the Important Cultural Property 'Watanabe Family Residence' to pass it on to the next generation." Furusato Nozei Furunavi Crowdfunding
**Event Outline**
**Date and Time**
Sunday, May 10, Reiwa 8 (2026)
① 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
② 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM
*Reception starts 30 minutes prior to each session
*In case of rain, the event will be postponed to Saturday, May 16 (cancelled even with light rain)
**Location**
Watanabe Family Residence (17 Iwanoue, Shimoyama, Kyotamba Town, Funai District, Kyoto Prefecture)
*Observation will be from the exterior (interior viewing is not possible)
*Approximately 20 minutes walk (approx. 1.5 km) from JR Shimo-Yama Station
*Parking: Public parking lot in front of Daifukukouji Temple
**Target Audience**
General Public
**Capacity**
20 people per session (first-come, first-served)
**Participation Fee**
Free
**Content**
・Explanation of work progress and expression of gratitude to crowdfunding supporters (Kyotamba Town Board of Education)
・Explanation of cultural property and work details (Kyoto Prefectural Cultural Property Protection Division)
・Thatch work observation and craftsman explanation, thatch experience (Miyama Kayabuki Co., Ltd.)
**Application Method**
Morning Session Application (11:00 AM - 12:00 PM)
Afternoon Session Application (2:00 PM - 3:00 PM)
**Inquiries**
Kyotamba Town Board of Education, Social Education Division
TEL: 0771-84-0028