From Outdoor Bath to Covered Laundry Space: Reusing an Old Structure (Matsugasaki, Part 5)

2026年10月28日 2026年10月28日

tsujikenzai

Location: Matsugasaki, Kyoto | Work: Demolition of the outdoor bath, carpentry for a new roof | Series: Matsugasaki Machiya Renovation, Part 5

1. The Old Outdoor Bath

Before this renovation, the only bath in the house was in a small prefabricated unit standing outside the main building, under a corrugated roof, with the gas water heater mounted on the wall beside it. This was common in Kyoto houses built before indoor plumbing was standard: the bath was added later, outside, where water and drainage were easiest to arrange. It worked, but it meant stepping outside to bathe, in winter too.

[IMAGE 1: The outdoor bath structure and water heater before demolition]

[IMAGE 2: Inside the old outdoor bath unit]

With the new unit bath installed inside the house (Part 3 of this series), the outdoor bath was no longer needed.

2. Demolition

We dismantled the old bath unit, the worn-out corrugated roof, and the fittings, and cleared the overgrown ground around it. The water supply and drain were kept, because the plan was to reuse the spot.

[IMAGE 3: The space after the old bath was removed, covered while work continued]

3. A New Roof, A New Use

Rather than leave an empty patch of ground, we had our carpenter build a simple timber-framed roof over the area, tied into the wall of the house. The result is a covered outdoor space with water and drainage already in place, which made it the natural home for the washing machine. In a compact machiya, moving the washing machine outside frees up valuable interior space, and a roof keeps it protected from rain.

[IMAGE 4: The new timber frame for the roof under construction]

4. Why We Like This Kind of Reuse

Old Kyoto houses often have small add-on structures that no longer serve their original purpose. Demolishing them completely is one option, but they usually come with something useful: a foundation, plumbing, or a sheltered position. Looking at what is already there and giving it a new job is often cheaper than building from scratch and keeps the character of the property.

FAQ

Is an outdoor washing machine normal in Japan?

Yes, very common, especially in older houses and smaller apartments. Japanese washing machines are designed for it, as long as they are under a roof and connected to a proper drain.

Does adding a roof like this need a permit?

It depends on the size and the local rules for the site. We check this for each project before starting and will tell you if any application is needed.