Offering Reform and Much More

Published: February 21, 2018

Before you start to think that Fukagawa Studio is some kind of political organization, let me explain. Many English words are borrowed into Japanese where that have different meanings from the original. “Reform” is one such word. In the Japanese context, “reform” means “renovate” or “remodel.” So Fukagawa Studio is about remodeling, but really much more. Their official title can be translated as “Renovation Real Estate Company”.

 

On a wintery Friday afternoon in mid-February, I had the pleasure of interviewing Mr. Koji Shibata, head of Fukagawa Studio and Representative of Trustory Inc., a company offering a whole menu of real-estate-related services. These include, but are not limited to:

 

• Buying and selling real estate
• Renovation planning and execution
• Tax consulting
• Real estate investment consulting
• Life planning
• Seminars and event planning

 

Mr. Shibata explained their business model to me, and as you can see from the above, it has many facets; however, at FukagawaStudio, the main business in real estate—specifically buying, renovating and selling legacy condominiums. Fukagawa Studio is just over a year old, having opened its doors for business in December 2016. They are located between traditional Monzen-nakacho and trendy Kiyosumi-shirakawa, and easily walkable from both stations.

 

 

I asked Mr. Shibata why they chose this area to open an office and he said that they not only like the area itself, but they appreciate the “giri-ninjo” (traditional Japanese attitude of harmonious human relations) that is still present in this area. Mr. Shibata went on to say that many of their clients are simply people who want to live in the area and find his business on the Internet.

 

That afternoon we chatted pleasantly about a number of topics. Mr. Shibata is easy to talk to and is more like an advisor or consultant than a sales person. They also have an “event space” at the Fukagawa location, and events are held 3-4 times a month at no rental charge to local participants. (For more details on events, please check out the Japanese interview on the Kotomise main page.)

 

 

From my experience doing Kotomise interviews, I have found two types of businesses in Koto City. The first is a traditional shop or business that has been handed down from generation to generation. The other is a new business starting up in this area. The combination of these two energies, traditional and new, really seems to create the character of this dynamic area. If you are considering living in Koto City, Reform Fudosan Fukagawa Studio might be a good first stop, and maybe the only stop you will need to make.

 

 

 

Story and Photos by David Parmer