Face House Kyoto
Face House is located in a quiet residential area in central Kyoto, the Face House is an unusual work by architect Yamashita Kazumasa. Designed as a home and studio for graphic designer Bengo Tsuji, the three-storey reinforced-concrete box features an anthropomorphic facade: circular eyes as pivoting windows, a cylindrical nose for ventilation, and a recessed mouth as the entry. The ground floor was built to house two small independent studios, one for Tsuji’s practice and another that he would rent out, with his living spaces above which have since been converted into a retail space.
Following Tsuji’s death the building is was passed down to his son and family, who opened Face House shop and gallery in 2024, coinciding with the building’s 50th anniversary. The second‑generation Tsujis, live upstairs with their daughter, and celebrate the new found popularity of the building by curating small exhibitions and welcoming the community and architectural tourists.
Visiting the Face House
The shop is only open on select days a week – so see following link for opening hours. The project is located a short walk from Marutamachi Metro Station.
Architect: Kazumasa Yamashita
Year: 1974
Photographs : © Finbarr Fallon (2025)
