Machiya

Hi!!

Some tourists said that the traditional houses in Japan were ruined...

However, do you know there still is a type of traditional house called Machiya in Kyoto?

Machiya or merchant townhouse is generally narrow at the entrance and extend way back from the street.

That's because taxes were based on the width of the property during Edo period(1600-1867 ).

Recently, there's a movement to keep Machiya as it is.

For example, some young people opened restaurants and shops at Machiya.

To know more about Machiya, please refer this site;

www.kippo.or.jp/culture_e/building/machiya1.htm