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Enjoy a Stay in a Traditional Japanese Machiya! Recommended Accommodations in Kyoto, Kanazawa, and Takayama

# Kyoto # hotel # Japanese Culture # Kanazawa # Traditional Culture

In recent years, there has been a growing number of accommodations that have renovated traditional Japanese townhouses known as machiya. The appeal lies in the unique experience of Japanese living that you can never have at a hotel—lying down on tatami mats, gazing at a tsuboniwa courtyard, and being surrounded by the beauty of Japanese architecture.

This article introduces the features and charm of machiya, a style of Japanese architecture, and also recommends accommodations renovated from machiya in Kyoto, Kanazawa, and Takayama.

Features of Machiya That Represent the Beauty of Japanese Architecture

Machiya (町家 but also written as 町屋) are traditional wooden residences found in urban areas, built before the Building Standards Act was enacted in 1950. Many are live-work style homes that combine a shop and living quarters. They are filled with Japanese ingenuity, such as making the most of limited land, designs that bring in natural light and wind, and decorative details that showcase the skills of craftsmen. Machiya truly embody the traditional Japanese way of life and aesthetic sensibility.

Main Features of Machiya:

  • Unagi-no-nedoko: A structure with a narrow frontage and deep interior, making the most of limited land
  • Koshi-do: Traditional wooden lattice doors, with a variety of lattice types, arrangements, and intricate woodwork
  • Tsuboniwa: A small garden located at the center of the building, allowing you to feel the seasons and nature
  • Beams and Pillars: Wooden structural elements that support the building, bringing warmth and structural beauty to the space
  • Shoji and Fusuma: Sliding doors covered with washi paper, letting in soft light and allowing flexible use of space

Types of Machiya Accommodations

Machiya that have been renovated into accommodations retain their traditional architectural beauty while being equipped with modern amenities such as bathrooms, air conditioning, floor heating, and Wi-Fi. There are mainly two types of machiya accommodations.

Whole Machiya Rental

This style allows you to rent out an entire machiya for your exclusive use, limited to one group per day. With facilities such as a kitchen and washing machine, you can stay as if you were living there. The completely private space is ideal for family trips or group travel.

Hotel-Style Machiya Accommodation

This style features multiple guest rooms within a machiya building. You can enjoy hotel-like services at a more reasonable price than renting an entire machiya. It is perfect for solo travelers or small groups.

Points to Note When Staying in a Machiya via Airbnb

It is possible to stay in a machiya through Airbnb, but the quality of service and the accommodation experience can vary depending on the host. In contrast, machiya operated by companies are characterized by consistent quality control. Some facilities offer 24-hour multilingual support, making it easier for international travelers to enjoy a safe, secure, and comfortable stay.

Why Machiya Are Recommended as Accommodations

Immerse Yourself in Japanese Traditional Culture and Architecture

When you enter the room and look up at the ceiling, you can admire the craftsmanship of Japanese architecture in the beams and pillars. Soft light filters into the room through lattice doors and shoji screens. Whether you lie down or walk barefoot on the tatami mats, you are enveloped in the pleasant scent of rush grass. Sitting on the veranda, sipping tea while gazing at the courtyard garden, or enjoying watermelon or ice cream in the summer—these are the kinds of scenes you may have seen in Japanese dramas or movies, and staying in a machiya allows you to experience them for yourself.

Depending on the area, you can feel the changing expressions of the four seasons up close: cherry blossoms in spring, lush greenery in summer, autumn leaves in autumn, and snowy landscapes in winter. The appeal lies in being able to experience traditional Japanese living, something you can rarely enjoy at an ordinary hotel.

Completely Private Space with Whole-House Rental

With a whole-house machiya rental, you are guaranteed a completely private space for just one group per day. Unlike hotels where you only rent a single room, you can rent out the entire machiya, allowing you to relax and feel at home without any worries.

You will not run into other guests in the hallways as you would in a hotel. The entire building becomes your own space, so you do not have to worry if your children play energetically or if you chat late into the night. Of course, everything from the entrance to the bathroom and kitchen is for your exclusive use.

Enjoy a Relaxed Stay Just Like at Home

The charm of staying in a machiya is that you can "live like a local." With a fully equipped kitchen, you can buy ingredients at local markets or supermarkets and cook whenever you like. Preparing your own meals can also help you save on travel expenses. There is a washing machine and dryer, making long-term stays comfortable as well.

Experiencing life as if you were a local resident, rather than just a tourist, will make your trip even more memorable.

Perfect for Large Family Trips or Groups of Friends with Multiple Bedrooms!

Whole-house machiya rentals are ideal for traveling with a large group. Many of these facilities have multiple bedrooms, and some can accommodate up to 9 to 12 people. It is more economical than booking several hotel rooms, and if you split the cost of one accommodation among your group, the price per person becomes very reasonable. With separate bedrooms, everyone can enjoy their own privacy.

The best part is being able to spend time together in a spacious living room, enjoy conversations late into the night, and make the most of the freedom that comes with a private space. It is perfect for trips with three generations of family or for graduation trips with friends.

Recommended Machiya Accommodations in Kyoto, Kanazawa, and Takayama

From the machiya accommodations operated by MACHIYA INNS & HOTELS, we will introduce especially recommended facilities in Kyoto, Kanazawa, and Takayama, where you can fully enjoy the unique charms of each area.

[Kyoto] WAREN BETTEI – Waren

Within walking distance of Heian Shrine and the Kyoto Imperial Palace, and just two stations from the Gion area, this location offers excellent access. Situated in a quiet residential neighborhood perfect for strolling along the Philosopher’s Path, you can feel the history, culture, and seasonal nature of the ancient capital.

A spacious 125-square-meter machiya townhouse for private rental, steeped in the history of Shogoin Village, where literary figures and artists of the late Edo period once gathered. The property features a charming exterior, surrounded by a traditional “Daibei-zukuri” (大塀造) style wall that retains the atmosphere of the past. Upon entering, you are greeted by an open space with a high ceiling and a Juraku wall adorned with plant motifs. On the first floor, there is a living-dining area with a large table and a sofa area decorated with white magnolia art, offering an elegant and relaxing time.

[Kyoto] Ayaginu

Located in a quiet neighborhood just a 5-minute walk from Kyoto Station, this townhouse offers excellent access to major sightseeing spots such as Arashiyama and Fushimi Inari, thanks to its proximity to train stations and bus terminals.

The highlight of this machiya is its luxurious interior, beautifully decorated with Nishijin-ori obi and kimono that were once stored away in a chest of drawers, now repurposed as lighting and cushions. In the dining area overlooking a quintessential Kyoto tsuboniwa garden, an art board made with the “hikihaku” technique of the finest Nishijin-ori obi and a brass panel add a touch of elegance. The open staircase features lighting made from sumptuous obi fabric, creating a radiant atmosphere.

[Kanazawa] Tokikaze

A private rental machiya within walking distance of major attractions such as Omicho Market and Kanazawa Castle Park. This fully private accommodation has been renovated into a relaxing space where you can feel the gentle flow of the seasons, like a calm breeze.

The living-dining area features a sunken kotatsu-style sofa for a cozy atmosphere, and is equipped with a large-screen projector. The bathroom includes an outdoor bathtub where you can enjoy an open-air bath experience, and there is also a private sauna for complete relaxation of both body and mind (reservation required for sauna plan). If you book together with the neighboring machiya “Tokisora,” up to 12 guests can stay, making it ideal for trips with two or more groups.

[Kanazawa] Hikoso-machi Suiki

This is a whole townhouse rental where you can experience the history and culture of samurai residences throughout the property, located within walking distance of popular tourist spots such as Omicho Market, Higashi Chaya District, and Kazue-machi Chaya District.

The main house and detached building have been renovated into a single, harmonious space while preserving their original structure, offering a completely private accommodation. The spacious 135-square-meter main house features a living and dining area on the first floor, providing a relaxing space for everyone to gather. The detached building, accessible via a corridor adorned with a courtyard garden, is a private space independent from the main house, allowing guests to stay together while having separate rooms. The main house accommodates up to 4 guests, and the detached building up to 8, for a total of 12 guests. This makes it ideal for large groups or multi-generational family trips, as well as for medium- to long-term stays.

[Takayama] Asatoyuu Asana

This townhouse newly opened on October 3, 2025. It is in a prime location, about a 1-minute walk from Takayama Station, with excellent access to the World Heritage Site Shirakawa-go and the Okuhida region of the Northern Japanese Alps.

Its features include the wide frontage and refined latticework typical of Takayama townhouses, a spacious living and dining area with an open atrium overlooking a majestic pine tree on the first floor, and two Japanese-style bedrooms on the second floor with a ceiling reminiscent of a full moon and dynamic exposed beams. The house can accommodate up to 8 guests, and if booked together with the neighboring townhouse "Asatoyuu Yuuna," up to 16 guests can stay, making it perfect for trips with multiple groups.

[Takayama] Nadamachi Nananohi

This whole townhouse rental is located right next to the Takayama Jinya, a government office from the Edo period that still exists today, and the "Old Town," which retains the atmosphere of a castle town. The interior incorporates design elements inspired by the craftsmanship that highlights the beautiful wood grain of Hida Shunkei lacquerware, one of Japan's three major Shunkei lacquer traditions, making it a completely private accommodation where you can experience traditional craftsmanship throughout the townhouse.

The second floor features a living and dining area with a sunken kotatsu-style irori table and a sofa for relaxing. The open kitchen at the center of the space allows guests to enjoy cooking together while chatting. The high ceiling retains the original Himekomatsu pine beams, letting you feel the tradition of Takayama townhouses.

Stay in a traditional townhouse in Kyoto, Kanazawa, or Takayama, where the unique history and culture of each city come alive. Create unforgettable memories of your trip to Japan by experiencing authentic Japanese living in a way that hotels cannot offer.

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