Naramachi Koshi-no-Ie

Overview

Naramachi Koshi-no-Ie is a beautifully restored Edo-period machiya townhouse in the heart of Naramachi, open to the public as a free museum. It authentically recreates the living and working spaces of a prosperous Nara merchant family.

Highlights

• Traditional Layout: Experience the classic machiya "eel's bed" floor plan — extremely narrow at the front but extending deep into the block, with multiple internal courtyards bringing light and air into the interior rooms.
• Interior Courtyards: Two tsuboniwa (pocket gardens) with moss, stones, and seasonal plantings demonstrate how merchants brought nature into their urban homes.
• Merchant Life: Rooms are furnished with period-appropriate items including tansu chests, hibachi charcoal braziers, and tatami sitting areas.

History

The house represents a typical Nara merchant dwelling from the Edo through early Meiji periods. The city of Nara restored it as a museum to preserve and showcase the distinctive architectural tradition of the Naramachi district.

Visitor Tips

• Free Entry: Completely free to enter and explore — one of Nara's best free cultural experiences.
• Shoes Off: Remove your shoes at the entrance and walk through the house in slippers or socks, as with any traditional Japanese interior.
• Duration: 20–30 minutes.