Koshi-no-ie Residence
The Koshi-no-ie Residence in the Naramachi district of Nara is a preserved machiya townhouse typical of Edo Period living.
Koshi-no-ie Residence ならまち格子の家
The Koshi-no-ie Residence (naramachi-koshi-no-ie) is located in the Naramachi old merchant district of Nara, to the south of Kintetsu Nara Station.
The Koshi-no-ie Residence is a preserved machiya townhouse noted for its wooden, latticed windows, long rectangular design and deep interior. Land taxes were levied on the width of the house's exterior, hence the narrow frontage to the road.
Koshi-no-ie Residence, Nara
Kamado stove, Koshi-no-ie Residence, Nara
Exhibits
As you wander the tatami-floored rooms of Koshi-no-ie Residence look out for the kamado stove in the kitchen, an inner garden (naka-niwa), box staircase (hako-kaidan) and skylight (akari-tori).
The long, interior corridor in the house gives access to the bath and toilet area as well as a detached room (hanare) and storehouse (kura) at the rear. The box staircase preserves space and served as a storage area for the inhabitants clothes.
These long, narrow, merchant houses had the shop at the front of the house and the living space in the rear. The slatted, wooden lattice work at the front (koshi) gives the house its present name and allowed the residents to look out without been seen.
Koshi-no-ie Residence, Nara
Koshi-no-ie Residence, Nara
Access
Koshi-no-ie Residence
Gangoji-cho 44, Nara, 630-8332
Tel: 0742 23 4820
Hours: 10am-5pm; closed Monday or the next day if Monday is a public holiday.
Admission: Free
Tel: 0742 23 4820
Koshi-no-ie Residence is a 10-15 minute walk south from Kintetsu Nara Station or 15-20 minutes on foot east from JR Nara Station. The most convenient Nara buses for the Koshi-no-ie Residence are the 100 yen Gurutto Bus or the inner loop bus #6.
