Naramachi (Nara Machiya District)

・Neighborhood・Political

Naramachi, also known as the Nara Machiya District, is a charming historical area in Nara that offers a delightful step back in time. This quaint neighborhood is famous for its traditional machiya houses—long, narrow townhouses that once belonged to merchants and craftsmen. Today, many of these buildings have been preserved or restored, allowing visitors to experience the architectural style and daily life of old Japan.

As you stroll through the narrow, winding streets of Naramachi, you'll discover a mix of old homes, small shops, cafes, and museums, all set in an atmosphere that feels like a quieter, more intimate version of the past. The area is perfect for leisurely walks, where you can appreciate the wooden latticework and tiled roofs of the machiya, which provide a distinct contrast to the modern parts of the city.

One of the highlights in Naramachi is the Naramachi Koshi-no-Ie, a public exhibition space that replicates a traditional merchant home. Here, visitors can enter for free and explore the interior of a typical machiya, complete with tatami floors and sliding paper doors.