Travel to Japan: Nara: Naramachi

Naramachi is the Nara district that has tried to capitalize on the city's history by retaining at least a vestige of traditional character.

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What are the indicators? Here, hardly more than archaic streetlights.

Here, a new house built in the traditional style of the urban townhouse, or machiya. It's open as a free museum.

The floorplan is long and narrow, fitting the typical lot.

Room is made for an inner garden or naka-niwa.

The garden is more likely to be enjoyed from inside than out.

A box staircase, or hako-kaidan, doubling as a cabinet.

The posts are trunks.

The single-roomed upstairs.

The rooftop view.

Stove.

Back on the street.

Plenty of wood fronts.

More.

Wood slats, or koshi, deflect prying eyes while allowing occupants to see the street.

Entrance.

The same building.

A pharmacy.

Misfit.

Vacant lot. Why so narrow? Because taxes were proportional to facade length.

The local craft museum.