Staying in a Traditional Machiya | What to Expect in Takayama 🏡

Ever dreamed of staying in a traditional Japanese house? In Takayama, you can experience it for real. Surrounded by wooden streets, mountain air, and a touch of nostalgia, spending a night in a machiya is one of the best ways to connect with local life in Japan’s countryside. ✨

What Is a Machiya?

A machiya is a traditional wooden townhouse that dates back to Japan’s Edo period. You’ll recognize them by their narrow facades, lattice windows, and warm wooden interiors. Many have been beautifully restored into cozy guesthouses — blending old charm with modern comfort.

The Charm of Staying in a Machiya 🌿

Step through the sliding door, and you’ll smell fresh tatami and cedar. Inside, low wooden beams and paper shoji screens create a calm and timeless feeling. You might enjoy morning coffee by the garden (tsuboniwa) or listen to rain tapping softly on the roof. It’s peaceful, simple, and deeply Japanese.

What to Expect During Your Stay ☕

Don’t worry — traditional doesn’t mean uncomfortable! Most machiya stays offer air conditioning, heating, and Wi-Fi. You’ll sleep on soft futons, often in rooms with garden views. Unlike hotels, there’s no identical layout — each house has its own soul and story.

What makes the experience special is the slow rhythm of life. You might prepare your own breakfast in a small kitchen, sip green tea in the evening, and feel time slow down — just as it does for locals in the mountains of Takayama. 🕊️

Explore Around Your Machiya 🚶‍♀️

Most machiya are located near Sanmachi Suji (Old Town), Takayama Morning Market, and Hida Folk Village. Take a morning walk before the crowds arrive, visit a sake brewery, or cross the red Nakabashi Bridge for a perfect photo spot. 📸

If you’re planning a longer stay, day trips to Hida Furukawa or Shirakawa-go make great additions to your journey. Both offer peaceful countryside views and the same wooden architecture that defines this region. 🏔️

Why Stay at Rikka TAKAYAMA 🌸

Rikka TAKAYAMA brings together the beauty of a traditional machiya with the warmth of local hospitality. Each room is designed to reflect the quiet elegance of Hida architecture, while offering the comfort of a modern stay. After a day of exploring, come back to a space that feels truly like home in the mountains. 🏠

Whether you visit for spring festivals, autumn colors, or winter snow, Rikka TAKAYAMA offers an authentic, cozy base for discovering Takayama’s timeless charm.

Practical Info 🗺️

• Location: Central Takayama, 8-minute walk from Takayama Station
• Check-in: From 3:00 PM
• Check-out: By 10:00 AM
• Getting There: Around 2.5 hours from Nagoya by train or bus

For booking or details, visit Rikka TAKAYAMA Official Site. ✨

Stay where history meets comfort — and let Takayama’s slow beauty unfold around you.