Generally, machiya can be found throughout Kyōto. Nevertheless, there are some areas where there is still a high density of them. On this page, we will have a look at the most important stretches.
Gion is, arguably, the most famous part of Kyōto, both in and outside Japan. The biggest of the city's five Geisha districts, it boasts a large number of machiya, as well as many teahouses. A stroll in the area will be rewarded with a plethora of beautifully kept town houses. On top of this, since it is a Geisha district which honours the traditions, many houses have features that are lacking in many other machiya that were renovated elsewhere in the city.
When walking around Shinbashi-dōri and its surroundings, it is as if time had not passed here for a long time. There are many beautiful machiya around, and to top it off, the river Shirakawa flows alongside it, creating a unique ambiance both by day and at night.
Pontochō is another one of Kyōto's Geisha districts. Here, the machiya are nestled along an alleyway barely wide enough to let two people pass each other. This creates a cozy and unique atmosphere, and when the night falls, the area's charm becomes even stronger. In the summer, many of the house's inhabitants or owners splash water on the stone street in front of the houses to cool the air a little, which, together with the lights of the houses and signboards, creates a magical surrounding.
This areあ has been protected by municipal ordinance ever since the 1970s, meaning that not only has it maintained its traditional ambiance, but also that all the houses are still machiya, and no unfavourable land development has taken place whatsoever. Due to their special charm and their proximity to the famous Kiyomizu temple, both alleys are normally packed with tourists and locals alike. To see some splendid machiya, however, the trip is rewarding either way.
Named after the troops which were stationed here during Kyōto's most devastating fights, collectively known as the Ōnin war, this area is not only famous for its superb weaving works, but also for its high proportion of machiya that are still standing. Furthermore, many of them have been and are being renovated to be used as dwellings again. To see some machiya, this area is a good tip, even though its size means a lot of walking.
Last but not least is Kamishichiken. Located directly adjacent to the Kitano Tenman-gū, this Geisha district covers only a very small area. It is nevertheless worth a trip if you want to see some machiya.
Fushimi was an important port on the Uji river when travelling between Kyōto and Ōsaka. It is famous for its many sake breweries, one of which is Gekkeikan, the world's largest and probably most
famous sake brewery.
In the area, one can see many thickly plastered storehouses as well as the old brewery buildings, which are built similarly to the machiya style of Kyōto.
The following map shows all the aforementioned areas plus some noteworthy houses which are openly accessible: