Machiya is a style of building which houses both a commercial enterprise in the front and residence at the rear.
Kyo no Machiya was originally built in the Nishijin district of Kyoto, Japan in 1830 and was occupied by a traditional silk merchant. In 1980 it was transported and reconstructed by Japanese carpenters at the Boston Children’s Museum.
As a permanent exhibit of the museum it offers an opportunity to experience a traditional Japanese building maintained in excellent condition, showing not only the structure but also furnishings such as shoji, tatami, fusuma, and additional artifacts.
The museum is open year round. For more information visit https://japanesehouse.bostonchildrensmuseum.org/
View or download a PDF of an Asia magazine article titled, “A Japanese Roof Raising in Boston” here.