The Machiya Monogatari Museum (formerly the Kawamoto family residence) in the heart of Yamatokoriyama City, Nara Prefecture, was a townhouse used as an Okiya during the Meiji and Taisho periods. The three-story wooden structure gives a glimpse into the lively atmosphere of that time. Visitors can catch a glimpse of the lifestyle of restaurant owners and geisha from the items that remain in the building.
As you walk through the building, hina decorations are beautifully displayed on the stairs and in various places. There are several exhibits of luxurious hina doll displays and sophisticated designs that allow you to experience the scent of the times. Through these exhibits, along with the atmosphere of the townhouse, the ambiance of the Edo period is conveyed.
The townhouse, which retains the strong presence of the former red-light district, conveys the vividness of history. However, it was also a place where people's emotions and experiences intertwined, evoking nostalgic feelings when imagining that era. In this place where anyone can visit for free, you can feel the history of Yamatokoriyama with your own skin.