Kyoto, Japan, Machiya
Kyoto was one of the few major cities in Japan that wasn’t bombed during World War II. As a result, many of the traditional wooden townhouses called Machiya that were popular before the war are still standing.
Long and narrow, the houses are made entirely of organic materials with a wide-open floor plan and an enclosed courtyard. Many families in the region still live in Machiya, while others can be hired out as vacation rentals for adventurous travelers.
