Kyoto's Traditional Houses Are Going Extinct

Kyoto's traditional homes called Machiya are going extinct. That's partially due to the government's desire to keep the people safe from fires (since a Machiya is traditionally made of wood). Moreover, Machiyas tend to be extremely hot during the summer and extremely cold during the winter. The ceiling is very low, too. Thankfully, because of the increasing number of tourists, the locals and the government have been more involved in trying to preserve and renovate these traditional houses!

See this video to have a virtual tour of a Machiya. My favorite part? The traditional Hinoki Cypress tree bath and the courtyard garden!

Video Credits to Abroad in Japan / Youtube