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Naramachi concrete house, open year-round
Naramachi Art House is a whole house in Naramachi, Nara's old quarter, finished in exposed concrete and hung with the owner's art. It has two bedrooms, sleeps 5, is a walk from Nara Park and takes bookings all year.
By Icy, Founder & CEO of The081
Licensed Real Estate Broker (License No. 15131) | Registered Accommodation Manager (MLIT No. F03122) | Operating in Kyoto since 2019
A Japanese maple grows in the small courtyard beside the entrance, over a bed of white pebbles. In the living room, a row of framed pictures hangs on the exposed concrete wall, and sliding glass doors open onto a small walled garden that no one outside can see into.
This is Naramachi Art House, the first home The081 runs outside Kyoto. It stands in Naramachi, and the whole house goes to one party at a time. Homes registered under the Private Lodging Business Act can take guests on at most 180 days a year. This one holds a lodging business licence from the Nara City health centre instead, so it has no such limit and takes bookings all year.
Art and tea ware
The house is sparsely furnished. Contemporary art and antique tea ware from the owner's own collection are set out through the rooms, and the pieces change from time to time.
The kitchen has an oven, a dishwasher, a rice cooker and a coffee machine, with everyday tea sets and tableware on open shelves, enough to cook your own meals over a stay of several days. There is also a washer and dryer in the house.
Two bedrooms, sleeps 5
One bedroom is a tatami room laid with 3 futons; the other is a Western room with two single beds. The living room also has a sofa bed. For small children there is a cot, along with picture books and toys for ages 2 to 5. There is one full bathroom and a separate toilet.
Floor heating runs under the ground floor, 3 air conditioners cover the rest of the house, and electric heaters are added in winter.
A walk to Nara Park
Naramachi is the old quarter at the centre of Nara, and Nara Park and the temples around it are within walking distance. The nearest station is JR Kyobate.
More photos and the full amenity list are on the Naramachi Art House listing. Bookings go through Airbnb.