Historic machiya often integrates the front space as part of the home's interiors. In the case of Matsunoma Machiya, the front area has since been turned into a yard that also doubles as a parking area. That does not diminish the property's heritage and charm, however, but instead, its integration into the property's new form creates a new chapter in this old machiya's story.

Design and Architecture

One of the first things to notice about the property is its spacious front area which can be used as a parking space. That alone makes it pretty unique among the other properties offered by the Machiya Residence Inn brand here in Kanazawa. There's also a small pine tree between the parking space and the front entrance, giving the area a Zen-like theme but with concrete instead of rocks. Inside, the main area of the ground floor follows an open plan design where the kitchen, dining area, and living area blend together. Next to the living area is the engawa porch opening up to the home's Japanese rock garden. The traditional Japanese room is on the second floor, adjacent to the Western-style bedroom.

Part of Matsunoma Machiya's aesthetics is its application of Kaga gosai, the five main colors used in Kaga-yuzen kimonos. These are purple, ocher, crimson, indigo, and green. If you'd like to know more about Kaga-yuzen and these five colors, you should take a trip to the Kaga-Yuzen Kimono Center.

Try your hand at making homemade Japanese cuisine while staying at Matsunoma Machiya. The kitchen is nicely equipped and comes with a stove, microwave, and even a rice cooker. There's also plenty of cookware, so you can diversify what type of dish you'd like to cook. For groceries, you should shop like a local and head to Omicho Market, the city's largest and oldest shopping neighborhood. There you'll find the season's best picks along with all sorts of seafood caught from the Sea of Japan.

For days that you'd like to try the local establishments (or just not feeling the jive to cook), you can drop by the kaiseki cuisine of Miyata Suzuan or grab an evening meal with drinks at the izakaya Kuukai.

Cultural Experiences

When it comes to cultural experiences, Kanazawa will never disappoint. The aforementioned Higashichaya is an old neighborhood that was famous for its teahouses and geishas. Today, its streets are lined with shops and restaurants, most of which retain the original architecture. Since the topic of Kaga gosai and Kaga-yuzen was brought up, be sure to visit the Kaga-Yuzen Kimono Center. Aside from a museum, they also offer hands-on experiences in kimono crafting, as well as kimono rentals for photoshoots.

The city also boasts wonderful parks and gardens, including Kenroku-en, one of the country's Three Great Gardens. There's also Utatsuyama Park, which encompasses a forested mountain and is also a religious district filled with temples and shrines. These religious sites each have a patron spirit with certain blessings such as for childbirth or for good luck.

Other Celebrations

Kanazawa is a wonderful city to visit for your birthday or anniversary. That said, you should check with the hosts beforehand if you're also planning to celebrate a small party at Matsunoma Machiya. They might agree if you promise to keep it peaceful and low-key, or they may have some good nearby establishments to recommend as an alternative.