Tokisora Machiya House is among the many machiyas in Kanazawa that were constructed years ago as houses for merchants and artisans. Some of these date back to as far as the Heian Period! While machiyas were quite popular during the Edo Period, new constructions stopped after the Building Standard Act of 1950. According to this act, machiyas were no longer considered sturdy enough. What happened next was that the existing machiyas fell into disrepair while more modern accommodations were built. In 2010, Machiya Residence Inn took the opportunity to restore and preserve these old machiyas and transform them into holiday homes. In December 2024, the company opened Tokisora Machiya House to guests.

The name ‘Tokisora’ is actually the combination of Japanese characters for “time” (時), “season” (季), and “sky” (空). This means that guests will be able to escape the stresses of life and have a relaxing stay here, seemingly losing track of time.

Design and Architecture

Tokisora Machiya House's traditional facade with black kawara (clay) roof tiles and old wooden beams will transport you back in time. Inside, the vibe is influenced by the seasons of Kanazawa. The open-concept area on the first floor is ideal for relaxing, socializing, or sharing meals. There's also a traditional tatami room on this floor, featuring tatami mats and fusuma (sliding doors) with lovely artwork. The Japanese-style bedroom features the kobai tenjo style (slanted wood ceilings, while the Western-style bedroom offers a more modern space with a king bed. The machiya also cleverly utilizes the space beneath the staircase, known as hako-kaidan, to accommodate a cute, modern kitchen.

Tokisora Machiya House's well-equipped kitchen makes up for its lack of a restaurant. Culinary enthusiasts can get fresh produce from Omicho Market and prepare delicious Japanese dishes in the kitchen. You'll find everything you need here, including cookware, a rice cooker, an induction stovetop, a microwave, and cutlery. The kitchen's location under the stairs makes it a cozy space, too. There's a dining table with a garden view where you can share your meals. End your meal by enjoying a cup of original Machiya Coffee (courtesy of Machiya Residence Inn) or some green tea.

Those who don't like cooking can contact the staff via phone to get restaurant recommendations. If you're a sushi lover, just take about a three-minute walk to Sushi Enome or a five-minute walk to Omicho Ichiba Sushi.

Cultural and Outdoor Experiences

Tokisora Machiya House is ideally located for guests to experience Kanazawa's cultural offerings. It's just a short walk from both Omicho market and Kanazawa Castle Park, which are must-visit attractions in the city. The old teahouse district, Higashi Chaya, is also just a 14-minute walk away. You can visit this district to enjoy a geisha performance or a tea ceremony. If you wish to explore further, hop on a bus at the nearby bus stop and visit the 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art. Nature lovers can get their fill of lush greenery and fresh air at Kenroku-en, which is also a quick bus ride away.