The staircase in this house is steeper than what most visitors are used to. This was not a mistake. It reflects how traditional Kyoto machiya were designed.
Built on a narrow plot
Machiya were built on long, narrow plots known as unagi no nedoko — "eel beds." Because taxes were often based on the width of a property's street frontage, houses were kept narrow and extended deep into the block.
With limited floor space, a gently sloping staircase would have occupied too much room. The steep staircase was a practical solution, allowing families to make the most of every square meter.
A staircase and storage in one
Look beneath the steps. These built-in compartments are part of a design known as hakobashigo, or "box staircase."
In a machiya, space was precious. Rather than leaving the area under the stairs empty, it was transformed into storage. Even today, these compartments still hold supplies for the inn, continuing a tradition of practical use that has lasted for generations.
A century later
A hundred years ago, family members climbed these same stairs as part of everyday life. The house has changed, and its residents have changed, but the staircase remains much the same.
What may feel unusual today was once an ordinary feature of homes throughout Kyoto — a small reminder of how people adapted their lives to the space around them.