The reception area is a café counter and bookshelf, and the owner, Masatoshi Kobayashi, brews drip coffee for guests from 8 to 10 a.m. before and after check-out and from 4 to 9 p.m. after check-in. Mr. Kobayashi, who has traveled around the world as an architect, is also a senior traveler who says, "If you go to all that trouble, you want to stay in an inn that is unique to the area.

Whether you are cooking breakfast in the earthen kitchen or basking in the sun on the courtyard terrace, the machiya experience itself will be a good memory. Accommodation is available in dormitories from 3,300 yen per night. Drinks and bookshelves are available for use by non-guests as well.