Kyoto townhouses

Visitors to Kyoto now can stay in any of eight restored machiya, the traditional townhouses built for citizens to live in.

They have been restored in the period style, with complex beams, plaster walls, courtyards and hanging scrolls. Modern amenities, such as kitchen appliances and modern bathrooms, have been added.

A stay at the 2-person Ishifudono-cho house costs ¥25,000-¥40,000 (near $237-$380) per night, depending on the day.

Contact Iori (Sujiya-cho 144-6, Tominokoji-dori, Takatsuji-agaru, Kyoto, Shimogyo-ku, Japan; phone 075 352 0211, fax 0213, www.kyoto-machiya.com).