Johana-an: A Meiji-Era Townhouse in Toyama's Little Kyoto
Tucked along the atmospheric temple town street of Johana in Nanto City, Toyama Prefecture, Johana-an (formally known as the Former Nakatani Residence Main House) is a beautifully preserved Meiji-period machiya — a traditional Japanese townhouse. Built around 1905, this two-story wooden structure stands as a quiet witness to the architectural traditions and daily life of one of Toyama's most charming historic districts, often called "The Little Kyoto of Etchu." Designated as a nationally Registered Tangible Cultural Property in 2015, Johana-an offers visitors a rare glimpse into the vernacular architecture that once defined the streetscape of this prosperous temple town.
Historical Background
The town of Johana developed as a monzen-machi (temple town) around Johana Betsuin Zentokuji, a major branch temple of the Higashi Honganji sect of Jodo Shinshu Buddhism. Founded approximately 530 years ago by the influential priest Rennyo, Zentokuji attracted a thriving community of merchants and artisans to the surrounding area. By the Edo period, Johana had become a prosperous center for silk weaving under the patronage of the Kaga Domain, and the town's streets were lined with the distinctive machiya of successful merchant families.
The main house of what is now Johana-an was originally built around 1905 (Meiji 38) as the Nakatani family residence. It survived the vicissitudes of the twentieth century, undergoing renovations around 1950 before being carefully relocated to its present site on Daiku-machi (Carpenter's Street) in 2001 through a technique known as hikiya — the traditional Japanese practice of moving an entire building to a new location. This painstaking process preserved the building's original structure and character, allowing it to continue contributing to the historic streetscape of the Zentokuji temple precinct.
Why It Was Designated a Cultural Property
Johana-an was registered as a national Tangible Cultural Property on November 17, 2015, under the criterion of contributing to the historical landscape of Japan. The designation recognizes the building's role as an exemplary specimen of Johana's traditional machiya architecture. Its exterior features — including the distinctive nobori-segai eaves (deep overhanging eaves supported by ascending beams), thick-board awnings, and decorative side walls (sodekabe) flanking the second-floor facade — are hallmarks of the local building tradition that defined the character of this temple town. As one of the increasingly rare surviving examples of this regional architectural style, the main house plays an important role in preserving the visual identity and historical atmosphere of the Zentokuji monzen-machi.
Architectural Highlights
The main house is a two-story timber-frame building with a tiled roof, covering a building area of approximately 84 square meters. Its frontage spans about three and a half ken (roughly 6.4 meters), following the narrow-fronted, deep-lot plan typical of Japanese machiya.
The ground floor is organized with an earthen-floored passage (doma) running along the right side of the building, while three eight-tatami-mat rooms are arranged in a row along the left side. This layout reflects the dual nature of machiya life, where commercial and domestic activities coexisted within a single structure. On the second floor, the space above part of the doma is left open as a dramatic attic void, while the remaining area is divided into living quarters.
The exterior is where the building truly showcases its regional character. The nobori-segai eaves, supported by beams that rise from the interior structure, create a deep overhang that protects the facade from rain and snow — a practical necessity in Toyama's heavy snowfall region. The thick wooden board awning (atsuita-buki no hisashi) adds another layer of weather protection, while the sodekabe (side walls) projecting from the second-floor facade serve both as fire barriers and as decorative elements that give the streetscape its distinctive rhythm. The grand entrance doors (odo-gamae) complete the traditional appearance.
Visiting Johana-an
Today, Johana-an serves as a welcoming café where visitors can experience the atmosphere of a historic machiya while enjoying refreshments. The restored interior provides an intimate setting to appreciate the craftsmanship of Meiji-era construction, from the warm tones of aged timber to the spatial flow between the traditional rooms. It is an ideal resting point during a stroll through Johana's historic streets.
The building is located on Daiku-machi, within easy walking distance of Zentokuji Temple and the other cultural attractions of the Johana district. The adjacent storehouse (kura), also a Registered Tangible Cultural Property, adds to the ensemble's charm, its plastered walls and small torii-shaped window frames lending character to the narrow side alley.
Surrounding Attractions
Johana-an sits at the heart of one of Toyama Prefecture's most culturally rich districts. Within a short walk, visitors can explore a wealth of heritage and cultural experiences.
- Johana Betsuin Zentokuji: The magnificent temple that gave rise to the town, featuring a main hall dating to 1759, an ornate gate adorned with Inami wood carvings, and a 370-year-old weeping cherry tree that blooms spectacularly each spring.
- Johana Hikiyama Kaikan: A museum showcasing the splendid floats and festival culture of the Johana Hikiyama Festival, a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage event held every May 5th.
- Johana Orikan: A weaving hall where visitors can try their hand at traditional silk weaving on historic looms, celebrating Johana's heritage as a silk-producing town.
- Johana-za: A performing arts hall dedicated to local traditional arts including iori-uta chanting and mugiya folk dance.
- Gokayama: The nearby UNESCO World Heritage Site famous for its gassho-zukuri thatched-roof farmhouses, accessible by car from Johana.
- 📍 Plan Your Visit to Toyama
- Find tours, activities & transport passes near Johanaan (former Nakatani Family Residence) Main Building
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Q&A
- What is Johana-an used for today?
- Johana-an currently operates as a café housed within the restored historic machiya. Visitors can enjoy drinks and sweets while experiencing the atmosphere of a traditional Meiji-era townhouse.
- What makes this building architecturally distinctive?
- The main house exhibits several features characteristic of Johana's traditional machiya, including nobori-segai eaves (deep overhanging eaves supported by ascending beams), thick wooden board awnings, and sodekabe (decorative side walls) on the second-floor facade. These elements are specific to the regional building tradition of this temple town.
- How do I get to Johana?
- Johana is accessible by JR Johana Line from Takaoka Station (approximately 50 minutes). From Kanazawa, you can take the Hokuriku Shinkansen to Shin-Takaoka Station and transfer to the JR Johana Line. By car, it is about one hour from Toyama city center.
- When is the best time to visit Johana?
- The Johana Hikiyama Festival on May 5th is the highlight of the year, when magnificent floats parade through the historic streets. Spring also brings the weeping cherry blossom festival at Zentokuji, while July's Mushibo-e (airing ceremony) opens the temple's treasures to the public. The Mugiya Festival in autumn showcases traditional folk dance.
- Was the building moved from its original location?
- Yes. The main house was relocated to its current site on Daiku-machi in 2001 using hikiya, the traditional Japanese technique of physically moving an entire building. This careful process preserved the original structure and allowed the building to continue contributing to the historic landscape of the Zentokuji temple town.
Basic Information
| Name | Johana-an (Former Nakatani Residence) Main House じょうはな庵（旧中谷家住宅）主屋 |
|---|---|
| Cultural Property Designation | Registered Tangible Cultural Property (Building) |
| Registration Date | November 17, 2015 |
| Registration Criteria | Contributing to the historical landscape of the nation |
| Period of Construction | Circa 1905 (Meiji 38); renovated circa 1950; relocated 2001 |
| Structure | Two-story wooden construction, tiled roof, building area approximately 84 m² |
| Address | 644-1 Daiku-machi, Johana, Nanto City, Toyama Prefecture |
| Access | Approximately 10 minutes on foot from JR Johana Station (JR Johana Line) |
References
- じょうはな庵（旧中谷家住宅）主屋 - 文化遺産オンライン
- https://bunka.nii.ac.jp/heritages/detail/236378
- じょうはな庵（旧中谷家住宅）主屋 | とやまの文化遺産
- https://toyama-bunkaisan.jp/search/2551/
- じょうはな庵 城端国登録建造物 - 南砺市文化情報
- https://culture-archives.city.nanto.toyama.jp/culture/bunkazai/bunkazai0250/
- 城端の国登録有形文化財(建造物)シリーズ（２） - 城端まちづくり協議会
- https://jouhana-kc.7104.info/entry-1662616367.html
- 城端別院善徳寺 | 旅々なんと
- https://www.tabi-nanto.jp/archives/607
Last verified: 2026.04.02