Wakimachi Minami-machi, Traditional Japanese house in Mima, Japan.
Wakimachi Minami-machi is a traditional Japanese residence with white walls, cedar floors, and multiple windows that allow daylight to penetrate throughout the interior. The two-story structure integrates living and working spaces within roughly 126 square meters, reflecting typical design practices of the region.
The residence gained official recognition in 1988 as part of a designated preservation district for groups of traditional buildings in the area. This status helped ensure that traditional building methods and local heritage would be maintained for the future.
The raised Udatsu walls that cap the roofline reveal how families once protected their homes from fire while creating a distinctive visual identity. Walking past, you can see how these practical elements became part of the neighborhood's character and how they connected families to shared concerns.
The house sits in the village of Mima within a well-preserved traditional neighborhood that is straightforward to explore on foot. The walkways are simple to navigate, and the flat landscape makes for a comfortable stroll through the area.
The outer walls employ Yaki-Sugi, a charring technique using Japanese cedar that was developed to resist weathering and decay. This specific method is characteristic of the Ehime region and gives the building its distinctive dark brown tone.
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