Minami-tawara Kominka: A Traditional Farmhouse in the Serene Hills of Nara
This traditional Kominka is located in the mountainous eastern part of Nara City. Situated at an elevation of over 400 meters, the area has an inland plateau climate, making it 2 to 3 degrees cooler on average than the city center and historically known for being relatively disaster-free. The original thatched-roof section, with its steep slope characteristic of Nara's unique traditional farmhouse style known as Yamato-mune, served as the main house. To its right, a two-story annex has been added, incorporating a storehouse at the rear. From the second-floor windows, one can enjoy a charming rural landscape of farmland and wooded hills.
The property is a 50-minute bus ride or a 25-minute drive from central Nara, and about a 1.5 hour drive from Kansai International Airport. The vacant lot to the right of the stone wall is a parking space. The property includes a Western-style room in the annex. Please note that a corner of the main roof has collapsed and part of the flooring is also rotten and in need of repair. The land category includes residential land as well as miscellaneous land.
The area offers a peaceful, elevated retreat with a distinctly cooler climate than the bustling city below. An interesting historical fact about this region is that it was part of the ancient Yamato Province, the political and cultural heart of Japan from which the imperial family emerged. The closest major landmark is the iconic Todai-ji Temple in central Nara, home to the Great Buddha (Daibutsu) and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, which is approximately a 30-35 minute bus journey from the property's nearest bus stop.