Takayama is the town Hisa-san grew up in. Her house has been built on the main street in the old town for 200 years. Now most of the houses in the area have turned into coffee shops or souvenir shops, but her family kept their house as it is.
“Machiya”(townhouse) served as both homes and shops for craftspersons and merchants since the end of the 16th century. Back then her family ran a "Gofuku-ya (kimono shop)" in this house. About 130 years ago, they started an obstetric(OBGYN） clinic and many people in Takayama were born here. They still keep the basic traditional Machiya structure for their living space, but their house has a very unique structure in a way since it used to be a clinic.
 
By visiting her house and listening to her story including her family history, you can get to know how people live and have lived in a 200-year-olg wooden Machiya within the traditional Old Town area.  Hisa-san is a fun-loving lady. We are sure you will enjoy sharing a wonderful time with her.