Tsuboniwa, or courtyard gardens, play important roles in classical machiya
townhouses, (often called “Eel’s bed” due to their thin and long rectangular
shape), temples and shrines. Located in the inner part of the structure,
tsuboniwa provide both functionality such as ventilation and lighting
and add to the natural comfort of daily life. About fifty tsuboniwa from
machiya townhouses, temples, hotels and museums are introduced.