The term 'machiya' specifically refers to the townscape consisting of merchant houses (houses of merchants and craftspeople that is a combination of family residence and shop) which was formed during the Edo period through the beginning of the Showa period.
特に江戸時代から昭和のはじめ頃までに形成された、商家（しょうか、商いの場や仕事の場を兼ねた商人や職人の家）の街並みをさす。