縁側(えんがわ)

えんがわ
noun
veranda
1. veranda; engawa (wooden porch along the side of a traditional Japanese house)
veranda; engawa (wooden porch along the side of a traditional Japanese house)
縁側(えんがわ)に座(すわ)って庭(にわ)を眺(なが)めた。
I sat on the veranda and gazed at the garden.
夏(なつ)は縁側(えんがわ)で涼(すず)むのが気持(きも)ちいい。
In summer, it feels nice to cool off on the veranda.
祖父(そふ)は縁側(えんがわ)でお茶(ちゃ)を飲(の)むのが日課(にっか)だ。
My grandfather's daily routine is to drink tea on the veranda.
猫(ねこ)が縁側(えんがわ)の日当(ひあ)たりのいい場所(ばしょ)で寝(ね)ている。
The cat is sleeping in a sunny spot on the veranda.
昔(むかし)の日本(にほん)の家(いえ)には縁側(えんがわ)があって、近所(きんじょ)の人(ひと)がお茶(ちゃ)を飲(の)みに来(き)たりしたそうだ。
Old Japanese houses had verandas, and apparently neighbors would come by for tea.

縁側(えんがわ) is a distinctive feature of traditional Japanese houses—a wooden-floored corridor or porch that runs along the outer edge of the house, facing the garden. It serves as a transitional space between inside and outside.

Characteristics:

  • Usually made of wooden planks
  • Located between the room and the garden
  • Often used for relaxation, drinking tea, or enjoying the view
  • May be covered (濡(ぬ)れ縁(えん)) or uncovered

Cultural notes:

  • Common setting in nostalgic depictions of Japanese life
  • Associated with summer scenes (打(う)ち水(みず), 風鈴(ふうりん), 西瓜(すいか))
  • Gradually disappearing with modern architecture
core
Added 2026.1.15 3:56 · Revised 2026.6.1 5:09
04000/04495_engawa