Kyoto Traditional "Machiya" House in Gion Geisha Quarters Kyoto Vacation Rental by Owner Listing 105505

Exterior view at dusk

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Location: Kyoto, Japan, Asia

Accommodations:  Japanese House, 2 Bedrooms, 1 Bath (Sleeps 2-4)

The Gion House is an old wooden, traditional-style "machiya," located on an atmospheric side street in the awe-inspiring geisha quarters of Gion, in the heart of old Kyoto. It was fully restored by renowned Kyoto-based architect Geoffrey Moussas. It has been shown in two national architecture/interior-related magazines, and has been shown on a program on NHK (Japan's national TV station.)

Offered is the entire second floor, which has private entrance. The place has features such as all antique sliding doors, antique light fixtures, and traditional design details, combined with luxurious, modern features like radiant heating under the wooden floors, a large Western style bathtub, and wireless high-speed Internet. The bath and kitchen are entirely new and modern and fully equipped. There is a washer and dryer.

This spacious house has a tatami mat bedroom, a Western-style bedroom with sofabed and desk, and a large tatami mat living room with leather sofa and 32 inch flat-screen cable TV. Also there is a wood roof deck with chairs and table, a perfect place to sip your morning coffee while enjoying the views of surrounding hills, as well as a view of the maple trees of neighboring Kenninji temple, which is the oldest Zen temple in Japan, and is just a stone’s throw away.

There is enough room for up to four to sleep... two in the tatami bedroom on a futon, and two in the large sofabed in the Western-style room.

The location is superb in terms of being central and being steeped in atmosphere. This property is actually located within the very heart of what is considered to be "Gion." There are numerous temples, restaurants, and shops located nearby, with walking access to major tourist sights such as Kiyomizu Temple, Chion-in, and Maruyama Park. The downtown shopping district and Kamo River are also just a ten minute walk away. There are two bicycles for guest use. Nearby is easy access to public transportation and taxis.

The Gion House is just five minutes' walk from Hanamikoji Street, one of the most traditional and preserved sections of Kyoto, where you can find old "machiya" style wooden houses in abundance. You can also find geishas scurrying down the alleyways on their way to work in the evenings.

You’ll enjoy the luxury and ambiance of the Gion House, and the location can’t be beat for a memorable Kyoto experience in the very special part of town called Gion.

NEWS! THE FIRST FLOOR (WITH AN INDEPENDENT ENTRANCE, TWO BEDROOMS, AND EQUALLY LUXURIOUS AS THE UPSTAIRS) IS UNDER RENOVATION, AND WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR RENTAL FROM FEBRUARY, 2010. PLEASE INQUIRE FOR FURTHER DETAILS.

Vacation Rental Features

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• Amenities
  • Air Conditioning
  • Washer
  • Dryer
  • Linens Provided
• Beds
  • Double Bed: Option of sleeping on double bed or a double futon.
• Entertainment
  • Cable/Satellite TV
  • DVD
  • CD Player
• Kitchen
  • Full Kitchen
  • Cooking Utensils Provided
  • Refrigerator
  • Microwave
  • Ice Maker
• Outdoor Features
  • Deck/Patio
• Communications
  • Telephone
  • WiFi (Wireless Internet)
• Suitability
  • Minimum Age Limit for Renters
  • Smoking Not Allowed
• Activities (on site and nearby)
  • Shopping
  • Sightseeing
  • Restaurants

Rate Details (In US Dollars)

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Personal Currency Assistant™

Rental rate is $260/night for two persons (minimum 5 nights)
$280/night for three persons, $300/night for four persons.

Payment by check or money order in US Dollars, Visa or
Mastercard, Paypal, or international wire transfer.

Note: Until confirmed, rates are subject to change without notice.

• Credit Cards Accepted:

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Property Photos

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Guest Comments (35)

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• 10/16/09
  Positive Rating
  Anonymous , Seattle, WA
  • The Gion house provides the ideal balance of comfort, location, and privacy. Just minutes from Shijo dori, one of the main streets, and, just around the corner, from Hanamikoji dori, which runs through the Gion; walking out your door and around the corner, puts you in the middle of one of the most interesting sections of Kyoto, with easy access to restaurants, bars, temples, and shopping. When you decide to expand beyond the Gion, there is nearby and easy access to public transport. The house is quiet, private, tastefully appointed, clean, and comfortable; for 4 adults, it was ideal. If I return to Kyoto, I will stay here again.
• 10/03/09
  Positive Rating
  , Albuquerque, NM
  • We stayed here September, 2008 for nearly 3 weeks. Everything about it was magic!. We loved hearing the temple bells in the morning, making a Japanese breakfast in the kitchen (rice with fried egg topping and miso soup) and heading out for the day. Despite the very quiet location, two bus lines and the subway are within an easy walk as is the grocery store and the department store complex. We walked and rode to more temples and shrines than one could imagine. We had lunches and suppers in exquisite restaurants and plain eateries and occasionally cooked at home. The furo tub is quintescential and experiencing bathing the Japanese way was wonderful. Walking past the big hotels downtown, we truly felt sorry for the people staying there, spending so much more and missing the core experience of really being in Japan. We were sad when our time was up and we would love, someday, to return.
• 09/27/09
  Positive Rating
  , Bay Area, CA
  • Grab this unique opportunity to stay in an authentic and beautifully restored traditional Japanese "Machiya" dwelling. Our Kyoto experience was greatly enriched by staying here. Wonderful neighborhood restaurants, shopping and sightseeing, walked everywhere... We felt very fortunate to have this special experience and look forward to next time. Excellent shower/bath, and a small but workable kitchen -- even a washer/dryer. Roof deck too! And very gracious, helpful hosts. Can't say enough.
• 09/10/09
  Positive Rating
  Joelle B. , Tokyo, Japan
  • We have stayed at this beautiful Machiya House for one week at the end of August, with two friends and our baby. The house is great, mixing traditional Japanese style and modern kitchen and bathroom design. It's very well located. Our hosts were very gracious and we had a great time. We will certainly come back again.
• 08/26/09
  Positive Rating
  Marie , Browns Point, WA
  • We enjoyed a most wonderful stay in this beautiful traditional machiya in the fantastic city of Kyoto. They say location is everything and this machiya has a perfect location on a quiet street within walking distance to famous sites. It was quiet, immaculately clean and beautifully furnished with all the amenities necessary for a most comfortable stay. We look forward to returning to this fabulous machiya.
• 08/20/09
  Positive Rating
  D. Brown , California
  • Highly recommended. A beautiful property in an excellent neighborhood. Well appointed, well maintained, and well managed. Others have gone on at length, so I will just say that you can believe them all. We read the comments here before our trip, and it still managed to exceed our expectations. I have already recommended this property to friends who are traveling to Kyoto next spring, and would certainly stay here again if I had the opportunity.
• 06/12/09
  Positive Rating
  Anna , San Francisco,Ca.
  • We stayed at Gion House for one week. Great location and such a beautiful Machiya. Next time we will stay there again.
• 06/09/09
  Positive Rating
  Joe and Tyrone , Sunnyvale, California
  • We had a great stay at the Gion House. The location is amazing and the house has everything for a relaxing stay. It has become one of our lasting memories of Kyoto. I highly recommend it.
• 04/23/09
  Positive Rating
  , Los Angeles, CA
  • We had such a wonderful stay - the house is immaculate and I can't imagine a better location in Kyoto. We enjoyed visiting the temple just two blocks away, eating in the many excellent restaurants in the neighborhood, and just hanging out at the house. There were three of us and the house was quite comfortable. The bathroom is particularly lovely, and the house is perfectly furnished with very comfortable futon, excellent bedding and towels, and all the kitchen supplies you need to cook a meal. I appreicated that the appliances were labeled with English translations, too! We will definitely be back.
• 04/18/09
  Positive Rating
  Jonathan and Joe , New York City
  • We had such a spectacular stay at the Gion House. Having lived in Kyoto for 3 years and being away for over a decade, Curtis's home was beyond the perfect way to return to the city I love so much. The home is gorgeously appointed combining traditional design with modern facilities. The roof deck is so special and having Kenniji Temple as a neighbor couldn't be better! Thank you!

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