Vacation Rentals by Owner

Convenient and comfortable

Guest: DCS (Sydney, Australia)
Date of Stay: 04/06/12 Review Submitted: 04/29/12

Gion House is extremely conveniently located, in a quiet street close to the heart of Gion and the downtown area of Kyoto. The apartment is very comfortable, with high quality inclusions and very well maintained. It is well equipped and has everything needed for an extended stay. Gion House provides a genuine insight into living in Japan as the Japanese do. We certainly recommend the accommodation as an ideal base for a short or long term stay in the wonderful city of Kyoto.

Recommended for:Age 55+, sightseeing.

Perfect Comfort, Atmosphere and Location

Guest: Michael (La Jolla, California, USA)
Date of Stay: 03/26/12 Review Submitted: 04/13/12

Kyoto epitomises all that Japan has to offer, including the historical essence of Japan, outstanding cuisine, cultural treasures, emphasis on craftsmanship and never-ending surprises. Gion House Machiya is the perfect base from which to enjoy all of these wonders. I endorse all of the comments about the comfort and amenities of this attractive house, which is accurately portrayed in the listing. None of this would matter, however, without the location, in which there is so much to see and do, that it might blind visitors to the fact that Kyoto has so much to offer beyond the Gion and environs. Within a 30 to 40-minute walking radius of the house, through a labyrinth of narrow lanes bordered by traditional-style houses, tea-shops and ryokan inns (and where, at dusk, you might bump into a maiko scurrying elegantly to her next appointment) are not only the many temples representing the varied facets of the various buddhist and shinto sects, but specialized craft studios, museums (the Kawai Kanjiro Memorial House is a treasure), beautiful gardens, shops of all kinds and restaurants to satisfy every appetite. These range from the rarified and expensive, illustrating Kyoto cuisine at its most refined (such as the two Kikunoi restaurants and Chihana), through countless small restaurants specializing in various dishes (of which Girogiro Hitoshino was the find of the visit), to the atmospheric and varied treats of the Izakaya. And if that is not enough and there is a need for more familiar western-style shopping, the large department stores are within the same walking distance. Although it might be tempting just to explore the area, Kyoto as a whole has much more to offer, and the proximity of the excellent subway and other public transport systems makes every corner accessible. The home base at Gion House made exploring all of this so much more enjoyable than it had been in the past from a hotel base, but the icing on the cake was the outstanding support that we (not a word of Japanese between us, to our shame) received from the local service company.

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, tourists without a car, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Wondrous place to stay, descriptions and photos accurate here

Guest: Jim (Amherst, MA, USA)
Date of Stay: 01/08/12 Review Submitted: 01/28/12

My family of four (two adults, two post-college children) recently returned from a memorable week in Kyoto, and this rental played a large role in the power and sweetness of our memories. It was recommended by friends who live nearby and are enchanted with the neighborhood. If you stay here you will experience Kyoto in a fashion unavailable to one who stays in a hotel or other part of the city. The sights, sounds, and smells of traditional Kyoto are right out front, though this house can also be a place of refuge for those seeking that. I do a lot of travelling but have seldom rented a house that is as well-equipped as this one. In fact I'm not even sure my own home is as well-equipped! From fresh batteries for the flashlight to bandaids in the first aid kit to tea bags and sugar, Curtis had thought of everything. Read on to see what others say, and note the praise we all have for this house, area, and owner. I certainly hope to return.

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, girls getaway, tourists without a car, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Good base in Kyoto

Guest: PW (Singapore)
Date of Stay: 11/13/11 Review Submitted: 11/27/11

Our family of seven stayed at this house (both upper and lower levels) in November 2011. The house was accurately described by the owner and well reviewed by others on this website. I will try not to repeat what others have described so well already. The machiya has a quiet yet central location. The kitchens are very well equipped and all appliances are like new. Of note, the microwave oven does wonders! It has settings to re-heat fried foods (like tempura), toast bread and re-heat bento boxes. Absolutely no complaints whatsoever about the house. Several restaurants within a stone's throw from the house. 2 supermarkets within easy walking distance. The entire Gion area including Kiyomizu temple are easily accessible on foot. Bus stops are easily reached on foot and I would recommend the use of buses whilst in Kyoto. They are easy to use, fixed fares, multi-lingual bus stop announcements (on many buses) and can reach just about all the sights in Kyoto. Use the Bus Navi guide in the folder in the house. The subway line in Kyoto is very limited. The local contact, Junko, was very helpful during our stay. She arranged amongst other things, restaurant reservations, luggage forwarding, and was very prompt with replies to our many questions. I would highly recommend this holiday rental!! An excellent base for travels in Kyoto and nearby towns.

Recommended for:Age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, tourists without a car, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

A Great Week at Gion House "Machiya" (Upper Level) Sep. 26th-Oct. 3rd, 2011

Guest: St. Louis Travelers (St. Louis, MO USA)
Date of Stay: 09/26/11 Review Submitted: 10/16/11

My wife and I had a terrific time in Kyoto and this rental was a big part of the reason. The Machiya oozes charm. The neighborhood is fascinating--a real walker's paradise. We did a full day Kyoto tour and a full day Nara tour with Koko(she is listed in the manual prepared for the renters). You can hear faint gongs and chanting from the nearby Buddhist temple--very atmospheric. The rental has all the amenities that you would need for a week. Fresco grocery store is a ten minute walk and has good fresh produce, coffee, good quality sushi, etc... FYI--if you are 5'10" or taller, you will hit your head on the door frames--I have the bumps to prove it--all part of the charm of staying in an older Japanese structure. All in all, a great rental unit in a great city.

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, tourists without a car, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

What a great place to stay in Kyoto

Guest: Ed (Los Angeles, CA)
Date of Stay: 09/11/11 Review Submitted: 09/23/11

We had a great stay at Gion House. We stayed in the upper level and were able to experience part of the past of Kyoto with great modern amenities such as a/c and a washer and dryer. With the remains of the Kyoto summer heat and humidity still present during our stay both were particularly helpful. The location is great, especially as you walk through the Gion district and its geishas on your way back to the house each night. Historic and must see sites such as the Kennnin-ji Temple and the Kiyomizu-dera Temple are a stone's throw away. The interior space is terrific with its restored wood work. The choice of the tradtional futon or regular mattress was a great added feature. The upper terrace was a particular nice touch, especially in the evening. We highly recommend Gion House for anyone looking to for that extra special experience in Kyoto that comes with staying at a Machiya.

Recommended for:Age 55+, families with teenagers, girls getaway, tourists without a car, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Beautiful house

Guest: Soggy tourists! (London, UK)
Date of Stay: 05/27/11 Review Submitted: 06/15/11

We'd stayed here in May/June 2011 and had an amazing time. The house is beautiful and just like the photos, in fact the rooms were bigger than I was expecting. THe tatami rooms are gorgeous and smell lovely! It is a fantastic location for walking to lots of sights which we did. Although rainy season came early this year this just made the house an even better idea - much nicer to take a break and dry off in such a nice place rather than a small hotel room where you feel you are wasting your precious holiday time, in the Gion House that down time just felt like another aspect of the trip. I would highly recommend this to anyone who is staying in Kyoto for any length of time, a real enhancement to a holiday and a great location for all the major temples and the Gion area. Thank you for a fabulous holiday base.

Recommended for:Age 55+, families with teenagers, girls getaway, tourists without a car, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Springtime in Kyoto

Guest: Laurel (Connecticut, USA)
Date of Stay: 04/30/11 Review Submitted: 07/22/11

We stayed at Gion House in May, 2011. We were a family group of 7, with ages ranging from 23-83. We rented both the upper and lower levels, which was ideal for us. We were able to get together, but also had space to spread out and relax. I loved staying in a traditional Japanese house, and having a taste of living like the Japanese people do. The house is beautifully restored, with lots of wood, tatami mats and screens.The rooftop deck was fun to sit on early in the morning and listen to the birds and the temple bells and monks chanting- the temple is adjacent to Gion House. You could also hang laundry on the racks on the roof, as all of the locals seem to do. The bathroom had windows on opposite walls which could be opened and made it feel almost like an outdoor shower! The house was perfect, Kyoto is so special, and the Japanese people are wonderful. Go, if you can!

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, tourists without a car, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Hugh, Kimberley and family

Guest: Hugh (Australia)
Date of Stay: 01/03/11 Review Submitted: 01/14/11

We loved our stay here - beautiful building with fantastic attention to detail. Facinating to stay in a traditional Japanese dwelling. Very well fitted out and we had everything we needed for the week. Great position at the end of a lovelly street in the heart of Gion and a perfect base for expolring Kyoto. We were there for a week in Winter and hope to have a week there again for the remaining seasons....

Recommended for:Families with teenagers, families with young children, tourists without a car, romantic getaway.

wonderful

Guest: heidi (Chicago, IL)
Date of Stay: 11/16/10 Review Submitted: 06/24/11

Stayed here in November 2010. Gion House is especially well appointed, beautiful in design, super in function (love the seamless mix of traditional Japanese design and modern conveniences within the apartment!). Plenty of space for a family of 4 adults. Located in a very quiet and safe neighborhood that is ideal for relaxing but still very close to tourist attractions. Loved evening walks to major departmental stores where we could buy groceries and enjoy cooking in the kitchen and having family dinners in the huge living room. Professionally managed, the rental process was extremely easy and fast and a dream to deal with. Highly recommended! Thank you for a great vacation rental.

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, tourists without a car, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Wonderful

Guest: janice (Berkeley ca)
Date of Stay: 11/09/10 Review Submitted: 12/08/10

Wow--this was beyond my dreams. Could not recommend more highly. Spacious and well appointed. Quiet street. Lovely. Janice

Recommended for:Age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, tourists without a car, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

October Visit to Kyoto

Guest: October Travelers (Los Angeles, California)
Date of Stay: 10/23/10 Review Submitted: 11/06/10

We had a fabulous time in Kyoto and loved our accommodations. It was even better than we thought it would be. The location was great - centrally located and in the charming Gion neighborhood. The house was immaculate and the rennovation is excellent with the beautiful bathroom and modern kitchen as the highlight. We highly recommend this rental; a friend told us about it and we were very grateful.

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, tourists without a car, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Great place!

Guest: Joanne, Einar, Mist & Kolbra (U.K/Iceland)
Date of Stay: 07/29/10 Review Submitted: 09/21/10

What a privilege to stay somewhere that we would only expect to be able to take photos of the outside! The Gion house suited our type of holiday..away from the tourist hotels and busy streets but close enough to navigate our way around. We stayed at the house for just under 10 days in the middle of our 3 week holiday in Japan with our 2 teenage daughters. It was great to have the flexibility of doing our own thing without being down for breakfast at a particular time!!! We used our time not only to explore Kyoto but also did some day trips out of the city to Hiroshima, Nara and Himeji. After a few over hectic sight seeing days in the heat it was great to relax a little in the house and explore the immediate neighbourhood which has many interesting streets, temples and restaurants. The facilities were just what we needed...washer and dryer, kitchen ..although we only used it for breakfast mostly as there were plenty of places to eat out that we wanted to try!, tv and wireless for our daughters mostly!! Me and my husband preferred the balmy sunsets on the roof terrace with a cold beer in hand before the mosquitos came out to play!!! Well done Curtis for thoughtfully restoring a beautiful house, offering us a taste of Japanese culture and thank-you for being a very helpful host.

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, families with teenagers, tourists without a car, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

A perfect base for exploring Kyoto

Guest: Suzi (Salt Lake City, UT)
Date of Stay: 06/19/10 Review Submitted: 07/08/10

Gion House is very a comfortable base to return to after a day of exploring Kyoto. We especially loved the shower with the heated floor. Not that Kyoto is cold in the summer, but the heat dries up all the water, so no mold! The wireless internet worked perfectly and without interruptions, making this a good choice if you need to keep up with work. We enjoyed the proximity to excellent restaurants and shops. Also, the apartment is in easy walking distance of downtown and many of the sights on the east side. The access to taxis, buses and trains for further distance travel is superb. We would love to return to Kyoto and if so, will definitely reserve Gion House again.

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, tourists without a car, sightseeing.

A great place in the middle of historic Kyoto!

Guest: Jason (Palo Alto, California)
Date of Stay: 06/08/10 Review Submitted: 07/04/10

We had a great time staying in this wonderful little place right in the middle of things in Kyoto. Our first night out, we walked out the door around the corner, and had a geisha walk right by us on her way to work. Another block and we were on a block of historic buildings and amazing restaurants. The house backs up to one of the main Zen Buddhist temples - a large temple compound that is great to just wander through. The house itself is well designed and easy to live in. The kitchen, while small, has what you need to prepare food, and is well equipped. It was great to have a washer and dryer to keep us in clean clothes and let us try out some of things we bought at Muji downtown. The air conditioning was vital as well during the hotter days. We particularly enjoyed the roof deck. It had just enough room for three of us to sit around the table and enjoy the evening. There probably should be some mention in the listing that there are fairly low doorways throughout. At 6" tall I banged my head a couple of times a day for most of the trip. Not a major issue and that is part of the package of an authentic Japanese living experience.

Recommended for:Families with teenagers, girls getaway, tourists without a car, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Wonderful Stay in Kyoto

Guest: Patbern (Canada)
Date of Stay: 04/14/10 Review Submitted: 05/18/10

The two weeks we spent at Gion House (upper unit) have provided us with many lasting memories. As mentioned by previous reviewers, we found the apartment to be very comfortable, clean and perfectly located. We especially appreciated having the bikes to use and spent many wonderful days exploring the sights of Kyoto. My elderly parents were able to venture out on their own - comfortable with picking up groceries and shopping in Gion and the surrounding neighbourhoods. When they fell ill for a few days, Curtis and Junko kindly assisted us with a referral to a physician which was greatly appreciated. We would definitely recommend the experience of staying in this very special "machiya" house.

Recommended for:Age 55+, families with teenagers, tourists without a car, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Guest: Enzo (Rome, Italy)
Date of Stay: 03/19/10 Review Submitted: 03/19/10

Our stay in the upper floor of the Gion "Machiya", in March 2010, has been just perfect. This place is indeed everything one can dream about: a charming atmosphere, an brilliant artistic touch, the state of the art technology. Pictures on the web were indeed very nice, but right ahead, when we arrived in the apartment, we understood that real reality was, in this case, far superior to the virtual one. What is more impressive, I think, are spaces and the remarkable artistic taste of who set up the apartment: the nice wood, the sliding doors, the delightful windows, the incredible tatami bedroom, the so elegant bathroom, with the black tiles and the warm floor. All details are taken care in incredible detail, and everything always "works": the apartment is dealt with love by someone very competent, and it shows. The Japanese soul of the setting is strong and the ideal frame for spending a delicious period of time in delicious Kyoto. Everything in the kitchen is very modern, and you get all the tools you need if you plane some cooking at home: pots, for example, are of very high quality, the refrigerator is large and modern. By the way the kitchen itself is a beautiful room, where is nice to be. The location of the apartment is perfect, and being in Gion a clear plus: one can easily walk to temples, department stores, food shops, river restaurants, museums, elegant streets with antique shops. And it is so quiet: the location of the apartment is in a small road, just very close to the crowd but so far of it. It is incredible that being in the real heart of Kyoto one can feel like being in the countryside, because of the silence. We all hope we will be back there soon: we will surely do when we will be able to go back to Kyoto.

Recommended for:

Guest: Guadalupe Cort? (barcelona, spain)
Date of Stay: 11/25/09 Review Submitted: 11/25/09

We loved the house, the pictures in your web are very good but they do not do justice to the great charm of the place. We felt it was our home in Kyoto, we loved the tatami floors, the bikes, all your wonderful details and the Japanese style bedroom. Everytime we come back, we would love to stay there. Gion district is the best place to stay at. Thank you for sharing your house.

Recommended for:

Guest: Anonymous30 (Seattle, WA)
Date of Stay: 10/16/09 Review Submitted: 10/16/09

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.

Recommended for:

Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 10/03/09 Review Submitted: 10/03/09

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.

Recommended for:

Guest: Cheryl R. (Bay Area, CA)
Date of Stay: 09/27/09 Review Submitted: 09/27/09

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.

Recommended for:

Guest: Joelle B. (Tokyo, Japan)
Date of Stay: 09/10/09 Review Submitted: 09/10/09

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.

Recommended for:

Guest: Marie29 (Browns Point, WA)
Date of Stay: 08/26/09 Review Submitted: 08/25/09

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.

Recommended for:

Guest: D. Brown (California)
Date of Stay: 08/20/09 Review Submitted: 08/20/09

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.

Recommended for:

Guest: Anna44 (SAN FRANCISCO)
Date of Stay: 06/12/09 Review Submitted: 06/12/09

We stayed at Gion House for one week. Great location and such a beautiful Machiya. Next time we will stay there again.

Recommended for:

Guest: Joe and Tyrone (Sunnyvale, California)
Date of Stay: 06/09/09 Review Submitted: 06/09/09

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.

Recommended for:

Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 04/23/09 Review Submitted: 04/23/09

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.

Recommended for:

Guest: Jonathan and Joe (New York City)
Date of Stay: 04/18/09 Review Submitted: 04/18/09

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!

Recommended for:

Guest: anne-marie1 (luxembourg)
Date of Stay: 04/02/09 Review Submitted: 04/02/09

staying at a traditional "machiya" house is a very good way to experience japanese culture. especially in curtis house, as it is close to most of the must-vistit sights and best restaurants in kyoto. we had a wonderfull wintertime in kyoto and were happy in the very cold evenings to enjoy the cosiness in this place. thanks also curtis for your nice dvd collection! it is great to close a long day with some hot sake , seeing THE GEISHA and being reminded of all the beautiful impressions one got during the day. i will be back, but next time in summer to enjoy the great rooftop!

Recommended for:

Guest: Michelle Bromwich (Sydney, Australia)
Date of Stay: 01/11/09 Review Submitted: 01/11/09

We have stayed in "Gion House" for a whole week, and it has exceeded our expectations. We knew that the location was going to be excellent even before we arrived, but this was most appreciated when we got here - central to all the locations we wanted to see, close to the action, yet in such a quiet street that noise was never an issue. Not only did the location exceed our expectations, but so did the house - well-appointed, clean, and with all the facilities we could want. The bicycles came in very handy, especially during the busy holiday long weekend meant incredible crowds on the streets/roads, but bicycles allowed "zipping" along the small side streets to get to our destinations quickly. The drums/bells from Kenninji Temple at 6 AM every morning was fantastic - yet not loud enough to wake us up! Ayako-san greeted us and warmly welcomed us to the house and gave us instructions that got us orientated and settled in quickly. We would certainly recommend "Gion House" for anyone who wants to visit this great place, in a terrific location, and all the charm of a machiya. We will certainly be back!

Recommended for:

Guest: Wendy M. (Seattle, WA USA)
Date of Stay: 01/03/09 Review Submitted: 01/03/09

This apartment was a highlight of our trip to Japan! Not only is the neighborhood amazing and so full of history and culture but the apartment itself is beautiful with a wonderful kitchen, bathroom and living room. There are many shops and restos in the area and it's an inexpensive cab ride to Kyoto station. Thank you Curtis, we hope to visit Kyoto again and would not hesitate to rent you apartment.

Recommended for:

Guest: Janet Ghattas (Cambridge, MA)
Date of Stay: 11/19/08 Review Submitted: 11/19/08

Gion House is in a perfect location for a stay in Kyoto: we walked from the house to many temple locations, to the subway and the bus terminal while absorbing the traditional culture of the neighborhood. Watching Memoirs of a Geisha on DVD thanks to Curtis was an added plus.

Recommended for:

Guest: Ann O'Donnell (-)
Date of Stay: 10/27/08 Review Submitted: 10/27/08

Gion House is a fantastic place to stay in Kyoto. Very comfortable in a great location. A taste of traditional Japan!

Recommended for:

Guest: Gaynor and David (Australia)
Date of Stay: 09/18/08 Review Submitted: 09/17/08

Just returned from 10 days in the machiya. It really is an architectural experience so aesthetically Japanese yet so liveable. There isn't much to say that others haven't said before. The proximity is fantastic. Kyoto is such a bike friendly city it was easy to cycle everywhere. It was great to find the bike parking station next to Isetan at Kyoto Station because it meant we could ride - park the bikes for 150 yen and catch the train to Nara etc. Also the bike parking station one street back from the river by all the restaurants made shopping and eating worry free. For those of you who haven't used VRBO before Curtis makes it all so easy by accepting VISA. So come on Aussies take advantage of the cheap Jetstar airfares. Regards Gaynor

Recommended for:

Guest: Zak Pashak (Vancouver BC)
Date of Stay: 09/08/08 Review Submitted: 09/07/08

The Gion house was a wonderful home in Kyoto and a great base for travel throughout the Kansai region. The bikes were a great touch, as was the home elements like some DVDs and some basics in the fridge. The cooking class with Emi was a highlight as well- but I can't post a link to it so people should search kyotouzuki. Thank you Curtis for setting up such a great place for visitors.

Recommended for:

Guest: David & Kayo (Newcastle, UK)
Date of Stay: 07/21/08 Review Submitted: 07/21/08

Sorry, it's taken so long to say a public thanks for a wonderful stay in a beautiful house. The Gion house is a perfect combination of traditional style and modern design updates. My parents loved the bathroom in particular, although I liked sitting on the chairs on the roof watching the evening lights come on across the river. The location couldn't be better, right in the heart of old Gion and I don't think there are any better places to stay in Kyoto, especially in this price range.

Recommended for:

Guest: Sue McCrossin (Qld Australia)
Date of Stay: 06/09/08 Review Submitted: 06/09/08

Just returned from 3 week holiday in Japan and one of the highlights was definitely our stay in Kyoto in the Machiya house in Gion. Every need is catered for and having home comforts and space is a pleasant change from hotel rooms. The location is perfect for exploring the Gion area whilst still within walking distance of Kyoto downtown. Highly recommend. Sue

Recommended for:

Guest: Nicole18 (Queensland)
Date of Stay: 05/21/08 Review Submitted: 05/21/08

We have just returned from an awesome trip to Japan. Our first week was spent at the "Machiya" House in Gion and what an absolutely awesome experience it was!!! The house is stunning, the location is awesome and Gion was definitely the highlight of our trip!!! The only problem we encountered was the hiring of additional bikes, the recommendation that came through the house for the additional bikes wasn't able or didn't want to assist so 2 bikes between 5 of us made for a lot of walking or buses. Other than that, all of the restaurants around the house, temples, public transport access and the house were awesome. Watch your head if you are tall! I highly recommend this property! Nicole

Recommended for:

Guest: Gil 1 (San Francisco, CA)
Date of Stay: 04/10/08 Review Submitted: 04/10/08

Now that we have been back, almost 1 week, from a wonderful trip to Japan I am getting questions from friends and co-workers - "How was it?". The first thing that comes to mind is it was great! but the best part of the trip was staying in Kyoto in a traditional "Machiya" house in Gion! We had such a wonderful time staying in the house, the location is perfect, the restaurants within walking distance were some of the best we have eaten. The house was fantastic. Super clean, heated floors, spa type bathroom, roof deck, tatami mats, futon all added to the experience. Being right in the middle of the Gion area we we were able to walk to many temples, eat in great restaurants and just walk everywhere...the best way to see Kyoto! So the answer I have been giving my friends and co-workers wanting to go to Japan... You have to stay at this "Machiya" in Gion... here is the link to the listing on VRBO...it's everything it says it is and more!!!!

Recommended for:

Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 04/04/08 Review Submitted: 04/04/08

So, we are back in LA after a week at the Gion House in Kyoto, and we REALLY want to be back in Kyoto! The house was great and the location of the house was wonderful. It is walking distance to fantastic shopping areas, lots of restaurants, a grocery store, many shrines or temples, and it is also very convenient to public transportation. And the two bicycles at the house were a great way to get around Kyoto and see the different neighborhoods. My husband and my son rode the bikes, while my daughter and I walked a few blocks to the bus stop where you can easily catch busses to the Ginkakuji, Nijo Castle, the Kinkakuji, etc. On the bus, you can buy a one-day pass for 500 yen which allows you unlimited rides on the bus system for the day. Although crowded, the busses are very convenient. The bikes always beat us to our destinations though. Ayako, in the office downstairs, was extremely helpful and we were happy that we used the airport shuttle and cell phone rental services that she recommended. Both were very convenient and reasonably priced. The airport shuttle was 3,500 yen per person for door to door service from Kansai Airport, which meant no lugging around our suitcases on trains, or getting lost trying to find the house when we arrived. Also thanks to Ayako, our daughter got an A in her math class, but that is another story. While we were in Kyoto, we took Japanese cooking lessons from Emi Hirayama of Kyoto Uzuki Cookery, who teaches homestyle Japanese cooking in her house, in English. Emi is a great cook and a great teacher and all four of us really enjoyed the class and the food. A three hour lesson costs about $30 per person, and you get to eat the delicous food that she shows you how to make! Another fun thing was doing a Maiko Makeover. Maikos are apprentice geishas, and Maiko Makeovers are two hour sessions where you are dressed in kimonos and white face make-up and wigs and then professionally photographed. The Gion Studio of Yumekoubou-Maiko Makeover Studio is walking distance from the Gion House. The makeover costs about $95 including 3 professional photos. The Gion House itself was everything we hoped for, allowing us to enjoy the ambiance of the Japanese-style tatami rooms, but in Westernized comfort with heated floors and a Western-style bathroom. The shower was great. The house was very thoughtfully and well equipped, and the kitchen, though compact, had plenty of pots and pans, a two burner stove, a

Recommended for:

Guest: Margie4 (Menlo Park, CA)
Date of Stay: 03/20/08 Review Submitted: 03/20/08

We thoroughly enjoyed our stay in the Gion House last month. I have always been intrigued by machiya, so it was a genuine pleasure to have the opportunity to stay in this lovely machiya-apartment. One of the nicest features was the temperature control. Anyone who knows Japanese winters knows that it can be very cold. It was freezing and snowed two of the days of our stay (Kyoto in the snow is beautiful!), but we were toasty warm inside the machiya. With the heated floors in the hallway, kitchen, and bath combined with the heaters in every room, we felt cozy and comfortable the short hours we were actually there. With all of the provided amenities, I can't think of anything else I need that isn't already there. The only thing lacking was that the wireless Internet connection was unavailable more than half the time we were there, which was actually pretty inconvenient since I needed it. Location-wise, Gion House is in the most "Kyoto" part of Kyoto, and provides convenient access to many wonderful places, old and new (Kiyomizu Temple, Kenninji Temple (a must-see), Gion, Pontocho, Karasuma-dori, and more). I would highly recommend this rental to anyone looking for a nice, comfortable hideaway while in Kyoto.

Owner response:Thanks for your stay, and your comments! Noted about the wireless internet problem, we're working on it.

Recommended for:

Guest: Richard Sutherland (San Francisco, CA)
Date of Stay: 01/10/08 Review Submitted: 01/10/08

Gion House is the perfect answer for anyone visiting Kyoto who dislikes hotel living. I can’t think of a time in my life when I have enjoyed being away from home as much. Perhaps it was because it was like being at home – comfortable, cozy, convenient. Yet just outside the door a different world to explore and enjoy. Situated in the old geisha district (the district is old - not the geisha), it is a colorful and fascinating area, yet central to everything. There is even a supermarket close by that sells English muffins for Westerners who can’t survive without breakfast. The kitchen is equipment-ready for eating in (even an automatic rice cooker), a welcome break from the neighborhood restaurants, good as they are. There is a tiny inexpensive sticker restaurant just around the corner which became a favorite. Located on a very quiet street, the apartment is spotless, with thoughtful details (the Internat. Herald Tribune at the door every morning), and thermostat-control in each room. And English speakers in the office below that are very friendly and helpful. I guarantee you will thoroughly enjoy your stay here.Richard Sutherland (San Francisco)

Recommended for:

Guest: Chris White (Tokyo)
Date of Stay: 01/09/08 Review Submitted: 01/09/08

We've just spent two weeks at the house, and would highly recommend it. It's right in the middle of Gion, with hundreds of great places to eat nearby and very convenient access to everything Kyoto has to offer. The house itself has been very tastefully restored, keeping a lot of the original features. The kitchen is more than adequate with enough pots, pans and knives to cook amply, and the bathroom has been beautifully designed - it's a pleasure to relax in the tub in the evenings with the window open looking out into the small garden behind the house. The flower arrangements were changed each week, and was a lovely touch. A couple of minor items which weren't on the inventory may be worth noting - the house has an iron, ironing board and hair dryer. Overall 10/10!

Recommended for:

Guest: Carolyn12 (Corvallis, OR)
Date of Stay: 11/24/07 Review Submitted: 11/24/07

The Machiya House was great, and we thoroughly enjoyed it. The location was superb, next to Kinin-ji and we loved listening to the monks chant early in the morning. The house was very comfortable, and the clothes washer plays little Mozart bits as signals! Kyoto was very hot and sticky in August, and the airconditioning was very welcome. It was conveniently located, and cycling along the river paths was very pleasant. Only complaint was a very weak wireless signal. But the house itself was lovely, the tatami mats smelled (and cedar wood throughout the house) wonderful, and the flower arrangements in the livingroom and bedroom were very nice touches. Definitely would revisit! Carolyn Aldwin

Owner response:Wireless signal has been checked, and it is now strong and stable. Sorry about that!

Recommended for:

Guest: Patricia Belyea1 (Seattle, WA)
Date of Stay: 11/18/07 Review Submitted: 11/18/07

My husband and I returned to this vacation rental in Kyoto for a second time, one year later. It felt like we were "coming home". During our one week there we visited some sights that we have already explored and discovered some remarkable new places. Not only do we appreciate the traditional details of the spacious apartment, we love the bicycles. During the day we would bike along the river (a wildlife refuge)to get to where we were going. At night, on foot, we would wander through the Gion district. Scurrying from one dark doorway to another, we would often see a geisha girl. Our hope is to return again next year. I guess that we just can not get enough of the "most romantic city in the world."

Recommended for:

Guest: Julie Ringwood (Agoura, CA )
Date of Stay: 07/04/07 Review Submitted: 07/04/07

The perfect blend of new and old are what make the Machiya House in Gion a wonderful place to stay when visiting Kyoto. My daughter and significant other and I stayed a week and loved every minute. We were within walking distance of every subway/train/bus station; the Keninnji Temple was a stone's throw; and the bikes were a blast. The house has air conditioning, which is a welcome relief for those of us from California visiting during the hot and muggy monsoon season. The people in general are so kind, respectful and civilized. I can't say enough about that and I hope I have brought some of their nature back with me to California. Thank you Curtis and Takuji for making our stay so memorable. We all agreed, this was the best Asian trip we have ever had!

Recommended for:

Guest: David & Beryl Roberts (Sydney, NSW, Australia)
Date of Stay: 06/25/07 Review Submitted: 06/24/07

To celebrate our 50th anniversary my wife & I just rounded off a tour of Europe with a week at The Gion House in Kyoto work off the jet lag and also recall memories of our last visit in 1982. In a few words - wonderful. Kyoto is a beautiful place to visit - 1 week is hardly enough and to be able to stay at a traditional, well equipped Machiya house in the heart of the Gion area is a luxury few will get the opportunity to enjoy. You have Japanese life style with the most modern appliances and the availability of Tokuji Tanaka to help with all those issues which befall the holiday maker. And all this at a very fair price. We would recommend The Gion House to anyone who really wants a "Japanese" holiday.

Recommended for:

Guest: Angie8 (Lovilia, IA)
Date of Stay: 05/20/07 Review Submitted: 05/20/07

My friend and I have recently returned home from Kyoto. While there we stayed at the Gion House. What a WONDERFUL location. My daughter is teaching English in Japan and had a weeks vacation so we met up with her in Kyoto. The location of the house couldn't be better. We could walk to so many attractions. The people have to be the friendliest people in the world. What a WONDERFUL place! We even made some probable life-long friends while there! If you go to Kyoto, be sure to try and get this house, WAY better than any hotel can offer!

Recommended for:

Guest: matilda kent (Somerset, UK)
Date of Stay: 04/03/07 Review Submitted: 04/03/07

We have just returned from staying in this delightful apartment having had a fantastic time in Kyoto. The apartment's locality couldn't have been better - in the charming older part of Kyoto yet within walking distance of so many places to visit, from heritage sites, to eating places, and shopping venues. We were well looked after and disappointed that we didn't have more time in Kyoto to explore. The apartment had everything we needed, including books on and maps of Kyoto,which were useful - not that we had much time to read them! There was so much to do and see, and when we returned to the apartment footweary and happily tired it was lovely to have our feet warmed by the gentle underfloor heating and to relax in a traditional Japanese house.

Recommended for:

Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 03/09/07 Review Submitted: 03/08/07

Our month-long stay at Gion House was a delight from start to finish. The space is perfect for a couple and very well-equipped and comfortable. The location in Gion is wonderful, and we spent considerable time just exploring the outstanding restaurants less than a half block away. Exploring Kyoto using a machiya instead of a hotel as a base, provides a richness and texture to travel that we have never experienced in previous stays at hotels.

Recommended for: