Reviews for Kyoto Vacation Rental - VRBO 105639 - 1 BR Japan Apartment, Gion Apartments

Just Another Memorable Stay

Guest steve37
Date of stay 04/01/13
Review Submitted 05/18/13

This is our second stay at these apartments after a 4 year lapse. Upon my daughter and son in-law deciding to wed in Kyoto it was an instant decision to book two apartments at Gion Apartments. My initial expectation on arrival was to expect the property to have some aged deterioration. Wrong! As per our first stay the apartments were clean, comfortable, the furnishings and the able appliances in excellent condition, with the new addition of free WiFi. If you are seeking an apartment that is quiet and secure, located close to convenient stores, restaurants, transport, ATM cash (Post Office within 100m) and your wanting to immerse and absorb local Japanese life and culture, be close to the CBD, look no further. To establish your booking and your queries you will find it a pleasure to deal with the owner who is prompt, clear and friendly in his communication. Nothing is a problem. Enjoy your stay at Gion Apartments; I know we will upon our inevitable return to beautiful Kyoto.

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

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location

Guest peace
Date of stay 12/30/12
Review Submitted 01/30/13

This apartment was perfect. The location was in close walking distance to many of the scenic places , including the beautiful Maruyama Koen and the world renowned Kiyomizuderu district. After dinner it was an easy walk into town to stroll down the narrow alleys and catch a glimpse of some maikos. And value for money. This place is rather inexpensive compared to many of the other listings. We both hate the cold but this place was well insulated and has heaters in both rooms. We are coming back.

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

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Gem in the heart of Kyoto

Guest Natalie
Date of stay 12/23/12
Review Submitted 01/22/13

My family and I stayed here over Christmas and it was fabulous! The apartment is centrally located and was the perfect home base for day trips around Kyoto too. It was great to have a kitchen and washer and dryer. The neighborhood has excellent restaurants within walking distance. In fact a couple of them are over a hundred years old (Oden and Kinnabe). It was our first time to book an apartment rental for family travel and the owners made the process seamless and easy. We will stay there on our next visit!

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

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Our favorite Kyoto lodging!

Guest PortlandTravelers
Date of stay 12/01/12
Review Submitted 12/24/12

This is the fourth time we've stayed at this apartment. That alone should tell you we consider it our home away from home for our yearly Kyoto trips. It is extremely convenient to bus/train/subway stops. Delightful local shops and restaurants nearby. Several small temples and shrines in the general neighborhood, and the Kawai Kanjiro house is only 10 minutes away on foot. There is a nearby post office that includes an ATM (English language available). The kitchen is nicely equipped for fixing meals, and the washer/dryer means a carry-on bag is all we ever need for clothes. Be sure to read the binder that contains all sorts of helpful information about the neighborhood, including a wonderful small grocery. The few times we requested something, it was delivered either the same day or no later than the next. Terrific apartment. We can't imagine staying anywhere else.

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

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Gion Apartment. Better than a hotel

Guest Andrew
Date of stay 11/29/12
Review Submitted 01/02/13

I am happy to recommend the Gion Apartments. My partner and I stayed a week and we thoroughly enjoyed our time there. The location was great and easy to find. The apartment was a nice and big, larger than all other hotels of similar price in Japan. The kitchen, washing, dryer, aircon and tv all worked well. Great location near everything you could need, 24 hour convinience store, izakayas, post office with international ATM, subway and lots more... The photos on the website are a true representation of the apartment. I have looked at the other reviews and agree with everything good they are saying. Would highly recommend and hope to stay there again in the future!

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

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Excellent Apartment

Guest jimmi
Date of stay 11/25/12
Review Submitted 12/22/12

Three of us stayed at Gion's apartment Room 105 in Nov for 5 nights. Everything is perfect, except the cooking pot and pan. We will stay here again if we visit Kyoto again (but we will bring our own pot). I would rate it 9.5 out of 10. If it were not for the pot/pan, I would give it a perfect 10.

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

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great place to stay

Guest Iwona
Date of stay 11/16/12
Review Submitted 01/21/13

I would like to recommend the apartment. It was very nice, cozy and functional. Our apartment was perfect for 2 people. The description in the advertisement is accurate, the photos reflect well the appearance of the apartment. The apartment was clean and very well maintained. The owner and contact person Junko were very helpful. They described very well how to get to the apartment and what was the best way to get there. In the apartment we found lot of information about Kyoto itself, the nearest supermarket, restaurants etc. I would definitely recommend this apartment as a good start point for a journey around Kyoto.

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

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Japan is always surprising

Guest BC Travelhounds
Date of stay 11/15/12
Review Submitted 11/29/12

Have stayed here three times. It is modern, convenient and comfortable. Each time we stay we discover more little shops and restaurants in the small streets around the apartment. We hope to be back!!!

Recommended for: Age 55+, tourists without a car, sightseeing.

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Perfect Apartment for 3 or 4

Guest ellielliot
Date of stay 11/06/12
Review Submitted 11/21/12

My parents and I stayed in this apartment during our recent visit. I must say, it is an ideal location for anyone who wants to stay near the attractions. Kiyomizu is really just 10mins walk away and buses run to the other attractions as well. Learning pottery as a hobby, I was pleasantly surprised that the place is surrounded by pottery shops and even a museum! The apartment is kept very clean and as shown in the photos. Space is more than enough for 3 and is ideal for a family with small kids. Cooking utensils are provided and you can even find a rice cooker! The supermarket is nearer than what is shown on the map therefore you should definitely take a nice walk to check out Japanese groceries! Stop by the bakery on the way to the supermarket and be greeted by a nice elderly couple who even gave us a free bun. Visit the "Rokuharamitsuji Temple" ( ??????which is also nearby, where the second son of the emperor Daigo Kuya became a Buddhist monk. It is not a big temple, visited mostly by the locals but may be of interest for Buddhist visitors. Owner is very responsive and helpful with any inquiries. I will definitely rent this apartment again if I go back to Kyoto with my family.

Recommended for: Age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, sightseeing.

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Perfect

Guest Y&S
Date of stay 11/01/12
Review Submitted 11/22/12

We stayed at unit #105 for five nights in November. The unit was spotless and included anything we might have wished for. Everything went very smoothly, the automatic check in and check out worked well. We used the recommended Yasaka Taxi for transfer from Kansai, and at 8pm we were actually the only riders getting a private direct transfer to the apartment. The location is very convenient, we used mostly the bus system, their daily free ride tickets (500 Yens) were very convenient. We would walk a couple of blocks east on Gojo dori to Higashi oji dori to catch buses to Gion and northeast, and a similar distance to the west on Kawaramachi dori there are several lines going to center and northwest. I would recommend the Gion apartments without any hesitation, we would be delighted to visit again.

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Great Location, Modern, secure apartment

Guest Rob J.
Date of stay 10/31/12
Review Submitted 12/02/12

We really enjoyed our stay in Kyoto at the Gion Apartments. They are modern, clean and well equipped apartments offering everything you need for a stay in Kyoto. They are very secure and quiet and allowed us to really relax in between our sightseeing excursions. A short walk to a modern supermarket allowed us to get all the supplies we needed and just a casual stroll up to the main Gion area if we went out for dinner. Only minor complaint was our apartment did not have a toaster and lacked some kitchen utensils. We would certainly return to the Gion Apartments on our next trip to Kyoto.

Recommended for: Age 55+, tourists without a car, sightseeing.

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Loved Japan

Guest Whale
Date of stay 10/26/12
Review Submitted 11/21/12

Excellent property. Very clean and modern.Close to train station and the Gion district.Other tourist sites also close by including eating houses. Supermarket and 7 eleven also close by. Secure block of apartments. Recommended

Recommended for: Age 55+, sightseeing.

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Nice apartment in Gion

Guest Bill
Date of stay 10/21/12
Review Submitted 10/28/12

Nice, small apartment. Super clean. Short walk to Gion and very close to the subway. Big fridge. Fast internet. Only possible complaint was the TV had only about 5 japanese channels, but who watches TV while they are in Kyoto?!? Thanks Curtis!

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

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Kyoto At Its Best!

Guest In Love with Kyoto
Date of stay 10/16/12
Review Submitted 10/27/12

Kyoto is an amazing city, and even more beautiful to visit in the Fall: it is recommended to walk around, and staying at Gion Apartments -- in the East side of the city (full of temples and character) -- made a big difference. During our one-week staying, we only took the undergroung train twice (it was raining!) Otherwise, we were able to stroll almost everywhere, and enjoy the sightseeing. From dining to shopping options, the location is remarkable. In terms of in&out transportation, it is an unexpensive, 10 minutes taxi cab ride from the main train station. The apartment is fully furnished, cozy, quiet and and very clean. The self check-in/check-out was easy and fast. On-site personnel are kind and helpful. Great lodging option, suitable for singles, or a couple, even with a little child!

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

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Excellent accommodation

Guest Jen
Date of stay 10/09/12
Review Submitted 10/18/12

The apartment was excellent both in terms of facilities and location. Access to subway or trains was close by. The apartment was cost and very quiet. After a hectic day of traveling and exploring Kyoto the opportunity to have a long hot bath was a welcoming aspect of returning to the apartment.We would definitely recommend this accommodation to any traveller.

Recommended for: Families with young children, tourists without a car, sightseeing.

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Great location and facilities

Guest Ozzie
Date of stay 09/22/12
Review Submitted 10/27/12

Great location in a residential street close to restaurants, Kyomizu temple, tourist area of Gion but not in it, and 10 mins by taxi or an easy half hour work to main Kyoto train station. Apartment is so quiet, with everything you need. Would certainly recommend to others.

Recommended for: Age 55+, tourists without a car, sightseeing.

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Another wonderful stay!

Guest Wendy
Date of stay 09/01/12
Review Submitted 09/20/12

This was our second stay at the Gion Apartments, the first being in 2008. This apartment was just as nice, spotlessly clean, and wonderfully airconditioned (!).

Recommended for: Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children.

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great apartment! highly recommended!

Guest Fiona
Date of stay 08/16/12
Review Submitted 08/25/12

was impressed with the apartment. it's definitely spacious compared to other japanese hotel rooms! great amenities provided. location is nice and in the quiet part of gion, but it's just a 5 mins bike ride away from all of the action! so the bike hire service provided with the apartment is definitely handy to get around kyoto. will stay here again and highly recommended!

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

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Clean, Comfortable, good location

Guest kelly
Date of stay 07/29/12
Review Submitted 08/09/12

Very comfortable, clean apartment to come home to after sightseeing. We stayed for a week with 3 people and were very comforable. It was great having a washer available. Location makes it easy to get to bus or subway and there were lots of restaurants nearby. I'd stay here again.

Recommended for: Age 55+, tourists without a car, sightseeing.

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Nice studio apartment

Guest koko
Date of stay 07/14/12
Review Submitted 07/20/12

Very clean and well maintained. A comfortable stay at a reasonable price. Within walking distance of train station, the major shopping street, tasty restaurants, and temples. Remember to print out map and instructions prior to arrival as it can be a little hard to find at first.

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

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Excellent location in Kyoto

Guest Andrew
Date of stay 07/07/12
Review Submitted 07/23/12

Curtis and Junko are extremely patient and very informative, lovely. Loved the self-check in procedure, useful since we arrived at around 10pm. Nicely furnished apartment with all the necessary essentials. Made use of the range on nights when we wanted to eat in, was like living at home! Great location as well, with close access to popular sights. Will stay here again when we come back to Kyoto!

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

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Wonderful and charming apartment!

Guest rachel
Date of stay 07/05/12
Review Submitted 07/23/12

This apartment was very comfortable and had all the amenities you could want. It was a great place to come back to after a full day of sight seeing and walking around town. It's in a very quaint neighborhood and is a simple, clean, and elegant apartment with a small kitchen, wi-fi, A/C, full bath, comfortable beds and a couch. We really enjoyed staying here!

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

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my kind of holiday

Guest Tony F.
Date of stay 04/19/12
Review Submitted 05/17/12

very comfortable, clean and well equipped, the excellent location being within walking distance of all the delights of Gion and some of the most significant temple districts and within cab of bike distance of most others, no shortage of nearby dining experiences of all types. My husband and I stayed 10 to 12 days the last two springtimes and will do so again. Excellent arrangements and help from Curtis and Junko. Ideal for tuning into the delightful Kyoto style and aesthetic, the smallish local supermarket is like a mini Harrods food hall, and the lovely walk to it includes passing a lovely temple.

Recommended for: Age 55+, tourists without a car, sightseeing.

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Review of Gion apartment

Guest Nick
Date of stay 04/09/12
Review Submitted 04/16/12

Everything was really excellent from initial contact, payment procedure, location of apartment, cleaness etc etc. We would highy recommend

Recommended for: Age 55+, tourists without a car, sightseeing.

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Our Second Time Here and Even Better This Time

Guest joanne W.
Date of stay 04/01/12
Review Submitted 04/12/12

We stayed in unit 103 two years ago and this time in 203. We enjoyed the earlier stay but the 203 was laid out quite a bit differently and we liked it better. It's really the same size as 103 but because the beds are laid out against the patio window it seems to open up more space. The location of this rental is really terrific. We could walk to many many things, and it was very easy to catch a bus or even the subway or train when we needed that. The buses in Kyoto are very foreign friendly and we found we used them more than anything else for getting around. The apartment itself is clean and modern and easy to use. We never asked for any help as everything just fell into place. We will be back and can recommend it highly to anyone.

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

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Comfortable apartment, great location

Guest NJ traveler
Date of stay 12/20/11
Review Submitted 12/27/11

We enjoyed staying in this department, which is an easy walk to stores, restaurants, temples, buses, the river, and both downtown Kyoto and the Gion neighborhood. The manager left us tourist maps and a bus guide -- hugely helpful because we took buses all over the city to see the beautiful temples. Checking in was easy, and the apartment was very convenient because it included a kitchen and washer/dryer.

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

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Perfect in every way!

Guest Anonymous
Date of stay 11/09/11
Review Submitted 12/05/11

We just completed our second 3-week stay at the Gion Apartments. The apartment was as described and perfectly met our needs. Its location provides easy access to bus and train stops. Several temples and shrines are within walking distance, and there are many tempting shops as well. The Happy Raku supermarket is less than a 10 minute walk and offers a great selection of virtually anything you need. Three convenience stores are only 2 blocks away for last-minute purchases. Lovely quiet neighborhood worth an afternoon's stroll to discover local shops and restaurants. A large post office is nearby that includes an ATM in the lobby; the 7-11 across the street from the post office does as well. Handy current editions of the Kyoto Visitors guide, bus and city maps were awaiting our arrival. The washer/dryer is easy to operate and instructions were clearly marked with English labels. Be sure to read the renter's guide in the apartment as it provides very good information to make your stay even more enjoyable. We will continue referring friends to the Gion Apartments and be sure to stay there on our next trip to Kyoto. Thank you to everyone on the Gion team for making our stay so comfortable.

Recommended for: Age 55+, girls getaway, tourists without a car, sightseeing.

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Canadians in Kyoto

Guest Shadowfax10 and 11
Date of stay 11/03/11
Review Submitted 11/23/11

Excellent location near bus stop and rail access. Convenient to post office, ATM, grocery, fruit/veggie market, convenience stores and within easy walking distance to the major Kiyomizu Dera temple. Many pottery shops are nearby as well as a shop carrying high quality clothing woven by local artisans. The Japanese style bathtub was wonderful for soaking tired muscles after a day of on foot sight seeing. The kitchen was well equipped and we were delighted to find the same rice cooker we use at home. The building manager was extremely helpful in arranging for an important Fed Ex delivery on our behalf as well as assisting in acquisition of Japanese cooking utensils we desired. Well maintained property and apartment. We appreciated the security features and quiet neighbourhood. Would rent again ourselves or recommend this apartment to anyone visiting Kyoto.

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

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A fine place to stay !

Guest Wewerethere
Date of stay 10/24/11
Review Submitted 02/08/12

We were 3 and had a very pleasant stay in this apartment last november. It is quiet and well situated, from there we could walk to interesting spots, and once the bus system understood, it was even better ! The place is very clean and well equiped, and it was a pleasure to come back "home" after a long day of wandering in the streets and temples. We would -did- recommend it to anyone willing to have a nice time in Kyoto !

Recommended for: People with disabilities, age 55+, tourists without a car, sightseeing.

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Parfait!

Guest Lucie
Date of stay 10/13/11
Review Submitted 11/26/11

Nous avons loué 2 studios en octobre dernier pour un séjour d'une semaine à Kyoto. C'était parfait : moderne, très propre, spacieux, lits confortables, toilettes impeccables, très bien équipé et très sécuritaire. L'édifice est situé dans une rue tranquille, dans le quartier de Gion. Il est donc facile de se déplacer à partir de cet endroit et de visiter la ville et les environs. Si nous avions à retourner à Kyoto, nous referions la même chose. C'est tellement plus agréable qu'à l'hôtel. On a l'impression de rentrer à la maison le soir. Nous recommandons chaudement les Gion apartments. Merci Curtis

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

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perfect location for seeing the sights of Kyoto

Guest elaine
Date of stay 10/08/11
Review Submitted 10/15/11

We had a wonderful stay at the appts. It was walking distance to the subway and the Gion district. It was quiet and comfortable at night. There was generous space for 2. The contact person, Curtis, was very helpful to us new comers to Kyoto. The internet worked perfectly, which was important to us. I strongly recommend the Omi beef market down the street! I would definetly stay here again.

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

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Feel part of Kyoto

Guest JI
Date of stay 09/02/11
Review Submitted 09/15/11

We stayed in Gion apartments for 6 nights. We found it extremely comfortable and convenient. Everything was there. We walked around local streets to great cafes and shops. It was very close to transport and extremely quiet. After a busy day of visiting temples, galleries and shops we found it a wonderful recluse. I have recommended this apartment to several friends who are thinking of visiting Japan. We would definitely stay again as our visit to Kyoto remains one of the highlights of our 3 weeks in Japan.

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

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Location, Location, Location!

Guest Big rock
Date of stay 08/11/11
Review Submitted 09/18/11

The apartment was spotlessly clean,quiet, spacious,and in a great location. Close to the Gion area, running paths, train stations,shops and restaurants. Surrounding neighbourhood was clean, safe and well maintained. The self check-in procedure was simple and clear. We would highly recommend this apartment!

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

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Cheaper and nicer than everywhere else I stayed in Japan.

Guest Josh
Date of stay 08/10/11
Review Submitted 09/23/11

Location: The location is very good. The nearest train station is only three blocks away. Note that not all trains stop at this particular station, though (some express trains skip it). The apartment is close enough to most attractions to making taking a taxi an attractive option. Apartment itself: The apartment is beautiful and very spacious (for two people). All of the appliances and furniture are new and good quality. The kitchen and bathroom are great. The air conditioner works very well and is quiet. The couch fits two people and is comfy enough. The television has a few channels that can be fun to flip through late at night. Small but useful items, such as tape, scissors, notepads, and stationary are included. The bicycles were nice, but we only used them three times during our eight day stay. The beds are decent, not the most comfortable, but sufficient. Make sure the mattress is not upside down though. My girlfriend's mattress was incredibly uncomfortable until we realized she was sleeping on the wrong side. Management should tell the cleaning staff that the mattresses are not reversible and that they should check that the mattresses are the correct way when cleaning. One of the sheets also had something on that that really made it seem as though it had not been either washed or switched since the last guests. Switching the sheet ourselves was not a problem though. Other than those two issues the apartment was perfect. Management: I lost my cellphone in a taxi and the management really did a fantastic job helping me get it back! They called the center responsible for the lost and found of all cab companies in Kyoto. They also provided me directions to the nearest police station, which eventually led to me getting my phone back. The Japanese people are incredibly honest and kind. Thank you to everyone who helped me recover my phone. We had no regrets staying at this apartment. It was very nice and we certainly would stay here again.

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

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A True Gem!

Guest Chopinmagic
Date of stay 07/15/11
Review Submitted 07/29/11

We loved staying at the Gion Apartments. We were there for 2 weeks and rented 2 apartments for the 4 of us. These well-designed modern apartments are clean, spacious, tastefully decorated and super comfortable. They are advertised as studios but they are essentially one-bedroom apartments. When my son was sleeping and I was up, I would simply slide the doors between the bedroom and the living room areas. There was a ton of storage, so we were able to unpack, stay organized, and live comfortably without frequently stepping all over our luggage. Initially, I was concerned about feeling claustrophobic in a studio, but these apartments are well-laid out and spacious. It was the perfect place to rest and relax after long days of walking. Although we had 2 apartments, all 4 of us were able to hang out comfortably in one apartment. We have special-needs children, so we did quite a bit of cooking and really appreciated the well-equipped kitchen with the full-size refrigerator. It was also great having the modern washer/dryer combo in the apartment. I am very particular about cleanliness and I have to say that the apartment was very clean. We have stayed in many different resorts (such as the Westin, Fairmont, etc) in the US and other countries, and we the find the Gion Apartments to be just as comfortable and lovely (except without the resort amenities, such as a swimming pool, but you also pay a fraction of the cost of the fancy resorts). We had looked into renting the Citadines Apartments but they never responded to my email inquiry. However, our friends from Japan ended up staying there, and when I visited, I was really glad that I did not stay there. It had a nice modern décor, but it was very cramped. There was no sitting area, and when we visited, we had to all sit on the beds. The Gion apartments has a sofa, ottoman and coffee table, and also a dining table with two chairs. I cannot thank Curtis enough for his prompt responses to my many questions that ranged from getting from the airport to the apartment to finding a swimming pool for the kids. Curtis was always honest, responsive, helpful and very pleasant to deal with. If you do not speak Japanese, you will find that dealing with someone who speaks English is a big plus when you are trying to make arrangements for your trip. Even the appliances and light switches are labeled in English for your convenience. The apartment even has a folder with practical information on the l

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

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Second Visit Same Great Stay

Guest Harriet and Clive
Date of stay 06/07/11
Review Submitted 07/11/11

Really good apartments and quite roomy. We are International travelers for many years and have stayed in all manner of places from 5 star to "cheap charlies" - we would call this tops - we loved our stay - the apartment was clean, neat with comfortable beds, cosy living area, fantastic bathroom and good kitchenette. The location could not have been better - in the heart of Kyoto which is also a wonderful city with such a great deal to do. Within a10 minutes everything was available from bank, post office, mini-market etc walking through the cutest lane ways. To quote Arnie Schwarzenegger and General MacArthur - we will be back/ we will return.

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

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A fantastic apartment in a great location

Guest Eugene
Date of stay 05/26/11
Review Submitted 08/11/11

This is a comfortable, well-kept, spotlessly clean and convenient apartment in central Kyoto. We were really happy there and wouldn’t think twice about staying in the apartment again. The location was ideal for us. It’s the only area of Kyoto that’s within walking distance of the eastern temples, downtown, and the train station at the same time. That keeps the whole city feeling connected, and it was important for us for taking daytrips by train to Osaka and Nara. We had easy access to public transportation within Kyoto, but didn’t have to rely on it and usually just walked. On the other hand, the building is on a little side street in a pleasant residential neighborhood, and we felt like we were really living in the city, not in a generic touristy area or clump of hotels. The apartment is thoughtfully laid out. Sliding screen doors give the option of having it be one large space or closing off the sleeping area. The kitchen is fully equipped, the toilet and bath/shower have separate entrances, the mattresses were great for sleeping and had clean, crisp white bedding, and our unit had a nice balcony. Being able to cook for ourselves made a big difference, especially with a supermarket nearby, and the washer and dryer were good to have. The apartment is a little on the smaller side, but not cramped the way accommodations in Japan often are. We easily fit in a third person for part of our stay. The customer service was great from start to finish. Curtis and his associate Junko answered every question, sent us user-friendly maps and directions that made it easy to find and get into the apartment, and had a bunch of maps and useful information waiting for us there. They were professional but also more than professional. One of us left an ipod and a pair of nice studio headphones there, and they found them, kept them for a friend of ours to pick up for us, shipped them to us when he didn’t make it to pick them up, and when the package was blocked by Japanese customs because of the battery in the ipod, Curtis brought it to the US in his own luggage for us. That’s part of what got me to write this review. This a great place to stay anyway, but Curtis goes out of his way to keep it that way. I would recommend it to anyone.

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

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Kyoto apartments- a great stay!

Guest Decoratingdiva
Date of stay 05/23/11
Review Submitted 06/01/11

We found this place on the internet, but by coincidence, one of our neighbours had also stayed in this very apartment a few months previous, so she had highly recommended it to us. She stayed here with her husband and two small children. We came as husband and wife, with our 24 year-old son. It is not large enough for 4. We stayed here for 11 days and found the apartment to be well-equipped and very clean, as this is important to me. There were no disappointments. It is compact, as is all things in Japan, but definitely all that we could need, including the washing machine, which was very handy to have on a holiday. My husband loved the heated toilet seat! LOL! The location is also very convenient for shopping and transportation, and on the days that we decided to walk to the central Kyoto train station, it took us 30 minutes to get there. The neighbourhood is quiet and there are many convenience stores on the main street from which we could buy milk and juice. For larger groceries, we walked to the supermarket nearby, or bought food in the basement of the main department stores such as iSetan, at the central train station. It is not easy to find restaurants that are vegetarian such as we needed, so we had to do all the cooking at the apartment. One nearby Nepalese restaurant was closed when we went there one evening, and they keep irregular hours, so we had to give up the idea of eating out. I know there is a vegetarian place near downtown, but when evening came, we'd be too tired to trek elsewhere. For the 3 of us, taxis cost less than taking a bus to get to certain short distances, but we do recommend buying the all-day bus pass, as well as the JR Japan rail pass for Kansai (which must be bought outside the country before you arrive). It costs less than the one-way ticket from Osaka airport to Kyoto. The owner, Curtis supplied us with a notebook filled with tips, how to operate the appliances, where to go, where to buy food, where to eat out, etc. Very helpful and it made our trip so much easier, especially for people who can't understand Japanese. Curtis is polite and answered all our questions promptly. Curtis even supplied us with a great guide book, Lonely Planet's "Japan". The rates are reasonable compared to staying in a ryokan or a hotel. Other travellers that we met during a walking tour did not have as good accommodations and price as we did. Over all, we would definitely stay here again & would highly recommend this place to others.

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

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Attractive and Functional

Guest SEC
Date of stay 05/20/11
Review Submitted 06/02/11

This apartment was planned with care. It is thoughtfully furnished for both style and convenience. The location, on a small, mostly residential street in the center of the city is hard to beat. I would stay here again, and recommend it without hesitation.

Recommended for: Age 55+, girls getaway, tourists without a car, sightseeing.

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ideal Kyoto stay

Guest Tony F.
Date of stay 05/17/11
Review Submitted 06/20/11

Both of us would like to agree with all the other positive comments. We stayed 9 nights and had a fantastic experience. The local area is great and a good base for seeing Kyoto. Although one could never go hungry (even prepared food from the local supermarket is excellent) the very efficient kitchen was handy to have. Everything else about the apartment worked just as you would like it to. Thanks Curtis and we hope to be back soon.

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

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The best place in Kyoto

Guest Denis
Date of stay 05/12/11
Review Submitted 06/08/11

Super quiet and clean, hypermodern (talking bath, electric w.c.), the best location possible, near the river path and greath temples. We return next year.

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

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Excellent Kyoto base and beautiful apartments

Guest MKO
Date of stay 04/14/11
Review Submitted 04/27/11

These apartments are wonderfully maintained and in a great location. Quiet, clean, modern, and comfortable. Close to a good running / bike path along the river, as well as within comfortable walking distance of temples, restaurants, shopping, post office, and grocery store. I've stayed twice now, once with my husband and once on a recent trip with my parents and brother -- the apartments were a big hit with everyone.

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

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JJR Ohio USA

Guest Joe
Date of stay 04/02/11
Review Submitted 06/17/11

We were very impressed with the Gion Apartments. The location was ideal. The apartment was very clean. It slept 3 adults comfortably. The kitchen was very useful. We cooked our breakfast each morning. The bathroom and the shower room were clean and the water was hot.. The washer and dryer worked perfectly. The building is very secure, not that we needed security. The apartment location was convenient to bus and subway and train stations. The post office is at the end of the street about a block away from the apartment where one can find an international ATM. We found neigborhood convenient marts within walking distance and resturaunts also. We even found a big and tall mens store just a few blocks away. We were very lucky to have spent our time during the peak cherry blossom. This added so much more to our Kyoto experience. Curtice and his staff were very friendly and infomative, We would stay at this apartment again. Without question, the Gion Apartment was a center piece to our most enjoyable trip to Kyoto.

Recommended for: Age 55+, tourists without a car.

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Gion Apartment Return Stay

Guest Tassie Tourists
Date of stay 02/12/11
Review Submitted 03/26/11

We were wrapped to again be able to stay in Gion apartment during our recent trip to Kyoto. It was lovely returning to a familiar place! Curtis was again very easy to deal with and very accommodating. Two days before we left home we changed travel plans so we could visit Kyoto. Curtis was able to confirm our accommodation and send the required information before we left home. Gion Apartments are a great base to see Kyoto from. They are comfortable and have all the kitchen equipment you need. Thank you again.

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

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Very dirty flat and unprofessional owner

Guest Alessandra C.
Date of stay 12/22/10
Review Submitted 07/02/11

In summury: once arrived we found this flat dirty, smelly pillows, linen and matresses soaked with sweat, kitchen closets and plates were dirty, dust everywhere, you could see everywhere (on doors,closets etc.) the finghertips of previous guests, the washing/dryer machine was full of hair and lint of previous guests. These words are enought: pictures speak for themselves. Even if from the first day we asked for cleaning, the owner didn't care and was only able to take time. In fact we paid all in advance (and in the contract it was written: "the apartement will be professionally cleaned").The owner lives in Usa and has a clerk in Kyoto. The only thing his clerk did was able to do was: take the dirtiest pillow, put it in the closet (ready for next guests?!?) and replace it with a less dirty pillow taken from the same closet. We stayed there 6 days and he should have all the time to clean the flat or, at least, provided us clean pillows and linen. At the end we had to clean the house and buy new linen: what a bad experience!

Owner response: I'm sorry for the discomfort caused you during your stay with us last year. Cleanliness is one of our highest priorities, and in addition to regularly replacing pillows and mattresses, we inspect each unit regularly to make sure the cleaners are doing their job, particularly since this incident. I hope from looking at other feedback comments, you can see that we have a very good reputation for cleanliness and quick response to customer needs. I’m very sorry that wasn’t the case for your stay. We really do care about each and every guest. -Curtis

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Perfect!

Guest M.A.
Date of stay 11/20/10
Review Submitted 11/27/10

It is the second time I'm staying at this property. Since last time Curtis have added a small dinner table and big water heater + coffee filter machine + coffee grinder. Apartment is being well maintained and very clean. The only small thing we missed in it was a broom (however the vacuum was there). I'd recommend to add few hooks in the entrance area to hang light coat and bag.

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

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Excellent!!!!

Guest Anna44
Date of stay 10/06/10
Review Submitted 11/29/10

This is my second time and stay in one of the Curtis's Gion apartment. This apartment is perfect for two people. Great location, walking distant to Kiyomizu-Dera temple. I love Kyoto and love to stay there again in next year.

Recommended for: Age 55+, girls getaway, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

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Great apartment, great location

Guest Jordan
Date of stay 08/12/10
Review Submitted 09/01/10

My partner and I had a wonderful time at the Gion apartment, where we stayed for a week in the middle of August. In those hot summer months it's a fantastically cool and spacious apartment (I was amazed at the size, for Japan!) The help and instructions from the owner were perfect for finding the apartment (a short taxi ride from Kyoto station), and 'check in' was very straightforward. Having been in Japan for a fortnight moving from hotel to hotel, it was nice to have a place that felt like home for a week. It's really close to some great attractions such as Kiomizudera and the Sanjusangendo temples (neither of which are more than a half an hour walk away, and both of which are spectacular) and the walk to the Gion 'entertainment district' is very short too. Perhaps the best spot is walking up the west bank of the river, full of nice restaurants and shops. I'd particularly recommend 'efish', which is just over the bridge west of the apartment. I don't think the apartment could be better located, or more thoughtfully put together. I wouldn't hestiate to recommend the Gion apartment to anyone.

Recommended for: Tourists without a car, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

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ALL AROUND EXCELLENT!

Guest Brigit
Date of stay 07/01/10
Review Submitted 09/02/10

My family stayed for 5 weeks in one of Curtis' Kyoto Modern Apartments and echo each and every one of the positive reviews written in comments. Great location, Curtis is the best of the best, clean/modern, quiet....really.....great...great...great stay! Would go back in a heartbeat to the apartment and Kyoto.....fabulous time. Curtis' professional and courteous nature is exemplary!! Thank you for being so kind in all our transactions and taking the time to travel back to the temple to purchase and mail to me the one last souvenir I forgot to bring home! Thank was so very, very kind of you!! Thank you!!! Your'e the best!!!!

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

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Really good Kyoto base

Guest ladyy
Date of stay 06/15/10
Review Submitted 06/24/10

These apartments are exactly as described. They are well equipped with everything you need including a good range of cooking utensils and everything works. They are spotlessly clean. You are close to many of the main attractions and it is possible to walk to many places. the metro is nearby and easy to use. We very much appreciated the excellent 'book of the house' which provided all those important details like where to buy groceries or find an English language newspaper. I would highly recommend these well priced apartments.

Recommended for: People with disabilities, age 55+, tourists without a car, sightseeing.

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Vacation Rentals by Owner

Gion Apartments - Sleek and Modern, Excellent Location [#105639] | View Property

Traveler Reviews (133)

Just Another Memorable Stay

Just Another Memorable Stay

location

location

Gem in the heart of Kyoto

Gem in the heart of Kyoto

Our favorite Kyoto lodging!

Our favorite Kyoto lodging!

Gion Apartment. Better than a hotel

Gion Apartment. Better than a hotel

Excellent Apartment

Excellent Apartment

great place to stay

great place to stay

Japan is always surprising

Japan is always surprising

Perfect Apartment for 3 or 4

Perfect Apartment for 3 or 4

Perfect

Perfect

Great Location, Modern, secure apartment

Great Location, Modern, secure apartment

Loved Japan

Loved Japan

Nice apartment in Gion

Nice apartment in Gion

Kyoto At Its Best!

Kyoto At Its Best!

Excellent accommodation

Excellent accommodation

Great location and facilities

Great location and facilities

Another wonderful stay!

Another wonderful stay!

great apartment! highly recommended!

great apartment! highly recommended!

Clean, Comfortable, good location

Clean, Comfortable, good location

Nice studio apartment

Nice studio apartment

Excellent location in Kyoto

Excellent location in Kyoto

Wonderful and charming apartment!

Wonderful and charming apartment!

my kind of holiday

my kind of holiday

Review of Gion apartment

Review of Gion apartment

Our Second Time Here and Even Better This Time

Our Second Time Here and Even Better This Time

Comfortable apartment, great location

Comfortable apartment, great location

Perfect in every way!

Perfect in every way!

Canadians in Kyoto

Canadians in Kyoto

A fine place to stay !

A fine place to stay !

Parfait!

Parfait!

perfect location for seeing the sights of Kyoto

perfect location for seeing the sights of Kyoto

Feel part of Kyoto

Feel part of Kyoto

Location, Location, Location!

Location, Location, Location!

Cheaper and nicer than everywhere else I stayed in Japan.

Cheaper and nicer than everywhere else I stayed in Japan.

A True Gem!

A True Gem!

Second Visit Same Great Stay

Second Visit Same Great Stay

A fantastic apartment in a great location

A fantastic apartment in a great location

Kyoto apartments- a great stay!

Kyoto apartments- a great stay!

Attractive and Functional