Vacation Rentals by Owner

OurcTwo Week Stay at a Wonderful Machiya in Kyoto

Guest: Bob (Scottsdale Arizona)
Date of Stay: 01/02/12 Review Submitted: 01/27/12

Everything was perfect, great location, quiet street, the owner was very helpful. Miho welcomed us and guided us around the machiya. We found it very convenient to shopping for food and sightseeing. The machiya is charming and well supplied. WIFi and cable tv with many English channels. Don't overpack as the washer dryer is very convenient. You will find the automatic filling bathtub amazing. So much nicer than an impersonal hotel. I had fun exploring the many restaurants in the area.

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

Five Wonderful Weeks at Maeniiya

Guest: L & G (Toronto, Canada) (Toronto, Canada)
Date of Stay: 11/10/11 Review Submitted: 02/01/12

We have visited Japan several times and were so glad that this time we arranged accommodation at Maeniiya for our five week stay in Kyoto. It immediately became our “home away from home”. Located in the center of Kyoto on its small cobblestone alley, this Machiya Townhouse was always very quiet. We were greeted warmly by Miho who showed us the workings of the house. She freely offered her assistance if it became necessary. The machiya itself is well-maintained and comfortable, equipped with modern appliances and amenities. There is nothing better than slipping into a futon bed after soaking in a Japanese bath. High-speed Wi-Fi internet access allowed us to maintain contact with friends and family members back home. Even though amenities such as subway, bus, and train lines are close by, having two bicycles at our disposal was wonderful. Kyoto is a safe city for biking with many bike paths and a mutual respect among vehicles, pedestrians and bikers. We biked almost every day which allowed us to see so much more of this fabulous city than would otherwise have been possible. We highly recommend Maeniiya to those who are staying a few days or more, rather than a hotel or ryokan. We will be staying again at Maeniiya during our next trip to Japan.

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

Wonderful Kyoto Machiya Experience

Guest: S&N (Toronto, ON, Canada)
Date of Stay: 10/23/11 Review Submitted: 11/16/11

Maeniiya was exactly what we needed in Kyoto. It has great location, close to everything we wanted. We particularly enjoyed our short walks to and from Nishiki Market and its surrounding areas. Since this is our third or fourth time in Kyoto, we didn't visit many temples and shrines except for Kiyomizu Temple, our favourite, but if you're in reasonable shape, you can readily walk or cycle to many tourist spots in the city. Subway, bus, and train lines are close by making day trips to Nara, Arashiyama, Uji and other places very easy too. Having two bicycles at our disposal was ideal. We cycled for 40 min to a flea market one day and immensely enjoyed the experience. The machiya itself is well-maintained and comfortable, equipped with modern appliances and amenities. High-speed Wi-Fi internet access was greatly appreciated as we could check our e-mails and use Skype for local and international calls as well. Miho-san was extremely helpful in making our stay in Kyoto more informed and enjoyable. We highly recommend Maeniiya to those who are tired of staying in the same old hotel but are hesitant to spend several nights in a row at a high priced Japanese-style hotel (ryokan) where you must gorge on a large amount of food twice a day everyday. Kyoto is truly a beautiful city and staying in a machiya rental is the way to go.

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, sightseeing.

Japanese Hospitality

Guest: Maggie (San Francisco,CA)
Date of Stay: 06/10/11 Review Submitted: 07/25/11

My daughter and I felt right at home in this spotless and well organized home. There was easy access to all sightseeing and transportation. Miho was kind and beyond helpful in acclimating us for our stay. Kyoto is an excellent home base for day trips to Nara and Hiroshima.The stairs to the second floor may be a little tricky if you have mobility issues. We're both tall (6 ft. and 5'9) but were able to adjust easily. Amenities such as bilingual TV, bicycles , umbrellas, washer/dryer, complete kitchen and internet accesibility made our stay especially comfortable. Love the Japanese bathrooms. The price is great. We've both traveled a great deal and agree that this is a real gem!!!!

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

We loved Maeniiya!

Guest: Thomas (Melbourne, Australia)
Date of Stay: 09/05/10 Review Submitted: 10/23/10

We stayed at Maeniiya for one week in September and loved every minute of it. This place was better than any hotel accommodation we have ever stayed in when traveling in Japan. If you are looking for a peaceful and quiet stay, this is the place for you! It was very clean and spacious, and many maps and guides to help you get around the city. The location is only 10-15 minutes away from the main part of downtown, and bus/subway stops are close by, along with convenient stores, supermarkets, restaurants and bars. What more could you ask for? We were also very fortunate to have Miho, who made our stay much more enjoyable. Thanks to her help we were able to watch two professional soccer games, and visit the Toji Temple's flea market. We experienced many great things during our stay in Japan, and have got to say that visiting Kyoto and staying in a machiya was one of our best highlights. I highly recommend this place to anyone, and will definitely come back again. Thank you Miho and to the owners for such a warm welcoming, and enjoyable stay. We loved your place, and the beautiful city of Kyoto.

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

Best place to stay!!

Guest: Valerie (Montreal, Quebec, Canada)
Date of Stay: 08/12/10 Review Submitted: 11/10/10

This house is just unbelievable! Old and modern together. Everything is perfectly clean and all what we need was there! Next time I will go to Kyoto, I'll go there 100% sure! Fallen in love with that place!

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

A beautiful comfortable house

Guest: Dawn and Stephen (Boston)
Date of Stay: 07/24/10 Review Submitted: 10/13/10

We stayed here our last five days in Kyoto. If you are looking for a traditional house with a few more western amenities, this is your place. the Japanese table had a well for your legs and the kitchen is on the same level as the rest of the house. Lots of storage space for stuff. It is on a quiet pedestrian pathway in the middle of downtown. It was quiet at night. There were only two of us so we kind of rattled around, but it did give me a computer room to work n. (We were making videos in temple gardens.) It would be a great place for two couples traveling. It was clean, the photos are accurate and I would certainly recommend it to a friend.

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

A wonderful home bases in Kyoto

Guest: Norma (London, Ontario, Canada)
Date of Stay: 07/05/10 Review Submitted: 07/28/10

We thoroughly enjoyed our stay at Maeniiya. The neighborhood was quiet and "homey". Maeniiya had everything one could want and was very peaceful. We felt at ease immediately. That feeling was heightened by Miho, who was more than extremely helpful and who made everything run smoothly for us. The property was extremely clean and everything about it surpassed our expectations. Excellent guidebooks and maps are supplied, and Miho even called us a couple of times to tell us about things going on in town that were related to the upcoming Gion festival. It was an easy walk to several bus and subway stops, as well as to convenience and other stores for food and snacks. We recommend Maeniiya highly and would certainly stay there again. Thanks to Miho and the owners for a wonderful stay in a fascinating city.

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

Guest: Traveling mom (Dundee, IL)
Date of Stay: 06/23/10 Review Submitted: 06/23/10

Loved our stay at Maeniiya! This property was close to major bus routes and an all day pass got you everywhere. My daughters and I had a relaxing stay, after all day sightseeing we came back to a convenient location and well kept Machiya with so many extras. Hostess is very helpful (found us sports bar while the world cup was going on). This is a wonderful alternative to hotel living while you are away.

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Guest: T.D.
Date of Stay: 04/01/10 Review Submitted: 04/23/10

Many thanks for the use of the machiya over the last two weeks. It worked out extremely well! We were a little worried at first about being early for momiji, and the weather seemed a little wetter than normal. But we had several perfect days for outings, and by going where the momiji turn earlier, we had some truly memorable sights (Takao being one). Out last night we went to the temple in Higashiyama for night lighting of the momiji -- fantastic!

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Guest: Lachie, Australia
Date of Stay: 03/30/10 Review Submitted: 04/23/10

Thank you for all your help during our time in Kyoto. Both Emma and I really loved the city and its sights, and aim to come back one day with the rest of our family. Thanks again.

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Guest: N/A
Date of Stay: 11/20/09 Review Submitted: 11/19/09

PLEASE VISIT OUR WEBSITE AND VIEW OUR GUEST BOOK FOR MORE REVIEWS. THANK YOU.

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Guest: Nyna and Melanie, Texas
Date of Stay: 11/19/09 Review Submitted: 04/23/10

We just wanted to drop you a line to let you know how much we have enjoyed the Machiya and Kyoto. It was such a pleasure getting to meet you and we look forward to keeping up with your blog after we return home. Goodbye for now and we hope to be back at this lovely machiya at some point in the future. Thanks again for everything.

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Guest: Graeme, Australia
Date of Stay: 10/24/09 Review Submitted: 04/23/10

We all loved Maeniiya and tiny street. It suited us perfectly though we were out every day and did not use the kitchen for dinner as a result. We ate only Japanese food, in a mix of styles and standards, and all felt healthier for it. I have a strong affinity for Kyoto and for Japanese culture and sensibilities and look forward to returning to learn Japanese (not on the itinerary for 18 months). Miho performed her role beautifully with friendliness and grace. We shared many laughs and smiles everyday despite (sometimes because of) our tiny amount of language. Cheers,

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Guest: Canadian Traveler, Calgary, AB
Date of Stay: 10/15/09 Review Submitted: 04/23/10

A great stay in what is easily one of the best destinations in Japan. A few superlatives: 1. Great location, 2. Well kept with all the needed amenities, 3. Thoughtful touches provided -- maps, instructions, guide books and the host (Miho) is more than helpful. Would highly recommend, and will certainly return in the near future.

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Guest: Ellen G.
Date of Stay: 06/14/09 Review Submitted: 06/13/09

Just writing to tell you what a wonderful time we had at Maeniiya in Kyoto. The little house and its neighborhood gave us a small taste of living in the Kyoto of many years ago but with all the modern conveniences. We were sorry to leave. It was a special time for me and my friends. Sincerely, Ellen G.

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Guest: Rike and family
Date of Stay: 12/22/08 Review Submitted: 12/21/08

thank you once again for letting your Maeniiya in Kyoto! We spent 5 wonderful days in that really beautiful machiya in the end of august. We loved to live in this nice house with all its amenities and every place was so comfortably to be reached! We sometimes wish we could come back and the only mistake was not to book the machiya for one or two days longer.

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Guest: Marion Mccallum
Date of Stay: 10/31/08 Review Submitted: 10/30/08

spent 8 nights, single female traveller, felt very safe, a beautiful renovated machiya in a lovely little alley close to everything. would absolutaly recommend. only thing no english tv. only wanted for news so felt a bit cut off from the world. but in hindsight was able to totally "live" in beautiful Kyoto.

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Guest: Rob Luck (Issaquah, WA)
Date of Stay: 09/17/08 Review Submitted: 09/17/08

We had a wonderful stay here. Conveniently located near major bus routes yet tucked away on a cobblestone lane. The owner was very accommodating and his sister in law Miho received us graciously and we knew she would always be available if we needed help. It has a very traditional feel yet comes with so many modern amenities. A perfect place to rest and recuperate from our many days of temple, museum and breathtaking vistas scattered throughout Kyoto. Be aware however: after a week in such a lovely city, you may never want to leave.

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Guest: Susan
Date of Stay: 07/10/08 Review Submitted: 07/09/08

Just writing to say what a wonderful time we had in Kyoto, staying at your machiya. We did some fabulous things while we were in Kyoto, the ‘normal’ touristy temples as well as some fun things such as dressing the girls up as Maiko for a morning. Maeniiya was a lovely haven of peace and calm, to wake up to in the morning, and to escape to at the end of hot days. And we loved exploring restaurants in your area, especially the yakiniku restaurant Fujimori and the modern sumibi restaurant on Nishinotoin – Maeda Carbon. You might want to include those on the map you give to guests. Thank you so much for such a great experience

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Guest: Brian and family
Date of Stay: 06/22/08 Review Submitted: 06/21/08

We just wanted to say thank you for renting us your wonderful townhouse. We all fell in love with Kyoto, and having a welcoming place to begin and end each day was a significant contributor to our feeling home away from home. We will recommend it to our friends and we hope to return sometime soon. Please give Miho our thanks again for her hospitality. Warm regards.

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Guest: Caroline
Date of Stay: 04/22/08 Review Submitted: 04/21/08

I always enjoy renting apartments in busy, tourist cities as it gives me a chance to be in a neighbourhood I would not otherwise get to see. This Machiya is no exception - the decor and furnishings are simple, but everything is very clean and functions perfectly. I especially appreciated the quick reference cards provided that helped navigate the controls for the bath, laundry and air conditioning units. A great experience - highly recommended.

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Guest: Sara10 (Fairfax, CA)
Date of Stay: 04/21/08 Review Submitted: 04/21/08

We had a great stay at this house. It is lovley and very centrally located in Kyoto. It was perfect for our family of 3.

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Guest: Arne and family
Date of Stay: 04/02/08 Review Submitted: 04/01/08

It was a pleasure to meet your sister. We had a good arrival and we were happy that we were welcomed so nice from your sister. We enjoyed Kyoto with rain and sun and especially the famous cherry blossoms. Your Machiya is so charming. Your house is a great mixture of Japanese traditions and high-tech. We enjoyed the seating area in the living room with the great view into your lovely garden. It was a pleasure for us to sleep on futons.The bathroom with the Japanese high-tech was quite interesting and comfortable. At Friday morning we are going to leave. Thank you very much for the nice time in Kyoto Best greetings

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Guest: Amy and Kevin Chan (Singapore)
Date of Stay: 03/31/08 Review Submitted: 03/31/08

This was our second time to stay in this beautiful Machiya, and we just love it! It's our home away from home when we travel to Kyoto on business. Miho who lives very close to the Machiya is always so cheerful and tries very hard to help us in anyway possible, and we appreciate it very much. This time, Miho arranged a driver who took us on a day trip and showed us around some of the famous temples and shrines in Kyoto. It was wonderful! We hope to come back soon and thank you as always!

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Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 03/17/08 Review Submitted: 03/17/08

My husband and I really appreciate the owner's responsiveness to our travel needs. The Machiya was very charming, comfortable and clean. We definitely would stay there again in our future travel to Kyoto. Thank you, Akemi.

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Guest: Wendy Mooney (Central Coast, NSW, Australia)
Date of Stay: 01/16/08 Review Submitted: 01/15/08

Our family (myself, my husband and our 2 children) had the pleasure of spending 3 weeks in Kyoto at this georgeous Machiya Townhouse. We loved it. The rooms are spacious and the house is truly unique. We especially loved the dining room with the sunken dining table with heating underneath. The house was warm and cosy and had everything we needed. Also, the location was ideal - walking distance to the popular shopping district and centre of town. We highly recommend this place as a base whilst within Kyoto.

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Guest: Maile Sherman (Hanford, California)
Date of Stay: 01/13/08 Review Submitted: 01/13/08

Absolutely wonderful! We loved staying here. Everything went as planned, Miho was a delightful hostess and the machiya was everything we needed. My husband and I stayed eleven nights and feel as though we really got to know Kyoto very well. We both thoroughly recommend this rental and would go back again ... and again ... and again.

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Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 01/13/08 Review Submitted: 01/13/08

This was a wonderful house in which to stay. It was very well located (convenient to local transportation and the best shopping), beautifully renovated, a fine blend of the traditional and the comfortable, and the owner's relative was available to help out if needed. It is in a real neighborhood (a charming alley) and convenient to local buses and near everything else you would want to see in Kyoto. The house was clean and well furnished with staples (like tea and coffee) to make it easy to settle in. Of course it is in a safe area too. We really loved our stay at the machiya.

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Guest: Gail and Linus Masouredis (Oakland California)
Date of Stay: 11/06/07 Review Submitted: 11/05/07

My husband and I stayed at the machiya for 5 nights (October 20-25, 2007) and it was wonderful. It had all the comforts and conveniences of a modern apartment (much more than you would get at a hotel such as washer, computer, refrigerator, garden, etc.). It also had immense old world charm. We loved being there. It was also very convenient. Miho told us that it was easy to get around on the bus and she was right. She gave us two great maps, one she made that told what bus to take to get to certain sights and the other was a city bus map. She also told us about a great restaurant that was very reasonable and we ended up eating there a few times. Great experience. Would definitely recommend staying at the machiya.

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Guest: David and Faith Wicklund (St. Peter, MN, USA)
Date of Stay: 10/18/07 Review Submitted: 10/18/07

We spent a week at this wonderful Machiya recently and could not have been happier with the accommodations. Everything was updated so tastefully. Very new, clean, well designed and efficient, but with old Japan aesthetics. This is a very quiet place with easy access to all of Kyoto. Miho was so helpful. We would love to stay there again.

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Guest: Robert Murphy (California, USA)
Date of Stay: 10/03/07 Review Submitted: 10/03/07

We returned this evening from Japan and I wanted to tell you how much we loved your place! A perfectly designed house with all one needs. It was just right for me, my wife and son. We had plenty of room and the fixtures were very handy. Miho was charming and showed us everything. We just relaxed and saw the sites. Kyoto was our favorite city. Thanks for everything.

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Guest: Kento Hashimoto (Tokyo, Japan)
Date of Stay: 09/16/07 Review Submitted: 09/16/07

On my recent trip to Kyoto I had the pleasure to stay in your Machiya. What a great alternative to staying in a hotel. It was just beautiful with it's hardwood floors and old wooden beams! I especially liked the sunken floor under the kotatsu in the living room. The western style washroom and kitchen were very convenient, and sleeping on Japanese futons, made the whole experience perfect. It overall gave me a feel for the way of life in Japan in the old days! The location was also perfect. Being on an old cobble stone alley in the heart of the tourist district, we were able to walk to shops, sightseeing and restaurants. In a big city it was so nice not to have to depend on transportation. I especially want to thank Miho for all of her help. She was great in making suggestions about the best places to vist and where to eat! Arigato. I will definitely be recommending this place to my friends in Tokyo.

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Guest: Jordan1 (Las Vegas)
Date of Stay: 04/26/07 Review Submitted: 04/26/07

We are back from Japan and had an amazing time! Thank you so much for the hook-up, and having Miho meet us at Maeniiya. It was very nicely put together and very comfortable. The place was really just beautiful. Next time I, or my brother visits Kyoto, I am sure we will want to stay there again. I have to definitely give a thumbs up for Miho as well. Miho totally made our stay way better than it would have been otherwise... she helped us find a few places, including Kiyomizu Temple (simply breathtaking!), and also helped us with our Japanese, and vice versa, us with her English. Her map was great as well. She should compose the official map! Once you see it, the place really sells itself! All in all, thanks again.

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