Kyoto Modern Machiya-Style House in Gion-Kiyomizu

• Absolutely Perfect Location

  Absolutely Perfect Location

  • Guest World Traveler
  • Date of stay 04/13/13
  • Review Submitted 04/28/13
  My son and I stayed eight days at the machiya. It was perfect for us. It is on a very quiet back street 5 minutes from a bus stop that takes you anywhere in Kyoto, ten minutes from the train station, and walking distance to the best temples and traditional neighborhoods in Kyoto. We literally spend the first few days walking the city from "home" - North and South Higashima is where the best temples, shrines, sights and shopping are. Right around the corner are great restaurants - soba, sushi, okonomiyaki, and a ten minute bus ride will take you into the center of town, for hip restaurants, river walks, geisha/maiko sightings, bookstores and nightlife. We were also able to quickly get out of town, to sight see quickly and then relax at the machiya before going out at night - perfect location. The machiya itself is beautifully furnished and equipped. Upstairs, there is a tatami room and a western style room, with attention to detail, so the western room has windows, curtains, a bed, night table, and sliding doors that open the room up to the outdoors. The tatami room has shoji screens, low furniture and futons, windows slide open on both sides. We loved the fact that the place was so bright and airy, and every room had a window or more.The kitchen is fully equipped, with spices, tea, coffee and even some snacks.The bathroom is spacious, there is a washer and dryer, though we preferred to hang our clothes dry. The dining room overlooks a small garden. Everything is tastefully done, clean and thee are lots of attentive touches (umbrellas, bikes, books, iron, notepaper) that made our stay very comfortable. There are guidebooks in English and French, lots of maps, brochures on Kyoto events and sights, and best of all a book full of previous guests; recommendations. The neighborhood is wonderful - right next to Kiyomizu Temple, and very close to Ninnen-zaka and Sannen-zaka - beautiful traditional walking streets. So the best restaurants are here, as well as really top notch branches of tea shops, art galleries, and Kyoto ware. This is also the pottery district, so full of really wonderful potters' studios right around the corner. There is a used kimono shop close by too. Acco is charming and very helpful - just a phone call or email message away. She helped book a door-to-door shuttle to and from the airport and also a geisha performance for us. We felt very much at home, and wished we could have stayed longer. We will definitely stay here again

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

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• Delightful place

  Delightful place

  • Guest Michael E.
  • Date of stay 04/10/13
  • Review Submitted 04/25/13
  We spent three nights here and enjoyed the convenient location and accommodations. Akiko was most helpful in getting us settled in. She supplied a nice "owner manual" with pictures, etc. to explain the various appliance controls and everything went well. We even figured out how to use the combo washer / drier. Of course, in Kyoto one does not spend much time at home but making toast and coffee in the morning was a big help. Location is a nice walk from the Kiyomizudera temple and you MUST walk north from there through sanenzaka and nisanzaka (excuse spelling) streets! house is convenient to a bus stop. From Kyoto station perhaps 900yen by taxi. We had a great stay!

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

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• Super location, great owner

  Super location, great owner

  • Guest katkins
  • Date of stay 03/31/13
  • Review Submitted 04/17/13
  We had a great 10-day stay during cherry blossom time. The house was very comfortable for us and our two elementary school aged kids. It's on a quiet street, but 5 minutes from Kiyomizu-dera, and a 15 minute walk to Gion. There's a bus stop less than 5 minutes away with frequent buses to Kyoto Station, or north to Shijo or Ginkakuji. As others have mentioned, the stairs are quite steep, so I probably wouldn't recommend it for very young children or anyone with mobility issues. Acco, the owner, speaks excellent English, and was very helpful and accommodating.

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

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• Perfect blend of traditional and modern in Kyoto's most wonderful neighborhood!

  Perfect blend of traditional and modern in Kyoto's most wonderful neighborhood!

  • Guest Debbie
  • Date of stay 11/27/12
  • Review Submitted 01/16/13
  Acco was a wonderful welcoming committee for her family's Machiya house...right off one of the main streets leading up to Kiyomizu-dera. We had been in Kyoto for one day 8 years ago and were thrilled to be back in this iconic neighborhood - in the winter, space heaters are sufficiently warm, the kitchen is well-equipped, beds comfortable; an updated and personal accommodation. Highly recommended.

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

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• Must stay!!!

  Must stay!!!

  • Guest Robyn
  • Date of stay 10/28/12
  • Review Submitted 11/25/12
  The highlight of our 3 week trip. Beautiful accomodation in an amazing spot. Love wandering through the cobblestone streets full of little shops and temples and then only a short bus trip away from everything else! Acco and John helped us out in an emergency giving us an extra night in their B&B- which was also beautiful. Can't wait to come over again and already recommending to friends and family!!

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

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• Perfect house for a family vacation in Kyoto!

  Perfect house for a family vacation in Kyoto!

  • Guest Vlasta
  • Date of stay 10/05/12
  • Review Submitted 10/22/12
  We had such a great time in Kyoto and it was in part due to the "comforts of home" that this machiya provided. We traveled to Kyoto with our two sons, ages 10 and 7. We arrived exhausted via Osaka and train to Kyoto. The owner of the machiya met us at the taxi stand and walked us to the house which made the travel day so much nicer! Our sons slept in the tatami room and we were able to have the Western bedroom. In the morning we enjoyed coffee and breakfast downstairs while the boys slept in. There is a grocery store about 10 minutes walk (or quick bike ride) from the machiya. The house also has laundry which is key when traveling overseas for an extended period of time. The house is on a very quiet lane, so everyone slept well! We walked up the street to Kiyomizu Temple, awesome and super close! Also around the corner are huge Kyoto cemeteries which are a neat site to see. Perfect little house for a family of four! Enjoy!

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

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• Great stay!

  Great stay!

  • Guest Adam
  • Date of stay 05/12/12
  • Review Submitted 09/11/12
  We stayed here for a week in May and had a wonderful time. The house is a nice combination of modern convenience but with some Japanese touches which gives you the best of both worlds. We had everything we needed and in an ideal location right by many scenic winding Kyoto streets. Having our own bikes, made getting around the city a great way to sight-see, especially being able to bike along the Kamo river. We hope to someday return to Kyoto and we will definitely try to stay here again.

  Recommended for: Tourists without a car.

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• Old Kyoto at its best!

  Old Kyoto at its best!

  • Guest EG
  • Date of stay 07/16/12
  • Review Submitted 08/10/12
  The 4 days that my 2 friends and I spent in this beautiful machiya house were the best of my trip to Japan. The Kiyomizu House was the perfect home base for exploring Kyoto. It's centrally located and just a short walk from a taxi stand and a useful bus line, as well as Kiyomizu Temple. The house is decorated in a traditional Japanese style and has all the amenities a traveler needs to feel comfortable (re: washing machine, kitchen supplies, air conditioning, comfortable beds). The best part of the house may be the owner, Acco, who is gracious, friendly, helpful, and an incredible hostess. She provided us with useful recommendations for Kyoto and greatly added to our experience in Japan. I would happily return to Kiyomizu House on my next trip to Japan!

  Recommended for: Romantic getaway, girls getaway, tourists without a car, sightseeing.

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• Ideal location in a charming machiya

  Ideal location in a charming machiya

  • Guest Aussie Wendy
  • Date of stay 03/28/12
  • Review Submitted 04/27/12
  Other reviews say it all. This is very comfortably appointed with a well equipped small kitchen, dining area, laundry with a combined washer/dryer, toilet and deep Japanese style bath and shower wet room downstairs and a western bedroom (sleeps 2 in a proper double bed) and tatami room with low chairs, TV and DVD upstairs that will sleep up to 3 on futons. Heaters throughout ensure its cosy in the Kyoto cold weather which was needed for our April visit. A tiny courtyard balcony opens off the dining area and there are 2 basic bikes you can use. The decor and furnishings throughout are traditional and pretty and the whole machiya has instant welcoming "appeal". The bus stop is close and it is walking distance also to the Keihan train line. The location is excellent, tucked down a tiny lane it is so very quiet-it was great to leave the hordes of tourists and slip down our little lane to peace. A full supermarket and plenty of 7-11 type stores are a short walk away. The area itself is in the heart of Southern Higashiyama-a short walk up the hill to Kiyomizudera-perfect for sightseeing and exploring the winding lanes, shops and restaurants and for those who like walking walkable to Nanzenji complex of temples or closer to home Maruyama Park, Gion and the shops and department stores of Kawaramachi. The owner speaks excellent English and was extremely helpful-be it organising a shuttle for arrival or sightseeing and eating recommendations. Despite not arriving til after 10pm she met the shuttle, walked us to the machiya and took plenty of time to explain how everything worked. If we had needed her she was just a phone call away. The booking and pre organisation also was very smooth and professional. There are lots of books and sightseeing info in the machiya to pour over. I would suggest if you had children or thought you might have some evenings in, bringing some of your favourite English DVDs to watch though there are a small selection provided. We were a family of 3 (travelling with our adult daughter) and would not hesitate to stay here again if we return to Kyoto and highly recommend it to other couples or smaller families. The stairs to the upper area are very steep so very young children not familiar with the dangers of stairs would need monitoring. This property likewise would not be suitable for any older persons who have difficulty with stairs.

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

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• Great winter stay

  Great winter stay

  • Guest Lucas
  • Date of stay 12/22/11
  • Review Submitted 01/06/12
  We stayed in Acco's wonderful Machiya for 7 days over Christmas and had a great time. Kiyomizu temple is an extremely popular destination for Japanese people (as well as other tourists) the atmosphere in the area was vibrant and exciting yet very respectful to the history and customs of the temple. The Machiya was very well appointed and cosy in the cold weather, it was great to arrive and settle into the neighborhood for a short while. We made good use of the bus routes around Kyoto with the nearest bus stop only a few minutes walk away. We have two children (5yo, 3yo) who really loved the Japanese way of living, deep baths, beautiful details and futons on the warm tatami! A day trip to nearby Kurama Onsen in the snow was a highlight for everyone. I hope we get to go back one day!

  Recommended for: Families with young children, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

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Basic Rate: 16,000 JPY/night for 2 persons.
Add 2,000 JPY per night for each additional guest. Max. 4 adults.
Payment in Japanese Yen by Visa, Mastercard, Paypal.
Lower weekly rates negotiable for longer stays during some seasons.

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