Vacation Rentals by Owner

Koke-an - charming and comfortable

Guest: Pen (Australia)
Date of Stay: 04/11/12 Review Submitted: 05/01/12

Koke-an (Moss Garden Cottage) had real charm, and was in a great location for Higashiyama sight seeing and access to public transport. The neighbourhood was full of interesting and friendly people, as well as shops and cafes. We were lucky enough to be in Kyoto for the cherry blossom, and some fantastic viewing sights such as Maruyama Park and Heian Jingu were within a very short walk of the cottage. Rory and his wife were both extremely friendly and helpful. The cottage was clean and well kept, and unlike anywhere else I have ever stayed. It gave a real feeling of being away from home, but also of comfort and relaxation. I would happily recommend this property to anyone looking for something a little different to a hotel. The space was very comfortable for two adults.

Owner response:Thankyou very much for your charming comments. We are glad you enjoyed your stay

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

A wonderful place!

Guest: Christine (Portland, Oregon, USA)
Date of Stay: 01/14/12 Review Submitted: 02/19/12

I stayed in Koke-an for a month, and it was a beautiful, peaceful place to stay. The property is lovely, small but well equipped, clean, and comfortable. It was very quiet! The location is perfect, convenient to walk to many sites, and right on the subway line. There are many nearby restaurants that are friendly to non-Japanese speakers. The owner, Rory, was out of town most of the month I was there, but his wife Sayaka and his friend took good care of me. I highly recommend this property, and would not hesitate to stay there again. It's perfect for a single person and would accommodate a couple nicely.

Owner response:Thankyou Christine for the lovely review, we are glad you enjoyed your stay. The location on the corner of Sanjyo and Jingu Michi is unbeatable. Thanks again Rory and Sayaka

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

Perfect Stay

Guest: Kimberly M.
Date of Stay: 11/17/11 Review Submitted: 01/05/12

We are thrilled that we decided to stay here as opposed to a colorless little business hotel by the train station. Rory was an impeccable host, and Koke-an was fantastic. Staying here was a completely different experience, and we really liked it. The place was a short walk from the subway station, and there were plenty of interesting sights and shops in the vicinity. Definitely take a look through Rory's book of maps, which point out a ton of points on interest nearby. Our only regret is that we didn't stay in Kyoto longer.

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Wonderful, wonderful, wonderful...

Guest: Fairy Dust in My Eyes (Newport, OR)
Date of Stay: 11/12/11 Review Submitted: 11/17/11

Lovely, well located, clean, reasonable.. I could go on and on. The owners are VERY helpful. I could not say enough good things about it. The Kyoto Travelers Inn is about three blocks away and they offer a very reasonable and delicious early (7 am) breakfast and some serious coffee.

Owner response:Thankyou very much Nanci, good tip about the breakfast place, i'll put that in my guide.

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

Perfect Location for Kyoto Visit

Guest: JOHN C.
Date of Stay: 10/23/11 Review Submitted: 11/09/11

FIVE STARS Koke-an is perfectly situated in a quiet, traditional neighborhood. It is even better than it sounds in the listing description. Rory helped us with our needs, but did not intrude. The cottage has everything you need, including plenty of hot water. Three convenience stores within a couple of blocks have daily fresh sushi at a reasonable price, and there are lots of restaurants nearby. This is our third trip to Kyoto, and Koke-an is the best base we have found for exploration. We were able to see beautiful temples and shrines as well as to get a feel for day to day life in Kyoto. Thanks Rory! John and Marilyn Denver CO

Owner response:Thanks John and Marilyn, I'm glad you enjoyed your stay in Koke-an and Kyoto. The cottage is in an amazing location, in a quiet alley opening onto the main historical area.We hope to see you again.

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A Kyoto oasis

Guest: Ruth (Santa Monica, California, USA)
Date of Stay: 10/11/11 Review Submitted: 10/30/11

We stayed here for 5 nights in October 2011, and were pleased to find the cottage just as it was pictured. It had every amenity a traveler might need, was charming, beautifully restored, very quiet, and in a wonderful neighborhood. We could walk (or take and easy subway ride) everywhere we wanted to go. Rory and his gracious wife were very helpful to us (e.g. we had to ship luggage and had no idea how to do that). Our stay here was a highlight of our 3 week trip to Japan.

Owner response:Thankyou very much, we were glad to be of help.

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

Koke-An Review Spring 2012

Guest: Steve (Jersey City, NY, USA)
Date of Stay: 04/22/11 Review Submitted: 04/02/12

I thought the place was great. I is also very conveniently located to public transportation and major tourist destinations. I is alos vey quiet with a great deal of anonimity. I would have liked more cooking options in the kitchen but i worked around the lack of a real stove. Also it would be nice if there were plugs with a ground (i couldn't plug in my laptop) but these points are very minor and i would definiatley stay heare again.

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

A lovely hideaway in Kyoto

Guest: Guido (Turin, Italy)
Date of Stay: 04/18/11 Review Submitted: 05/14/11

Koke-an is a nice and practical base for your outings in Kyoto. Placed in a very quiet alley, it is within easy reach of the underground, buses,town centre, plus a number of important monasteries and places you can easily walk to. Rory and his wife will promptly assist in any of your needs and you will have an extremely enjoyable experience. Despite the small size, Koke-an manages to provide a delightful little garden!

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

Koke-an is a treasure of Kyoto

Guest: Jennifer and Peter (Melbourne, Australia)
Date of Stay: 01/03/11 Review Submitted: 01/29/11

We stayed at Koke-an for two weeks in January 2011 and loved every minute of our experiences in Kyoto. The machiya is well equipped for the western tourist but gives a true feeling of living like the Japanese people. It is so much better than staying at a strerile hotel, I would recommend it to anyone who wants a unique Japanese travel experience. Everything is provided at Koke-an and it truly a "home away from home". We were very sad to leave Koke-an and hope that one day we will return and stay there again.

Owner response:Thanks very much , im glad you enjoyed your stay in Koke-an

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

Beautiful authentic house in fantastic location

Guest: A-L and Sam (Perth, Western Australia)
Date of Stay: 09/12/10 Review Submitted: 09/26/10

We loved our stay at Koke - An, and were lucky enough to extend our stay there. It is exactly as described and as the photographs indicate. The property is lovingly restored, has all amenities you need and is in an incredible location - walking distance to many of Kyoto's charms ( shrines, temples, Philosopher's Path, excellent restaurants, museums. We too fell in love with the food, staff and atmosphere at Bamboo and had several meals there. Rory was extremely helpful and knowledgeable, full of great suggestions and in depth information. We would certainly stay at Koke An again and would wholeheartedly recommend it to family and friends. We felt very lucky to have found it - great value and much better than a hotel room. The thing that struck us the most was the beautiful, gentle and welcoming nature of so many of the locals - we were sad to leave.

Owner response:Thanks Anna-Lisa and Sam for the comments, im glad you enjoyed your stay.

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

Best place to relax especially as it's so great for exploring!

Guest: Rachel (Colchester)
Date of Stay: 07/21/10 Review Submitted: 08/10/10

Absolutly loved it here its been amazing, Rory showed us a nice bar called Bamboo and we returned several times and even had a 9 course meal there for our one year anniversary we loved it so much. It was so reasonable to which is great as we spent a lot on visiting Temples, hard not to as they're all so close! Comfy bed, good bathroom great to have a fridge and all in such a traditional setting it was a truly beautiful and peaceful little cottage. Travel links are amazing you can go pretty much anywhere via Higashima station or by walking down the river to Gion or to Sanjo and the downtown area. Buses are great too and we actually travelled across the city via one bus journey. We loved it there and did not want to leave!

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

A small jewel

Guest: Dawn and Stephen (Boston)
Date of Stay: 07/08/10 Review Submitted: 10/13/10

We stayed in three different machiyas during our three week stay in Kyoto. We developed loyalties to all of them. This was the least expensive, the smallest and in the best location. Rory arrived on a scooter just as we were getting out of the shuttle from the airport. He showed us the place and then answered all my email questions. I would definitely recommend it to a friend, the photos are accurate, it is clean, and the reviews are accurate. Bamboo seems to becoming the dining room of the Moss Garden House and with good reason; it is a fun place with good food. We went twice and by the end of the evenings there was much exchanging of food and drinks. You just sit at the counter that surrounds the kitchen and eat and drink. It is really kind of a tapas bar. They don't speak English, but some of their clientele do. They have a picture book for communicating about food between English and Japanese, (also a picture to ask for a date). I would amend Rory's instruction for getting there by saying that the western exit of the subway has an elevator which you should take if your don't want to carry your luggage up the stairs. You will come out on the South side of the street so turn right to go toward the Moss Garden House. Old Kyoto is a book we found at the Machiya. If you want to visit the past, buy this book yourself. It has great information about traditional place in Kyoto.

Owner response:Yes good comment about Exit 2 having an elevator, i'll put that in the instructions. Bamboo is very popular, its an 'Izakaya' small traditional food /counter/bar with a fusion of Japanese and Western food.

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

Simply perfect

Guest: Jacqueline J. (Los Altos, CA)
Date of Stay: 04/11/10 Review Submitted: 04/19/10

The Moss Garden Cottage is perfectly located. You really can walk to so many places. I can't imagine a better location. It is cozy and completely quiet and I found it to be exactly as I imagined from the description in the listing. It has a very comfortable bed, a great shower and, oh yes, the warm toilet seat! I think the Japanese are onto something there. Enjoy!

Owner response:Thankyou very much, we are glad you enjoyed your stay.Regards Rory and Sayaka

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

Guest: Nicole Dupre
Date of Stay: 01/21/10 Review Submitted: 01/20/10

The little house in Kyoto (Translated from French by computer) I found a "Machiya" for rent in Kyoto and I did not know what to expect. I knew it was only a small traditional wooden house, and I received over the Internet all the necessary instructions to locate On a broad avenue of Higashimaya district, a narrow lane, difficult to identify in which it undertakes. It runs at right angles and here we are at home. The door opens onto a narrow hallway, where we put bags and shoes. Separated from the entrance by a small curtain (a "Noren"), cooking, and deep down, a tiny garden of mosses Left row, slightly elevated on three tatami rooms separated by sliding panels. The set is small and, despite some concessions to Western comforts, perfectly traditional. We are used without difficulty to our small Machiya. Too happy to return the night after a hard day. Adjust the space by moving the partitions according to our activities, but also by time and light soon became obvious. Little or nothing to clutter the space, no tables, no ornaments, just a calligraphic panel. Neutral colors ... So the focus is on materials and eye lingers at leisure on the watermarked paper windows, the tracery of bamboo, the pattern of the main panel carved in wood. Living for a week, as we have done, a wooden house is an interesting (somewhat less expensive than the hotel) that can discover a different way of living. A first step to Japan .... yesterday. For I find it hard to combine this type of habitat, relatively stripped with the glut of goods and consumption binge that seems to characterize today's Japan. The owner of the house is an Australian, came to Japan for a period of pottery and visibly seduced stayed. He bought and lovingly restored this Machiya for rent to curious travelers.

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Guest: Peggy Reynolds (Healdsburg, CA)
Date of Stay: 12/13/09 Review Submitted: 12/12/09

Staying at Koke-An was one of the highlights of my trip to Japan. This sweet little machiya has a blend of traditional and modern elements that make for a delightful and comfortable stay. It's quiet and private, has a great shower, and a remote controlled heater that made it possible to get out of that cozy bed on those cold mornings. Great location, close to temples, gardens, great restaurants, and the bus and subway. Having internet access was nice, and there is plenty of information, maps, etc. available. Rory was really helpful and accommodating. (Thank you Rory, for motor-biking through the cold to bring us that extra bedding!) I absolutely loved this jewel of a house and highly recommend it for a peaceful and pleasant stay.

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Guest: darl kleinbach (USA West Coast)
Date of Stay: 11/16/09 Review Submitted: 11/16/09

Koke-An was the third home we rented in Kyoto and the best. Moss Cottage beautifully balances the traditional Japanese abode with amenities we westerners are used to. i.e.A comfortable bed is essential to us as Senior Americans. The location was private, quiet and extremely convenient to tourist highlights and conveniences. Rory was available quickly whenever we asked a question. We highly recommend Koke-An for your Kyoto home-away-from- home.

Owner response:Thankyou very much, im glad you enjoyed it. Rory

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Perfect location, perfect house, perfectly and uniquely Kyoto

Guest: Kathryn (Sydney)
Date of Stay: 05/07/09 Review Submitted: 08/10/10

From the moment that we walked into this sweet traditional house we were in love. The pictures don't reflect how calming the experience is and how quickly you feel at home. I was almost reluctant to write a review that would make this place so covetable that it would be impossible for us to stay there again! The aspect from the dining table onto the little moss garden was an unexpected joy, bringing lovely light into the house and making it feel much bigger than it is. Such evident care and pride has been taken with the renovation of this house, from the choice of the antique furnishings to the design of the garden and the inclusion of tiles individually hand made by the ceramicist owner. First time visitors to Kyoto will feel that it gives them an immediate access into the unique feel of Kyoto - hidden away in a small lane, set apart from the thousands of tourists that throng to districts like Gion. Lifelong Kyoto devotees like us will be amazed at the value for money. For those of us who shun the hotels that could be anywhere in the world and want to stay in the real Kyoto but can't afford the exclusive Kyoto ryokans and aren't attracted to the guesthouse environment of curfews and shared bathrooms, having your own traditional little house to return to is a joy. As repeat visitors to Kyoto, one of the reasons we return is because of the beautiful everyday encounters of kindness with Kyoto residents, who always seem to make time to help with directions, or just to smile and bow hello to strangers. Since this house is in an old residential area and not a tourist enclave we felt very connected to the calm pace and serendipity of everyday life in Kyoto. But for us the thing we loved most about Koke-an is the location. It sits right at the edge of one of the most treasured parts of Kyoto, the Higashiyama mountains temple district, so it's only a short stroll to wonderful temples off the standard tourist temple circuit. Being so close to quiet, calm, hidden treasures like Shoren-in temple or the wonderful nearby Cloisonne Museum is such a refuge from the apparently endless streams of noisy high school students on excursions at the more famous temples. It's an easy walk to Gion, or straight down Sanjo-dori to the Sanjo bridge and the heart of Kyoto. Kyoto is one of the world's great walking cities and it's completely safe for women to walk at night, so it's magical to be able to take a late night stroll from the house to wander down lantern-lit Ponto-cho.

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

Guest: Doug Pham (Fullerton, California)
Date of Stay: 05/03/09 Review Submitted: 05/03/09

The house was very charming. We had the feel of living in a traditional Japanese house but with modern amenities for comfort. The location of the house was great. We were within walking distance of a lot of attractions, such as the Philosopher's Path. There are restaurants and markets close by also. Try Bamboo, which is very close. Rory, the owner, was very nice. Ask him for a personal tour of Kyoto. We had a great time on a tour with him. We definitely recommend renting his house.

Owner response:Thanks Doug and Thao, my pleasure and yes Bamboo is a great resturant, one of our favorites

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Guest: dan greenfeld (new york city)
Date of Stay: 04/21/09 Review Submitted: 04/21/09

This was our 5th trip to Kyoto and this was a perfect place to stay. For 2 people the house is not "tiny" or "small." It feels quite spacious and is much larger than a hotel room. It is very tastefully done with Rory's tiles and ceramics giving it a personal touch, and the moss garden opening it up. Very importantly, the bed is really comfortable. It is also reasonably priced, particularly compared to a ryokan, which will charge per person. The location is excellent. An easy walk to the eastern temples and Gion, a bus to Kyoto station on the corner and the subway a 2 minute walk. Good restaurants in the area, a massage clinic on Sanjo by the small canal and a wonderful japanese sweets shop in a small alley on Sanjo across from the massage clinic. Rory was enormously helpful. We will return on our next visit to Kyoto.

Owner response:Thanks Dan, my pleasure and thanks for the books

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Guest: Chris135 (NSW)
Date of Stay: 04/19/09 Review Submitted: 04/19/09

This is a really gorgeous little house, in a fantastic location. We were able to easily walk into the city, or catch a bus if tired at the end of the day. There are plenty of facilities nearby including supermarkets, post office, restaurants and more. I really don't see why anyone would want to stay in a hotel when you can stay in a great place like this and it's cheaper! Rory (the owner) was really helpful too - pointing out the good sites on maps and answering our questions on Japanese culture. I really recommend it to anyone who wants to experience a little piece of Japan. :)

Owner response:Thanks Chris, my pleasure.

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Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 12/12/08 Review Submitted: 12/12/08

when i opened the door of this cozy and quiet little machiya, i knew i had found home. it was ideal for my stay exploring the gardens of kyoto this autumn--so ideal that i extended my stay another week. it is truly authentic and tastefully restored, which means tatami and shoji and a moss viewing garden, along with the classic eel kitchen. there's a microwave, but no stove--so you won't be whipping up any gourmet meals, but why would you want to in kyoto? there are great restaurants right up jingu michi, including a really fine noodle shop steps away. and a lovely little cafe--cannelle- across the street where i ate breakfast most mornings. the location is perfect ... bus and subway close by, along with museums and gardens. one word of advice: traditional in japan means unheated bathroom, so in cold weather, the toilet is cold. but considering the rest of the place, easy to get used to. on the other hand, the shower was one of the best i've ever used--great pressure, plenty of hot water-better than any hotel in which i've stayed! if you want a true traditional experience in kyoto, full of atmosphere, this is it. it helped make my journey a memorable one.

Owner response:Thanks Larry, the toilet has a heated seat now.

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