Location: Kyoto, Japan, Asia (Check map on Apple House's Homepage ( link at the bottom! ))
Accommodations: House, 2 Bedrooms, 1 Bath (Sleeps 4)
Location:
When you visit Kyoto, Japan's capital city for about 1,000 years, why not have a real Japanese experience instead of staying in yet another hotel?
Our comfortable Apple House is located in Shugakuin on the east side of Kyoto City. It is in a peaceful residential area, yet benefits from a variety of local amenities and excellent public transport links to Gion, Kiyomizu Temple and other parts of the city.
Do not panic at the thought of "living in Japan"! We live very near and will collect you from the local subway station and help you settle in. The house has clear instructions in English about things such as the washing machine, Japanese bathtub and DVD player, plus plenty of English maps etc. During your stay, we are always nearby. Guests from overseas tell us how "easy to live in" the house is. You will feel at home pretty quickly.
Shugakuin has three good supermarkets, a 7-11 ( 24 hour ), two bakeries, coffee shops, restaurants, liquor stores, a post-office, banks etc.
Access and Getting Around:
Kyoto is a compact city with tremendous public transport. It is a LOT smaller than Tokyo! Apple House is a five-minute walk from the nearest bus stop. From here the regular Number 5 bus ( every 10 minutes for most of the day ) takes you south along Kyoto's famous east side, past Ginkakuji ( The Silver Temple ), the north edge of the Gion district and through the congested city centre to Kyoto Station.
From Shugakuin station you can easily access Gion, Kiyomizu Temple and Fushimiinari Shrine by train ( Gion about 20 minutes ). Central Osaka is at the end of the line ( one hour ).
Taxis from Gion to Apple House cost approximately ¥2,200 in the early hours of the morning.
Most Kyotoites get around by bicycle, and this really is the best way to get around the city. We provide two modern six-speed bicycles with baskets for you to explore the narrow streets.
It is along the quiet side streets that you will find the "true" Kyoto - local people going about their daily business, chidren playing on roads, elderly people dressed in "kimono" or "yukata", tiny shrines and hundreds of old wooden buildings.
Accommodation:
Apple House is a detached house with its own private entrance. The entrance hall has a modern Western-style ( heated seat! ) toilet off it, and leads into the kitchen area. Four people can comfortably sit and eat in the kitchen. Next to the kitchen is a traditional "tatami" mat living room with a low table and chairs.
Also downstairs is the bathroom. Upstairs consists of two more "tatami" mat rooms. These are separated by thin sliding doors ( "fusuma" ). Please note that access to the second bedroom is through the first bedroom. Guests sleep on Japanese futons placed directly on the floor. Extra supportive mattresses are provided for people who are used to softer sleeps!
The house has lots of information and maps in English about the area, getting around etc.
2009 / 2010 High Season dates :
July 1 - August 31, 2009
October 23 - December 6, 2009
December 23, 2009 - January 6, 2010
March 19 - May 31, 2010
July 1 - July 31, 2010
October 22 - December 5, 2010
December 22, 2010 - January 6, 2011
2009 / 2010 Low Season dates:
All other dates
Come and enjoy a piece of real Japan in this special part of Kyoto!
Please check out our website for more details and images.
Vacation Rental Features
- Amenities
- Air Conditioning: Upstairs and downstairs. They cool / heat. Electric fans are also provided during warm weather.
- Washer: We provide laundry detergent. Plenty of drying space at rear of house.
- Linens Provided: Electric blankets are provided during cold weather.
- Gas Fireplace: Not a fireplace, but there is a gas heater downstairs.
- Beds
- Convertible Bed: Traditional Japanese futons, placed directly on tatami. Extra mattresses are provided for guests who are used to soft beds.
- Entertainment
- TV (No Cable/Satellite): 26 inch flat-screen TV
- DVD
- Video Library: A selection of DVDs.
- CD Player
- Music Library: A selection of CDs.
- Private Hot Tub: Body soap and shampoo provided. This is Japan - please wash yourself under the shower before getting into the tub. The clean, hot bath water is to relax in, not wash in, and is shared with other members of your family / friends!
- Kitchen
- Full Kitchen: No "hot" oven, but there is a double gas range with grill, microwave, toaster and rice cooker.
- Cooking Utensils Provided: Suitable for both Japanese and Western style food. Plenty of cookware, utensils, tableware, cutlery, glassware etc. Salt, pepper, soy sauce and cooking oil also provided.
- Refrigerator: A two-door fridge freezer.
- Microwave
- Outdoor Features
- Balcony: Narrow and only suitable for hanging laundry.
- Communications
- Broadband Internet: LAN cable provided, but no computer - please bring your laptop.
- Other Amenities
- Two bicycles are provided for guests to explore this enchanting city and see parts which regular tours do not cover. There is also plenty of English tourist information and tips about getting around.
- Suitability
- No Pets Allowed
- Kid Friendly
- Smoking Not Allowed: Sorry - no smoking inside or at the rear of the property.
- Activities (on site and nearby)
- Zoo/Wildlife Park
- Shopping
- Sightseeing
- Restaurants
- Biking
- Mountain Biking
- Wildlife Viewing
- Hiking
- Antiquing
- Cinemas/Movie Theaters
- Live Theatre
- Museums
- Other Activities
- There are several temples, shrines and Shugakuin Imperial Villa within easy walking distance. Please visit Apple House's Homepage for more details and images - click on the link a few lines below.
Rate Details (In Japanese Yen)
¥9,000-¥12,000/night (3 night minimum - up to 2 people)
Extra people: ¥2,000/person/night
Maximum number of guests 4
Utilities used during stay are metered and charged at suppliers' rates
Deposit - ¥10,000 (Non-refundable to secure booking - Balance 6 weeks in advance)
Secure credit card payment via PayPal - we bear Paypal's charges
*Check availability on Apple House's Homepage - link is near the bottom of this!
Note: Until confirmed, rates are subject to change without notice.
Credit Cards Accepted:
Property Photos
- Apple House ( front ) - Kyoto, Japan House with Private Hot Tub close to Sightseeing, Shopping and Public Transportation
- The approach to Apple House - Kyoto, Japan House with Private Hot Tub close to Sightseeing, Shopping and Public Transportation
- Traditional tatami bedroom with futons, scroll and ornament - Kyoto, Japan House with Private Hot Tub close to Sightseeing, Shopping and Public Transportation
- Tatami mat living room with low table and chairs, flat screen TV and DVD player
- Dining table in kitchen area
- Kitchen sink and double gas range / grill
- Bathroom ( body soap and shampoo provided )
- Sekizanzenin ( 10 minutes walk )
- Saginomori Shrine ( 10 minutes walk )
- Takaragaike ( 15 minutes walk ) and Mount Hiei. Apple House is between the two!
Guest Comments (19)
First (10) of (19). View all comments
Vacation Rentals by Owner Listing #228060
There have been 5779 visitors to this page since the counter was last reset in 2009.
This listing was first published here in 2009.
Date last modified - November 15, 2009
Positive Rating
Thank you for allowing us to stay at the Apple House. We had a wonderful stay in Kyoto and a fabulous day trip to Nara from here. The Todaiji Temple there is truly awe inspiring! We really wanted a Japanese experience and the Apple House and the neighbourhood really made it that. We're planning to tell all our friends back in Yokohama where they can get self-catering in Japan. If you're ever in Yokohama, give us a call.
Positive Rating
It was a pleasure being guests at your lovely home. The Apple House is an amazing way to experience Kyoto. Your booklet explaining everything from the remote to recommended restaurants was so helpful. Thank you for all your preparation! It's hard to think about our favorite thing about the Apple House and Kyoto; everything has surpassed our expectations. But here is a shot - the bicycles!, Arashiyama and the bamboo forest ( by way of Keifuku electric railway ), Kurama Onsen and the train ride to get there, Philosopher's Path, Fushimi Inari Taisha, Sayur-Sayuran restaurant on Shirakawa-Dori, the Gael for a quick pint, falling asleep to the sound of the stream outside, the kind and patient people,....the list goes on. We hope to be back and see all the things we missed. If ever in Boston, give a ring.
Positive Rating
K.J., F.A. & J.C. , Columbus, Ohio, USA
Homeowner Response:
If we were a little younger, we might try the day trip to Hiroshima! You put the bicycles to good use and saw more than most during your stay here - well done! Also, thank you for keeping the house clean. Hiroko and David.
Positive Rating
S. & I. , Honolulu
Homeowner Response:
You two certainly did some walking! The weather was just about perfect during your stay and you took full advantage of it. Thank you for leaving the house so clean! Hiroko and David.
Positive Rating
Thank you both for your kind hospitality. We have had a wonderful time here in Kyoto and Apple House. Staying in such a beautiful Japanese house was not only convenient but an experience which we will share with our friends and family. We have stayed in house rentals before, and Apple House is by far the most well kept place we have ever stayed in. No doubt should we find ourselves in Kyoto in future, we will be staying here again. It is definitely a Home away from Home ( especially when it comes to laundry ). Tips and Highlights: 1. "Kitayama Ramen" - it was AWESOME!! From the friendly service ( it was a shame we could not speak Japanese ) to the soup base to the perfect noodles, it has set the bar for great ramen. 2. Staying at Apple House allowed us to see another side of Kyoto other than the tourist driven commercial side. Other highlights: Golden Pavilion, Inari Shrine, Nijo Castle, Fresco, 100 Yen shop. Thank you again for your help and guidance.
Positive Rating
The house has everything we could have wished for! The location has been brilliant - even with the wheelchair we have managed to see many of the spectacular sights around here. The nearest temple just up the road was one of the nicest we have seen! Thank you very much for your advice and help ( couldn't have managed without it ).
Positive Rating
Alison Booth , Australia
Homeowner Response:
Alison - Thank you for your kind comments. You certainly had some warm, dry weather during your stay - we hope you and your family have plenty of happy memories of Kyoto to take back to Australia. Thank you for leaving the house in good shape. Hiroko and David.
Positive Rating
The Siegfried Family , Owasso, Oklahoma
Homeowner Response:
Christina and family, thank you for your helpful comments and also for leaving Apple House so clean. Sasaki-san was so sad to see you leave and she often mentions you to us. Please come again to drink tea with her! Hiroko and David.
Positive Rating
We feel privileged to have stayed in delightful Apple House! It has been such a blessing to have this wonderful solid base for our adventuring around Kyoto. It has given us a grounding and a real chance to find our "travelers' legs" for the rest of our Japan Adventure. You have put together such a charming house filled with so many lovely touches, from the apples to the maps and guides to the kids' DVDs - it has made everything so easy. If only I could fold Apple House into my suitcase and pop it up at our next stop! Having Apple House has taken so much drama out of traveling with a child. Can't wait to come back when his legs are long enough for the bikes!
Positive Rating
Kerry ,
Homeowner Response:
Kerry - Many thanks for staying with us last month. After your incredible trip around the world we hope that your final destination, particularly Apple House, proves to be a wonderful memory for you all. Thank you for leaving the house so clean. Hiroko and David.