Iho-an remains at the top of the pile!

Guest: hugh campbell (Sydney Australia)
Date of Stay: 10/09/11 Review Submitted: 01/04/12

I returned to Iho-an for 5 weeks this autumn after visiting for a short period in 2009. Everything i said then still applies some years on. Still kept in beautiful as new condition, spotlessly clean and full of character, and of the course the position is unbeatable. That Rory is easy to deal with and friendly - just makes it all so easy and appealing. Stay here!

Recommended for:

Perfect location, great accommodation

Guest: Scott (Brisbane, Australia)
Date of Stay: 02/25/11 Review Submitted: 03/21/11

How much did I like staying here?: I'm trying to work out just how soon I can go back. This property is immaculately presented, but still looks more like a home than a gallery, which makes it relaxing and inviting. Perfect for taking advantage of the kitchen, washer, dryer, TV, internet, couches, beds, dining room table... It had everything we needed - even with our family of 4 - while still feeling like an authentic Kyoto home with its distinctive style and little artistic touches. The Machiya is in a very quiet neighbourhood - you are unlikely to hear even a car drive down the street or talking neighbours. It's surprising, because it isn't out-of-the-way... The location is great if you plan on spending more than just a day or two in Kyoto. Once you orient yourself to the river and the nearby supermarket (also incredibly handy being just down the street), you'll find it easy to walk to a LOT of Kyoto's great sights. Even our 6-year old had no trouble walking with us to the downtown shopping area of Teramachi (hopping across the river stepping stones rather than taking the bridge), the amazing Kiyomizu mountain temple, the great old streets of Gion and even to the Imperial palace gardens. Of course the fact that there's interesting things to see at almost every turn certainly helps. If you don't mind a stroll, you can save your cab and train money here and walk to so many sights. The owners have provided lots of information on things within the house and beyond - and I'm sure would have helped us with any other request. That was our only problem here: we didn't stay long enough. Five nights could easily have turned into 10 or more. Our trip took us from Kyoto to Nagano (where the kids saw snow for the first time and loved it) and to Tokyo, including all the excitement of Tokyo Disney... yet when we sat down together to look back through our photos, we had more pics of our time in and around Iho-an and Kyoto - and it is Kyoto that the kids want to go back to and Iho-an where they felt at home. I'm with them. To Rory and Sayaka: I hope to book with you again sometime soon. To anyone else considering booking here: do it. ...Just not when I want to stay :)

Owner response:Thanks Scott for the great review, im glad you all enjoyed Iho-an and Kyoto

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

Happy travellers

Guest: happy australia (Aust)
Date of Stay: 12/01/10 Review Submitted: 01/05/11

My husband and I stayed in Iho-an for the first week in Dec. We could not say a bad word about it. It was very clean,well equipped and the location is fantastic. Rory is fabulous to deal with. We will definitely stay here again on our return to Kyoto or perhaps try one of Rory's other apartments.

Owner response:Thanks very much, i hope to see you again.

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

wonderful location

Guest: Cat (Taos, NM, USA)
Date of Stay: 10/12/10 Review Submitted: 10/26/10

We enjoyed turning off our narrow street, walking down a covered walkway into another world where our home away from home was located. Very quiet, beautiful space with all the conveniences we needed. The kitchen was perfect, bath very special, upstairs bedroom comfortable. The location was ideal and close to some major points of interest: shopping, food, Gion, temples, museums and art galleries. Our host was very helpful.

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

Iho-an a refreshing step back in time

Guest: Allen (Rocville, Maryland USA)
Date of Stay: 09/22/10 Review Submitted: 10/13/10

My wife and I traveled throughout Japan for the entire month of September. We went as far north as Sapporo and as far south as Kyoto. Our 5 days in Kyoto were magical, thanks in no small part to the oasis of Iho-an. Experiencing a Machiya as well kept and preserved as Iho-an was priceless. The pictures do not do its history justice. The stairs up to the bedroom are pretty steep, really more like a ladder, and they impart a sense of what daily life entails, especially when you see neighbors well into their latter years. Everything worked well (my wife was especially thankful for a washer and dryer!). The kitchen was manna from heaven and the bathing room was magical. And beyond that the location was great! Less than a 10 minute walk to the subway, grocery or convenience store. And the proximity to shrines was perfect. In fact, the street that Iho-an is on is the same street that the entrance to Heian Shrine and gardens is on and less than 15 minutes away! Rory was extremely helpful and always available. And his information and guide books, including detailed information about the workings of the Machiya and directions for the surrounding area, were fantastic. I would absolutely recommend Iho-an to anyone staying in Kyoto who is looking for an experience including life as it was in Kyoto a century ago, but with modern conveniences.

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

A wonderful taste of Kyoto life

Guest: Jim (Grand Rapids, MI)
Date of Stay: 07/26/10 Review Submitted: 08/14/10

We rented Iho-an for four nights and found it to be a wonderful base from which to explore Kyoto. The kitchen and laundry facilities gave us the opportunity to start each day with breakfast and fresh attire. The neighborhood is charming and much more enriching than a stay in a downtown hotel. The rooms were spacious for three of us and the air conditioning was much appreciated during our late July visit. The house is within walking distance of several temples, the Philosopher's Path, the downtown area, the subway, groceries and several neighborhood restaurants.

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

Traditional Comfort outside the touristy realm

Guest: Charlie & Marisa (Washington D.C., USA)
Date of Stay: 11/13/09 Review Submitted: 04/16/10

Thank you Rory and Sayaka! We had a wonderful stay. This review is a bit late, as we went in November for our honeymoon during the high koyo (autumn leaves) season. The place was nothing short of perfect and gave us a private and intimate taste of living among the locals. Located down a quaint little alley, a very short walk to the main walks of temples in Higashiyama, we were in the center of it all. The supermarket down the block gave us an opportunity to save a little money and eat at home, while the 5 minute walk to great restaurants in Pontocho by the Kamo river. The traditional Japanese bath was awesome!

Owner response:Thankyou very much Charlie and Marisa, I'm glad you enjoyed your stay.

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

Guest: hugh campbell (Sydney Australia)
Date of Stay: 01/20/10 Review Submitted: 01/20/10

I stayed here for two weeks in November 2009. I would heartily recommend it for one or two people looking for a central, peaceful, and characterful place to stay. Location is great with major Higashiyama sites a walk away, 5 minutes to Gion, and the shopping district just over the river. 5 minutes to Sanjo Keihan station Recently renovated it is spotlessly clean, with all the necessaries for a self catering holiday in terms of kitchen equipment ; a clothes washing machine; good and quiet aircon. It maintains the traditional feel, and you can get in the mood with the supplied Memoirs of a Geisha DVD! Very quiet location, in a little laneway of locals, you are expected to be reasonably quiet. Lovely shoji screens on windows and tatami matting on bedroom floor. Stairs are very step in traditional Japanese fashion, so watch the infirm. Owner Rory was friendly, helpful and easygoing. Recommended and I will be back.

Recommended for:

Guest: Walt& Juno (Chiba)
Date of Stay: 09/25/09 Review Submitted: 09/25/09

Thank you Rory & Sayaka. We enjoyed our stay at 'Iho-an. You have done a great job of blending in the modern necessities while retaining an old world charm. It was so comfortable and quiet and a great base for our long walks in the nearby forests, visiting temples, hiking 'Daimonji' and also close for fantastic shopping just over the river. We enjoyed our evening strolls to the nearby restaurants in Gion and were excited to see Geishas. Sanjo Keihan Station, 2 minutes away was so convenient to access the sights further afield like Mt Kurama and Kibune Shrine and I can recommend the One Day travel pass as it is great for travellers like us. Iho-an Machiya was a great location for all the sights in and around Kyoto. We would love to recommend it to any one that is looking to stay in Kyoto. We are looking forward to planning our next visit. Walter & Junko

Owner response:Thanks Walter and Junko, i look forward to seeing you next time

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