Reviews for Kyoto Vacation Rental - VRBO 270199 - 2 BR Japan House, Ojizoya-Great Machiya for Your Kyoto Stay

Experience traditional Japanese house in the heart of Kyoto

Guest bobois
Date of stay 05/22/13
Review Submitted 06/01/13

very traditional Machiya on quiet street. Loved the attention to detail from the walls, to tatami to bamboo ceiling and old sliding doors. Cosy, but enough space, and very clean. And all modern conveniences including washer, wi-fi were plus. Only suggestion would be to have some small condiments/drinks available. Nice to have tea or coffee etc, on arrival w/o having to go to the store right away.

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

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Authentic Japanese experience

Guest LadyAlisha
Date of stay 05/18/13
Review Submitted 05/27/13

The house is lovely with a spacious living area downstairs and 2 comfy bedrooms upstairs. The location is convenient, nestled between 2 train stations and ideal for exploring the sights along the Higashiyama part of Kyoto. Wished there was a tv though. Walking home at night might be a bit scary as the streets are rather dark in the area.

Recommended for: Adventure seekers, families with teenagers, tourists without a car, sightseeing.

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Beautiful house, poor customer service

Guest Mariah S.
Date of stay 03/28/13
Review Submitted 04/29/13

The house is wonderfully restored, and in a good location for sightseeing. We walked everywhere (Kiyomizu temple area, downtown, Gion). However, the house is not well-equipped for cooking or eating-in, and there is very little information about local groceries, restaurants or services. Two light bulbs were burned out when we checked in. The customer service from the travel agency who manages this house was not very responsive to requests. We were a family of four, and the house was comfortable for us, however, it was difficult to prepare any meals other than breakfast because the house lacked sufficient dishware.

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Live Like a Local

Guest Courtney&Fred
Date of stay 06/26/12
Review Submitted 07/02/12

My family and I stayed at this machiya for three nights. It was conveniently located near train stations, bus stations, convenience stores and restaurants. The machiya was well-cared for and tucked away in a quiet neighborhood, making you feel like a local. The owners, Avi and Wendy, made the experience truly special by recommending great sights and restaurants to check out while in Kyoto. They helped to point us in the right direct and made our Kyoto experience even more memorable. The machiya was also stocked with guide books and information to make exploring the historic city effortless. I thank my hosts for such a great experience in Kyoto!

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

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Charming and well located machiya

Guest Ganesh
Date of stay 05/19/12
Review Submitted 06/10/12

This delightful machiya, for two of us on a three day visit to Kyoto in May 2012, was lovely way to experience Japan in a local neighborhood. The house was impeccably clean and well maintained. The owner's husband is a guide and gave us some valued tips about our visit. There are many restaurants near by and is also close to some of the famous areas of Kyoto including the Gion and Sanjusangendo one of the must visit temples. Just one warning and that is the bedroom is up a stairway that is steep and can be dangerous especially if you want to use the bathroom at night.

Recommended for: Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, tourists without a car, sightseeing.

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Great home-stay in Kyoto

Guest Hobartbuy
Date of stay 03/05/12
Review Submitted 03/10/12

This was a very enjoyable stay for us (2 adults + older teenage daughter). House is well laid out, great facilities and very comfortable. The only downside we could see is that the location is about 20 mins walk away from central Kyoto district. That said, its in a quiet and friendly neighbourhood. Met Wendy (owner) who made us feel welcome and spent time providing very useful information on the area and Kyoto.

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

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Ojizoya stay

Guest roadrunner
Date of stay 03/01/12
Review Submitted 03/13/12

My family of 5 stayed 3 nights at the Ojizoya house. We had a wonderful time. It was a great experience to stay in the house- a much different experience then only staying in a hotel. We had more of a Japanese experience I think. The house is very well located. It is walking distance to groceries, even to train station if you don't have a lot of bags. The first morning Wendy spent quite a bit of time with us. She answered countless questions about Kyoto and helped us with our sightseeing itinerary. The house was very clean and just as it was described. I would reccomend the walking tour number 1- I think this was in a Frommier's book that was at the house. Be sure to go to Gion street about 5:30PM for the Geishas. We ate at a wonderful restaurant, but I'm sorry I don't remember the name. It was near the train station. Don't be afraid to try a Japanese restaurant- the staff will be very helpful even with limited English. There is also a large outside shopping mall area somewhere near the train station that was fun. We just walked and found this. We would highly recommend this house. You will enjoy your stay and the beautiful city of Kyoto!

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

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Authentic Local Experience

Guest Cameron
Date of stay 01/04/12
Review Submitted 01/15/12

Great Japanese living experience with a western twist to assist with sleeping and eating. Three adults staying four nights. Snowing while we were there but we found the little house very comfortable but I would say the morning shower moved along quite quickly! really didn't eat much at the house as the local options are many and varied and within an easy walk to the main part of town. the directions in English and Japanese worked well and we were met at the house as agreed. Cameron M

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

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Sweet little house, excellent location

Guest April
Date of stay 12/15/11
Review Submitted 01/15/12

I wanted an authentic-feeling old-fashioned Japanese house in a quiet neighborhood, where I could walk to see beautiful temples and nice restaurants and to catch public transportation. This rental fulfilled all my wishes. It has tatami floors, rice paper walls, old wooden beams, a sunken-floor table and a deep soaking tub. The stairway is very steep and if you are tall, like my son, you have to duck when passing between rooms. To us, that just added to the atmosphere. The owners were so helpful in arranging a shuttle to pick us up at the airport and bring us right to the house, so we didn't have to negotiate transportation in our sleep-deprived state. Our first morning's walk was to Kiyumizudera , up a street full of craft shops to an amazing and beautiful temple complex.

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

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Perfect for our Week in Kyoto

Guest Knox
Date of stay 04/02/11
Review Submitted 05/03/11

Before the earthquake, we had a hard time finding any open hotel rooms in Kyoto as we arrived during the prime cherry blossom week in April. Then I found this home which was slightly out of our budget and seemed bigger than we needed. Howeve,as they had an opening for a few days, I figured we'd have a place to land and we'd find something else once on the ground. I AM SO HAPPY WE FOUND THIS HOME. While I was sad there were so many cancellations due the events for the owners, who like many in Kyoto rely on tourism, for us, as travelers, it worked out great as we were able to extend and stay here for an entire week. I would have loved to stay at this house for our entire month in Japan and just make small day trips out of Kyoto. It was very relaxing and comfortable and so much nicer than being in hotel room. Loved the bath, nice to have a kitchen and do laundry...and the location was AWESOME. We walked everywhere. So close to cool temples, the National museum, Gion, and the river. Wendy and Avi have provided many guidebooks and were very generous with tips and suggestions for things to see in the area. And they really went out of there way to assist us with receiving and sending our bicycles as we started (and then decided to end) a two week bicycle tour of Noto Peninsula at this home. This was my first time using VRBO and trying one of these homes. I was a bit nervous about it, particularly, as it seems that so much of Japanese culture and even big hotels work on cash/cash deposits/or just your honor for reservations... but there was absolutely NO PROBLEM. This how is exactly as shown, described, and is very clean and really perfect. Absolutely designed and thought through for the needs of travelers/guests. I would not hesitate to recommend this home to any of my friends. Particularly, I would recommend it for people who are interested in getting a sense of a neighborhood life and who enjoy walking, which is really the best thing to do in Kyoto. If you are more the lazy type or very nervous about Japan, it might be easier for you to stay at a hotel right at the train station, though really you are not more than two or three blocks from places where it is easy to catch cabs and maybe five blocks total from one of the train lines. It would not be a good place to stay for people in wheel chairs or people who have difficulty with steep stairs. If I ever get the chance to go to Kyoto again (and I hope I do!), I would LOVE TO STAY HERE AGAIN!

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

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Great Place to Stay

Guest Paul
Date of stay 01/27/11
Review Submitted 01/23/12

Stayed in this delightful house just after Christmas. It really gives visitors a sense of Japanese living with tatmi floors and paper screens. It's in a quiet residential location only about a 20 min easy walk from Kyoto station one way and the Kyomizu the other. It's even closer to Gion. Really clean place and comfy beds/futons. We are a family: 2 adults & 3 Teenagers and had plenty of room. Neighbours were nice too. Would stay here again. Great base for a trip to Kyoto

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

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A wonderful week in Kyoto

Guest Adam
Date of stay 06/23/10
Review Submitted 07/12/10

I just returned from a vacation to Japan, including a week long stay in Kyoto at Avi's Ojizoya rental house. The rental house is ideally located in a quiet residential neighborhood, and is just a short walk from the (tourist Raku) bus stop. There are also plenty of shops & restaurants nearby. The house is quaint & small, and it was a wonderful experience for my family to live in a machiya with tatami mats, shoji screens and Japanese furniture. The house provided everything we needed. We could make breakfast in the morning, take Japanese baths in the evening, and sleep on futons at night; at the end of the week, we were able to do our laundry before moving on. I highly recommend staying in a machiya, like Ojizoya, for anyone who wants to truly experience Kyoto.

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

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Charming Japanese Home Away from Home

Guest ashminni
Date of stay 06/05/10
Review Submitted 06/16/10

We were able to truly experience Japanese culture and way of life by staying at Ojizoya. Avi was very accommodating and helpful in helping us decide what to see and do in Kyoto through a personal visit during our stay. The home was very comfortable for the six of us (3 children under 5 years and a 14 year old). It was such a luxury to have a small kitchen to cook light meals and snacks. I plan on recommending this property to our friends and family and perhaps someday we too will return! Thanks for the wonderful memories.

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

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Fabulous Stay

Guest CKim
Date of stay 04/29/10
Review Submitted 05/14/10

My fiancee and I very much enjoyed our stay at Ojizoya. The condo is beautifully decorated and includes every amenity we needed for the four days we stayed there. The kitchen came in handy for those mornings and nights we decided to say in and cook. I would highly recommend the apartment/condo for anyone who wants to visit Kyoto and have an authentic experience. The condo is located within a few minutes to one of Kyoto's famous pottery streets and a pleasant walk away from all the famous shopping marketings and temples. A great find. Thank Avi for such a wonderful house!

Recommended for: Sightseeing

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Our home away from home

Guest HawaiianStyle
Date of stay 04/21/10
Review Submitted 06/13/10

Kyoto and the surrounding areas offer so much to the traveler. Ojizoya was the perfect home away from home. We stayed a week and took day trips around Kyoto and as far away as Kurashiki... it's easy if you have the JR railpass. We wanted the "native" experience and Ojizoya was the perfect house.. it was lovely to return to our own place to relax after a long day of sightseeing. Avi was a wonderful host and gave us so much information/advice/recommendations. Ojizoya is in a quiet neighborhood convenient to bus stops, shops, little restaurants.

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

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Authentic Kyoto

Guest Ginasan
Date of stay 04/05/10
Review Submitted 06/28/10

We stayed at Ojizoya with our three children. It was clean and in a great location. Not touristy. Perfect for a very authentic Japanese experience. The kids loved sleeping on Tatami mats and we loved feeling like we had a taste of real Japanese lifestyle. We could walk to the subway, to the river, to restaurants and had easy access to sights. We could walk to two playgrounds which was another bonus. Avi and Wendy, the owners, are incredibly knowledgeable and helpful in every way. Excellent experience. Highly recommend for those wanting a genuinely Japanese experience at a great price.

Recommended for: Adventure seekers, families with teenagers, families with young children, sightseeing.

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Guest Alyssa14
Date of stay 03/16/10
Review Submitted 03/16/10

Staying at Ojizoya really added to the traditional Japanese experience that we wanted whilst in Kyoto. Walking through a quiet alleyway of traditional Japanese homes, it was great to be in the middle of a neighbourhood far from everyday tourists. The area was quiet and safe, yet very close to the bustling city, and also amongst the working district of the maiko and geisha. Avi, the homeowner/tour guide, was extremely helpful with our group of 6, and waited to pick us up at Kyoto station even though we were running an hour late. Along the way, he showed us some places to go, had maps set out and also dropped us off in the city center to begin our exploration! The 2 bedroom home was cozy and well equipped with internet access, not at all uncomfortable and just perfect for our group. It was a very exciting experience at a traditional Japanese home, and we cannot wait to return!

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Guest Liz McNamara
Date of stay 03/07/10
Review Submitted 03/07/10

Our family of 5 had a wonderful stay at Ojizoya. We found it very clean ,comfortable and convenient and suited all our needs.It is so close to many of Kyotos major tourist attractions and restaurants.It is a beautiful traditional home and Avi provided wondeful help as well .Highly recommended to all.

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Vacation Rentals by Owner

Ojizoya-Great Machiya for Your Kyoto Stay [#270199] | View Property

Traveler Reviews (18)

Experience traditional Japanese house in the heart of Kyoto

Experience traditional Japanese house in the heart of Kyoto

Authentic Japanese experience

Authentic Japanese experience

Beautiful house, poor customer service

Beautiful house, poor customer service

Live Like a Local

Live Like a Local

Charming and well located machiya

Charming and well located machiya

Great home-stay in Kyoto

Great home-stay in Kyoto

Ojizoya stay

Ojizoya stay

Authentic Local Experience

Authentic Local Experience

Sweet little house, excellent location

Sweet little house, excellent location

Perfect for our Week in Kyoto

Perfect for our Week in Kyoto

Great Place to Stay

Great Place to Stay

A wonderful week in Kyoto

A wonderful week in Kyoto

Charming Japanese Home Away from Home

Charming Japanese Home Away from Home

Fabulous Stay

Fabulous Stay

Our home away from home

Our home away from home

Authentic Kyoto

Authentic Kyoto