The Gion House (Lower Level) in Prime Gion Location
- Minimum stay:N/A
- Internet:Yes
- Pets allowed:No
- Wheel chair accessible:No
*Please also have a look at our listing for The Gion House Upper Level, listing 105505.
The Gion House is an old wooden, traditional-style 'machiya,' located on an atmospheric side street in the awe-inspiring geisha quarters of Gion, in the heart of old Kyoto. It was fully restored by renowned Kyoto-based architect Geoffrey Moussas. It has been shown in three national architecture/interior-related magazines, and has been shown on several TV programs, including one on NHK (Japan's national TV station.)
The Gion House Lower Level is the entire ground floor, which has it's own entrance, and is completely independent from the Gion House Upper Level. The Lower Level was extensively renovated in March 2010, to make it suitable for vacation rental.
This unit has a large, traditional 'genkan' with stone step, which is typical of Japanese machiya. After removing your shoes, you step up, into a warm and cozy environment, with many architectural features that are particular to a traditional Japanese house. Whenever possible, natural materials are used...wood, paper, tatami, glass, and stainless steel. Upon closer observation, one can see that modern elements have been integrated with the old ones...there is radiant heating under the floors, to keep the place warmer in the Winter than your typical heating system. There is a fully equipped kitchen with high quality utensils and ceramic dishware made in Kyoto.
There are two bedrooms. One is Japanese style, a double futon on the tatami mat floors and ceilings of washi (traditional Japanese paper.) The other is bedroom has wood flooring, with a very solid and comfortable double bed. Both bedrooms have ample closet space.
The living area is adjacent to its own small garden. There is a sofa, and there is also a dining table placed over a traditional Japanese 'horikatsu,' an open space in the floor, which allows for comfortable seating.
Throughout are antique lighting fixtures and sliding doors, in addition to antique tansu chests and intricately handcrafted woodwork, which is also antique.
According to neighborhood sources, before it was converted into a residence, the Gion House was an 'ochaya,' or a traditional establishment where the patrons of Gion have been entertained by geiko and geisha in a very exclusive setting. The house is over 100 years old.
The location is superb in terms of being central and being steeped in atmosphere. This property is actually located within the very heart of what is considered to be 'Gion.' The location is completely quiet, since it is tucked on a side street with almost no through car traffic. There are numerous temples, restaurants, and shops located nearby, with walking access to major tourist sights such as Kiyomizu Temple, Chion-in, and Maruyama Park. The downtown shopping district and Kamo River are also just a ten minute walk away. Nearby is easy access to public transportation and taxis.
The Gion House is just five minutes' walk from Hanamikoji Street, one of the most traditional and preserved sections of Kyoto, where you can find old 'machiya' style wooden houses in abundance. You can also find geishas scurrying down the alleyways on their way to work in the evenings.
Our property borders the expansive grounds of the Kenninji Temple, Kyoto's oldest Zen temple.
You’ll enjoy the luxury and ambiance of the Gion House, and the location can’t be beat for a memorable Kyoto experience in the very special part of town called Gion.
Keywords: Japanese House
Property Type
- Apartment
Accommodation Type
- Vacation Rental
Meals
- Guests Provide Their Own Meals
Suitability
- Non Smoking Only
- Children Welcome
Bedrooms
- 2 Bedrooms, Sleeps 4, Beds for 2-4
- Bedroom 1
- Bedroom 2
- Convertible bed(s)
Bathrooms
- 1.0 Bathrooms
- Bathroom 1
Kitchen & Dining
- Refrigerator
- Kitchen
- Microwave
Amenities
- Air Conditioning
- Linens Provided
- Clothes Dryer
- Washing Machine
Entertainment
- Satellite / Cable
Communications
- Telephone
- Wireless Internet
Reviews
Write a review-
Fantastic place. Great area.
Fantastic place. Great area.
- Guest Soren K.
- Date of stay 04/15/13
- Review Submitted 05/19/13
Our family stayed at the Gion House for 10 days and enjoyed it immensely. Spacious, quiet and a great mix of Japanese design and western style beds and coach. Kitchen functional. Bathroom and bath great and very relaxing. Nice stone garden in the courtyard. Rice paper walls and divider sliders. Felt comfortable and relaxing. Location could not be any better. Right in the middle of the Gion area ... with a steady stream of geishas and monks cruising by. Many fine ladies all dressed up in traditional kimono and gentlemen wearing impeccably tailored suits. Our host Curtis was friendly, accommodating and had many good suggestions for things to see and do. Plenty of restaurants within a few minutes walk and not far to market. Modern Kyotos main drag is just 10 minutes by foot. Highly recommended. We'll be coming back here again.Recommended for: Romantic getaway, sightseeing, age 55+, tourists without a car, adventure seekers, girls getaway.
Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 0/0
-
superb!
superb!
- Guest adrian
- Date of stay 04/01/13
- Review Submitted 04/17/13
we stayed for 3 nights - and wish it could have been longer. the apartment itself was brilliant - comfy beds, fantastic bathroom and the best-equipped place i've ever rented (stocked full of condiments, stationery, spare everything you could ever need). and heated floors!! the location is ideal - in the old part of kyoto, and a very short walk to the geisha district. you can also walk west to kiyomizudera - through old streets, which is an unforgettable experience. also a short walk to shops - including a couple of supermarkets where you can pick up some supplies if needed. buses are also nearby, which will take you to most sights, and the train station is about 5-10 min away. i would easily recommend this place to future visitors of kyoto!Recommended for: Families with young children, families with teenagers, romantic getaway, sightseeing, age 55+, tourists without a car, girls getaway.
Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 0/0
-
California Kyoto fan
California Kyoto fan
- Guest Red Roamer
- Date of stay 03/31/13
- Review Submitted 04/16/13
We found the accommodation to be everything promised and then some. The location is ideal, tucked into a quiet Gion corner but positioned within ready reach of transportation and the get-around favorite for Kyoto, shank's mare. It's a walking city, and the Gion House sets you up for strolling. Whether you're headed for the mountain delights of Kibune or the donut shop 5 minutes' walk away, Gion House is situated to draw you out into the surrounds. The house itself delivers the promised charm, with the added dividend of practicality: if you want to cook in sometimes, there are stove and fridge and microwave/toaster/warmer oven. Every need we had was met by the Another World staff. Gion House persuaded us into the slow pace of discovery and awareness. I recommend it most highly (but please don't book it when we want to return!).Recommended for: Families with young children, romantic getaway, sightseeing, age 55+, tourists without a car, adventure seekers, girls getaway.
Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 0/0
-
5 wonderful days at The Gion House
5 wonderful days at The Gion House
- Guest Bob
- Date of stay 03/26/13
- Review Submitted 04/05/13
We stayed for 5 nights in the upper level of the Gion House and had a wonderful time there. It surpassed our expectations, and Curtis and his local contact Junko were great people to work with. After experiencing a ryokan in Kanazawa, it was wonderful to have the western bedroom as well as the tatami bedroom at the Gion House, so the two of us were able to have the best of both worlds. The kitchen and appliances are all up to date, and it was great to have a washer/dryer after spending a week in other lodgings. We loved the cascading shower in the bathroom, as well as the deep tub for soaking. After walking around Kyoto for a substantial time, the shower and bath were much appreciated! The information on local places including restaurants and stores was very helpful, and Curtis recommended their favorite restaurant - Mamecha -- which we went to on our first night and enjoyed it so much we went a second time. It's open until 11:30 PM, so that makes it convenient when a lot of the other restaurants have closed. We also enjoyed JoJo which is around the corner, and run by a wonderful young couple that have owned the restaurant for 3 years. Since it's small, you need to make a reservation, and we sat at the counter so we could chat with the chef and see everything he was doing. We had a very pleasant time in Kyoto at the Gion House, and would return there as often as we could. Curtis and Junko are excellent hosts, and I hope that others will have the opportunity to enjoy this house when they're in Kyoto.Recommended for: Romantic getaway, sightseeing, age 55+, tourists without a car, adventure seekers, girls getaway.
Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 0/0
-
mike
mike
- Guest Mike
- Date of stay 03/17/13
- Review Submitted 04/03/13
I had a short stay of 2 nights but really enjoyed the chance to stretch out in the comfort of this traditional style house. Great facilities and small problems were quickly dealt with by local support. My daughter and I both appreciated the space and small western touches like english television stations when the weather was bad. Look forward to staying there again.Recommended for: Families with young children, families with teenagers, romantic getaway, sightseeing, age 55+, tourists without a car.
Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 0/0
-
Nice Townhouse in Perfect Location
Nice Townhouse in Perfect Location
- Guest Angel
- Date of stay 12/16/12
- Review Submitted 01/31/13
Me and my husband stayed here for the last 2 weeks in December. The townhouse is very comfortable. We loved the soaking tub (one of the reasons I chose this townhouse). The location is perfect. We loved walking around this old part of Kyoto. The townhouse is also a 5 minute walk from super modern Kyoto on Shijo. I hope to stay here again in the future.Recommended for: Families with teenagers, romantic getaway, sightseeing, age 55+, tourists without a car, girls getaway.
Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 2/2
-
Will recommend to everyone we know
Will recommend to everyone we know
- Guest Nikki
- Date of stay 01/16/13
- Review Submitted 01/22/13
A wonderful stay. Warm and welcoming charming home away from home. Curtis dropped in day 1 to say hi which gave us the opportunity to thank him for the beautiful fresh flowers he had left for our arrival! Best location in Kyoto, groceries nearby, restaurants and temples all within walking distance, beautiful shopping streets literally across the road, taxis easy to flag down the street, bus stop nearby- (it's easy to learn the system with the comprehensive folder in the residence). Five days was not enough time to enjoy this magical place. We were travelling with young children, so the Machiya made life so much easier (with kitchen and laundry facilities and extra space compared to hotel rooms). The children were very comfortable day and night. We all especially enjoyed the gorgeous bathroom. None of us wanted to leave. I have already recommended this fabulous discovery to two separate sets of friends and I have only been home for 2 days! Thank you Curtis- we had an amazing time.Recommended for: Families with young children, families with teenagers, romantic getaway, sightseeing, age 55+, tourists without a car, adventure seekers.
Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 2/2
-
I wish I could live here permanently
I wish I could live here permanently
- Guest Sara
- Date of stay 11/17/12
- Review Submitted 11/28/12
We stayed here for 4 nights in November. This was the perfect escape for busy life in Kyoto. The house is on a quiet street with very little traffic. And even though it is close to the street, we felt very secluded. The arrangements were easy arrange, and everything was ready for our arrival. The space, while small, worked perfectly for 4 people because of the efficient use of space. And the kitchen (which we used almost every meal) was ideal for cooking. The market was only a 5 minute walk away. Thanks so much for a great vacation.Recommended for: Romantic getaway, age 55+, tourists without a car.
Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 1/1
-
Experienced and discerning world traveler
Experienced and discerning world traveler
- Guest Mingei
- Date of stay 10/28/12
- Review Submitted 11/21/12
I am a collector of Japanese tea ceremony objects and have a love of Mingei, the Japanese aesthetic now celebrated throughout the world. I had a feeling the house would be a well-crafted and refined dwelling and was not disappointed in any respect. The entire experience of the week I stayed there was a delight and I wholeheartedly recommend it.Recommended for: Romantic getaway, age 55+, adventure seekers.
Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 0/0
-
go for it, it's worth it
go for it, it's worth it
- Guest sr porri
- Date of stay 09/11/12
- Review Submitted 09/23/12
i can only repeat what these reviews have stated. good communication with regards to availability and renting. the house is charming. everything works perfectly. the best area in kyoto. i can thoroughly recommend it.Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 0/0
Rates
¥23,000/nt. low season (January, February, July, August) ¥26,000/nt. high season (other months) Rate is for two persons. 3rd/4th persons can stay for additional ¥2,000/nt./person **Minimum stay 5 nights Payment by Visa, Master Card, Amex, Paypal, or International Wire Transfer.
Note: Until confirmed, rates are subject to change without notice.
This owner accepts: Credit cards.
Call the owner directly to confirm reservation details and pay with an approved method (credit card, check, or bank transfer), to protect your payment up to $1,000.
Location
Owner info
Year Purchased: 2006
About the owner: The owner, Curtis Hawes, divides his time between Kyoto and San Francisco. He has a deep affinity for both places. Bridging the rest of the world with Kyoto is one of his missions in life, and the Gion House is one small way to offer visitors a peaceful respite in a very Japanese setting, right in the middle of the city, in Gion.
Why the Owner Chose Kyoto:
I bought this house because of it's location, inside one of the neighborhoods that still retains more than a a bit of the flavor of 'old Kyoto.'
The Unique Benefits at this Apartment:
Some things that are unique about this property:
-The touch of the architect, who re-worked this old, traditional-style house, to make it perfectly modern and luxurious, without sacrificing the original charm of the house.
-The sounds that emanate from the neighboring Kenninji Temple grounds next door early in the morning....gongs and bells.
-The tranquility of the neighborhood, which is a rare luxury in the center of Kyoto.
Contact us
- Secondary: +81 90 8448-4404 (Kyoto, Japan)
Links to more information:
- CLICK HERE - http://www.thegionhouse.com
- Click Here to see All My Rental Listings
Photos
-
Exterior View (entrance to the lower level is the one on the left)
-
Tatami mat bedroom, with double futon.
-
Tatami living room with horikatsu and table, adjacent to garden.
-
Kitchen.
-
Luxurious spa-like bath and shower area with view to garden.
-
High-tech toilet, with view to garden.
-
Nearby Hanamikoji Street. Just 3 minutes' walk away. A very special place.
-
Genkan, as seen from the front door
-
Second bedroom, with double bed.
-
Living area with sofa.
-
Entrance to bath/shower area (sink on right, laundry room on left.)
-
Shower, with oversized showerhead from ceiling.
-
The gardens of Kenninji, just next door! The oldest Zen temple in Kyoto.
-
The Kamo River overlooking downtown, as seen from the Gion side. 8 minutes walk.
There have been visitors to this page since
the counter was last reset in .
This listing was first published here in 2010.
Date last modified - Thursday, May 23, 2013
+81 90 8448-4404 (Kyoto, Japan)