Location: Kyoto, Japan, Asia (Within walking distance of most major sites and downtown.) View Map
Accommodations: House, 2 Bedrooms + No additional sleeping rooms avail, 1 Bath (Sleeps 4)
Keywords: Vacation Rental House, Guest House, Traditional Japanese House, Machiya, B and B, Bed and Breakfast, Hotel, Inn
Koto Inn is a classically beautiful Machiya town-house in the perfect location for anyone visiting the Ancient Capital, Kyoto. A recently and lovingly restored traditional Machiya house, Koto Inn is located on a quiet narrow cobblestone lane just 20 meters from the Sakura tree lined Shirakawa canal in the historic Higashiyama area. Strolling up the canal will bring you to the Museum district and Heian Shrine in just three minutes.
A quiet and lovely ten minute walk down the canal finds you in Gion, the historic entertainment quarter where Geisha and Maiko pass in the evenings. The hiking trails of the eastern mountains begin and end just minutes from Koto Inn's door and a full array of fine dining and drinking establishments are within easy walking distance. The Higashiyama subway station is just four minutes away and conveniently connects you to further sights as well as Kyoto train station and Kansai Airport.
Many of Kyoto's most famous temples, shrines and historic sites are also nearby. A wide variety of shopping and dining venues are also located conveniently near Koto Inn. For those interested in learning more about Japanese food, there are a few half day courses in Japanese cooking in Kyoto and Koto Inn's kitchen is fully equipped with what you need to practice what you've learned.
The restoration of Koto Inn was completed in February of 2010. The house retains its original traditional beauty while being fitted with modern western amenities in the kitchen, toilet and bath. Guests sleep on double thickness futons and all linens and towels are provided .Koto Inn is furnished with period antiques and textiles and a lovely Japanese garden in the back of the house. The combination of its beauty and location make it the ideal site for your stay in Kyoto.
Start and finish your days of sightseeing within the quiet charm of this classic period Japanese home. A stay at Koto Inn will add greatly to your appreciation of this amazing city.
We look forward to greeting you at Koto Inn.
Vacation Rental Features
- Amenities
- Air Conditioning
- Linens Provided
- Washer
- Dryer
- Beds
- Convertible Bed (4) : All bedding is Japanese futons. Guests are provided with double thickness futons and all linens.
- Crib : Baby cot is available.
- Entertainment
- DVD
- CD Player
- Music Library
- Kitchen
- Full Kitchen : There is a fully equipped modern kitchen with a full set of cooking pots, pans and beautiful Japanese dishes, tea cups and glasses. If taking a cooking course in the area, everything you need for cooking is found in Koto Inn.
- Cooking Utensils Provided
- Refrigerator
- Microwave
- Communications
- Computer
- Broadband Internet
- WiFi (Wireless Internet)
- Suitability
- No Pets Allowed
- Kid Friendly
- Smoking Not Allowed
- Activities
- Zoo/Wildlife Park
- Restaurants
- Shopping
- Biking
- Antiquing
- Live Theatre
- Sightseeing
- Hiking
- Cinemas/Movie Theaters
- Museums
- Other Activities
- For Guests interested in learning more about Japanese food, there are a few half day courses teaching the basics or even more advanced skills in Japanese cooking nearby. Koto Inn has a fully equipped modern kitchen with everything you need to practice "at home" what you learned in a cooking class.
Rate Details (In Japanese Yen)
¥15,000/night (per couple) An additional ¥3000 per night for a third person. An additional ¥2000 per night for a fourth person. Discount rates will apply for stays of more than one week.
Note: Until confirmed, rates are subject to change without notice.
Map & Owner's Profile
Beautifully Restored Traditional Kyoto Machiya House-Koto Inn.
Year Purchased: 2010
Why the Owner Chose Kyoto
After more than 20 years living in a number of different parts of Kyoto, Yoshiko and I have found the Higashiyama area to be our home. It is a truly classic old style Japanese neighborhood of old wooden houses, family run restaurants and shops, temples, shrines and historic sites. It retains its traditional flavor and is blessed with proximity to the green hills and peaceful waterways which grace the eastern sector of Kyoto. Women in Kimono and monks from nearby temples chanting for alms are still common sights in the narrow lanes of Higashiyama. We have tried to make Koto Inn a part of this serene and traditional area and hope to share its unique beauty with our guests.
The Unique Benefits at this House
Koto Inn is ideal for visitors looking for a very quiet, beautifully decorated traditional Japanese Machiya house which is situated within walking distance of most major sights and activities in Kyoto. Staying at Koto Inn provides guests with the opportunity to live in a very traditional house and neighborhood while still having modern comforts and conveniences.
Owner's Map of Kyoto
David is an over 20 year resident of Kyoto. He has worked on Cruise Ships, in Ski Resorts and for the Hyatt Regency and is now a professor of English at a Japanese University. Yoshiko has lived her entire life in Kyoto. She formerly worked in the Kimono industry and is an avid gardener.
Property Photos
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- View Along the Shirakawa Canal Near Koto Inn - Kyoto, Japan Vacation Home Near Sightseeing and Attractions
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- Front of Koto Inn with Entrance. - Kyoto, Japan Vacation Home Near Sightseeing and Attractions
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- View into the entry room. - Kyoto, Japan Vacation Home Near Sightseeing and Attractions
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- Central Room, Koto Inn.
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- In the Main Bedroom, Koto Inn.
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- View from Main Bedroom Towards Second Bedroom.
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- Modern shower and Japanese bath.
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- Modern western style toilet.
Traveler Reviews (8)
Wonderful Kyoto Experience!
Guest: Sue
(Tokyo)
Date of Stay: 11/18/11
Review Submitted: 12/30/11
A wonderfully restored machiya in a great, quiet location, within walking distance to some great Kyoto attractions. A very authentic experience for those wanting something different from a characterless (and typically much more expensive) name brand hotel. Impeccably clean. Easy directions provided by the hosts from Kyoto station. We will definitely book again on our next visit to Kyoto and have recommended to friends. Thanks!
Recommended for:Romantic getaway, tourists without a car, sightseeing, adventure seekers, age 55+.
An excellent choice
Guest: Matt
(Tacoma, WA)
Date of Stay: 07/05/11
Review Submitted: 10/10/11
I've stayed at Koto Inn twice and will absolutely stay there again on my next trip to Kyoto. I lived in Japan for eight years in the 1980s and can say that the Koto Inn is an exquisite reflection of the best in traditional Japanese aesthetics. The craftsmanship and quality in the construction are apparent, the interior furnishings are tasteful and beautiful, the place is perfectly clean, and the owners thoughtfully added a modern, high-tech toilet and shower. Staying there is a most comfortable way to enjoy a taste of authentic traditional Japan. Highly recommended.
Recommended for:Romantic getaway, tourists without a car, sightseeing, adventure seekers, girls getaway, families with teenagers.
A lovely place to stay in Kyoto, a little difficult with small children
Guest: boethe
(Portland, Oregon)
Date of Stay: 07/18/11
Review Submitted: 09/22/11
The Koto Inn is a charming little house in a great location in Kyoto. It's near public transportation, good restaurants and lots of tourist sights but in a residential neighborhood so away from crowds of tourists. The owners have obviously put a lot of effort into restoring it and decorating it beautifully. David and Yoshiko were also very helpful with any questions or needs we had. The washer/ dryer is a great bonus to travelers and the kitchen, while tiny, is well-stocked for cooking simple meals. The only downside for our family was that the house is very, very small and we were staying there with two small children (ages 1 and 4). Because the house is old and traditional there are lots of paper walls and fragile glass doors for little energetic children to destroy. Thankfully they did not but that was only because of our vigilance. We weren't really able to relax much in the house because we were worried about our children breaking something. Overall we would highly recommend the Koto Inn for couples or families with older children, but I think families with little children would be better able to relax in a larger property with less opportunities for damage.
Recommended for:Romantic getaway, tourists without a car, sightseeing, age 55+.
beautiful japanese style house in higashiyama area
Guest: funkychicken083
(germany)
Date of Stay: 07/22/11
Review Submitted: 07/28/11
this house is an excellent accomodation for people who want to spent some time with a real japanese feeling, sleeping on futon beds on the ground. it is located very close to the subway station and the gion area. the house is clean and very nicely renovated. david and yoshiko are polite and really take care of their guests. they prepared little books with instructions for the house and the electrical stuff like washing machine and toaster and aircondition. they also provided us with information about where to go and what to visit so we felt defenitly welcome here. taken together we highly recommend to book this house- it was a great experience for us.
Recommended for:Sightseeing, girls getaway.
Wonderful introduction to Japan
Guest: Wendy
(Calgary, Canada)
Date of Stay: 06/26/11
Review Submitted: 07/17/11
David provided directions to the shuttle bus driver and met us the evening we arrived, after a long flight the additional attention was greatly appreciated. Kyoto was the start of our trip to Japan, and after completing the entire trip, it was the right decision to begin in Kyoto. It is a beautiful city and the surrounding area is wonderful, we had a full week in Kyoto and we didn't run out of places to see. Thank you David and Yoshiko for a wonderful time in Kyoto. Our stay at Koto Inn was a highlight of our three week trip to Japan. The accomodations included all of the information needed to enjoy the area, in addition Yoshiko and David were available for any questions and checked in to ensure we didn't have additional questions. The book with restaurants, map of area and English instruction guide to the appliances were appreciated. While the house is beautifully restored, the appliances are modern and easy to use. The street is quiet but a quick walk from the subway station. It was also a short walk to Gion and additional sightseeing areas. Would highly recommend this property, and would most definitely stay here again.
Recommended for:Romantic getaway, tourists without a car, age 55+, families with teenagers.
Kristien
Guest: Rini
(Melbourne)
Date of Stay: 11/20/10
Review Submitted: 11/24/10
Great location a few minutes walk from the subway and close to a conveniance store, food market, many resturaunts and a short walk to the beautiful Gion district. We enjoyed the traditional setup of the apartment, loved the novelty of sleeping and eating on tatami mats as well as the modern appliances that ensured we were very comfortable. The apartment was very clean, and the owners helpful with any questions. We would certainly recommend this property to others.
Recommended for:Tourists without a car, sightseeing, girls getaway.
An affordable way to comfortably experience traditional Japanese living
Guest: Anthony and Nicole
(Honolulu)
Date of Stay: 05/25/10
Review Submitted: 08/24/10
Koto Inn is a pearl. Having lived in Japan for over a decade, rarely have I seen a house so lovingly restored and so tastefully decorated. The architects and carpenters who worked on it must be hassling the owners to let them use it as a show house to attract more business. The typical contrasts of Japan can be found here -modern amenities like a state-of-the-art bath, sparkling new kitchen, and wifi, blend in seamlessly with the antiques, cobbled lane and small view garden. Dave and Yoshiko are consummate hosts, providing a clean, quiet and aesthetically pleasing atmosphere and a ready smile. Good luck with making a booking as this will prove to be a very popular place for those lucky enough to come across it!
Recommended for:Romantic getaway, sightseeing, adventure seekers, age 55+, families with young children.
Higashiyama Treasure
Guest: Diane and James
(Minnesota, USA)
Date of Stay: 07/13/10
Review Submitted: 08/11/10
Our time at the Koto Inn was one of the highlights of our two weeks in Japan. Yoshiko and David were gracious hosts, and made sure we had all the information we needed to enjoy the area. They have prepared a book with restaurants and a map of the area, which allowed us to enjoy a few of the smaller local gems that we may have missed otherwise. They've also prepared a book of instructions for the household appliances, which was helpful since we don't read or speak Japanese (and the appliances are all very modern!). The house is absolutely beautiful and tastefully decorated. It was a treat to return to such a peaceful space after a long day of sightseeing. The street is quiet but only a few minutes from the subway station. It was also a short walk to the Heian temple and several museums, as well as Gion. Would highly recommend this property, and would most definitely stay here again.
Recommended for:Romantic getaway, tourists without a car, sightseeing, age 55+, families with teenagers.
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Vacation Rentals by Owner Listing #303539
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