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Gion Kyuraku – Timeless Machiya Elegance in Kiyomizu ＆ Gion District in Kyoto!

Photo gallery for Gion Kyuraku – Timeless Machiya Elegance in Kiyomizu ＆ Gion District in Kyoto!

A traditional Japanese building with a wooden entrance, a tiled roof, and a stone lantern.
A view through a window with a wooden fence and a small lantern outside.
Living area
A traditional Japanese room with tatami flooring, a low wooden bed, a desk with a chair, and a sliding shoji screen window.
A traditional Japanese room with tatami flooring, a low wooden table, a vase with flowers, and a sliding door with vertical slats.

Reviews

10 out of 10, Loved by Guests
Top 10% of guest reviews in this area

Highlights

  • Family fun awaits
    Top-rated for families.
  • Private garden
    A rare find — relax in the peaceful, private garden space.
  • Discover nearby landmarks
    Walk to Kawaramachi Street

Popular amenities

  • Balcony
  • Air conditioning
  • Refrigerator
  • Internet
  • Dryer
  • Bathtub

Explore the area

View in a map
Kyoto, Kyoto
  • Place, Gion Corner
    ‪7 min walk‬
  • Place, Kawaramachi Street
    ‪8 min walk‬
  • Place, Kiyomizu Temple
    ‪10 min walk‬
  • Airport, Osaka (ITM-Itami)
    ‪53 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

3 bedrooms (sleeps 6)

Downstairs 3rd Bedroom

2 Twin Futons

Upstairs 2nd Bedroom

1 Double Futon

Upstairs Main Bedroom

3 Double Futons

1 bathroom, 2 half bathrooms

Bathroom 1

Soap · Bathtub or shower · Bathtub · Shampoo

Toilet 1 (downstairs)

Toilet

Toilet 2 (downstairs)

Toilet

Spaces

Kitchen
Balcony
Garden
Dining area

Add dates for prices

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Interior
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Higashiyama Ward
  • Kitchen
  • Washer
  • Free WiFi
  • Air conditioning
10.0 out of 10, Exceptional, (12 reviews)
Seiryu-an facility, located by Shirakawa river, in the heart of tourisic places.

About the neighborhood

Kyoto

Gion, a neighborhood in Kyoto, is home to this vacation home. Yasaka Shrine and Nishiki Market are notable landmarks, and the area's natural beauty can be seen at Lake Biwa and Arashiyama Bamboo Grove. Kyoto Municipal Zoo and Kyoto Gyoen National Garden are also worth visiting. Take an opportunity to explore the area for outdoor excitement like cycling.
View more Vacation Homes in KyotoOpens in a new window
Map
Kyoto, Kyoto

What's nearby

  • Kenninji Temple - 1 min walk - 0.2 km
  • Gion Corner - 7 min walk - 0.7 km
  • Kawaramachi Street - 8 min walk - 0.8 km
  • Yasaka Shrine - 9 min walk - 0.8 km
  • Kiyomizu Temple - 10 min walk - 0.9 km

Getting around

  • Kiyomizu-gojo Station - 10 min walk
  • Sanjo Keihan Station - 18 min walk
  • Itami Airport (ITM) - 65 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪油そば ねこまた - ‬3 min walk
  • ‪KIMONO TEA CEREMONY MAIKOYA - ‬1 min walk
  • ‪Seivi - ‬4 min walk
  • ‪サガン - ‬1 min walk
  • ‪Japanese Ramen YUKOU - ‬4 min walk

Frequently asked questions

Is Gion Kyuraku – Timeless Machiya Elegance in Kiyomizu ＆ Gion District in Kyoto! pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

How much does it cost to stay at Gion Kyuraku – Timeless Machiya Elegance in Kiyomizu ＆ Gion District in Kyoto!?

As of Nov 10, 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at Gion Kyuraku – Timeless Machiya Elegance in Kiyomizu ＆ Gion District in Kyoto! on Jan 4, 2027 start from $315, including taxes and fees. This price is based on the lowest nightly price found in the last 24 hours for stays in the next 30 days. Prices are subject to change. Choose your dates for more accurate prices.

What time is check-in at Gion Kyuraku – Timeless Machiya Elegance in Kiyomizu ＆ Gion District in Kyoto!?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Gion Kyuraku – Timeless Machiya Elegance in Kiyomizu ＆ Gion District in Kyoto!?

Check-out is at 10:00 AM.

Where is Gion Kyuraku – Timeless Machiya Elegance in Kiyomizu ＆ Gion District in Kyoto! located?

Located in Gion, this vacation home is within a 10-minute walk of Kenninji Temple, Kiyomizu Temple, and Gion Corner. Yasaka Shrine and Shijo Street are also within 15 minutes. Sanjo Keihan Station is 18 minutes by foot and Gojo Station is 19 minutes.

Reviews

10

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labeled.
Learn moreOpens in a new window
Rating 10 - Excellent. 43 out of 44 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 1 out of 44 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 44 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 44 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 44 reviews

10/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

10/10

Location

10/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Our family has stayed at Gion Kyuraku on three different occasions. The location, accommodations and Rieko’s excellent host support are the reasons we keep coming back. We can’t recommend this home enough. It will make your time in Kyoto unforgettable.
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Every possible point of excellence was shared by our wonderful host, Reiko in her communication, help and sharing her beautiful home with us. The location was outstanding and our family of five adults tucked into such a comfy, peaceful life for our time in Kyoto. We would love to stay again and so thank Reiko for an amazing opportunity.
Stayed 5 nights in Feb 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Perfect 4 days in Kyoto

Great location, really enjoyed our stay in Gion
Stayed 4 nights in Dec 2024
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Awesome Experience

Fabulous stay in a lovingly restored machiya. Perfectly located.
Stayed 5 nights in Mar 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Very nice rental

Owners were very helpful. Check in was easy. Good overall location.
Stayed 5 nights in Nov 2023
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Fantastic week in Gion

Our family of four had a wonderful stay at this perfect Machiya. Everything was as advertised, even better than we expected. Reiko was a great host. We highly recommend Gion Kyuraku for your stay in Kyoto.
Stayed 5 nights in Jun 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great Stay

The matchya is both conveniently located and incredibly charming. The communication with the host was excellent and all our needs tended to timely and with genuine concern. We highly recommend this home.
Stayed 5 nights in May 2024
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Excellent machiya experience

Lovely restored machiya with modern amenities in an excellent location and a very helpful host.
Stayed 7 nights in May 2019
Response from VrboOwner on Mar 29, 2020
Thank you for the perfect 5 Star review of Gion Kyuraku. Kyuraku does balance the modern conveniences with the traditions of a Kyo-machiya. We always want our guest to have a great experience in Kyoto.
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Gion Neighborhood

Check in process was quick and easy. Home was beautiful, traditional, and peaceful. Also well equipped for everything we needed during our stay. Lovely garden for looking out at the snow. Perfect location for visiting the sites.
Stayed 3 nights in Feb 2022
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Excellent Machiya, great location

Rieko is a very good host with a warm welcome. Everything was as advertised. The property is well maintained and was a great fit for our family of four. The location made us feel part of the neighborhood and we were able to walk to the local points of interest in Gion and Kiyomizu.
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2025
Archival

10/10 Excellent

Loved this home in Kyoto

Wonderful home - great hosts and an authentic experience in lovely Kyoto. If you're tall, duck your head but otherwise be prepared for a terrific stay. Cozy bedding, access to everything, hosts who are available and helpful with just about any question - just charming all the way around.
Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2017
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Nestled near temples and tea houses

Ample yet intimate space offers historiic detail, modern convenience, gracious host and easy strolls--so lovely in the quiet of early morning or moonlit evening--through Higashiyama, Gion and along the riverbank of . Our family of parents and 2 adult/grad student in 20's children appreciated every moment.
Stayed 5 nights in Sep 2019
Response from VrboOwner on Mar 29, 2020
Thank you for your perfect review of Gion Kyuraku. The location and neighbourhood is second to none in Kyoto city. Gion Kyuraku is located in the historic district of Gion.
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Perfect

Perfect location and place for our family of five. Market was within steps and 7-11 and bus stop really close. Will come back when back in the area. Even got my Japanese Knife around the corner. Thank you Reiko for the wonderful stay.
Stayed 5 nights in Jan 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Exquisite Machiya - Gion Kyuraku

We recently returned from an exquisite 3 weeks in Gion Kyuraku. Our entire experience from booking to checking out was seamless. Our hosts were responsive and delightful. The Machiya was lovely; authentically appointed including features to ensure a safe stay. It even had a 2nd floor balcony to enjoy sunsets. The location to a market, restaurants, shopping, temples can’t be beat and we can’t wait to return!
Stayed 20 nights in Oct 2023
Archival

10/10 Excellent

Beautiful Machiya!

We have stayed at Gion Kyuraku on two different occasions. It never disappoints. The location, very near Kiyomizudera, provides easy access to major sites in Kyoto. The set up of the machiya is comforable and provides great Japanese charm. And Thomas and Rieko are amazing hosts. We will stay here again.
Stayed 7 nights in Nov 2017
Response from VrboOwner on Mar 29, 2020
Thank you for choosing Gion Kyuraku again for your Kyoto stay. We know that from the countless repeat customers like yourself that Gion Kyuraku is unique in its own way and offers that special feeling of Kyoto. Hope to see you on your third visit.
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Lovely machiya for a comfortable, traditional stay.

We went as a group of six. Two parents and four twenty somethings. They took over the futons upstairs and we were downstairs. It was a fabulous trip for all of us to visit Kyoto and stay in such a traditional setting. It added a lot to our trip to not be in a hotel. Very nice neighborhood to see the sights and walk around.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2019
Response from VrboOwner on Mar 29, 2020
Thank you for the perfect 5-out-of-5 review of Gion Kyuraku. We are glad that Kyuraku added so much to your Kyoto stay. Hope to see you again sometime in the future.
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Wonderful Gion

From the planning stages to the final farewell Rieko has been so helpful. Finding the house was made easy with the detailed instructions both english & japanese. The house was within easy walking distance to transport,local food stores and very big array of eateries. It was very clean, every thing we needed was there. It was a lovely quiet neighbourhood and the residents where friendly. We highly reconmend Gion Kyuraku Peta, Phil and Vanessa from Hobart,Tasmania, Australia
Stayed 6 nights in Sep 2019
Response from VrboOwner on Mar 29, 2020
Thank you for your perfect 5 out of 5 review of Gion Kyuraku. We try our best to make everyone's stay as enjoyable as possible. The location is second to none as many of our guests have suggested in the past.
Archival

10/10 Excellent

Beautiful/Authentic!!

Our family of 6 stayed in this newly restored machiya and we enjoyed every minute we were there. Every detail of the machiya was restored perfectly, from the tatami mats, sliding doors, the walls, the fixtures....everything was immaculate, comfortable, and relaxing. Convenient location to many sights, the Gion district, bus stops, and taxis. There is a grocery store down the street which has every food and drink item you'd every need. I can't say enough about the owners who made every effort to make us feel welcome and who were very helpful for making dinner reservations for us and getting us a cab to get there!! Thank you to both of you for a relaxing time and sharing your charming machiya!
Response from VrboOwner on Mar 29, 2020
Thank you for the terrific review. We are so happy that you enjoyed every minute of your stay at Gion Kyuraku. It is a delight to hear that your family appreciated all the time, effort and research that went into restoring this Kyo-Machiya. The designer, craftsmen, and all of the people involved in this project are delighted that you had a wonderful stay. We hope that others will appreciate, enjoy, and savor the authenticity of this century old machiya in Gion, Kyoto as your group did. Finally, thank-you for being such wonderful guests, and taking care of Gion Kyuraku as if it were your own home away from home.
Archival

10/10 Excellent

Character, Charm and Complete Satisfaction!

Our experience was simply amazing. From when we first pulled up, we were greeted by the family for a full tour. The warm welcome and hospitality from the owner surpassed any experience I have had with a VRBO. The house is beautiful and so charming. It was clean, organized, plenty of room and had genuine features! It was a very authentic Kyoto experience staying in that house but with all the benefits of a brand new modern condo. You couldn't ask for a better location and the owner even set up a delicious dinner for us at a local restaurant. We will always remember this place as part of our amazing trip to Kyoto. We strongly recommend it for couples or larger groups of friends. Thank you for everything!
Response from VrboOwner on Mar 29, 2020
Thank you for an amazing review regarding your stay at Gion Kyuraku. We strive to make every guest feel at home from the very beginning; from the enquiry stage up until the moment our guests check out. Gion Kyuraku was restored to its original slender, along with all of the modern conveniences that our guests demand. We have done our job when guests feel the charm of the restoration. There are countless antiques from the Showa era along with modern conveniences which include Wi-Fi, and a washer and dryer. Thank you very much for a great recommendation.
Archival

10/10 Excellent

Wonderful stay

My husband and I stayed four nights here and were so thrilled with our accommodations! You could not ask for a better location. The back streets of Gion are only about a 1/2 mile away. There are two grocery stores minutes away (one is on the corner) and a wonderful lady with baked goods at the end of the street also. There are many landmarks nearby that are very walkable. The Machiya is very clean and comfortable. There were directions for using appliances,etc so you never had to guess how to make something work. The apple tv was great. Rieko left maps marked for sightseeing and was helpful with recommending restaurants and even offered to make reservations. If we are ever in Kyoto again we will stay here!
Response from VrboOwner on Mar 29, 2020
Thank you for the 5 STAR review. We are thrilled that you enjoyed Gion Kyuraku so much. Your review will be helpful for our future guests, and they will be able to discover all of the wonderful treasures that the Gion district and Kyoto city has to offer. For our metric guest the closed historical temple Kennin-ji is only 800m away. Thanks for the compliment on how clean the machiya is, and how comfortable it was. Hope to see you again, and thank you for an insightful review.
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Traditional living with modern conveniences!

The machiya is really well located and well appointed. We enjoyed the nearby shops and cafes, as well as the Gion atmosphere and temples/attractions. Inside, the house had good WiFi, heaters and washer/dryer. The bedrooms have tatami mats and futons with cozy comforters. The bathroom has lots of hot water and good shower pressure...and it was great to have each loo in a separate room. The house worked well for 2 adults and 1 kid, who had a futon laid out in the office downstairs. We slept upstairs in the larger main room. There is another room upstairs, separated by a sliding door. The house is SUPER clean and uncluttered, although there are pieces of art etc around but everything is simple and intentionally placed. The hosts are super responsive both before we arrived and during our 4 night stay. We recommend this home!
Stayed 4 nights in Apr 2019
Response from VrboOwner on Mar 29, 2020
Thank you for the 5-out-of-5 review of Gion Kyuraku. We appreciate that your family was able to enjoy the Gion district of Kyoto and that you were able to experience living in an authentic Kyo-machiya. Your review will help future guests. Thank you again!
Archival

10/10 Excellent

Beautiful home, lovely neighborhood, & convenient!

We visited Kyoto for a very special 16th birthday trip for our daughter. She loves culture and history, and this machiya was absolutely perfect! Our family of 3 stayed there 11 days, and we enjoyed every minute. *Rieko was a gracious and considerate host, quickly answering any questions we had, having the heat on, maps out for us, etc. *The home was labeled so that we were easily able to use appliances and things without worry. *The neighborhood was fantastic, with a market and store within a 1-2 minute walk. We quickly became friendly with the lady who sells baked goods near the market. :) Vending machines are at the corner if you want to try a coffee or soup. Just a few minute walk up the street leads you to a very busy area with shops, kimono rental and more. *Convenience - We had a guide a few days, and we also used a shuttle service, and meeting steps away at the corner was quite easy. You can easily walk to Kenninji Temple, the Gion district, markets, restaurants, Yasaka Shrine, and so many more places. We have shared photos of this lovely home on social media and are already referring people to Rieko. I am so happy we booked her and Thomas' machiya for our very special trip to Kyoto! Thank you so much, and for anyone reading this, please, do not hesitate to stay here. I can't imagine anywhere better, and we look forward to returning one day!
Response from VrboOwner on Mar 29, 2020
Thank you for the beautiful review of Gion-Kyuraku and sharing your personal story. Besides what has already been mentioned this perfect machiya has an authentic Japanese garden with a water feature and a Japanese deck for you to enjoy. Thank you for an excellent review.
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Perfect stay at machiya

This machiya is comfortable and in a perfect location. Rieko, our host, was very welcoming and helpful.
Stayed 10 nights in Nov 2019
Response from VrboOwner on Mar 29, 2020
Thank you for the perfect review of Gion Kyuraku. Hope to see you soon back in Kyoto.
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Magnificent Machiya

Artfully restored traditional home with all the peace and zen Kyoto can offer. Kind and helpful hosts and located in culturally vibrant area. A brilliant stay!
Archival

10/10 Excellent

Excellent Base for Kyoto

Excellent small traditional Japanese home with great location for access in Kyoto. Comfortable, close to a supermarket, easy access to public transit. Great location close to Gion.
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2017
Response from VrboOwner on Mar 29, 2020
Thank you for your perfect 5-out-of-5 review. Location is everything; Gion Kyuraku is located in an ideal place, come and see for yourself. Lastly, nothing is small its just Japanese sized and space is utilized to the max. Also, Gion Kyuraku has two toilets (which is rare in a machiya) and a traditional garden. Thank you for your review and hope to see you again.
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