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A Designer Space In Central Kyoto

Photo gallery for A Designer Space In Central Kyoto

The Moon Room. This is the view of the bedroom as you enter the space.
The Moon Room's living room. Plenty of space to spread out.
The living room area.
The sofa bed is comfortable for sleeping for family and group stays.
The frosted glass keeps your privacy, while releasing plenty of natural light.

Reviews

9.8 out of 10
Exceptional
1 bedroom1 bathroomSleeps 6

Popular amenities

  • Kitchen
  • Pet friendly
  • Air conditioning

Explore the area

View in a map
Nakagyoku, Kyoto
  • Place, Kyoto International Manga Museum
    ‪5 min walk‬
  • Place, Kawaramachi Street
    ‪12 min walk‬
  • Place, Nishiki Market
    ‪16 min walk‬
  • Airport, Osaka (ITM-Itami)
    ‪59 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

1 bedroom (sleeps 6)

Bedroom 1

1 Double Futon, 1 Double Bed and 1 Twin Bed

1 bathroom

Bathroom 1

Toilet · Shower only

Spaces

Kitchen
Dining area

About this property

A Designer Space In Central Kyoto

I know, I know. You're coming to Kyoto and have been thinking about staying in a machiya, which sounds like a great idea. But after a long day of walking around town, you're going to want to come back to rest in a comfortable room well-suited for relaxing, reading, conversation, pleasure. If you're interested in a homely, congenial,, utterly unique experience, you should definitely consider staying in The Moon Room.

Our apartment is located in Kyoto's Nakagyo-ku neighborhood ("Nakagyo" literally means Downtown). Unlike other B&Bs and guesthouses near Kyoto Station or Higashiyama, Nakagyo is quite central when it comes to dining and entertainment. All my guests receive a pocket wifi for finding their way through the city, including a carefully curated website I have prepared exclusively for guests recommending within the area restaurant/cafe/bakery/bar/ souvenir/services/sightseeing options (with the establishment addresses linked to google maps for easy directions).

Our space is just a five minute walk from Marutamachi Station, on the city's north-south subway line (Karasuma), and about ten minutes from Karasuma-Oike, where the city's two subway lines intersect, thus marking the center of Kyoto.

The Moon Room is great for families since it is less than ten minutes' walk from a major playground/ children's center as well as the Manga Museum, not to mention some wonderful bakeries and a crepe restaurant.

Nijo Castle and the Imperial Palace are just ten-minute strolls away, while Higashiyama and its wonderful temple complexes are easy train and bus rides. (Kyoto's sites are spread out in all directions, so there's no one neighborhood that is near everything, which is why being in a dining-rich neighborhood might suit your accommodation needs best.)

The neighborhood itself, though close to Downtown, is quiet and traditional and it is not unusual to see women in kimono or monks chanting. Many of the neighborhood's machiya houses specialize in old-time industries like printmaking, woodcutting, and tatami-producing, as well as stores selling tea, ivory, dolls, medicinal herbs, and incense.

Nevertheless, The Moon Room is also a wonderful place to relax on a windy or lazy day, to contemplate or pleasure in the romance of living. Designed specifically by a local artist, there is nothing like our space in all of Kyoto. It is part of a first wave of what we hope is a designer's renaissance in this very old city.

In addition to regular wifi in the room, pocket wifi is provided to help you when you explore the city. And inside the welcome book you'll also find my handmade map, an insider's guide for dining in what might be one of the best culinary cities in the world.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Sean
Our prices include all fees. No hidden fees.

Add dates for prices

Amenities

Kitchen
Pet friendly
Air conditioning

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House Rules

Check in after 4:00 PM
Check out before 11:00 AM
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Children

Children allowed: ages 0-17
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Events

No events allowed
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Pets

Pets allowed
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Smoking

Smoking is not permitted

Important information

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card, or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
Onsite parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has indicated there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher

We should mention

The Japanese Ministry of Health, Labour, and Welfare requires all international visitors to submit their passport number and nationality when registering at any lodging facility (inns, hotels, motels, etc. ); additionally, lodging proprietors are required to photocopy passports for all registering guests and keep the photocopy on file
A car is not required for transportation to and from this property

About the neighborhood

Kyoto

Downtown Kyoto, a neighborhood in Kyoto, is home to this apartment. Nijō Castle and Kyoto Imperial Palace are notable landmarks, and travelers looking to shop may want to visit Kawaramachi Street and Nishiki Market. Kyoto Gyoen National Garden and Kyoto Municipal Zoo are also worth visiting. Relax and indulge in the area's health/beauty spa, or seek out an adventure with cycling and hiking nearby.
View more Apartments in KyotoOpens in a new window
Map
Nakagyoku, Kyoto

What's nearby

  • Kyoto International Manga Museum - 5 min walk - 0.4 km
  • Kyoto Imperial Palace - 12 min walk - 1.0 km
  • Kawaramachi Street - 12 min walk - 1.1 km
  • Nijō Castle - 13 min walk - 1.1 km
  • Nishiki Market - 16 min walk - 1.4 km

Getting around

  • Marutamachi Station - 3 min walk
  • Karasuma Station - 16 min walk
  • Itami Airport (ITM) - 60 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Lobby Bar - ‬3 min walk
  • ‪The Kitchen - ‬3 min walk
  • ‪パンとエスプレッソと本日の - ‬3 min walk
  • ‪TAKANOYA - ‬2 min walk
  • ‪YUGEN - ‬3 min walk

Frequently asked questions

Is A Designer Space In Central Kyoto pet-friendly?

Yes, pets are allowed at this property. Some restrictions may apply, so please contact the property for more details.

How much does it cost to stay at A Designer Space In Central Kyoto?

As of Mar 29, 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at A Designer Space In Central Kyoto on May 29, 2026 start from $131, 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 A Designer Space In Central Kyoto?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at A Designer Space In Central Kyoto?

Check-out is at 11:00 AM.

Where is A Designer Space In Central Kyoto located?

Located in Downtown Kyoto, this apartment building is within a 15-minute walk of Kyoto Gyoen National Garden, Kawaramachi Street, and Nijō Castle. Kyoto Imperial Palace and Shijo Street are also within 1 mi (2 km). Marutamachi Station is only a 3-minute walk and Karasuma Oike Station is 7 minutes.

Reviews

9.8

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. 31 out of 35 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 4 out of 35 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 35 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 35 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 35 reviews

9.8/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

9.8/10

Location

9.8/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

Verified

10/10 Excellent

Gary I.

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

Perfect Stay

The apartment is large by Japanese standard and is just as described. Great location in Kyoto it was perfect for our stay.
Stayed 8 nights in Mar 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

CARRIE Y.

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

perfect space

this was a perfect place --very clean and close to train stations. In a bit more quiet area of Kyoto but still close enough to get to busier places... Sean the host was very accommodating and kept in contact with us and responded quickly to ALL my questions...
Stayed 4 nights in May 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Kenneth F.

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

Awesome place.

Probably the best place I’ve stayed in all my travels to Japan, hotels included. Great host, great location, the space was much bigger than I expected, very clean, and there was notebook with all local places to go.
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2023
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Yan B.

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

A great experience

Efficient communications with the host, easy checking in processes, and access to many wonderful restaurants.
Stayed 11 nights in Oct 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Yara Z.

Great location and host - highly recommend!

The apartment is exactly as advertised. It’s in a quiet neighbourhood, within walking distance to a number of attractions, and on the main subway & bus routes to get to the vast majority of attractions and hang-out spots. There's plenty of room (especially by Japanese standards) and all the basics. We especially appreciated the coffee and cream, and all the soaps/shampoo/etc. Sean is a wonderful host. His electronic site/map was super helpful throughout our stay, and he was incredibly responsive both before and during our trip. Some general Kyoto tips: - Subway and busses were super easy to use, and the combo pass paid for itself - If you want to dine at a specific restaurant, I highly recommend making reservations. You’ll never go hungry as there are tons of options, but you may not get your first (or third) choice if you just walk in (although maybe Golden Week made things worse for us). Sean is more than willing to help with reservations if the restaurant only speaks Japanese (and you don’t). - Even in crowded touristy places there are amazing spots of peace & quiet. Ask Sean about his favorites before you head out. Enjoy the stay!
Stayed 4 nights in May 2018
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Linda S.

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

Centrally located, comfy flat

Our family of 3 were very happy here. The space is big enough and Sean was very generous with his guidance on what to see and where to eat in Kyoto. The neighborhood is a very convenient location, close to subway and lots of restaurants and convenient stores. A good find for the price.
Stayed 4 nights in Dec 2019
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Mary B.

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

So helpful

Even though Sean was away on a family trip while we stayed at his place he was always available to help! He was also very accommodating and kind. The place is very comfortable and we enjoyed at time when we were there. It maybe a “room”. But it functions as an apartment with a lot of space for 4 adults.
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Alicia D.

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

Perfecto

La ubicación en un barrio tranquilo pero cerca del cemtro es muy buena.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2019
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Nam V.

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

Kyoto Studio

The size of the unit is like a typical studio apartment in the U.S. It has a sitting area, sleeping area, bathroom and kitchenette area (dorm fridge, microwave, counter top burner, coffee maker). The property is in a nice neighborhood. It is a short walking distance to transportation (less than 5 minutes). There are many great local restaurants nearby. Sean (property owner) was very responsive. He always answered all enquiries very promptly. His guide to things to do in Kyōto and local restaurant guide was great.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2019
Verified

8/10 Good

Moiz B.

Great location and huge space!

Loved the area and really enjoyed how close this place is to the train line.
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2019
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Anthony E.

Cool spot, excellent host, great location.

My sons and I really enjoyed staying at this location. We are big guys and had no issues with the space. The beds were super comfortable. The shower was great, really hot water with excellent pressure. The apartment is less than 5 mins from the metro and finding a taxi was never an issue. Super markets and drug stores are 5 to 8 mins away respectfully. Sean, the host, is really amazing very accommodating and helpful. He’s even created a website with his recommendations for food and the like. You can’t go wrong, if I ever find myself in Kyoto again I hope this apartment is available. Sean, thank you for everything your apartment made our stay in Kyoto that much better.
Stayed 5 nights in Jul 2018
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Keith I.

Top place to stay

Really amazing space which is very well positioned for sightseeing. The host was great at communicating and was very helpful with local information. We would stay again
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2018
Verified

8/10 Good

patti l.

Overall great place & super hospitable, helpful host

Moon Room is conveniently located & charming & modern in its decor. It’s perfect for 4 adults or less. I would say any more would be a tighter squeeze unless everyone knows & likes each other a lot! A full sized bed next to a twin are shown in the main photo & behind the brick wall is an additional small living room/sleep space. The kitchenette is truly a small kitchenette with an electric burner, toaster oven & mini dorm size fridge. No microwave. Good for breakfasts. Not for preparing say a dinner for a few people. The reason for 4 stars instead of 5 is while the space was mostly clean, the areas under the bed & on the shelving area (dishes, cookware) were dusty. I know Sean has the room cleaned professionally but his cleaning crew could be more thorough. It’s obvious that the kitchen isn’t used often with many good, nearby food options, but it would be nice to have clean cookware when it’s needed & not have dust when something drops under or at the head of the bed area. Otherwise, Sean is a gem. He is the most responsive, kind & gracious host. He was quick to respond to every and any question or issue we had prior & during our stay. He also provided lots of info about the area & detailed instructions on how to locate his place giving options should we be traveling light vs carrying lots of heavy luggage. He also offered to help my daughter who inquired about getting tickets printed to a venue. We SO appreciated his conscientiousness, accessibility & his follow up. For that reason, we would happily rent from him again. Thank you again, Sean!
Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2017
Archival

10/10 Excellent

Long L.

Great apartment, good location and attentive host.

Fairly large apartment, very close to Imperial Palace, Nijo Castle, subway station and major bus routes. Sean was very attentive and responded quickly when we had a question.
Stayed 4 nights in Nov 2017
Archival

10/10 Excellent

Elizabeth G.

Absolutely perfect!

The entire experience from initial booking to waving goodbye to Sean was flawless and wonderful. My husband and I, along with our 20 year old daughter , stayed for 5 nights in both Moon and Cocoon rooms. I can not tell you which we prefer. Moonroom is on the ground floor and is a studio with divided wall with a sitting area and dining table. There is also a little kitchenette for preparing tea and coffee with a sink, toaster oven and mini fridge. The bathroom has a wonderful big shower and a divine Japanese toilet seat.( I'll let you experience this without a spoiler!). The beds were quite comfy and the AC cools the room off quickly, which was great as we were in Kyoto in September and it was super hot and humid! Upstairs is the Cocoon room. Wow! Sean is a creative guy and his style of architecture and design is just great! This apartment has a separate little tiny kitchen with a retro style bathroom and shower. We loved it too! Again, no way could I chose between Moonroom and Cocoon. Cross your fingers that either is available for your time in Kyoto and book! The location is so central to the entire city. We walked everywhere, so easy!! And there is a grocery around the corner. We didn't cook as the restaurants are close and delicious. There are 7 Elevens everywhere for cash machines. Sean! I have stayed in quite a few rental apartments with wonderful hosts, but Sean has been the most wonderful by far! The information he sends you with directions in both Japanese and English is thorough and necessary when taking a taxi from the train station and around Kyoto. I kept the address on me so I could present it to taxi drivers. Do this please, it will help you so much! This was our first trip to Japan and I had a difficult time wrapping my head around the planning of local sightseeing. Sean has created an online guide of his favorite restaurants, activities and sights. Although Kyoto has a small town feel, it is still a big spread out city with tons of Shrines and Temples to see. A bit overwhelming. Sean's guidebook really helps and he is great with suggestions! A must is his wife's family's Soba Shop. It is delicious and the history is just so cool! We loved the crepe shop Neuf, yum! And the Nishiki covered Market is like a Japanese style souk! The knife shop is wonderful if you are a cook don't miss it (cash only). Oh, Sean provides a pocket Wifi, so useful! We highly recommend this quiet and comfortable Oasis!
Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2017
Archival

10/10 Excellent

Jennifer S.

Great stay in Kyoto in the Moon Room!

This was a really ideal location for our family and worked out well. We loved the list of places to try out -the restaurants we tried (Owadria, Flip Up, Nicotto & Mam, and La Jolla) were super yummy, wished the crepe place was open Wednesday so we could've tried it. The shower was refreshing and soothing and Sean was great to work with. Great place to stay in Kyoto! We loved Kyoto!! Thank you!
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2017
Archival

10/10 Excellent

Sandra P.

Great place to explore Kyoto

We had a great stay in the Moon room. Sean made sure we were comfortable and had any needs at all. Location is very convenient with a subway stop close by and lots of shops and restaurants. It's on a quiet street so we all slept very well. Highly recommend, we'd love to stay again the next time we're in Kyoto.
Stayed 4 nights in Mar 2017
Archival

10/10 Excellent

Xianchun V.

the location is superb. you can walk to the imperial palace and other sites.

Shawn was great. He made us feel right at home with maps and restaurant recommendations. The apartment is very spacious by Japanese standards. The beds are a little firm, but the street is quiet and so we slept well. But the highlight has to be the location. There are very nice restaurants on the same street and a nice grocery near. There is also a fabulous French bakery within 5 minutes walk. The subway is also close. We were very happy with our selection.
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2016
Archival

10/10 Excellent

Karen C.

Excellent location

We stayed at the Moon Room for 3 very comfortable nights. The location was perfecr, being a short subway ride from Kyoto station. There are plenty of eateries and shops nearby. A coin-operated laundrette is also nearby which is very handy especially foe those on longer trips.
Archival

10/10 Excellent

Hipatia H.

Can't wait to return to Kyoto

It was our first visit to Japan and a VRBO rental and both places did not disappoint us. We spent 4 of the most wonderful days in Japan. To start with Sean sent us great directions on how to get to the apartment, he also sent us pictures of the outside of the apartment with the Yucca Tree, you cannot miss this place. The recommendations for restaurants were right on, we tried the Mexican Restaurant that was on Sean's list of favorite restaurants and it did not disappoint us, food was great. The apartment is quite big, compare to the other hotel rooms we stayed at. The beds are very comfortable, the pillows are firm, the bathroom is quite big, the water pressure is great, we only had one instance of a problem when the tenant's in the upstairs apartment turn off the hot water, but Sean was an e-mail and phone call away and was able to fix the problem immediately. The neighborhood is quite lovely and safe, he provided us with a portable WIFI that was quite helpful when we got lost. There is absolutely nothing negative that we can say about the Moon Room or its host. We highly recommend the Moon Room. Thanks Sean, it felt like our second home, we hope we can return someday.
Archival

10/10 Excellent

suzanne v.

Bel appartement au centre de kyoto

Propriétaire disponible et sympatique Appartement tel que sur photos, vraiment très confortable e très propre en plus bien situé, spacieux pour Kyoto,, Très belle salle de bain Supermarché ét metro à cinq Minutes, atm au coin de la rue àu bureau de poste Équipement de cuisine très réduit mais petit four ét cafetière, frigo Idéal pour deux personnes Sommes restés une semaine et avons adoré notre séjour Le recommandons sans hésiter Merci à Sean !
Stayed 7 nights in Mar 2016
Archival

10/10 Excellent

Jasmine Q.

A Hidden Treasure

We stayed in the Moon Room for a week during Sakura season in April 2016. Great central location and cosy spot! A 2-minute walk to Marutamachi subway station that takes you to all parts of Kyoto with ease. The Moon Room, located on a quiet quaint street, is comfortable, well maintained and lacking nothing. Decor is unique and appealing. It had free wifi and a wifi toggle for use. It speaks volumes when we look forward to returning to the Moon Room after a long day out and about! Great hospitality from Sean, owner of the Moon Room. Always helpful and responsive -from initial queries months before our trip, in the lead up to and throughout our stay. Sean provided a map and guidebooks for our use, restaurant recommendations, and passed on invaluable information on how to get around Kyoto and what to see. Always there for us in an unobtrusive manner, yet with a highly personalized touch. We also appreciated his professional approach to running the business. We definitely wish to secure the Moon Room for our next visits! Thoroughly enjoyed our stay - we highly recommend the Moon Room!
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2016
Archival

10/10 Excellent

Janis S.

Moon Room was great

Our family of 4 found the Moon Room comfortable, clean & perfectly located for our stay in Kyoto. It is within walking distance of great restaurants and many of the sites. It is also conveniently located close to trains.
Archival

10/10 Excellent

Jason B.

Would stay here again

The room was perfect for us - we were a family of 3, 2 adults and a 10 year old. Could easily work for a family of 4 or 5 OR 4 adults. There is a double sized bed and a 1.5 sized bed plus a couch if you would need it. If we would ever go back to Kyoto, we would seek out the moon room again. Close to the transit lines and near great restaurants.
Archival

10/10 Excellent

Moon Room-More than a room

We recently spent 3 wonderful nights in Kyoto and were so happy to find the Moon Room on the VRBO website. My husband and I (55) were traveling were our 2 adult children. We are an active family. About the property: Location-The Moon Room is located within a 5 minute walk from the Marutamachi Station. When we first walked into the property, my husband immediately said, "You did great!!" We were all just so impressed. The Moon Room is newly renovated and has everything from a small kitchen, bedroom area and a sitting area with small table, comfy chairs and a futon type sofa. Plenty of room for all four of us. Oh and we thought the bathroom was awesome. Nice rain shower and fancy Toto toilet. The apartment was clean, modern and comfortable. It was very quiet and close to places so we could grab breakfast and return to eat in the room. We were able to walk to most sights, but the train, subway and bus stations were all convenient to the property. Kyoto Station was a quick and easy train ride from the property. About the owner: I cannot say enough about Sean. He was so quick to respond to all my emails. He is from the US, so communication was easy for us. Since we had our 2 adult children, he provided an extra futon and bedding. He gave great directions on getting to the property and in the room he has many suggestions for places to eat and sights to see. He and his wife live upstairs, but the only time we saw Sean was when he brought the extra futon. We really felt like we had our own apartment in Kyoto. I would definitely love to stay there again if we get back to Japan!!

About the host

Hosted by Sean

Host profile image
I'm a native of Los Angeles, who has been in Japan for about twenty years, eight in Tokyo, twelve in Kyoto. After studying history at UC Santa Barbara, I've worked as a writer and photographer. My wife, a photographer as well, recently took over the family business, the oldest soba restaurant in Japan, in business since 1465.

Why they chose this property

The Moon Room is downstairs from our own apartment. We collaborated with a designer friend, Teruhiro Yanagihara, to give it a very unique aesthetic. We wanted the space to feel both romantic and homely and are very happy with how it turned out.

The immediate area is quiet but within five minutes the atmosphere becomes lively. As a photographer I'm prone to long walks and other days, particularly rich in blue sky sunlight, I'm partial to long bicycle rides around town, often ending up by the Kamo River.

What makes this property unique

I'm very lucky to live in Kyoto. It is one of those rare cities that combine both history and modernity (like Rome) and cosmopolitanism with nature (like San Francisco). Kyoto is not so busy as Osaka or Tokyo, but it is a very culturally rich place.

Languages:

English
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