Near Kiyomizu Temple, in a quiet location, FULLY LICENSED Gojozaka Samurai Machiya has all the charm of an old traditional Kyoto townhouse, with luxurious modern facilities and comfort. Fully renovated, it will be the perfect location to stay for a visit to Kyoto.
This large house (over 85 m2 / 900 sq ft) has been fully renovated. It features two Japanese tatami mat bedrooms (sleeping on futons) and one Western-style bedroom with one double bed. Depending on the number of guests, as is traditionally done in Japan, the living room can also be used as a bedroom by placing futons on the tatami mats. In the kitchen-dining room, we have a large dining table for 9 people. On the ground floor, the house features a traditional wooden bathroom with a bathtub and a shower room upstairs. It has two toilets. It is also equipped with a fully automatic All-In-One Washer / Dryer.
Everything has been designed to be very convenient for a larger group (spacious enough for up to 9 people, although we recommend it for up to 7 adults).
As our guest, you have unlimited access to super-fast (optical fiber) internet access via Wi-Fi throughout the house. And you'll be able to enjoy unlimited movies with Netflix (or use the Blu-ray Disk player) with the large (60 in) flat panel HDTV.
The fully equipped modern kitchen will please anyone who wants to cook at home. A large selection of cooking utensils, an induction cooktop, dishwasher, microwave oven/oven, all kinds of appliances, such as a rice cooker, toaster, blender, electric kettle, regular coffee machine, and dishes, plates, glasses, and cutlery for all the guests. The setting is particularly convenient for people who stay for a longer period and who want to eat at home. And of course, you'll find all the basics, such as salt, pepper, oil, sauce, soya, etc.
If this Machiya is not available for your preferred dates, be sure to check out our other places -- go to our profile to find them!
As our guests, you'll have all the Gojozaka Machiya for yourselves and have access to everything it has to offer, a traditional lifestyle with modern comfort (with the exception of a closet reserved for housekeeping).
We offer concierge services (within reason) and luggage storage, and we're always available for any help necessary for information, preparation, restaurant reservations, suggestions, advice, etc. We love Kyoto and like to share our interests with our guests. We also have a dedicated website (mykyotomachiya) full of information and pictures to enable our guests to fully explore and enjoy this wonderful city.
The house is very conveniently located in the Higashiyama District, in a quiet residential area near a number of sites, restaurants, bars, and more.
The house is located just East of Gojo Street, next to the crossing with HigashiOji Street, about 2.2 km (22 min on foot) away from Kyoto station and the JR. lines. It takes about 10 minutes and costs about yen 1,200-1,500 by taxi.
Kiyomizu-Gojo station (Keihan line) is less than 12 minutes away.
Gojo subway station is 15 minutes away.
In addition, several Kyoto Bus stops are a mere 300 m away from the house.
And there are always taxis available around.
We have decorated the house with old traditional Japanese art crafts such as Samurai armor, traditional wedding kimono, Japanese dolls, a Noh mask, protective gods against fire (Hotei-san), etc., for a more refined atmosphere.
You'll experience the traditional way of living of the people of Kyoto and enjoy a unique cultural experience with all the modern comforts you can wish for.
Note that there is a flight of stairs to access the house -- this may be an issue for older people with reduced mobility.
Our prices include all fees. No hidden fees.
Add dates for prices
Amenities
Hot tub
Kitchen
Washing machine
Dryer
Air conditioning
Outdoor space
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This is a single building rental of a Kyomachiya that has been in existence since the Meiji Era (1868-1912). The window overlooks the Kamo River and the town of Gion, making it a prime location to enjoy the typical Kyoto scenery.
This property is managed by a professional host. The provision of housing is linked to their trade, business or profession.
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
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has indicated that there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher and a first aid kit
If you cancel your booking, you'll be subject to the host's cancellation policy. In accordance with UK consumer law, property booking services are not subject to the right of withdrawal.
Frequently asked questions
Is Gojozaka Samurai Machiya, Gojozaka Samurai Machiya pet-friendly?
No, pets are not allowed at this property.
How much does it cost to stay at Gojozaka Samurai Machiya, Gojozaka Samurai Machiya?
As of 7 Apr 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at Gojozaka Samurai Machiya, Gojozaka Samurai Machiya on 7 Jun 2026 start from £296, 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 Gojozaka Samurai Machiya, Gojozaka Samurai Machiya?
Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.
What time is check-out at Gojozaka Samurai Machiya, Gojozaka Samurai Machiya?
Checkout is at 10:00 AM.
Where is Gojozaka Samurai Machiya, Gojozaka Samurai Machiya located?
Located in Higashiyama Ward, this holiday home is within a 15-minute walk of Kyoto National Museum and Kiyomizu Temple. Kawaramachi Street and Yasaka Shrine are also within 1 mile (2 km). Tofukuji Station is 22 minutes by foot and Gojo Station is 22 minutes.
Reviews
9.8
Exceptional
Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
Good location. Faily easy to find. Very nice little place if you want experience something different to a hotel.
Chris G.
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2025
Response from VrboOwner on 22 Oct 2025
Thank you for your comment, Chris.
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Kevin
8 Oct 2025
Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities, communication
Totally enchanted with the property- I have zero complaints. Samurai Joe is amazing! I wish we would have been staying longer in the area just so I could stay in the house! Great job with the reno and decor!!
Our group of 5 enjoyed a wonderful stay at this Machiya. Very authentic to the area, but with modern conveniences. Clean. Good location. Good air conditioning and showers. The bed and Japanese mats were very comfortable for sleeping. We would return to the same place and would recommend highly to others.
Dan B.
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2025
Response from VrboOwner on 25 Aug 2025
Thank you very much for your comment, Dan. We're glad you liked the house, its features, and its location. We look forward to the pleasure of hosting you again.
The house was everything we imagined a traditional Japanese house would be. It was also immaculately clean with every modern convenience. The location was perfect!
Michelle S.
Stayed 5 nights in Apr 2025
Response from VrboOwner on 2 May 2025
Thank you for your comment. We're glad you liked the house and its location, and had a pleasant time in Kyoto.
This was a wonderful location that was closed to Gion but also very quiet and residential. We loved how tranquil, technical, and aesthetic the home was. Will stay at this location again in the future.
Vida D.
Stayed 5 nights in Oct 2023
Response from VrboOwner on 21 Nov 2023
Thank you very much for your comment. We're glad you liked the machiya house and we look forward to welcoming you again.
The stay was great and Akiko was very responsive and helpful. The only downside was the mugginess outside crept inside and there were a few bugs in the rooms, but that can be expected a bit during rainy season! Overall very cool spot
Julianne F.
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2023
Response from VrboOwner on 10 Oct 2023
Thank you so much for your comment. Sorry about the bugs in the room! You should have called the office to ask them to get rid of them. I know it's to be expected during this season, but we could have help!
True to the pictures; well-maintained; comfortable beds. Host was responsive to my many questions and she lent her expertise especially in helping to arrange a traditional dinner for us upon arrival.
Mary M.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2023
Response from VrboOwner on 4 Aug 2023
Thank you so much for your comment. We're always happy to be able to help our guests!
Beautiful and gorgeous Machiya. 20 min walk to Gion district and amazing food.
Host was very kind to provide detailed instructions, please be sure to use them as the Google maps location can be confusing.
Rooms were beautifully furnished and kitchen was well supplied. Definitely would stay again!
Newton L.
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2024
Response from VrboOwner on 15 Apr 2024
Thank you very much for your comment. We're glad you liked the machiya house and its location.
Beautiful home and we loved our stay; enough room for our brood of 6 and absolutely enjoyed the authentic aspects of this home and the decorations. Thank you!
Kathryn K.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2023
Response from VrboOwner on 4 Jul 2023
Thank you very much for your comment, We're glad you liked the machiya house and enjoyed your stay.
Overall a great place to stay when visiting Kyoto. The place was clean and organized, and Akiko was a great host and answered all our questions in a timely manner. Location wise, the house is a bit further from all of the main Kyoto attractions, but it is close to several bus routes, making getting around a breeze. Would definitely recommend when visiting Kyoto.
Absolutely loved staying at Akiko and Patrick's house, it was a great place to unwind in after long days of exploring the beautiful city of Kyoto. The residence had all the right accommodations and Akiko was very responsive and courteous when I had any problems or questions.
I won't hesitate to book this spot again when I come back to Kyoto!
Dylan H.
Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2022
Response from VrboOwner on 14 Dec 2022
Thank you very much for your comment. We're glad you liked the hosue and enjoyed your stay. I'm very happy to have been able to help a bit for your visits of Kyoto. And we'd love to welcome you again!
This was our first visit (3 adults ) to Japan and we made our way from Tokyo to Kyoto on the Shinkansen on Day 1. We communicated with the hosts ahead of time about our 9pm arrival and we successfully checked in weeks before. It’s a little challenging to find in the dark, but that was due to our schedule. There are a lot of stairs getting to the Machiya and steep steps up to the second floor. This is a very comfortable and quiet property with plenty of room. The location is very convenient to the Kyoto Train Station and very walkable to many restaurants, coffee shops and interesting tourist sites. We are already planning our next trip back and would stay here again, for sure!
Colleen C.
Stayed 3 nights in May 2025
Response from VrboOwner on 5 Jun 2025
Thank you very much for your comment. We're glad you liked the house and its location. We look forward to the pleasure of welcoming you again.
Overall, great place to stay in Kyoto. Checking in was a bit of an ordeal if you're coming in from somewhere right around 7pm (when the office closes). Also, directions to check-in office would be easier if they just provided the address since everyone has Google Maps now. Other than that, the residence was really cool--great vibe.
Mark M.
Stayed 5 nights in Jul 2023
Response from VrboOwner on 3 Aug 2023
Thank you for your comment. We're glad you liked the machiya house.
As mentioned in the message we sent describing the registration process, we do offer the option to preregister and avoid the stop at the office altogether! Also, we do provide the address of the office, together with a map and photos of each step of the way...!
The property was beautiful and well taken care of. There was enough room for all 8 of us and is a great place to stay if you want a more traditional house. It was really close to Kiyomizu-dera, but aside from that the location was pretty far from any trains or subways (15-20 min walk). There was no good way to get to Kyoto station that isn't walking or taking a taxi and the taxi's in the area are not great.
Rowan B.
Stayed 6 nights in May 2023
Response from VrboOwner on 29 May 2023
Thank you for your comment. We're glad you like the house.
Regarding moving around the city, you overlooked the bus with stops just down the hill, 2 minutes from the house. There is a direct one to go to Kyoto Station toward the south, and another one to go north toward Gion, and all the way to the Silver Pavillion and the Philosopher's Path.
And it's also quite easy to catch a cab as there are always some coming down the hill. Now why the ones you took were not great, I do not know!
We stayed for 5 nights and enjoyed our stay. The house is decorated beautifully and we had plenty of room for the three of us. As many others have mentioned the stairs are steep and we did have some difficulty getting to the place. Please make sure to ask for explicit directions. The location is quite a ways from the downtown Kyoto area but it is near a bus stop so that helps. The western bed downstairs was comfortable and the Japanese bath was easy to use and relaxing.
We loved our four-night stay at Gojozaka Samurai Machiya in Kyoto. The house was a delight; all the modern touches but still with the real feel of a historic machiya. The automatic bath was great! Yes, the stairs are steep so this is not a house for people with mobility issues, but if you can manage the stairs it's well worth it. The location was also very convenient, and the Lawson just down the street had everything we needed. Please try the Windmill sake and craft beer bar next to the Lawson - the best sake we tasted on our trip and the owner Nao is very friendly and engaging.
Joanne D.
Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2023
Response from VrboOwner on 4 Oct 2023
Dear Joanne,
Thank you very much for your comment.
We're glad you liked the machiya house and enjoyed your stay in Kyoto.
Yes, the stairs are steep, but this is true for any old house, in Japan, Europe and other places.
Best regards,
—Akiko
From a partner site
10/10 Excellent
Wayne
7 Nov 2018
We just loved our stay in Gojozaka Samurai Machiya, the house was fantastic in that it was a true
We just loved our stay in Gojozaka Samurai Machiya, the house was fantastic in that it was a true Japanese house with beautiful decor, it was super clean and we had everything we could want for a pleasant stay in Kyoto. There were various eating places and convenience stores just a short walk away. The staff at the office were extremely polite and very helpful and accomodating to our needs, in short, we just loved the house, the location and the overall Japanese experience and would highly recommend this place!! Thank you very much Akiko, you are the best! We will be back.
The house is not a big as expected. the pictures make the house look larger. The steps are a concern. They are very steep and uneven. Very hard to get luggage up and down the steps. Good location - over all a fine place.
Jim B.
Stayed 6 nights in Apr 2023
Response from VrboOwner on 28 Apr 2023
Thank you for your comment. Sorry if you had the impression that the house was larger than it is -- we do indicate the actual surface.
Overall, I hope you had a pleasant time in Kyoto.
We really enjoyed our stay! The accommodations were spacious, clean, and the air conditioning was excellent and appreciated. Check in went very smoothly. We appreciated the extra instructions for how to communicate with taxi drivers since the property is located down an alley. Sometimes we had to also show taxi drivers a pinned location on a map and since we don’t speak Japanese, I’m not sure why some of the drivers were confused with the provided instructions in Japanese. Our only issues were the downstairs shower only had tepid water. (The upstairs shower water was nice and hot.) Water pressure was outstanding. Also, the stairs down from the alley to the house and the stairs in the house were hard with our suitcases. I would recommend putting some kind of barrier or gate at the top of the stairs that people could use at night time since it’s a steep drop right outside the bedroom door. Would definitely recommend this VRBO to friends and family!
Lisa K.
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2023
Response from VrboOwner on 9 Aug 2023
Thank you very much for your feedback. We're glad you liked the house and enjoyed your stay.
Home has a wonderful old Japan style throughout. Dark wood throughout, beautiful masks, hangings, kimonos and the Samari warrior. Shoji window coverings and room divider, peaceful front and rear gardens and an old style ofuro (bath) were very enjoyable too. The home's description book covers all the homes features and is easy to read. The home was organized and public areas were clean (though some areas like the window sill need a good dust). Comfortable western bed and everyone enjoyed their tatamis. Would recommend adding a couple days supply of coffee, tea and a few basic supplies. As some of the reviews state, the stairs leading down (and back up of course) are very steep and difficult to maneuver with any type of luggage. Additionally the interior steep, narrow stairs to the second floor are not for anyone with mobility issues. That said all these things made for a more old world Japan experience that our entire party enjoyed.
Doris D.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2023
Response from VrboOwner on 6 Jul 2023
Thank you very much for your comment. Sorry about the dust -- your comment was sent to the cleaning team.
We're glad that you enjoyed your stay at our machiya house and we hope to have again the pleasure to welcome you.
About the host
Hosted by Akiko H
We're an international couple sharing our time between Nice in France, Kyoto in Japan, and traveling around the world. HomeAway's Moments Makers features us in a video: https://blog.homeaway.asia/moment-makers-kyoto-japan/
We both fell in love with Kyoto and never have enough time to visit its numerous temples and shrines, gardens and secret sites. There is always something going on in this amazing city and after so much time spent here, we still enjoy discovering things.
We hope to be able to share our enthusiasm and our love for this wonderful city with our guests.
What makes this property unique
The house offers a unique opportunity to experience and enjoy the traditional atmosphere and living style of the people of Kyoto, in full modern comfort. And after spending some time in our house, you'll return home full of wonderful souvenirs that will last a lifetime.
Languages:
English, French, Japanese
Premier Host
They consistently provide great experiences for their guests