We were very lucky to be able to call Senraku House our home for 3 weeks in Kyoto. It is an amazing and beautiful hidden gem. Last year, we stayed in Rieko and Thomas' wonderful, larger Gion Kyuraku machiya with our adult children but this time, it was just the 2 of us, with my brother coming to visit us for a short time, and Senraku House was perfect. It was very special to live in this traditional and sparkling clean machiya house, with its tamami floors, low eating table, comfortable futon sleeping mats, and tasteful decor, and yet, have every modern convenience - washer and dryer, large bathroom and shower, WiFi, fully equipped kitchen, air conditioner, and big screen TV. Everything is labeled in English so there is never a doubt as to how to operate anything.
Senraku House is conveniently located in central Kyoto and it is easy to walk, take a bus or the subway, or catch a taxi to anywhere that we wanted to go.
Rieko and Thomas are another reason to stay at Senraku House. This time, we had primary contact with Rieko and she is just amazing: so warm and friendly, helpful, full of great suggestions (she told us about the best place to see cherry blossoms, the best craft fair, and a small local restaurant for really good soba), and always just an email away if we had any questions. I know she must be as kind to everyone who stays at Senraku House but she certainly made us feel as though we were her special guests.
We love Kyoto and Rieko and Thomas with their comfortable, beautiful properties make us feel as though Kyoto is our second home. We can't wait to go back.
Thank you!