Lovingly Restored Townhouse In Central Kyoto Kiyomizu/Gion
House in Kyoto
5 guests · 2 bedrooms · 2 baths
Reasons to book
Guests love it hereGuests give this property a top rating
Free cancellationFull refund if you change your mind
Top-tier experienceOne of the higher cost properties in the area
About this house rental
Machiya Momiji has a certified history stretching back to the late 1800s and underwent a complete renovation in 2013 by local craftsmen. Officially recognized by Kyoto local government as an authentic Kyoto machiya, this property offers visitors to the city a unique opportunity to enjoy a combination of Japanese design and modern convenience during their stay.
The house itself is situated on two floors and access is gained through a stunning ‘genkan’ or entrance hall that has a wealth of historical features including flagstones and a traditional cabinet. This leads into the kitchen and dining area which features a full kitchen (twin electric hob, sink, fridge-freezer, dining service and cooking utensils), wooden dining table and chairs for 4, recessed washing machine and sofa.
Immediately beyond this is the ‘washitsu’/ tatami room which features a ‘horigotatsu’/sunken seating area, sliding paper screens and a view of the ‘tsuboniwa’/courtyard garden. This was designed and laid out by a local expert from a local family of gardeners. The garden features a Japanese maple tree, moss and a striking stone water feature – perfect to contemplate over a cup of tea after a busy day visiting Kyoto’s attractions such as the nearby Kennin-ji Zen temple! The downstairs WC and luxurious bathroom, which itself has a private view of the garden, completes the first floor.
On the second floor, both western and Japanese bedrooms are connected by a mezzanine floor that overlooks the dining area. The western bedroom has twin beds (that can be pushed together), closet and en-suite WC while the Japanese room provides flexible futon sleeping arrangements. The intricate roof beams, which are an important aspect of machiyas, have been exposed on the second floor giving a sense of space and light throughout.
Machiya Momiji is located right on the doorstep of some of Kyoto’s key attractions including the UNESCO World Heritage designated Kiyomizu-dera, the Gion entertainment district renowned for ‘Geisha’ and Kabuki and the Kamogawa river, famous for summer dining platforms. With a huge range of restaurants, bars, supermarkets, traditional craft shops and excellent transport links to the rest of the city and beyond (including direct trains to Nara and Osaka), Momiji is superbly located.
Yet Momiji also offers an opportunity for clam, rest and relaxation as it is located in a quiet neighborhood just off the bustling streets. In summary, this Machiya will not disappoint the discerning visitor to the beautiful and enchanting cultural capital of Japan.
The house itself is situated on two floors and access is gained through a stunning ‘genkan’ or entrance hall that has a wealth of historical features including flagstones and a traditional cabinet. This leads into the kitchen and dining area which features a full kitchen (twin electric hob, sink, fridge-freezer, dining service and cooking utensils), wooden dining table and chairs for 4, recessed washing machine and sofa.
Immediately beyond this is the ‘washitsu’/ tatami room which features a ‘horigotatsu’/sunken seating area, sliding paper screens and a view of the ‘tsuboniwa’/courtyard garden. This was designed and laid out by a local expert from a local family of gardeners. The garden features a Japanese maple tree, moss and a striking stone water feature – perfect to contemplate over a cup of tea after a busy day visiting Kyoto’s attractions such as the nearby Kennin-ji Zen temple! The downstairs WC and luxurious bathroom, which itself has a private view of the garden, completes the first floor.
On the second floor, both western and Japanese bedrooms are connected by a mezzanine floor that overlooks the dining area. The western bedroom has twin beds (that can be pushed together), closet and en-suite WC while the Japanese room provides flexible futon sleeping arrangements. The intricate roof beams, which are an important aspect of machiyas, have been exposed on the second floor giving a sense of space and light throughout.
Machiya Momiji is located right on the doorstep of some of Kyoto’s key attractions including the UNESCO World Heritage designated Kiyomizu-dera, the Gion entertainment district renowned for ‘Geisha’ and Kabuki and the Kamogawa river, famous for summer dining platforms. With a huge range of restaurants, bars, supermarkets, traditional craft shops and excellent transport links to the rest of the city and beyond (including direct trains to Nara and Osaka), Momiji is superbly located.
Yet Momiji also offers an opportunity for clam, rest and relaxation as it is located in a quiet neighborhood just off the bustling streets. In summary, this Machiya will not disappoint the discerning visitor to the beautiful and enchanting cultural capital of Japan.
Amenities
Air conditioner
Kitchen or Kitchenette
Internet / Wifi
Laundry
Hot tub or spa
TV
Garden
Map of Kyoto
$$$$
Ratings and reviews
5.0 / 5.0
Beautiful house in excellent location, peaceful neighborhood but within walking distance of all the sites in Gion. Excellent communication with Naoko before and during our stay including great recommendations for things to do. Staying at Machiya Momiji was the highlight of our trip to Japan.
5.0 / 5.0
Just as advertised. Perfect for our family of 4. Because of the stairs and upper landing i would not advise small children.
5.0 / 5.0
This was our first stop on a 2 week family vacation in Japan and it was perfect. Wonderful, artfully decorated and authentic. The owner was very responsive and had many excellent recommendations. I would gladly recommend.
5.0 / 5.0
Thoroughly enjoyed this unique and restful place to stay while in Kyoto for five nights. As described, Machiya Momiji is a Japanese style home with futon bedding (very comfortable), with a tatami dining area that has recessed floor beneath overlooking the charming garden and fountain. Everything in the townhome is furnished very nicely with attention to detail as in all the labels in English and instructions.
Not only did we enjoy the location of Gion because it was in a quiet neighborhood but it was easy to walk to restaurants, stores, historical sights, subway, etc. Along the way, we found many gems that you wouldn´t normally see in the more touristy spots.
We appreciated the prompt responses and attention to our needs from Naoko and Andrew.
Arigato gozaimasu.
5.0 / 5.0
The home is as seen in the pictures. The area is quaint and quite. Would stay there again for sure.
Awesome
5.0 / 5.0
The townhouse is an excellently updated traditional townhouse. It was spotless, a pleasure to stay at and well located. The host was very responsive to our messages.
5.0 / 5.0
A beautiful traditional wooden home with all amenities in a family neighborhood close to amazing Kyoto sights. Couldn’t have imagined a better home away from home. We agreed— this is our “jam”.
5.0 / 5.0
Absolutely fantastic location and property quality is outstanding. Naoko, the host/owner, was so helpful with recommendations and bookings. Location, location. “Bumped” into Geishas in the neighbourhood without the paparazzi.
Do yourself a favour and stay here
5.0 / 5.0
This was a wonderful stay and such a relaxing place to retire to each evening. Highly recommend. Excellent communication and description.
5.0 / 5.0
Our family truly loved this place! The home was authentic Japan which was a wonderful experience. We loved the tatami rooms!
The location was great as well with a 5 min walk to a grocery store and a 10-15 walk to local temples and shrines as well as local markets.
The cherry blossoms were just popping out which was an added bonus!
Naoko and Andy were wonderful hosts and very responsive to any questions we had. They also helped us to book a cab back to the train station.
It was a fantastic family vacation!
5.0 / 5.0
All was perfect, good location too.
5.0 / 5.0
Perfect for our family of four. A traditional house with the basics provided, great location for visiting the sites on the Eastern side of Kyoto and easy walk into the city
5.0 / 5.0
Our family thoroughly enjoyed staying at this Machiya in Kyoto. We did a whirlwind trip to Japan and Taiwan in Nov and the 3 nights we stayed here were so peaceful and comfortable. Everything that we needed was provided. The access to a washing machine/dryer was also very convenient.
Naoko provided plenty of recommendations and was so responsive prior and during our stay. Our booking and checkin process was seamless.
We visited plenty of places on foot as Gion is central to a lot of sites. However, multiple train stations and bus stops were also within a 15mins walk. I appreciated Naomi’s help is reserving a taxi to take us to the house once we arrived at the Kyoto station after the bullet train ride from Tokyo. It took ~15mins and was really affordable and convenient to not have to take luggage on the bus. She also took care of the reservation when we checked out and provided comprehensive instructions on the easiest way to get to the airport in Osaka.
Overall, our host was a dream to work with. The house was cute and gave an authentic feel of living in Japan. We highly recommend this listing and wouldn’t have changed a thing other than wishing we could have stayed longer!
5.0 / 5.0
We had a wonderful stay in this well located machiya. Our host Yaoko provided great information on restaurants and activities.
5.0 / 5.0
The host was very helpful with advice about giving the taxi instructions and arranging for a taxi for us on leaving as well as helpful tips about cafes , restaurants and supermarkets
5.0 / 5.0
This location is exactly as the pictures show. It has been well cared for and the hosts are pleasant and available without being intrusive. We were able to walk to many locations and public transportation was readily available. We would stay here again!
5.0 / 5.0
With a mix of sanded and hammer-finished wooden floors, curated micro-views of porcelain treasures, and paper walls and tatami mats, this attentively managed property perfectly suited our needs.
5.0 / 5.0
The house in Gion is just delightful - down to every detail. The bathroom is amazing - includes a soaking tub and a window you can open so you can hear the bubbling water fountain in the garden while you soak. We had everything we needed and the host provided endless recommendations and referrals for services and things to do in the area. She also scheduled a taxi for us for our return to the train station.
My whole family enjoyed our stay. We hope to return and to be able to stay longer.
5.0 / 5.0
Our family of 4 had a fantastic trip to Japan. This machiya in Kyoto was a wonderful choice. Located on a quiet street near Gion, it's walking distance to key sites like Gion, Pontocho, and Kiyomizu-dera. The downtown shopping district is a 20-minute walk away. Public transportation is accessible, and there are nearby convenience stores (Lawson, 7-11, Family Mart) and grocery stores. The house is ideal for families or couples. Tips: The high-efficiency washer/dryer makes packing light easy. Use it frequently. Conveniently withdraw Japanese currency using your debit card at convenience store ATMs. Install the Suica transit card on your iPhone's Wallet app for easy bus and subway travel. Naoko, the host, is amazing—always available, providing helpful tips and assistance, and overcoming language barriers. She's the best host we've encountered on VRBO. Highly recommended!
5.0 / 5.0
This house was like a step back in time yet complete with all the necessary amenities! Located close to several temples restaurants and shopping areas it was a great jumping off point for exploring the city by foot or subway. We loved staying in a neighborhood and seeing the city from within. The hostess left detailed information on current events we could see during our stay and we found them very helpful in discovering unique opportunities to explore. We loved Kyoto’s bamboo shrouded gardens, shrines and the history that seeped into every corner including the house! The house was very well maintained and a perfect fit for two teenagers and two adults.
5.0 / 5.0
My family of 5 adored our stay at this beautifully furnished machiya. The home is spacious and in the perfect location for exploring Kyoto. The area is quiet and lovely and we felt safe always at night when walking. We loved that there were so many beautiful places to go that were just a short walk away. Our check-in process was smooth and communication with the owner we interacted with was excellent. We greatly appreciated that Naoko offered to call cabs for us (to take us to Kyoto train station) when we were departing, which was convenient and a reasonable price.
We loved the comfortable beds and slept well. We appreciated being able to do laundry there and also that there was a vending machine across the quiet street outside. Recommendations were provided for activities and dining and we simply adored all of our time in Kyoto. We would highly recommend this home to other travelers. You will love it!
5.0 / 5.0
We enjoyed staying in this beautiful and historical home which has been lovingly restored by the owner. It is a peaceful oasis located just a few streets from central Kyoto. The owner provided the BEST overall experience throughout the stay with wonderful recommendations for everything from favorite restaurants and special things to do during the dates of our stay. We especially enjoyed the guide recommended for a 6 hour tour. Highly recommended!!
5.0 / 5.0
The Machiya is beautifully designed and cared for, replete with exquisite art work and thoughtful detail. The kocation is very quiet, off the main road to Teramizudera, with convenience stores just blocks away. We ate every morning at Sagan, a breakfast spot around the corner. On Naoko’s reccomendation, we had dinner at Kuzushi Kotowari, an intimate kaiseki across the Kamogawa. A real treat. Throughout the process, Naoko was extremely responsive and spot on w/ her reccomendations. Just wish we could’ve tried more of them.
5.0 / 5.0
Great location for walking exploration of East Kyoto! Short walk to train station, market, restaurants. Naoko was a very attentive and helpful host! Our family of 5 was very comfortable and this was a fun and memorable first time in Japan!
5.0 / 5.0
We spent a week in this charming home. The house has been restored with exquisite craftmanship and is beautifully decorated. It is located within a 5-minute walk of Gion, the traditional area of Kyoto, and near many excellent restaurants and other attractions. The host is extremely helpful, with recommendations for restaurants and activities, including an up-to-the-minute listing of current nearby shows and exhibitions. We followed several suggestions and could not have been more pleased. One of the best vacations that we have ever had.
5.0 / 5.0
This is a wonderful property with wonderful hosts!
5.0 / 5.0
My wife and I stayed four nights at this property, and loved it. The pictures are accurate and the machiya is immaculately maintained and decorated beautifully. The space really works out well for a couple as the bedrooms are upstairs (along with a toilet adjoining the primary bedroom) while the lower floor contains the kitchen, dining area with couch and TV, tatami room with a view onto the garden, full bathroom, and washing machine. There is a lot of helpful documentation explaining how everything works and what all the light switches control. Everything is well thought out and the furnishings are of high quality. It's quiet at night as this street is off the main roads and is tucked away in the neighborhood. People with mobility issues or small children should beware that the dozen or so stairs to the bedrooms upstairs are steep and the treads aren't super wide; however, the lighting is good and the hand railing is sturdy.
Communications with Naoko were excellent. If you have a lot of luggage, take a cab from the train station. It's a short drive, but probably too long to walk with luggage in tow, and will save you having to transfer a couple times on public transport and walking into the neighborhood. It rained on our departure day and Naoko very thoughtfully helped us reserve a taxi to take us back to the station. Naoko is a super owner/host: attentive, prompt, accurate with the details without being intrusive.
We thoroughly enjoyed our stay, and would love to return again in the near future. rating: 10/10
5.0 / 5.0
My sister and I visited Japan recently and toured four locations: Toyko, Hiroshima, Okinawa and Kyoto. We were amazed by the kindness and generosity of the Japanese people, especially our hostess, Naoko Kondo Staples. We stayed at Machiya Momija, her
beautifully, lovingly restored Japanese home. From the personalized welcome letter, to her recommendations for restaurants and various sites, to Naoko directly assisting us securing a massage and recommending an Onsen, our stay in Kyoto could not have been any better. All the details were covered and communication with her was prompt and efficient. The home is centrally located and accessible within a 5mile radius from several key tourist sites. If you are visiting Kyoto and need a home away from home, Machiya Momija is the place to stay. I know I will be back someday!
5.0 / 5.0
Naoko and Andrew are wonderful hosts. The property is exactly as described, very clean, and in good repair. However, the real bonus is Naoko, who is extremely responsive and helpful. She made a number of great recommendations for local sights and helped us make reservations at restaurants nearby, and called us a taxi for our departure. We greatly appreciate all that Naoko did to make our stay extra special.
5.0 / 5.0
Great place to stay in Higashiyama, Kyoto
This is a wonderful place on a quiet street very near to the most interesting sites in Kyoto. It’s got two bedrooms, two toilets and a grand shower and bath. Owner speaks English fluently and communicated effectively. There is a kitchen area, small living area and a formal tatami dinning room on the ground floor and the bedrooms are upstairs. Stay in a machiya during your visit to Kyoto. You will not regret it and this is one of the best!
5.0 / 5.0
Everything was as promised
We are a family with teenage children traveling from California. We were pleasantly surprised with how spacious the home was. Everything inside is top quality, it is a great blend of old and new.
I would recommend this home to families.
There is a fully stocked grocery store less than 5 minute walk. The street it is located on is very quiet, but if you walk 1 minute to the corner we found we could catch a taxi within 2 minutes.
The kitchen is well stocked with cooking equipment, and we cooked 4-5 meals at the house.
If you have a hard time climbing stairs, this may not be the right place to rent. The bedrooms are upstairs and the stairway is steep with treads that are slippery when wearing socks. No shoes are to be worn in the house.
5.0 / 5.0
A beautifully renovated traditional home in a great location
This is a wonderfully renovated traditional home. Anywhere your eyes rest, you see the quality and sensitivity of the restoration. And it is a convenient and well equipped base from which to explore Kyoto. The very useful bus 100 is nearby.
5.0 / 5.0
Great stay
The house was lovely and the owner was exceptionally responsive. The location was a 5 minute walk from the nearest tourism-related bus stop, and a 10-15 minute walk from the nearest subway stop. Wouldn't hesitate to stay here again.
5.0 / 5.0
Beautiful home
A terrific experience in a lovely, fully equipped home (including washer + dryer), in a convenient location. We took taxi to home and thereafter were able to walk or take the subway. In a more quiet neighborhood and house was very quiet and beautifully appointed. Bed comfortable. My son had no problem sleeping in the 2nd room.
5.0 / 5.0
Lovely Renovated Kyoto Machiya
Machiya Momiji a vintage lovingly renovated townhouse in a great neighborhood and location for taking local sightseeing walks. A nice supermarket and bakery are conveniently only a short walk away. Naoko our gracious host goes above and beyond to ensure the best stay. Truly top notch accommodations and service!
5.0 / 5.0
Kyoto Happiness
A serene and beautiful home in the perfect location for exploring Kyoto. The hosts Naoko and Andy were attentive and made our stay here an absolutely wonderful experience. We could not have asked for anything more.
5.0 / 5.0
Unique place to stay in Kyoto
A delightful place to spend a few days, lovely neighbourhood and very well appointed kitchen, bedrooms and bathrooms. Especially appreciated was the washing machine/dryer. Machiya Momijii is within walking distance of a great range of places to eat, shop and get to know the beautiful city.
5.0 / 5.0
Comfort, Convenience, Superb Location
My husband and I stayed in this traditional Japanese Machiya with our 2 teenage daughters and valued the experience. The design felt spacious and we loved our zen garden view from the living area. A perfect location in Gion within walking distance to many attractions. Also only 25 minute flat walk to Kyoto station.
Thank you to our host Naoko who was extremely helpful.
Doreen Brincat
5.0 / 5.0
A beautiful home
It is a truly amazing home and everything in the lead-up to arrival and our time there (in a central and lovely location but not right in the tourist area), was perfect!
5.0 / 5.0
A Wonderful Stay
We had a wonderful stay in Kyoto. This house is fantastic in all regards. It has been lovingly restored, and yet has all the modern conveniences one would expect. The neighborhood is quiet, and is walking distance to many of Kyoto’s historic attractions. There are many excellent restaurants nearby, several grocery stores, and the subway station is about a 15 minute walk.
Naoko was a pleasure to deal with from my initial inquiry about availability to the day we checked out — even arranging a cab to the train station on our last day.
I hope to have to opportunity to return to Kyoto in the future and I will definitely stay in this propery again if it is available.
FAQs
How much does this house cost compared to others in Kyoto?
The average price for a rental in Kyoto is $95 per night. This rental is $222 above the average.
Is parking included with this house?
Parking is not specified as an available amenity at Lovingly Restored Townhouse In Central Kyoto Kiyomizu/Gion . For more information, we encourage you to contact the property about where to park.
Is there a pool at this house?
We didn’t find pool listed as an amenity for this house. It may be worth double checking if a pool is important for your stay.
Is Lovingly Restored Townhouse In Central Kyoto Kiyomizu/Gion pet friendly?
Unfortunately, this house is not pet-friendly. Try searching again and filter for "Pets Allowed"
What amenities are available at Lovingly Restored Townhouse In Central Kyoto Kiyomizu/Gion ?
We found 7 amenities for this rental. This includes air conditioner, kitchen or kitchenette, internet / wifi, laundry, and hot tub or spa.
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