Gion Kyuraku was originally Tea Master's House which was fully renovated and turned into a vacation rental.

To upgrade our garden, we feel so fortunate to have met Mr. Sano, the landscape architect, to design our garden at Gion-Kyuraku. Mr. Sano was selected as one of the top 100 gardeners for the book called “Contemporary Japanese Gardens 100 Gardens by 100 Japanese Landscape Architects”, and the photo book was published in December 2014. We would like to express our gratitude to Mr. Sano for selecting our garden for the book.

Gion Kyuraku, nearly a century old Kyo-Machiya, that was once a tea-masters residence, located in the historical district of Kyoto, Gion/Kiyomizu. It has been restored to its original splendor, in conjunction with modern amenities, contemporary comforts, consideration of the environment, along with state-of-the-art entertainment, and communication infrastructure.

The three ‘L’s’ in rental property are “Location, Location, Location”.

Firstly, Gion Kyuraku is in the heart of Gion, where Maiko-sans, and Geiko-sans (Geisha in English) can be seen nightly.

Secondly, historical temples, shrines, and world heritage sites are within a few minutes walking distance, Kenninji Temple (2 minute walk), Kyomizu Temple (10 minute walk), Hokan-ji Temple known as Yasaka Pagoda (5 minute walk), Rokuhara Mitsuji Temple (1 minute walk), and countless other historical sites.

Thirdly, one of the most historical streets in Japan Hanamikoji Dori is only a 3 minute walk from Gion Kyuraku. Additionally, there are a number of grocery stores, one is only a minute away, the other is a 24HR supermarket, bakeries, and countless restaurants are in the neighborhood, from family run diners, pubs to Michelin rated restaurants, and famous Ryoriya (Kyoto cuisine restaurants) are our neighbors.

A Kyo-Machiya is required to have certain elements: it must be located in one of the historical districts of Kyoto, features, such as a Tsuboniwa (Japanese Garden), Tsuchikabe (earth and straw walls), Koshi Kabe (wooden lattice), and Inuyarai (low bamboo fence).

Gion Kyuraku has all of these traditional elements, combined with distinctive feature of this period, which include, Ajiro. ceiling (weaved wooden ceiling), Hari ceiling (structural wooden beams exposed), Shirakabe (white walls), antique light fixtures form the Taisho/ Showa period that have been masterfully restored, and ceramic pieces from the Shigaraki district of Japan. One, fascinating structural feature of Gion Kyuraku is one of the main wooden support beans measures 4”x15”x16 feet; this one solid Japanese cedar beam spans the entire front of the Kyo-machiya. This is a must see, we have left it exposed.

Along with these period elements, Gion Kyuraku has been completely modernized with the assistance of many traditional trades people which comprise of Kyo-daiku, (traditional carpenters), plasterers, Japanese Gardener, designers, and countless other traditional craftsmen. The result is a Kyo-Machiya that is functional for the sophisticated world traveler, the family that wants to experience a traditional machiya stay, and the traveler that does not want the usual hotel type accommodations. We invite you to experience the uniqueness of a Kyo-machiya, along with the comforts of modern living at Gion Kyuraku.



A Kyo-Machiya is required to have certain elements: it must be located in one of the historical districts of Kyoto, features, such as a Tsuboniwa (Japanese Garden), Tsuchikabe (earth and straw walls), Koshi Kabe (wooden lattice), and Inuyarai (low bamboo fence).

Gion Kyuraku has all of these traditional elements, combined with distinctive feature of this period, which include, Ajiro ceiling (weaved wooden ceiling), Hari ceiling (structural wooden beams exposed), Shirakabe (white walls), antique light fixtures form the Taisho/ Showa period that have been masterfully restored, and ceramic pieces from the Shigaraki district of Japan.

One, fascinating structural feature of Gion Kyuraku is one of the main wooden support beans measures 4”x15”x16 feet; this one solid Japanese cedar beam spans the entire front of the Kyo-machiya. This is a must see, we have left it exposed.

Along with these period elements, Gion Kyuraku has been completely modernized with the assistance of many traditional trades people which comprise of Kyo-daiku, (traditional carpenters), plasterers, Japanese Gardener, designers, and countless other traditional craftsmen.

The result is a Kyo-Machiya that is functional for the sophisticated world traveler, the family that wants to experience a traditional machiya stay, and the traveler that does not want the usual hotel type accommodations. We invite you to experience the uniqueness of a Kyo-machiya, along with the comforts of modern living at Gion Kyuraku.