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GION HOUSE MACHIYA (UPPER LEVEL) IN PRIME GION LOCATION

 
 
 
Kyoto house rental - Exterior view at dusk
Exterior view at dusk
  • Kyoto house rental - Exterior view at dusk
    Living Room
    Tatami Bedroom
    Western-style bedroom
    Kitchen
    Original intricate woodwork on living room ceiling (100 years old)
  • Kyoto house rental - Entrance to Bath and Shower Area
    Roof Deck with View of Kenninji Temple Grounds
    Hanamikoji Street in the heart of Gion...just a three minute walk away
    Kenninji Temple, our immediate neighbor, with expansive grounds and gardens
    The view up the street, from our front door
    The Kamo River. The heart of downtown as seen from the Gion side (10 min. walk)
  • Kyoto house rental - Miyagawa-cho, an 8 minute walk away. Great for a night-time stroll.
    The garden inside Kenninji. A quiet place to reflect. Just next door!!
 
Kyoto house rental - Exterior view at dusk

Exterior view at dusk

Living Room

Living Room

Tatami Bedroom

Tatami Bedroom

Western-style bedroom

Western-style bedroom

Kitchen

Kitchen

Original intricate woodwork on living room ceiling (100 years old)

Original intricate woodwork on living room ceiling (100 years old)

Entrance to Bath and Shower Area

Entrance to Bath and Shower Area

Roof Deck with View of Kenninji Temple Grounds

Roof Deck with View of Kenninji Temple Grounds

Hanamikoji Street in the heart of Gion...just a three minute walk away

Hanamikoji Street in the heart of Gion...just a three minute walk away

Kenninji Temple, our immediate neighbor, with expansive grounds and gardens

Kenninji Temple, our immediate neighbor, with expansive grounds and gardens

The view up the street, from our front door

The view up the street, from our front door

The Kamo River. The heart of downtown as seen from the Gion side (10 min. walk)

The Kamo River. The heart of downtown as seen from the Gion side (10 min. walk)

Miyagawa-cho, an 8 minute walk away. Great for a night-time stroll.

Miyagawa-cho, an 8 minute walk away. Great for a night-time stroll.

The garden inside Kenninji. A quiet place to reflect. Just next door!!

The garden inside Kenninji. A quiet place to reflect. Just next door!!

  • Bedrooms2
  • Sleeps4
  • 1 Bathroom

Photos and Description of the Kyoto vacation house rental
House, 2 Bedrooms, 1 Bath (Sleeps 2-4)

*Please also have a look at our other listing for the Gion House Lower Level, VRBO listing 294674.

The Gion House is an old wooden, traditional-style 'machiya,' located on an atmospheric side street in the awe-inspiring geisha quarters of Gion, in the heart of old Kyoto. It was fully restored by renowned Kyoto-based architect Geoffrey Moussas. It has been shown in three national architecture/interior-related magazines, and has been shown on several TV programs, including one on NHK (Japan's national TV station.)

Offered is the entire second floor, which has private entrance. The place has features such as all antique sliding doors, antique light fixtures, and traditional design details, combined with luxurious, modern features like radiant heating under the wooden floors, a large Western style bathtub, and wireless high-speed Internet. The bath and kitchen are entirely new and modern and fully equipped. There is a washer and dryer.

This spacious house has a tatami mat bedroom, a Western-style bedroom with double bed and desk, and a large tatami mat living room with leather sofa and 32 inch flat-screen cable TV. Also there is a wood roof deck with chairs and table, a perfect place to sip your morning coffee while enjoying the views of surrounding hills, as well as a view of the maple trees of neighboring Kenninji temple, which is the oldest Zen temple in Japan, and is just a stone’s throw away.

There is enough room for up to four to sleep... two in the tatami bedroom on a futon, and two in the double bed in the Western-style room.

Or rent both the upper and lower levels to accommodate up to 8 persons.

According to neighborhood sources, before it was converted into a residence, the Gion House was an 'ochaya,' or a traditional establishment where the patrons of Gion have been entertained by geiko and geisha in a very exclusive setting. The house is over 100 years old.

The location is superb in terms of being central and being steeped in atmosphere. This property is actually located within the very heart of what is considered to be 'Gion.' The location is completely quiet, since it is tucked on a side street with almost no through car traffic. There are numerous temples, restaurants, and shops located nearby, with walking access to major tourist sights such as Kiyomizu Temple, Chion-in, and Maruyama Park. The downtown shopping district and Kamo River are also just a ten minute walk away. Nearby is easy access to public transportation and taxis.

The Gion House is just five minutes' walk from Hanamikoji Street, one of the most traditional and preserved sections of Kyoto, where you can find old 'machiya' style wooden houses in abundance. You can also find geishas scurrying down the alleyways on their way to work in the evenings.

You’ll enjoy the luxury and ambiance of the Gion House, and the location can’t be beat for a memorable Kyoto experience in the very special part of town called Gion.

More Details
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About Owner/Property Manager

The owner, Curtis Hawes, divides his time between Kyoto and San Francisco. He has a deep affinity for both places. Bridging the rest of the world with Kyoto is one of his missions in life, and the Gion House is one small way to offer visitors a peaceful respite in a very Japanese setting, right in the heart of old Kyoto, in Gion.

Owner/Property Manager purchased this house in 2006
Why Owner/Property Manager chose Kyoto

I bought this house because of it's location, inside one of the neighborhoods that still retains more than a a bit of the flavor of "old Kyoto."

What makes this house unique

Some things that are unique about this property:

-The touch of the architect, who re-worked this old, traditional-style house, to make it perfectly modern and luxurious, without sacrificing the original charm of the house.

-The sounds that emanate from the neighboring Kenninji Temple grounds next door early in the morning....gongs and bells.

-The tranquility of the neighborhood, which is a rare luxury in the center of Kyoto.

Kyoto house rental - Exterior view at dusk

Exterior view at dusk

Living Room

Living Room

Tatami Bedroom

Tatami Bedroom

Western-style bedroom

Western-style bedroom

Kitchen

Kitchen

Original intricate woodwork on living room ceiling (100 years old)

Original intricate woodwork on living room ceiling (100 years old)

Entrance to Bath and Shower Area

Entrance to Bath and Shower Area

Roof Deck with View of Kenninji Temple Grounds

Roof Deck with View of Kenninji Temple Grounds

Hanamikoji Street in the heart of Gion...just a three minute walk away

Hanamikoji Street in the heart of Gion...just a three minute walk away

Kenninji Temple, our immediate neighbor, with expansive grounds and gardens

Kenninji Temple, our immediate neighbor, with expansive grounds and gardens

The view up the street, from our front door

The view up the street, from our front door

The Kamo River. The heart of downtown as seen from the Gion side (10 min. walk)

The Kamo River. The heart of downtown as seen from the Gion side (10 min. walk)

Miyagawa-cho, an 8 minute walk away. Great for a night-time stroll.

Miyagawa-cho, an 8 minute walk away. Great for a night-time stroll.

The garden inside Kenninji. A quiet place to reflect. Just next door!!

The garden inside Kenninji. A quiet place to reflect. Just next door!!

Available
  
Unavailable
Special Offer
Updated:
May 19, 2013
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Rental Rates for this vacation house rental in Kyoto, Japan

Payment is usually accepted in the quoted currency () unless the currency and the amount is specifically agreed in advance with the owner / advertiser.

Notes

  • From ¥23,000/nt
  • Japanese Yen;
    ¥23,000/nt. low season (December to February, June to August);
    ¥25,000/nt. high season (March to May, September to November);
    Rate is for two persons. 3rd/4th persons can stay for additional ¥2,000/nt./person;
    **Minimum stay 5 nights;
    Payment by Visa or Mastercard, Paypal, or international wire transfer.
  • Date Available: Year Round - See availability calendar.

Accommodation and Amenities for this vacation house rental in Kyoto, Japan

Property Type:
  • house
Forms of Payment:
  • accept credit card
General:
  • Washing Machine
  • Internet
  • Linens Provided
  • Wireless Internet
  • Clothes Dryer
  • Air Conditioning
  • Telephone
Kitchen:
  • Microwave
  • Cooking Utensils
  • Refrigerator
  • Kitchen
Bathrooms:
  • 1 Bathroom
  • Bathroom 1 -
Bedrooms:
  • 2 Bedrooms, Sleeps 4
Entertainment:
  • Satellite / Cable
  • DVD Player
Outside:
  • Deck / Patio
Suitability:
  • Minimum Age Limit for Renters
  • non smoking only
Attractions:
  • restaurants
Leisure Activities:
  • shopping
  • sight seeing

Reviews for this vacation house rental in Kyoto, Japan

Gion House Machiya (Upper Level) in Prime Gion Location
average rating of 5.0 based on 63 reviews
business
Gion House Machiya (Upper Level) in Prime Gion Location
http://www.homeaway.com/vacation-rental/p3006040
+1 415-990-6716
Kyoto Japan
Murrumbateman, New South Wales, Australia
5

A week was too short

5 of 5
Submitted: February 23, 2013 Stayed: February 2013
My husband and I made our first visit to Kyoto in February together with our 21 year old daughter who had briefly visited Kyoto before. The very beautiful Gion Upper House was a wonderful base for our exploration of Kyoto. The 2 spacious bedrooms and an equally spacious living area provided us with lots of room (room for the 21 year old to have her own space). The house is immaculately maintained and in a quiet part of Gion (which is only a short stroll from major temples, the tourist hub of Gion and modern Kyoto across the river). Living for a week in a machiya added something really special to our experience of Kyoto. Curtis had answered all of our queries promptly. It was very straightforward to get to the house from Kyoto station by taxi. The notes provided by Curtis on the house and the local area were very helpful. We used them to find our way to the good local supermarket and to the amazing basement food hall in Takashimaya Department Store.

At the end of our stay we left very reluctantly - heaps of places still to visit and we didn't want to leave the house. We hope that we will make it back one day soon.
Recommended for:  Age 55+, Tourists without a Car, Sightseeing, Families with Teenagers, Romantic Getaway
business
Gion House Machiya (Upper Level) in Prime Gion Location
http://www.homeaway.com/vacation-rental/p3006040
+1 415-990-6716
Kyoto Japan
Paris
5

Perfect place

5 of 5
Submitted: February 23, 2013 Stayed: February 2013
. The location is the best you can imagine for feeling the true old Kyoto. The owner is very helpful and the flat has been perfectly restored.
Recommended for:  Adventure Seekers, Girls Getaway, Tourists without a Car, Sightseeing, Families with Teenagers, Families with Young Children, Romantic Getaway
business
Gion House Machiya (Upper Level) in Prime Gion Location
http://www.homeaway.com/vacation-rental/p3006040
+1 415-990-6716
Kyoto Japan
United Kingdom
5

Perfect place to stay in Kyoto

5 of 5
Submitted: January 20, 2013 Stayed: December 2012
Having explored Kyoto extensively this has to be one of the best places to stay in Kyoto. It would be very difficult to find a house in a better location - right in the heart of Gion and within walking distance of all the major temples on the Eastern side of Kyoto. It's also an easy walk into Kyoto centre through the best bits of Gion.

The house itself is fantastic with everything you'd need for any length of stay. Everything is fresh and clean and has been done to a really high standard. Contact with the owner and arranging the booking was very simple. Next time I'm in Kyoto this place will be very high on my list of places to stay.
Recommended for:  Age 55+, Tourists without a Car, Sightseeing, Romantic Getaway
business
Gion House Machiya (Upper Level) in Prime Gion Location
http://www.homeaway.com/vacation-rental/p3006040
+1 415-990-6716
Kyoto Japan
San Francisco, CA
5

Location, Location, Location!

5 of 5
Submitted: January 12, 2013 Stayed: December 2012
There could not be a better location for exploring Kyoto. And, how wondrous to be in an old machiya (perfectly modernized) on a charming quiet residential street, just around the corner from the historic and picturesque Hanamikoji Street. The bathroom is amazing - what you would expect and find in an upscale hotel. And, so convenient to have a well-appointed kitchen (complete with a washer/dryer combo unit). Very easy to stock up on breakfast items at a small grocery just up the street. The on-the-ground manager was easy to reach and extremely helpful in booking restaurant reservations and answering questions. An amazing value.
Recommended for:  Tourists without a Car, Sightseeing, Families with Teenagers
Helpful votes: 0/1
business
Gion House Machiya (Upper Level) in Prime Gion Location
http://www.homeaway.com/vacation-rental/p3006040
+1 415-990-6716
Kyoto Japan
Reseda, California
5

Stay here, and you won't be disappointed

Stay here, and you won't be disappointed
5 of 5
Submitted: December 26, 2012 Stayed: November 2012
My husband and I absolutely loved this Gion machiya. It was beautifully maintained and immaculate. The furnishings appeared to be chosen with care and were a wonderful mix of traditional Japanese charm and modern convenience. We took many pictures, as we didn't want to forget the beauty of this place. One of the many highlights was the radiant floor heating, which was a welcomed luxury during our November stay. Even when it was chilly outside, we were quite cozy and comfortable. November was a great time of year to visit, as the fall foliage in Kyoto was breathtaking. The location of this machiya made it easy for us to visit many of the temples for day and night viewing of the maples. There were also many wonderful places, within walking distance, to eat and shop at. We were celebrating our 10th wedding anniversary, and could not have chosen better accommodations. We felt at home, and it was very hard to leave after our 6 night stay. Curtis, the owner, and Junko, his employee in Kyoto, were both extremely kind and helpful. We would stay here again in a heartbeat!
Recommended for:  Age 55+, Adventure Seekers, Girls Getaway, Tourists without a Car, Sightseeing, Families with Teenagers, Families with Young Children, Romantic Getaway
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Payment Methods
Before paying contact the owner to confirm payment details.
Contact the owner directly to confirm reservation details and pay with an approved method (credit card, check, or bank transfer), to protect your payment up to $1,000.

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