Starting from just 10,000 yen per person per night in Japanese yen！Kyoto machiya stays – see what a century-old house looks like inside

▲ The entrance of a machiya stay.

Reported and photographed by Reporter You t
ru / Kyoto

When visiting Kyoto, if you only focus on sightseeing spots, you might miss out on experiencing its cultural lifestyle. As an ancient city, Kyoto is similar to Tainan in that it has preserved many well-maintained old houses, which have been transformed into accommodations. Kyoto’s “machiya stays” have always been one of the favorite options for travelers, ranging from budget to high-end options, with entire house rentals being particularly enchanting.


▲ The living room, which can also be used as a bedroom.
%Strong quote begins:


%The essence of tradition speaks through the architecture and details.
 

“Iori” Kyoto Machiya Series is one of the well-known accommodations in Kyoto, with 11 branches located at different spots around the city. Depending on the condition and size of each machiya, the number of guests that can stay ranges from 2 to 9 people. Local staff member Takahashi explained that the “Iori” series machiya are rented to guests on a sublease basis as entire house stays. The one where the reporter stayed, located in Kumiya-cho, can accommodate up to 9 people.

All buildings are over 100 years old and are almost entirely made of wood, so smoking indoors and cooking are prohibited. Additionally, to preserve the original structure, there are issues with uneven ceilings and floors, rooms vary in size, and due to proximity to neighbors, there is almost no soundproofing inside. Staying in such an entire machiya for one night is not only expensive and comes with many restrictions, but also involves various lifestyle inconveniences. Yet, machiya stays remain highly sought after by travelers.


▲%The interior may look traditional but is not lacking in modern touches.
 


▲ A view of the courtyard from the second floor.
%A multi-functional living space.



▲ There are both Western-style and Japanese-style rooms.

The most beautiful first moment when staying in a machiya is undoubtedly the aroma. Old construction materials are mostly made of hinoki (Japanese cypress), and the traditional craftsmanship ensures long-lasting use without easily deteriorating. The scent of hinoki and tatami fills the air as soon as you slide open the wooden door. Stepping in with slippers, the wooden floors creak softly underfoot. Passing through the entryway and into the corridor, at the end lies the bathroom. Walking down the long hallway, you’ll see a Japanese garden outside, where guests sit or lie down, as if traveling back in time to old Japan.

There are also many antiques inside the machiya, such as cabinets for tea utensils, lighting fixtures or screens, even carvings on window sills or the fine patterns on glass, all clearly showing the age of the machiya. As for the machiya now offered to travelers, the facilities are actually quite modern. For example, there are bidet toilets in the bathrooms, heating systems installed in the rooms, and kitchens equipped with electric kettles and water filters. Amidst the seemingly strict and traditional lifestyle associated with old houses, convenient modern amenities are provided, allowing you to simultaneously feel the flow of old times slipping through your fingers — truly a scenery unique and easily savored only in Kyoto.

%A cozy and nostalgic gateway awaits.


Iori Kyoto Machiya
Reservation phone: 075-352-0211
Website:http://www.kyoto-machiya.com/machiya/index.html
Accommodation price: A minimum of 10,000 Japanese yen per person, purely accommodation with no meals provided