Azuki-an Machiya Holiday House

Downstairs there’s a tiny full kitchen, washer, toilet, shower and bath, good wifi, and a nice set of plates, bowls, and cups. There’s a small traditional garden at the back. If you’re taller than 5'10", watch your head. The house is arranged as two upstairs bedrooms, though the walls in this old machiya don’t reach the ceiling. One room has two western twin beds, the other has two futons on tatami. My only real complaint was the lighting: the lamps are very dim at night, while the thin window shades let in a lot of daylight. Those 4:30 a.m. Kyoto sunrises were rough, so bring an eye mask. It’s on a very quiet side street in Gion, with no party or noise issues. The loudest sounds we heard were rain and the occasional crows at dawn. Kennin-ji is just around the corner, and Gion-Shijo station, Pontocho, Kawaramachi station, and Ninen-Zaka are all close. The stations are handy for Fushimi Inari, Nara, getting across town, or going to Osaka. A great house to rent as a base for Gion and Higashiyama. You can book this machiya through Machiya Inns & Hotels on Booking or their site. Highly recommend.