Enso Machiya

The peaceful garden was one of the things that made our stay at Enso Machiya feel so special. Our room was spacious, beautifully appointed and had traditional bedding that was deeply comfortable. The whole place felt tranquil, almost dreamlike. From the warm welcome onward, the staff were attentive and kind, and made us feel at home. It felt like more than a place to sleep, with a sense of Kyoto’s spirit and details that reflected harmony, tradition and peace. I’d wholeheartedly recommend Enso Machiya to anyone looking for a luxurious, authentic ryokan experience in Kyoto. It’s a stay to remember.

The staff were friendly and helpful, and the upstairs room was large, with big comfortable beds. There were AC and heating units upstairs and down, plus a large modern bath with a separate shower room and a hinoki wood tub. But the place felt cold and impractical to me. Almost everything was black, from the floors and bath tiles to the walls, table and chairs. The black cupboards hid the kettle, microwave, toaster, mini fridge, plates, mugs, pajamas and possibly other things I never found in the dark. That black bathroom step down felt risky at night. We only discovered later that the floors had underfloor heating, apparently controlled by one of the complicated shower room panels. Nobody explained the panels, and I’m still not sure how we turned it on. Slippers weren’t provided either, which made walking barefoot on the floors cold at first. Getting our small suitcases up the narrow, steep stairs was a pain. The big beds left nowhere to put bags, and there were no hooks or chairs upstairs for clothes. There is a closet at the far end of the downstairs room, but for just the two of us we wound up draping clothes over the hard dining chairs while bathing, changing or unpacking. There were no hooks or towel rails in the bathroom, either. If you have mobility issues, note that the bath and toilet are downstairs from the bedroom, though there is a black metal banister for the trip down at night. There’s a TV, tucked away so it doesn’t show, but with no soft furnishings downstairs, where would you sit to watch it, on a hard black chair? It wasn’t appealing. In Kyoto’s traditional textile neighborhood, a bit of color on the walls and a soft chair for the delicious green tea would have been welcome. The design just didn’t work well for us.

The location makes it easy to explore the area, and the rooms are cozy, clean and thoughtfully put together. I’ve stayed at Enso Machiya a few times now, and every visit has been wonderful. The bedding from Daito Shingu is high quality, and the comfortable pajamas make a stay feel even nicer. The staff are friendly and helpful, so everything feels easy. I’d highly recommend it for a serene, luxurious stay in Kyoto.

The staff were so hospitable, even calling a restaurant to help us sort out a reservation issue. I’d recommend staying here and would come back. I spent a night here with friends during my Japan trip, and we had a lovely time. The rooms were incredibly clean and organized, with a sophisticated feel that gave the stay an elegant vibe.