Houze 1st Gojo Omiya

We had a lovely three-day visit for the autumn leaves. The hosts were great, and the machiya felt new and came with everything we needed.

The yuba breakfast set was delicious, and I’d happily have it again. I’d recommend the place for families, groups, and younger guests. The stairs are very steep for elderly people, and I found the sunken kotatsu uncomfortable.

We came with four adults and two children under two for three nights starting March 24, hoping to catch Kyoto’s early cherry blossoms. Having a whole detached house worked well with noisy little kids, and the restaurant breakfast was seriously good. It was filling, and the soup had lots of vegetables, which can be hard to get while travelling. We didn’t have any constipation. Breakfast is normally at 8:30, but if you ask beforehand, they can arrange 7:30. The amenities are well stocked, so there’s no need to bring your own. They had coffee and tea, a full set of kids’ dishes, and laundry detergent, all useful with children who make a mess. The location may be tricky if you don’t know Kyoto, though a taxi should be easy enough if you’re familiar with the city. For directions, it helps to say it’s across from the Lawson convenience store in Omiya Gojo, in front of Matsubara Clinic. A car won’t drop you right at the guesthouse, so expect a one- or two-minute walk. You can message staff on LINE, but replies may take a while. Calling is quickest for anything urgent.

We stayed over New Year with seven family members, including a toddler. I think the place is most comfortable for up to four adults. The renovated old house was clean and had lovely traditional character. The bathroom was clean too, and both the kitchen and laundry area had underfloor heating. The living room had a TV and a sunken hearth. The main drawback was heating the first floor. Even with the heat on, it took a long time to warm up, and turning it all the way up eventually made the second floor too hot. It was hard to keep the temperature comfortable. Still, staying in such a charming old Kyoto house is a special experience, and I’d come back if I had the chance.