Kishoan

The apartment was beautiful and very clean, with all the hotel amenities we needed. It’s in a really nice neighborhood, about a 10-minute walk from central Kyoto, though the main sights were more than half an hour away. But we stayed in March and the ground floor never warmed up. Cold air came through the old-style windows, so we were freezing and couldn’t enjoy that floor at all. The downstairs bathroom was as cold as a fridge, making it miserable to shower or even use the toilet. There wasn’t an electrical outlet in there for the supplied space heater. The poor windows also let in road noise, and we woke up to it every morning. The doors and several parts of the ceiling were very low. The men in our group who were over 1.90m kept bumping their heads. We really regret spending that money.

We loved our week at Kishoan, from 12OCT to 19OCT 2022. The place was immaculate and comfortable, with everything we needed, from robes, towels, coffee and bath salts to kitchen utensils. We’d pick up croissants at the local bakery, eat breakfast out in the lovely back garden, and plan the day there. It was also nice being in a quiet neighborhood with shops, restaurants and the metro easy to reach. We booked directly with Shiki Properties. Their website had loads of helpful detail, and they were easy to deal with and quick to answer questions. Sending luggage ahead to each stop was a little tricky because they were used to guests bringing their own bags, but they worked it out and someone was there to receive ours. The bedrooms are upstairs, reached by a very steep climb. I hope they put in a bannister. I’d happily stay in this lovely neighborhood property again, and it was one of the highlights of our Japan trip. 7/2/2023 update: The rates have shot up since my review above, so I wouldn’t book it again now.

Staying at Kisho-an with my old friends is something I’ll never forget. The beautiful MACHI-YA gave us a glimpse of traditional Japanese life, almost like visiting a cozy granny’s home. For Japanese people, a MACHI-YA in inner Kyoto is special, and it can feel like a rare privilege if you weren’t born into a genuine Kyotoit family. It also had modern touches that made things comfortable. The air-conditioning was powerful enough to help us forget Kyoto’s deadly summer heat, and we enjoyed the Japanese bath, the comfortable bed, and the FUTON. It was such a memorable stay in Japan.

Honestly, just go there and enjoy it.