Kuraya Kamigojo-cho

A lovely little sanctuary, so beautiful.

We were there in April and found the accommodation very nice. In summer, it might get too hot since the air conditioning isn't very efficient.

There isn't much room to put luggage, so I'd suggest packing light. The place faces a main road with plenty of traffic, but the sound protection was good enough that it didn't bother us. There are several bus stops nearby, along with shops and other places for everyday needs. The house may look small and old-fashioned, but we found it cozy and special, with a real Machiya feel. The design is incredible, and we liked all the thoughtful details, including the relaxing bath and English instructions for the housewares. We got used to the place quickly and were very happy with our choice for a few days in Kyoto.

Having the whole house to ourselves made it feel almost like a high-end ryokan. The courtyard, lovely bath, tatami, and traditional atmosphere were wonderful, and they provided yukata to wear indoors. I also asked for breakfast, and they brought the kaiseki right to the room. It was delicious and a memorable experience. The house was so spacious and traditional that I found it a little spooky when I was alone. The high ceilings probably added to that feeling. Also, since it's unmanned, there's nowhere to leave luggage. Even so, it was the best >_