Kyomachiya-Oyado Hana

The retro furnishings and atmosphere were lovely for the price, and the photos look great. But the poor soundproofing made this the hardest place I've ever tried to sleep in, despite having stayed in old houses elsewhere and in various places around Kyoto. I stayed on November 17. Maybe there's a courier service nearby, or taxis waiting around, or maybe it's just the intersection, but I kept hearing car engines revving in the middle of the night. I usually fall asleep easily and don't remember anything once I'm in bed, so it surprised me that I could recall what happened before I finally slept here. The toilet is outside the main house, which seems like a downside for girls. That may be how it was in really old houses, with the bathroom and toilet in separate buildings. A townhouse I stayed in recently had a modern interior, but I felt it was only for show. Which setup is better probably depends on what you value. I'm giving this a low rating because, for me, not sleeping well gets in the way of sightseeing the next day. But everyone can decide for themselves what this accommodation is worth.

Breakfast was Kyoto kaiseki cuisine, and the whole stay felt peaceful. We had the old house entirely to ourselves for several nights, so we could just relax without worrying about anyone else.

The traditional atmosphere has been kept, and I really liked it. I spent one night here in April. Having stayed in a number of townhouses, I noticed this one was much better insulated and less chilly than the others. It was also reassuring to find the toilet, bath, and kitchen renovated.

Being right beside Higashi Honganji Temple made the location especially nice. The neighborhood felt lived-in, with locals going about their usual routines, so staying here gave me a real sense of life in a traditional Kyoto townhouse. Kyoto Station was also an easy walk away.