Kyoto Machiya Cottage karigane

The owner was always happy to help with any questions. The Machiya has everything you need for a longer stay and a warm atmosphere that made even our few days there unforgettable. I’d definitely recommend it to anyone wanting to experience a traditional Machiya!

Our host helped make the stay comfortable and introduced us to lots of local spots, including cafes, bars, hot springs, and restaurants. We had a perfect time in Kyoto and will stay here again. It’s near Daitoku shine The Golden Pavilion, and renting a bicycle would make getting around more comfortable. Kyoto gets very crowded in peak season, so taxis and buses can take longer and cost more than you might expect.

Rika and Shimo were excellent hosts. They greeted us with matcha and cakes, gave us an overview of Kyoto, and had detailed guides in the house for local food and places to visit. They live nearby and were on hand throughout, answering questions, making recommendations, reserving restaurants, and booking taxis. Communication was excellent before and during our stay. The Tokyo bikes were stylish and a great way to see Kyoto. Karigan is a beautifully renovated traditional house that stays true to its history while offering lovely modern conveniences. Its location north of the Imperial Palace suited us well, away from the usual tourist crowds, with some excellent local places to eat and easy routes around Kyoto. We had an exceptional time in this perfectly formed gem. Thank you, Shimo and Rika.

The bathroom was the highlight for us 🙂. We stayed four days at Karigane, a restored traditional Japanese guest house with modern comforts, and our wonderful hosts made the visit better than we could have imagined. Kyoto is a great pick if you want to see traditional Japan, with plenty to visit and kind, helpful people around. Thanks, Shimmo and Rika, for all your help and kindness. Greetings from Budapest!