Nodoka-an

Great location, and the place was clean.

A cozy, homey Airbnb.

Really homey and cozy.

Being able to check ourselves in was a big plus. The manager sends the password after booking, then you let yourself in at the appointed time. If anything comes up, you can contact them; otherwise, you just check out and leave. We were a small family who prefer a separate place to big hotels full of tour groups, and this renovated machiya made a lovely, peaceful Kyoto weekend. I chose it carefully and wasn’t disappointed. The layout is roughly one bedroom, living room, bathroom, and separate toilet. It isn’t huge, but there’s plenty of room for two or three people, and a 29-inch suitcase fits. The kitchen has pots and pans, microwave, small oven, and kettle. There’s a bathtub, a bidet toilet seat, a washing machine, and a small area for drying clothes. The triple bed is really two singles pushed together, enough for two adults and a child. The sofa bed can sleep another adult, though it isn’t very flat. There’s a TV with terrestrial channels only, no BS or CS, which is still a plus since many machiya rentals don’t have one. Wi-Fi is fast, though the device is fixed rather than portable. I usually carry a Japanese SIM, so that wasn’t an issue. Basically, it has everything we needed. The location is excellent. A FRESCO supermarket, a FAMILY, and McDonald’s are just across the alley. Sanjo is about five minutes away on foot, and Shijo-Kawahara about fifteen. You can even pop over to Takashimaya for an evening bento. It’s quieter than Kawaramachi at night. Higashiyama subway station is a two-minute walk, and Sanjo station on the Keihan line takes five minutes. One caution: please be considerate here, especially if you’re Taiwanese. A machiya is more like living in a Kyoto home than staying in a hotel, and sound carries. Keep noise down after 7 or 8 pm, sort and bag your rubbish properly using the bags the host provides, and wash and dry your own dishes. Treat it as you’d want someone to treat your home, and you’ll have a lovely holiday. The entrance lane is tiny, about as wide as a Taiwan fire lane. If it’s your first visit, walk into the alley even if it doesn’t look like there’s a doorway. Find the little lane by the 800-Ban vegetable shop and parked small truck. The first house belongs to the same owner and is Jing'an, then Changxian'an, followed by private residences. Take care not to get mixed up and disturb the neighbors.