Rinn Premium Machiya Townhouse Kyoto Nijo Castle North

The kitchen looks sleek behind its sliding doors, but inside there was just one pan, no saucepan or other cookware. With no breakfast included, even boiling an egg became a planning exercise. And the bathroom lighting is so dim that doing makeup was a hassle. I used both my iPhones for light, juggling one while applying makeup, which took much longer and got annoying. The bathroom was freezing in February, including the shower, tub, and vanity area. There are heaters upstairs and downstairs, and the master bedroom warms up once its heater gets going. But I had to run the portable heater in the bathroom for about an hour before showering felt bearable. The bath was one of the main reasons I booked. The website made it look like a luxurious, peaceful soak, but heating the water meant putting a small industrial-looking element with wires into the tub and following two pages of instructions. Even knowing not to sit in the tub while it was on, the setup felt like a science experiment. I decided not to use it at all. The check-in itself was smooth. Staff were polite, professional, and helpful, and arranged a taxi from another Rinn hotel near the station to the machiya. That felt very civilized and set my expectations high. The house is beautifully renovated, tastefully designed, and in a lovely, quiet neighborhood that’s convenient for getting around Kyoto. It looks just like the photos, refined and elegant. There’s also a little courtyard, which I admired briefly before remembering it was February and I value my survival. I chose this place after a YouTube vlogger raved about it. After staying here, I won’t rely on that person’s “expertise” again. Apparently everything in their world is magical and flawless, with permanent golden-hour lighting and no downsides. The price is attractive, and I’m glad I got to experience a renovated machiya. It’s beautiful and unique, but it doesn’t match a proper hotel for comfort or practicality. It also cured my short-lived fantasy about buying an akiya. Traditional houses have charm, but insulation clearly wasn’t part of the design philosophy. I’m glad I tried it once, with “once” being the key word. Next time I want modern insulation, proper lighting, and a bathtub that doesn’t need a user manual.

The machiya-style room was beautiful, but there were cockroaches all over, including in the bathtub. The hotel offered no help until checkout, which left the stay feeling unsafe and very disappointing.

The unit is absolutely beautiful and could be a great place to stay if steps are taken to prevent infestations. When we arrived today, bugs were coming inside, and we contacted the hotel. At first I said I’d update once they responded. The staff turned out to be super professional and responsive: they moved us to another place and offered an excellent alternative.

Photos don’t really capture how impressive the house is. It’s a wonderful look at classic Japanese architecture paired with modern luxury design.