Shakudo-an

You can really enjoy the feel of a Kyoto townhouse here. The kitchen is well equipped, but depending on what you plan to cook, it may not be enough for a stay without meals. There are no seasonings, plastic wrap, or aluminum foil, and the toaster goes up and down. Check what’s provided ahead of time. A dish drainer and a cloth for drying dishes would also be useful.

We stayed two nights over three days. Having the whole building to ourselves suited my companion, who wanted to avoid crowds, though we originally hoped to book another inn in the same chain and changed plans because its facilities were poor. The receptionist and reservation staff were very friendly. There were plenty of outlets, the washing machine was easy to use, and the kitchen's underfloor heating kept things warm enough that our laundry dried overnight. The little room at the back of the upstairs Japanese-style room was lovely, and I even did zazen there. The cold downstairs toilet added to the old townhouse feel. It may have been more space than two people needed, but we relaxed and enjoyed it. The bus stop is close, and Sanjusangendo Temple and the museum are walkable. For a longer visit, I’d recommend taking time to unwind here. Bring your own pajamas, since none are provided, and I wish they offered rentals, even for a fee. There’s no cleaning gear like a Swiffer, which I missed during our extended stay. The bathroom may feel small if you like having space to do your makeup.

There’s one Western-style room with two beds, while the rest of this modern take on a traditional machiya is Japanese-style. The kitchen is beautiful, though I’m not sure it needs to be the main feature since people don’t come to Kyoto to cook. Getting around is the downside: it’s far from everything, about 15 minutes from the subway and 30 minutes from Gion. There is a bus stop 100 meters away, with buses to most points of interest taking 30 or 45 minutes, and a kombini nearby.

Cooking for my family felt a bit cramped, and the dining area was on the small side too. Apart from that, everything was perfect and we had a great time.