Shiki Homes KUMEI

Our group of four loved the place as a base for exploring Kyoto. The neighborhood had narrow, charming streets, with rivers, restaurants, and bars nearby. The machiya-style home was tastefully designed, mixing classic touches with modern amenities. We loved sleeping in the tatami room, while our friends chose the western beds. Downstairs there was a spacious living and dining area, with room for another couple too. The bathroom was great, with a shower and tub, and the air conditioning was a real help in the July heat. After days visiting temples and shrines, shopping, and enjoying Kyoto, it was a fantastic place to come back to and relax. Highly recommended.

We left before Christmas was over, after less than a day, and found a local hotel for our six-year-old daughter. The heat kept failing, and cobwebs were all over the place. I can't imagine another parent wanting to watch their child shiver there. We were charged a ¥10,000 cleaning fee, which made the cobwebs especially hard to understand. When we contacted Management, they told us to clean the air filters and send model numbers for the broken units, as though they didn't know what was installed in their own building. Nobody picked up the phone, and the emails didn't come from anyone identifiable. It felt like the owners were far away, communication was poor, and the work was being handed to us. They only asked how they could help once we said we'd booked a hotel. They offered no refund, but did ask us to cancel the reservation without repayment so they could rent the place again. Maybe it would be fine in summer. This was the only bad experience in a month of working in Japan.

Being able to soak in the tub and look out at the Japanese-style garden was a lovely part of our stay at KUMEI. With six people sharing one bathing room, we did have to plan out turns, but it was well worth it. There’s a toilet on both floors, and the first floor gave us plenty of room and seats to hang out together without feeling crowded. The house is a beautifully renovated machiya townhouse, stylish, clean, and comfortable, with everything we needed for a Kyoto getaway. One room has two beds, and the other two rooms can be set up with futons, so six of us slept comfortably. We had a great time staying there with friends. It’s tucked into a quiet neighborhood with local character, just seconds from the popular Kamo River, a nice spot for a walk and some Kyoto scenery. Kiyomizu-Gojō and Shichijō stations are both under a ten-minute walk, and there are cafes and restaurants close by too. I’d happily stay at KUMEI again.

We found a great little sento about 100 meters away, with friendly service, several kinds of baths, and a sauna. The house is also close to the river and within walking distance of a handful of bars and restaurants, so there’s plenty to explore on foot. Inside, the original machiya character is still there, especially in the preserved wood, but the place has been fully updated. Downstairs has a living and dining area with two lounge chairs and a table for four, plus a kitchenette with a microwave/oven, small refrigerator, stove, utensils, and glasses. There’s also a toilet and a washroom with a washer and dryer. The roomy counter was handy for all our makeup bags and other bits. The tatami room has two big bean bag chairs and four floor chairs, and we spent time there with wine and snacks, watching local TV or Netflix. Since it connects with the kitchen and dining area, we could all sit and chat comfortably. Upstairs are two bedrooms and a second toilet, which was a real convenience at night. One bedroom has two double beds and a small vanity. The other has two fluffy futons and a counter for getting ready. A small nightstand would have been useful in the futon room for phones and other things. There are two more futons available for the downstairs tatami room. My friends and I had a wonderful stay at Kumei. I’ve been to Kyoto many times, but this was the first time I felt I was experiencing the real city instead of the crowded tourist areas. The house is a modern renovation of an authentic machiya, and the owners took care to reuse its original wood. It felt special. A conbini is nearby, though far enough that I wouldn’t want to walk there hungry or thirsty, so bring some drinks and snacks. Also, if you can’t order a taxi in Japanese, you’ll need to walk to a main road to get one. I hope to return to what felt like my own little Kyoto home and neighborhood.