Room Features

• Entrance Room The entrance room features traditional wooden lattice work, called koshi, which allows sunlight to shine into the home. The sunken counter seating provides a relaxing setting to discreetly observe the street scene while drinking tea or reading books.
  
• Kitchen The restored 'hibukuro,' or high ceiling, was formerly used to release smoke and heat from the kitchen furnace below. Now, the high ceiling channels sunlight from the skylight above. The kitchen also has a refurbished antique cupboard, which contains traditional dishes and silverware.
• Tsuboniwa Garden Japanese plum, cedar trees, and a tsukubai (a stone basin often featured in gardens used to purify the hands) complete the design of this traditional garden. It will be your quiet and peaceful oasis during your stay at Akane-an.
  
• Bathroom The bathroom is lined with the finest Japanese hinoki cypress wood. Take in the view of the tsuboniwa garden while soaking in a relaxing bath. There are 2 toilets, 1 shower/bathtub, and 1 washroom located on the 1st floor.
• Living Room The Japanese-style living room is lined with traditional tatami mats, from where you can gaze out onto the Japanese garden. When you look up, appreciate the traditional ajiro-tenjo ceiling, a wickerwork pattern created by hand-woven wood.
  Up to 2 Japanese futon bedding can be set here.
  
• Western-Style Bedroom Exposed high ceilings and wooden beams reveal the architecture of this machiya house. Sliding shoji windows lined with delicate Japanese paper allow natural light to fill the room and highlight the wooden accents. You will find twin beds in this room that can sleep 2 guests.
• Japanese-Style Bedroom Adjacent to this room is the tatami-lined Japanese bedroom. Use this room as a cozy sitting room and a place to relax at the end of the day.
  
  
  
  

Gallery

Local Information

World Heritage Site, Nijo Castle, once served as the residence of the Tokugawa shoguns in Kyoto, who ruled over Japan for more than 260 years.

Situated on a stone-paved street, a regal 120 year-old machiya, with white plastered walls and traditional “mushikado” windows accented with black lattice screens await you. The inside of the machiya paints a picture of warmth, delicacy, and beauty that is intrinsic to the design of the building. This machiya provides a tranquil area to rest, and forget about the outside world.

This Kyo-machiya is only a few streets away from the main Horikawa Street. Numerous bus stops, and the Kyoto city subway allow for easy access between the house and surrounding sightseeing attractions. With the grand view of Nijo Castle across the way, you will no doubt be able to appreciate the history, which permeates this neighborhood.

Nearby, you will find a “shoutengai” (local shopping arcade) that is filled with restaurants, small shops, supermarkets, cafes, and more.

If you are looking to truly experience life as a local within Kyoto, stop by the “Sanjo Shoutengai” to pick up fresh produce & local eats to bring back to your machiya house. Stop by in the morning to visit the family-owned bakery for a morning meal and spend time in your machiya house looking out into the garden while enjoying a relaxing meal.

Access Information