Room Features

• Exterior: Contrary to its seemingly compact outward appearance, its long and spacious interior perfectly demonstrates the distinctive feature of a machiya. Locals have affectionately coined this long and thin rectangular design as “unagi no nedoko” – which translates literally as an “eel’s sleeping space”.)
• Entrance: Lighting fixtures offer a updated, modern atmosphere, while the long kitchen, high open ceilings, and Japanese garden offer a glimpse of Japan from years past.
  
• Kitchen: The kitchen is fitted with sleek, black counter top and modern kitchen fixtures. A high, open ceiling known as “hibukuro,” once used to ventilate smoke from the furnace, and modern appliances round out the kitchen space.
  
• 1F Japanese Room: Clean white walls with contrasting dark wooden accents, traditional tatami flooring, and latticed wooden are featured throughout the house. The window found in the entryway is designed with a wooden latticed screen, which allows for the natural light to subtly fill the room and bring warmth to the space.
  ・2 x Japanese futon can be set
  
• “Tsuboniwa” Garden The Japanese style garden, lit by round lanterns, and designed with stone steps and plants native to Japan, blends harmoniously with the modern interior.
• Bathroom: The play with dark and light colors adds a touch of sophistication, which will allow you to relax in luxury. Known as “Hinoki wood” in Japanese, Cypress is a lemon-scented wood that is often used when building temples, shrines, and castles.
  ・2 x Toilets (1F x 2)
  
• 2F Western-style Room: The light fixture found within this room provides a modern take on the traditional Japanese paper lantern. In addition, you will find a dressing table and mirror, perfect for when you are readying for the day or preparing to wind down after a day of traveling.
  ・2 x Double-Sized Beds
• 2F Japanese-style Room: Wooden beams line the ceilings while tatami flooring allow guests to experience another traditional characteristic unique to authentic machiya houses.
  ・2 x Japanese futon bedding can be set

Gallery

Local Information

By seamlessly blending traditional and functional design elements, this machiya will allow you to experience the “harmony and beauty" of an authentic Kyoto townhouse.

"Shobu-an" machiya house is an 8 minute walk from the Shijo-Karasuma Station, Kyoto’s bustling city centre, and a 10-minute walk from Higashi Hongan-ji Temple.

Conveniently located with easy access to Kyoto Station, and sightseeing areas such as Gion and Kawaramachi, and Nijo Castle. Jump on a bus to visit the famous Golden Pavilion, an approximately 25 minute bus ride. Or take the Kyoto City subway north to visit the Kyoto Imperial Palace (2 subway stops away).

For traditional Kyoto-style cuisine, to family-friendly restaurants, "izakaya" Japanese bars, and Western-style restaurants --head towards the Shijo dining district. If you would like to make a meal using the kitchen, we recommend stopping by "Nishiki-Market", an outdoor food market located a 10 minute walk away. Pick up local produce, fresh meat and fish, and small side-dishes that will allow you to taste some of Kyoto's best cuisines.

Access Information