FAQ

MACHIYA RESIDENCE INN is not a hotel, but instead offers private traditional Japanese holiday homes (vacation home) for guests. Guests are able to rent out an entire Japanese machiya house all to themselves, perfect for families, groups, special occasions, and more. As each of our machiya houses are private rentals, you will not need to share the house with other guests.

We have over 60 private machiya holiday homes spread across Kyoto City, so there's something to suit every type of trip and traveller. If you'd like a recommendation, please reach out to our reservations team — we're happy to help you find the right fit.

Booking directly through the official MACHIYA RESIDENCE INN website always gives you our best available rates and exclusive offers not found on other platforms.
If you find a different rate for the same machiya accommodation and conditions elsewhere, contact our reservations team at info[at]machiya-inn-japan.[com] within 24 hours of booking and we'll match it.
* To prevent spam, the "@" symbol is written as "[at]" and "com" as "[com]".

Yes. We offer a range of optional experiences to make the most of your time in Kyoto. From cultural activities to local guided outings, you'll find everything available on the Experiences page of our official website. Reservations for experiences can be made through our website. Click Here for more information

On our official website, reservations are accepted up to 8 months in advance, including the current month. For the best available rates, we recommend booking directly through our official website.
• Online: www.kyoto-machiya-inn.com/search/
• By email: info[at]machiya-inn-japan[dot]com
• By phone: TEL 050-3786-2009

Yes. All rates shown on our webpage include 10% consumption tax (incl. sales tax, VAT, excise duty, etc.) and service fees.

In Kyoto City, a city-mandated accommodation tax was implemented starting October 1, 2018.
Accordingly, we will charge a separate accommodation tax based on your accommodation fee as determined by the Kyoto City government. Please visit the link below for more information and details.
Kyoto City Accommodation Tax

Yes. We have neighbouring machiya houses available.
These machiya homes are side-by-side or very closely located townhomes that allow larger groups to stay close together while each group enjoys their own private home. You can explore these options on our website under 'For Group Travels.'

There are no age restrictions for guests staying with MACHIYA RESIDENCE INN.

However, please note that our machiya houses are renovated, two-story traditional Japanese homes.
While almost all of our machiya homes have a Western-Style room with beds, most are located on the 2nd Floor. Other bedding options include Japanese-style floor futons that can be set on the 1st Floor or 2nd Floor. If you are looking for a house with specific requirements (i.e. dining table and chairs, toilet facilities on the top floor, etc.), please feel free to contact our friendly staff via email or telephone.

There are no age restrictions for guests staying with MACHIYA RESIDENCE INN.

Up to 2 children, 5 years of age and younger, may stay without an additional charge when sharing a bedding with another guest. In this case, please process the child as "0" when making your reservation. Please be aware that due to the traditional layout of the houses we may not be able to make adjustments for child-proofing.

Unfortunately, due to the Japanese Fire Service Act issued by the Kyoto City government, we are unable to accept more than the maximum number of guests indicated under each property.

For reservations made through our official website, please use the reservation confirmation link in your booking confirmation email, or visit: go-machiyainnsandhotels.reservation.jp/en/reservations/detail_entry
For bookings made by phone or email: • By email: info[at]machiya-inn-japan[dot]com
• By phone: TEL 050-3786-2009

For reservations made through third-party booking sites, please contact that platform directly.

Yes, you may change the number of guests up to 2 days before your check-in date.
• For online bookings (via our official website): Log in and update your reservation via the link in your confirmation email.
go-machiyainnsandhotels.reservation.jp/en/reservations/detail_entry

• For direct bookings (by email or phone): Contact us at info[at]machiya-inn-japan[dot]com or TEL: 050-3786-2009
Please note: Once the reservation change is confirmed, the original charge will be cancelled and a new charge will be processed for the updated total. (The original charge will be refunded.)

We are able to accommodate your request.

Please make your reservation for the lowest guest count across your stay and note the change in the comments field at the time of booking. We'll follow up with a separate charge for any additional guests on the relevant nights.

Example: If you have 3 guests on night 1 and 4 guests on night 2, please book for 3 guests and note '4 guests on night 2' in the comments. We'll arrange an additional charge for the extra guest separately.

Cancellation of any reservation made with MACHIYA RESIDENCE INN may be subject to an additional fee:

*Guests will be responsible for any transaction fees involved in the receiving and returning of payment
*The terms & conditions for our "Cancellation of Contract" has been updated. The above criteria will apply to all reservations made after January 20, 2021.

Payment is required at the time of booking, and all charges will be processed in Japanese yen.
Accepted payment methods are as follows:
▪️ Online bookings (via our official website): Credit card — VISA, Mastercard, JCB, Diners Club, American Express
▪️ Direct bookings (by email or phone): PayPal or bank transfer

If you paid by credit card, your card will be charged upon cancellation and the eligible refund amount will be returned to your card at a later date. The timing of the refund depends on your card issuer's billing cycle and processing times. For a specific timeline, we recommend contacting your card provider directly.

If you have made your reservation online via our official website, to download your receipt:
- Log in to your account via go-machiyainnsandhotels.reservation.jp/en/reservations/detail_entry
- Select 'View Receipt' in the payment section of your booking details.
Please note that this option is only available for up to 90 days after your check-out date.

Depending on the timing, yes, the accommodation rate may change. A new reservation will be priced at the rate available at the time of rebooking, which may differ from your original booking.

Yes.
When making your reservation, please let us know the name of the guest who will be staying in the house, as well as the guests' contact number and email address. If another guest will be making the payment, please ensure all guests are aware of reservation details.

Breakfast is not included in the accommodation rate. However, breakfast options are available at select machiya homes. For more details, please take a look at the link below:
▪️ For details regarding our MACHIYA Breakfast BENTO Box: Click Here
▪️ For details regarding our ZEN Breakfast: Click Here

Unfortunately, pets are not permitted inside our machiya houses.

As each machiya house is a fully private rental, there is no on-site staff to receive deliveries. If you'd like to send your luggage ahead of your arrival, please address it to the MACHIYA INNS & HOTELS Welcome Desk.

Address:
MACHIYA INNS & HOTELS Welcome Desk
685-2 Higashishiokojicho Shimogyo-ku, Kyoto 600-8216
TEL: 075-708-6907

Before sending your luggage, kindly email info1[at]kyoto-machiya-inn.[com] our guest services team to let us know how many pieces of luggage we should expect to arrive.

On your luggage delivery slip, please include the following information:

- Reservation name
- Machiya house name
- Check-in date
- Number of items

Yes. If you're arriving before your check-in time or would like to store your bags after check-out while you continue exploring the city, you're welcome to leave your luggage at our Welcome Desk.
Welcome Desk hours: 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM

Yes. We can deliver your luggage from our Welcome Desk directly to your reserved machiya house.
Luggage Delivery Fees on your Check-in & Check-out Date

LUGGAGE TRANSFER TO YOUR ACCOMMODATION (Check-in Date)
- Request window: 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM on your check-in day
- Fee: ¥500 per item
- Delivery by: 7:00 PM on your check-in day
Note: Delivery requests made after 3:00 PM cannot be accommodated on the same day.

Yes. If you contact our staff at least 1 day before your check-out date, we can arrange for your luggage to be collected from your machiya and brought to our Welcome Desk.

Luggage Delivery Fees on your Check-in & Check-out Date

LUGGAGE DELIVERY TO OUR WELCOME DESK (Check-out Date)
- Request window: At least 1 day before your check-out date
- Fee: ¥800 per item
- Collection window: 4:00 PM – 7:00 PM on your check-out day

Yes. Please bring your luggage to the MACHIYA INNS & HOTELS Welcome Desk, and our team will assist with forwarding it to your next accommodation or destination.

We recommend requesting this service at least a few days in advance if you need your luggage to arrive by a specific date. While we'll do our best to coordinate timing, we are unable to guarantee exact delivery dates due to weather or carrier delays.

Check-in: 15:00~ (Machiya House Entry)^*
Check-out: ~10:00
^* Note: Check-in time may vary depending on your reserved plan. Please refer to your booking confirmation email for details.

Early check-in and late check-out are subject to availability on the day. But please do not hesitate to ask our staff on the day and we will do our best to accommodate you. When available, an additional fee of ¥3,000 per hour applies.

■HOW TO CHECK IN■
【Arrival Between 10:00AM ~ 7:00PM】
You must check in at our MACHIYA INNS & HOTEL Check in Desk near Kyoto Station between 10:00AM ~ 7:00PM, to receive your MACHIYA Door Code to enter your house. *Please note that you will also be required to meet our staff at your machiya house after 3PM.

【Arrival After 7:00PM】
Please inform our staff in advance if you will be arriving after 7:00PM.

Due to the amendment of a Kyoto City ordinance (effective April 1, 2020), we are required to confirm the identities of all guests, and the number of guests inside of your reserved machiya house. We appreciate your kind understanding and cooperation in this manner.

There is no key for our machiya homes.
Our staff will provide you with your unique MACHIYA Door Code (Keypad Code) to enter the house when you have checked in at our MACHIYA INNS & HOTELS Welcome Desk. Please note that you will not be able to enter your machiya house without this MACHIYA Door Number.

Please kindly stop by our Welcome Desk between 10:00AM ~ 7:00PM BEFORE heading to your machiya house.

Unfortunately, we do not provide yukata.
We ask all guests' to bring their own pajamas for a good night's sleep.

However, yukata will be provided at the following houses depending on your reserved accommodation plan:
Akebono-an / Garaku-an / Masarigusa / Koyu-an

We provide a basic kitchen, with essential kitchen utensils and crockery enough for the number of guests staying. Please see our webpage for more details.

Towels, linen, bathroom amenities, and more are all included in your stay.
For details on amenities, please check each individual machiya house web page.

Yes. There is a cellphone in each house in case of an emergency.

Should you have any problems or questions during your stay, you may use this phone to contact a member of staff on our emergency number which is available 24 hours per day.

No parties or events are allowed inside the machiya house at any time.

As machiya houses are traditional, wooden structures, noise tends to echo more than usual inside the houses.
Additionally, as houses are located in residential areas, close to surrounding neighbours, we respectfully ask you to take care particularly when talking in the entrance or outside the house.

Our machiya houses do not have private car parks.
However, there are several coin parking spaces located within walking distance of each property.
Please contact our staff for additional information and suggestions on where to park during your stay.

We will include Japanese instructions to show to taxi drivers in Kyoto in your reservation confirmation e-mail.