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Gojo Samurai Machiya, Gojo Samurai Machiya

Photo gallery for Gojo Samurai Machiya, Gojo Samurai Machiya

Samurai Steve is welcoming you! He's the protector of the house!
Welcome to our world - Gojo Machiya.
Iraishaimase! Welcome! Bienvenue !
The entrance with a seating area. (1)
The entrance with a seating area. (2)

Reviews

10 out of 10, Loved by Guests
Top 10% of guest reviews in this area
3 bedrooms1+ bathroomSleeps 6

Popular amenities

  • Kitchen
  • Washer/dryer
  • Air-conditioning
  • Internet access
  • Dryer
  • Living area

Explore the area

View map
Kyoto, Kyoto-fu
  • Place, Kawaramachi Street
    ‪7 min walk‬
  • Place, Sanjusangen-do Temple
    ‪7 min walk‬
  • Place, Kiyomizu Temple
    ‪16 min walk‬

Rooms & beds

3 bedrooms (sleeps 6)

Bedroom 1

2 Single Beds

1 bathroom, 2 half bathrooms

Bathroom 1

Bathtub

Bathroom 2

Bathroom 3

Spaces

Kitchen
Separate dining area

About this property

Gojo Samurai Machiya, Gojo Samurai Machiya

FULLY LICENSED Gojo Machiya is a traditional Japanese townhouse built before 1897 (last known record). It has been fully renovated and features luxurious modern facilities.

Thanks to its convenient location, it is the ideal place to stay for a visit to Kyoto and to experience the traditional lifestyle of the people of Kyoto in full modern comfort.

Redesigned by the famous Japanese architect Mr. Yoshihiko Mamiya, special attention was paid to the atmosphere of the place for the enjoyment of our guests.

Our concept is “Old Traditional Machiya with Modern Luxury Comfort”. Yes, traditional Machiya are actually very cold in winter and quite hot during the summer. We paid particular attention to the insulation of the walls and the ceiling, have installed floor heating around the ground floor, a radiator in the Western-style bedroom and the laundry room, and a heater/dryer in the bathroom. Of course, all the rooms have air conditioning. Also, to provide a pleasant bright environment around the ground floor (traditional Machiya are often quite dark), we created a light pit above the staircase and restored the original “Hibukuro”. The whole place has been decorated with various old traditional Japanese art-crafts.

The fully renovated townhouse features one traditional tatami mat bedroom (sleeping on a futon) and one Western-style bedroom with two single beds, two toilets (one per floor), sliding wooden doors (some are old original ones), “Shôji and Fusuma” paper doors, modern cypress bathroom, and a traditional "tsubo niwa" (courtyard garden).

In the living/dining area, we have a wood dining table with 6 chairs. During the cold winter, you will appreciate the heat coming from the floor both in the living/dining area and the Japanese living space. The house is also equipped with a fully automatic All-In-One Washer/Dryer.

The fully equipped modern kitchen will please anyone who wants to cook at home. A large selection of cooking utensils, one induction cooktop, microwave oven/oven, all kinds of appliances such as rice cooker, toaster, blender, electric kettle, regular coffee machine, and dishes, plates, glasses for six. The setting is particularly convenient for people who stay for a longer period and those who also eat at home. And of course, you'll find all the basics such as salt, pepper, oil, sauce, soja, etc.

The place is very conveniently located for easy access to all sightseeing sites around Kyoto, and with over 70 m2, it is adequate for a larger group (planned and spacious enough for 6 people).

And of course, our guests have unlimited access to superfast (optical fiber) internet access via Wi-Fi throughout the house as well as unlimited Netflix, Youtube, etc. on the flat-screen TV.

If this Machiya is not available for your preferred dates, be sure to check out our other places -- go to our profile to find them!

As our guests, you'll have all the Gojo Machiya for yourselves and have access to everything it has to offer, traditional lifestyle with modern comfort (with the exception of a closet reserved for housekeeping).

We offer 24/7 concierge services (within reason), luggage storage and we're always available for any help necessary for information, preparation, restaurant reservation, suggestions, advice, etc. Our staff is always available by email or phone and we even provide our guests with a local cellphone. We love Kyoto and like to share our interests with our guests. We also have a dedicated website (mykyotomachiya) full of information and pictures to enable our guests to fully explore and enjoy this wonderful city.

The house is very conveniently located in Higashiyama, in a quiet residential area near a number of interesting places.

Miyagawacho Geisha district is a mere five min away

Hanami Koji: Gion Kobu Geisha district: 15 min

Kenninji Zen temple: 15 min

Toyokuni Jinja shrine: with markets held on 8, 18, 28th of every month: 5 min

Sanjusangendo Temple: famous for its amazing 1001 statues of Kannon: 7 min

Kiyomizu Dera Temple: one of the most famous temples in Kyoto: 20 min

Kyoto National Museum: great source of culture: 7 min

Kamo River - a great running course by the river: 3 min

Honmachi Koen, a nice little park great for kids, is a mere 1 minute from the house.

We are located just behind the Gojo Post Office, less than 20 min away on foot from Kyoto station and the JR lines.

Kyomizu-Gojo station (Keihan line) is a few minutes away.

Gojo subway station is 18 minutes away.

In addition, several Kyoto Bus stops are a mere few minutes away from the house.

And there are always taxis available around.

We have decorated the house with old traditional Japanese art crafts such as old authentic Samurai armor, traditional wedding Kimono, Japanese dolls, Noh mask, protective Gods against fire (Hotei-san), etc., for a more refined atmosphere. You'll experience the traditional way of living of the people of Kyoto and enjoy a unique cultural experience, with all the modern comfort you can wish for.

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About the area

Kyoto

Located in Kyoto, this holiday home is in the city centre. Nishiki Market and Kyoto Imperial Palace are notable landmarks, and travellers looking to shop may want to visit Kawaramachi Street and Pontocho Alley. Kyoto Aquarium and Kyoto Gyoen National Garden are also worth visiting.
Map
Kyoto, Kyoto-fu

What's nearby

  • Kyoto National Museum - 3 min walk - 0.3 km
  • Kawaramachi Street - 7 min walk - 0.6 km
  • Sanjusangen-do Temple - 7 min walk - 0.7 km
  • Hanamikoji Street - 15 min walk - 1.3 km
  • Kiyomizu Temple - 16 min walk - 1.3 km

Getting around

  • Kiyomizu-gojo Station - 5 min walk
  • Gojo Station - 14 min walk
  • Osaka (ITM-Itami) - 67 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪cicon - ‬7 min walk
  • ‪Söt Coffee Roaster Kyoto - ‬5 min walk
  • ‪辨慶東山店 - ‬4 min walk
  • ‪ラーメン藤 五条店 - ‬4 min walk
  • ‪市川屋珈琲 - ‬6 min walk

Reviews

10

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
Learn moreOpens in a new window
Rating 10 - Excellent. 37 out of 40 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 3 out of 40 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 40 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 40 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 40 reviews

10/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Amenities

10/10

Property conditions & facilities

9.6/10

Check-in

9.8/10

Communication

10/10

Location

10/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

Verified

10/10 Excellent

Joseph R.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Wonderful stay. Great ‘Machiya’. 20min walk to all you need to see and do. Many closer.
Stayed 4 nights in May 2026
Response from VrboOwner on 19 May 2026
Thank you very much for your 5-star rating. We're glad you had a wonderful stay at the Gojo Samurai Machiya. Your satisfaction is essential to us, and we would be delighted to welcome you back.
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Mary P.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Gojo Samurai was located perfectly for our Kyoto visit. We were in easy walking distance to Gion and many of the major attractions, plus it was so easy to just step out to the park and catch a taxi to and frm the station or anywhere we wanted to go. The taxi ride were very reasonable. We enjoyed evening walks along the river and through the districts. All in all a wonderful visit.
Stayed 3 nights in May 2026
Response from VrboOwner on 21 May 2026
Thank you so much for your 5-star rating, Mary. We're glad you enjoyed your stay at the house and liked the convenience of its location. Your satisfaction is essential to us, and we would be delighted to welcome you back in the future.
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Sabrina M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Akiko was so welcoming and helpful with everything we needed .
Stayed 3 nights in Feb 2026
Response from VrboOwner on 21 Feb 2026
Thank you very much for your kind words. It's always a pleasure to help our guests in Kyoto!
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Dominic P.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
A very charming home in a nice local neighborhood. Very convenient to the subway and walkable to Gion district and other points of interest. I highly recommend this stay if you’re going to Kyoto!
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2025
Response from VrboOwner on 9 Oct 2025
Thank you very much for your comment, Dominic. We're glad you liked the house and its location, and we hope you enjoyed your stay and have returned home with great memories.
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Casey M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Fantastic stay

We loved our stay at this unique location. It is very clean and comfortable. We especially appreciated the modern feel of staying in a traditional Japanese home. Also liked that they gave us coffee and tea to use which was a nice treat.
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2025
Response from VrboOwner on 1 July 2025
Thank you very much for your comment, Casey. We're glad you liked the house and appreciated the coffee and the tea -- which we offer to all our guests in all of our houses.
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Joseph H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Excellent place to stay

Very authentic and charming traditional house. Well located for neighbourhood shops and restaurants. Big recommend!
Stayed 4 nights in Mar 2025
Response from VrboOwner on 22 Mar 2025
Thank you very much for your review. We're glad you liked the house and its location.
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Katharine M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
A wonderful home. So clean. So comfortable. So well positioned. Absolutely perfect base to explore Kyoto. Hosts were responsive and welcoming. Overall would not hesitate to recommend this (and we will!)
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2025
Response from VrboOwner on 9 Oct 2025
Thank you so much for your comment and your kind words. We're glad you liked the house and its location. We hope to have the pleasure of welcoming you again.
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Li M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
We had a GREAT stay! Gojo Samurai Machiya was clean,very quiet, nicely set up, close to both Keihan Main Line Railway and taxis. I especially loved being just three blocks from the Kamo River, wonderful to walk along any time of day. Akiko and Patrick's referrals (esp. from his book 100 Kyoto Sights) were spot-on. Akiko was amazingly quick to respond to questions and the office was very helpful in setting up restaurant reservations.
Stayed 18 nights in Oct 2025
Verified

8/10 Good

Scott f.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great location

Staff excellent in communication, helpfulness. Location great. Room small, bed great.
Stayed 4 nights in Apr 2025
Response from VrboOwner on 15 Apr 2025
Thank you for your comment. We're glad you liked the machiya house, and we hope you all had a good time.
Verified

10/10 Excellent

cécile d.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

perfect

The house was beautiful and clean, a perfect stay for holidays !
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2025
Response from VrboOwner on 6 May 2025
Thank you for your comment. We're glad you liked the house and had a perfect stay.
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Seth G.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Perfect Accommodation

This place was perfect and greatly enhanced our stay in Kyoto. Would definitely rebook in the future
Stayed 3 nights in May 2024
Response from VrboOwner on 27 June 2024
Thank you for your comment. We look forward to the pleasure of welcoming you again.
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Sonny C.

Liked: Cleanliness, communication, location, listing accuracy

Good times

Great location, well considered house.
Stayed 5 nights in Jun 2023
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Dimas P.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Perfect Stay

Everything was just perfect! The Machiya was exactly as described. Samurai Steve was awesome! Akiko san made the check in easy and was always responsive. We loved our stay and would do it again in the future.
Stayed 3 nights in Feb 2025
Response from VrboOwner on 2 Mar 2025
Thank you so much for your comment. We're glad you liked the machiya house and the way we try to always be available for our guests!
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Kyoko U.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Beautiful property

Our family of four felt privileged to stay in Akiko and Patrick’s beautiful Machiya. It is in a very convenient, quiet location. We were very comfortable there although my husband who is well over 6 feet tall had to watch his head.
Stayed 5 nights in Mar 2024
Response from VrboOwner on 2 June 2024
Thank you very much for your comment and feedback.
Verified

10/10 Excellent

John R.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Traditional Kyoto

We loved staying in this beautiful, well appointed home in a quiet residential neighborhood. We were close enough to shops but far enough away from the noise and congestion of the city.
Stayed 6 nights in Jan 2024
Response from VrboOwner on 2 June 2024
Thank you so much for your feedback. We're glad you liked the machiya house and enjoyed your stay in. Kyoto.
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Kathy S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Kyoto Stay

Our family of five adults had a very comfortable stay here. It felt very authentic and the location allowed us easy access to trains and buses. Actually, we often simply walked. I’d like to add that communication with the host was exceptional.
Stayed 7 nights in Nov 2024
Response from VrboOwner on 8 Nov 2024
Thank you very much for your comment. I'm always pleased to be able to help and be available.
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Brendan M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Amazing

My friend and I stayed very briefly, but the management company was very helpful in all facets and the house itself was phenomenal. It wasn’t hard to navigate to some nearby areas. Would recommend.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2024
Response from VrboOwner on 15 Sept 2024
Thank you very much for your comment. We’re glad you like the machiya house and we hope to have again the pleasure of welcoming you!
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Ian M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Incredible Home In Great Location!

Akiko was an incredible host for our family vacation. Her home is truly like living in a museum and so beautiful inside. With a bathroom upstairs and full bath downstairs, we had a very comfortable stay. The location is perfect for walking or catching an Uber. We highly recommend and hope you enjoy it as much as we did.
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2023
Response from VrboOwner on 21 Nov 2023
Thank you so much for your comment. We're glad you had a comfortable stay and we hope to have again the pleasure to welcome you.
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Lisa F.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Graduation Trip

Great place and neighborhood. The property is very nice and clean and just like the pictures. It's very conveniece. Walking distance to a lot of places, includes Nishiki market.
Stayed 5 nights in May 2023
Response from VrboOwner on 7 June 2023
Thank you very much for your comment. We're glad you liked the place and we hope to have again the pleasure to welcome you.
Verified

8/10 Good

Kathleen K.

Liked: Cleanliness, location, listing accuracy
Disliked: Check-in, communication

Japan May 2023

Remarkable - accommodations were immaculate, in a perfect location to explore Japan. Easy access to all public transportation and if you like to cook, Lawson (Japanese Grocery Store) is walking distance and kitchen is well equipped for cooking.
Stayed 4 nights in May 2023
Response from VrboOwner on 12 June 2023
Thank you for your comment, Kathleen san. We're glad you liked the house and had a good time. We hope to have again the pleasure to welcome you in the future.
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Craig W.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Wonderful home base for a week in Kyoto

We had stayed at one of this owner’s homes before, so we mostly knew what we would get. We were definitely not disappointed. The house was cozy, comfortable, and worked well as a home base to explore the city. Everything was very clean, very practical, and we had a great stay.
Stayed 8 nights in Dec 2022
Response from VrboOwner on 2 July 2023
Thank you! We're glad you liked the house and enjoyed your stay. We look forward to welcoming you again.
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Mary C.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great home base in Kyoto!

I would highiy recommend this property for your stay in Kyoto! The check in process was super easy and the property is very well located both near the main station and many sights in Kyoto. I loved the neighborhood and it was a nice quiet break from the busy touristy areas of the city. The house was beautful, very clean, and convenient. If you are looking for a more traditional experience, this place was perfect.
Stayed 3 nights in May 2024
Response from VrboOwner on 14 May 2024
Thank you very much for your comment, Mary. We're glad you liked and enjoyed our machiya house and we hope to have the pleasure of hosting you again.
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Convenient and comfortable location

We enjoyed staying at this lovely house which was convenient to train stations, restaurants, a playground for our little ones. It helped us settle in and feel like home and had everything we needed. Thank you so much!
Stayed 4 nights in Oct 2019
Response from VrboOwner on 23 Mar 2020
Thank you very much for your comment, Jill san. It has been a pleasure to host you and we're glad you liked the house and enjoyed your stay. We hope to have again the pleasure to welcome you.
Verified

10/10 Excellent

colin a.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Rice and shrine!

Fun. Very Japanese which is why we picked it. A nice peaceful place to come home to. Easy day trips to Nara and Osaka both well worth it.
Stayed 4 nights in May 2023
Response from VrboOwner on 7 June 2023
Thank you for your comment, Colin. We're glad you liked the house and hope to have again the pleasure to welcome you.
Verified

10/10 Excellent

William M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Once in a lifetime chance.

Immerse yourself in the culture of Kyoto. Sure hotels are convenient, staying here I was immersed in daily life of my neighbors. I lived as they did. The machiya was a wonderful lodging experience I will always remember.
Stayed 8 nights in Feb 2024
Response from VrboOwner on 27 Feb 2024
Thank you for your comment, Bill. We're pleased you were able to immerse yourself in the traditional culture of Kyoto. And we're glad you brought home some good memories.
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