Rediscover the traditional Japanese aesthetic sense. Experience history, culture and nature at this traditional townhouse accommodation.

Experience the Japanese atmosphere with a stay at a machiya house or a stay at a denpaku

Stimulation and excitement aren't the only ways to release the stress that has built up during the COVID-19 pandemic. We recommend experiences that will refresh your mind and refine it by coming into contact with traditional Japanese aesthetics. In this article, we will focus on machiya stays and denpaku, and propose a new style of travel that allows you to experience traditional architecture, culture, and nature, while keeping in mind the basic premise of avoiding the three Cs.

These unique lodgings, which are neither casual hotels nor quaint luxury inns, offer something out of the ordinary for travelers, but something that brings back memories of the local people's everyday lives. For example, in a Kyoto townhouse, you can experience the careful lifestyle of the people who spend their time appreciating the scenery of a small courtyard called a tsuboniwa. In a single-story house in Amami, you can experience the charm of the ever-changing sea from traditional architecture that takes strong winds into consideration. And in addition to the traditional culture that has been passed down, these lodgings are also equipped with comfort that takes modern lifestyles into consideration.

Once you arrive at your accommodation and put your bags down, first clear your mind and take a deep breath. Release yourself from your busy days and take your time to enjoy the scenery that unfolds before your eyes. In the morning, get energized with a meal full of local produce, and when the quiet of the night comes, rest your body well in a comfortable bed. How about a trip that explores true abundance rather than wishing for more?

[Kyoto Irori-yado Some SEN Omiya Gojo] Feel like you're a resident of a tenement house

The location is in the center of Kyoto City, which is known as a grid. The "Omiya" and "Gojo" in the name of the facility are the names of the streets called Omiya-dori (north-south) and Gojo-dori (east-west), respectively. Just a short walk from the Omiya-Gojo intersection where these main streets intersect, you can find "Kyoto Irori-yado Some SEN Omiya Gojo" at the back of a quiet alleyway, marked by a sign. This is an inn where people who visit in search of relaxation can stay as if they are living in Kyoto.

It's a 10-minute taxi ride from JR Kyoto Station or a 9-minute walk from Hankyu Omiya Station. In the Gojo area, you won't find tourist attractions or entertainment districts, but everyday Kyoto with its unpretentious people. Long ago, the Gojo area was home to many people involved in dyeing, one of Kyoto's traditional industries, but the number of craftsmen decreased over time. In order to preserve the culture of vacant townhouses for future generations, they have been beautifully renovated. A town development project to revive them as accommodation facilities is underway, and the Gojo area is dotted with comfortable, cost-effective rental accommodations.

The two-story Kyoto Irori-yado Some SEN Omiya Gojo is a renovated tenement house built in the early Showa period. The tenement house scenery, which makes you feel like you've traveled back in time to the good old days, will make you excited for your stay in Kyoto. Glancing at the lanterns, you pass through the entrance, take off your shoes on the dirt floor, and then you're free to do as you please.

The first floor is divided into a living room, kitchen, and a semi-open-air cypress bath, while the second floor is divided into bedrooms, and can accommodate 2 to 4 people. You can carefully brew a cup of hot tea in the living room, or sit by the window on a rainy day and listen to the sound of the rain. Enjoy the life in Kyoto, savoring each moment as the seasons change.

Although the entire building is rented out to one group per day, which is unlikely to lead to overcrowding, they are taking every precaution. Measures against the new coronavirus are also being implemented. For example, check-in was previously done at the front desk in a separate building, but to avoid contact with other people as much as possible, check-in has been changed to a local style without stopping at the front desk. Disinfectant hand gel is placed at the entrance, and hypochlorous acid water is used for cleaning. A talisman of Amabie, a monster believed to ward off epidemics, is enshrined on the pillar in the living room.

For breakfast and dinner, you can enjoy catered meals, a part of Kyoto's food culture. In the evening, you can enjoy a course meal at Kinobu, a long-established Kyoto cuisine restaurant that continues the catering culture, or sukiyaki at Hiroshi, which is highly recommended by meat-loving Kyoto residents. In the morning, you can enjoy the "Yuba Breakfast" made with Kyoto yuba, also provided by Hiroshi (guests staying multiple nights can change to a "Yudofu Breakfast" for breakfast from the second day onwards), or the egg roll sandwiches from AOKI, a coffee shop beloved by locals.

[Kyoto Machiya Satoi Omiya Gojo SEISHI] Hidden away in an alley, you can enjoy the luxury of silence

Just a short walk from "Kyoto Irori-yado Some SEN Omiya Gojo" is the sister inn "Kyoto Ikken Machiya Satoi Omiya Gojo SEISHI." This inn is not a row of small houses in an alley, but a single-story house quietly standing at the back of an alley. The word "hideaway" is the perfect description of this building. You can freely move between the main house and the annex, and it can accommodate 2 to 5 people.

First, we head to the main house with its front entrance. Behind the lattice door is a high-ceilinged bedroom, and behind that is a small garden called a tsuboniwa. Even in the middle of town, we can feel the changing seasons and live peacefully while taking in the natural light and breeze, giving us a glimpse of the wisdom of our ancestors.

The bathroom connected to the bedroom is also a memorable place. The spacious bathroom, made of a combination of stone and wood, overlooks the greenery of the garden. Listening to the birdsong and taking a morning bath with a fresh feeling is a wonderful way to spend a relaxing time.
In addition, the spacious changing area with two sinks is just like a high-class hotel. Even if it is traditional, if it is not comfortable it has no value as a lodging. The great appeal of this lodging is that it neatly combines the relaxation unique to a townhouse with the comfort that modern people desire.

Walking through a corridor where light leaks through the lattices, you enter the annex from the main house. The space, which features a raised area and an open dining and kitchen, is also very comfortable. There is an induction cooker, microwave, electric kettle, frying pan, tableware, etc. provided, so you can heat up any pre-prepared meals you have bought. You can also use the catering service provided by the same store as "Kyoto Irori-yado Some SEN Omiya Gojo".

This is a private townhouse located at the back of an alley where you can stay without encountering anyone from the time you check in until you check out. It feels like a Kyoto villa, and it's no wonder that many repeat guests use it multiple times.

[Kyoto Irori-yado Some SEN Shichijo Heian Dog Friendly] Enjoy your stay in Kyoto with your beloved dog

Among the hotels in the chain, "Kyoto Irori-yado Some SEN Shichijo Heian Dog Friendly" has a particularly unique concept. It has a reputation among dog lovers for fulfilling both their long-held dream of "staying like they live in a Kyoto townhouse" and their wish to "not let their beloved dog feel lonely."

Popular spots such as the Kyoto Aquarium and the Kyoto Railway Museum are located within the premises, and it is just a short walk from Umekoji Park, a popular place of relaxation for Kyoto residents. Many dog lovers from Tokyo as well as the Kansai region visit the facility.

Once inside through the noren curtain that blends in with the townscape, the first thing you do is take a shower to wash your feet. Looking around, you'll notice that the Japanese-style space is filled with ingenious design, such as hooks for hanging leashes and a dog waste bin. Other amenities include toilet sheets, dog towels, a fence with a gate, a food bowl, and even sticky rolls. It's no exaggeration to say that the space has everything you could want.

This house offers attractive services for dog lovers, such as tatami mats in the Japanese-style room that are less likely to be damaged even if scratched, and a fence with a gate that can restrict entry and exit. Open the lattice door and take your dog for a walk, or relax with a cup of tea while looking out at the courtyard. Your beloved dog will always be by your side, wagging its tail happily. Time spent together in this townhouse, anytime and anywhere, is sure to become a fond memory for the whole family.

[Denpaku The Beachfront MIJORA] A seaside villa that embodies the culture of Amami Oshima

Denpaku is a lodging facility that preserves the traditional and legendary architecture, villages, and culture of Amami Oshima for the next generation. There are a variety of accommodation styles, including hotels and dormitories, scattered across the island, and they also provide a place to meet local people. In 2019, the beachfront villa Denpaku The Beachfront MIJORA was completed. It is popular among travel lovers as a high-quality villa located on a beautiful seaside.

The building was designed by Yasuhiro Yamashita, an architect from Amami Oshima. The wooden roof was inspired by the structure of the traditional Amami-style raised storehouses and the shape of the seashells often seen on the beaches of Amami. The flat roof and the exposed concrete, which resembles origami, create a clean harmony.

The furniture, art, and amenities are all tastefully selected. You can feel the aesthetic sense nurtured in Amami at this inn, but the biggest attraction is the Amami ocean that spreads out before you. Every room faces the ocean, and a large pane of glass separates the interior from the deck.

An extraordinary experience with the endless sea and sky right nearby. After breakfast, take a walk on the beach, take a nap in the egg chairs on the balcony, then head back to the sea. Get away from your everyday life and spend time simply playing with the sea. A holiday by the beach where you do nothing is sure to reenergize your soul.

From a Kyoto townhouse where you can live comfortably, taking in natural light and breezes, to a resort villa on Amami Oshima where you can feel the majesty of the sea. The traditional houses are imbued with the culture of each region. Experience the wabi-sabi atmosphere while feeling like you are living there, and your stay will be your main activity. Why not plan a trip where the purpose is simply to stay there and relax?

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