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TSUBARA - a restored 100 year old Machiya -Elegant.Calm.Lovely- So close to Gion

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Outdoor spa tub
Entrance. Live like a Kyoto native! There is a globular lighting as a mark!
Entrance hall, welcome to Tsubara!
Koji and Eri sincerely await your arrival!
Floor plan

Reviews

10 out of 10
Exceptional
2 bedrooms1 bathroomSleeps 566 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Dryer
  • Washer
  • Kitchen
  • Outdoor space
  • Air conditioning

Explore the area

Map
kyoto city, Kyoto
  • Kawaramachi Street
    ‪10 min walk‬
  • Kiyomizu Temple
    ‪12 min walk‬
  • Nishiki Market
    ‪20 min walk‬
  • Osaka (ITM-Itami)
    ‪63 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

2 bedrooms (sleeps 5)

Bedroom 1

3 Single Futons

Bedroom 2

2 Single Futons

1 bathroom

Bathroom 1

Soap · Towels provided · Bathtub · Bidet · Toilet · Shower only · Shampoo · Hair dryer

Spaces

Kitchen
Balcony
Garden
Dining area

About this property

TSUBARA - a restored 100 year old Machiya -Elegant.Calm.Lovely- So close to Gion

Machiya Tubara is located in the Higashiyama area in Kyoto.
There are sooo many sightseeing spots, famous historical places, temples and shrines in this Higashiyama area. And are many shops of Kiyomizu-pottery and neighbours are very friendly.
Gion district where is so popular of Geiko-san girls(same Geisha girl) & Maiko-san girls, gorgeous Kaisei restaurants is also close.(10mins walk!)
And there are many kinds of restaurants, easy eating places(Izakaya, Ramen, Yakitori restaurants...), Bars, local shops, convenience stores, good grocerry and public baths near the house.
You can go to many places like that from Tsubara on foot.
We can tell you some good restaurants and nice Maiko-san stage or some Japanese experiences (for ex. Ninja class, Making Japanese sweets class, Tea ceremony class, amazing Japanese massage parlor ...etc). Also we know good guides for sightseeing.

The house is convenient for transportation(bus, train, taxi).
We recommend using taxi from Kyoto station (10mins).

Tsubara was over 100 year old Machiya(traditional Kyoto house), we lovely restored all possible to original style using antique fittings & materials by traditional craftsmanship.
Tsubara has many Machiya's features ~'Doma' long Japanese corridor from the entrance to the garden, 'Hibukuro' open ceiling in the kitchen, old hand made window glasses, 'Koushi' window lattices...etc.

And we prepared new comfortable equipments in it - air conditioning , internet, microwave, washing machine, IHcooker, clean comfortable Futon(Japanese bedding) ....more.

Especially, we set up “Roten-buro” out-door bath tub(Shigaraki pottery made) and “Suikinkutsu” in the Tsuboniwa garden(small Kyoto garden)!!
The out-door bath is great for tired bodies by sightseeing all of the seasons! You must feel like a hot spring!
“Suikinkutsu” is a decoration device in a Japanese garden that generates a sound like the Koto-Japanese harp~with drops of water. You could have relaxed bath time hearing its sound!

“Tsubara” is a very old Japanese word from “Manyousyu” (the oldest Waka poet collection over 1200years ago!).
It means “enough” or “detail” or “calmly”.
I thought it perfectly matches the house!

Experience a fascinating, peaceful and amazing Kyoto stay in Tsubara !

We're looking forward to meeting you!

Property manager

Koji
Premier Host

Languages

English, Japanese

Add dates for prices

Amenities

Hot tub
Kitchen
Washer
Dryer
Air conditioning
Outdoor space

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Exterior detail

Kyoto Tradition With Modern Luxury, Family Friendly in Excellent Location

  • Hot tub
  • Kitchen
  • Washer
  • Dryer
10.0 out of 10, (79 reviews)
Kyoto Tradition With Modern Luxury, Family Friendly in Excellent Location

House Rules

Check in after 3:00 PM
Check out before 11:00 AM
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Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17
But be careful about the steps and window glasses.
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Events

No events allowed
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Pets

No pets allowed
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Smoking

Smoking is not permitted
Non smoking in the house and the garden.

Important information

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Long-term renters welcome
Host has indicated that there are no carbon monoxide detectors or gas appliances on the property
Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher and a first aid kit

We should mention

This property does not have any lifts
The Japanese Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare requires all international visitors to submit their passport number and nationality when registering at any lodging facility (inns, hotels, motels, etc. ); additionally, lodging proprietors are required to photocopy passports for all registering guests and keep the photocopy on file
A car is not required for transport to and from this property
Please note that some properties do not permit guests with tattoos to use the on-site public bathing facilities

About the area

Kyoto

Located on a river, this holiday home is in Gion, a neighbourhood in Kyoto. Yasaka Shrine and Nishiki Market are notable landmarks, and travellers looking to shop may want to visit Kawaramachi Street and Pontocho Alley. Kyoto Municipal Zoo and Kyoto Aquarium are also worth visiting. Take the opportunity to explore the area for outdoor excitement like hiking/biking trails.
Map
kyoto city, Kyoto

What's nearby

  • Kawaramachi Street - 10 min walk - 0.9 km
  • Kiyomizu Temple - 12 min walk - 1.1 km
  • Yasaka Shrine - 14 min walk - 1.2 km
  • Nishiki Market - 20 min walk - 1.7 km
  • Kyoto Tower - 4 min drive - 2.9 km

Getting around

  • Kiyomizu-gojo Station - 6 min walk
  • Gojo Station - 15 min walk
  • Osaka (ITM-Itami) - 63 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪十六代権太夫 - ‬4 min walk
  • ‪龍門本店 - ‬5 min walk
  • ‪辨慶東山店 - ‬4 min walk
  • ‪前田珈琲高台寺店 - ‬5 min walk
  • ‪サガン - ‬3 min walk

Frequently asked questions

Is TSUBARA - a restored 100 year old Machiya -Elegant.Calm.Lovely- So close to Gion pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

How much does it cost to stay at TSUBARA - a restored 100 year old Machiya -Elegant.Calm.Lovely- So close to Gion?

As of 16 April 2025, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at TSUBARA - a restored 100 year old Machiya -Elegant.Calm.Lovely- So close to Gion on 29 April 2025 start from NZ$533.86, excluding taxes and fees. This price is based on the lowest nightly price found in the last 24 hours for stays in the next 30 days. Prices are subject to change. Choose your dates for more accurate prices.

What time is check-in at TSUBARA - a restored 100 year old Machiya -Elegant.Calm.Lovely- So close to Gion?

Check-in begins at 3:00 PM.

What time is check-out at TSUBARA - a restored 100 year old Machiya -Elegant.Calm.Lovely- So close to Gion?

Checkout is at 11:00 AM.

Where is TSUBARA - a restored 100 year old Machiya -Elegant.Calm.Lovely- So close to Gion located?

Located in Gion, this holiday home is within a 15-minute walk of Kenninji Temple, Kiyomizu Temple and Kawaramachi Street. Gion Corner and Shijo Street are also within 15 minutes. Kiyomizu-gojo Station is 6 minutes by foot and Shichijo Station is 13 minutes.

Reviews

10

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
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Rating 10 - Excellent. 64 out of 65 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 1 out of 65 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 65 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 65 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 65 reviews

10/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

10/10

Location

10/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Leslie S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Almost like a ryokan
This was such an amazing stay. I wish we could have stayed longer just to enjoy this VRBO. We are a family of 5 with three teens and had enough space to sleep with the 5 futons. The stairs to the sleeping area could be a challenge for a person with mobility challenges. The house has been beautifully restored by its amazing owners who met us at checkin to give us a tour of this unique space. The nearby area gives you easy access to subways, Gion, Yasaka shrine and lots of shopping. This space ranks as one of our familys top VRBO stops of all time. Highly highly recommend.
Stayed 4 nights in Mar 2025

10/10 Excellent

Barb B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Beautiful traditional home
A very nice traditional home in a nice location.
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2024

10/10 Excellent

Krishnan S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Beautiful and comfortable traditional house in a great neighborhood
Stayed for close to a week in this beautiful machiya with my two young kids (7 and 5yrs old). Eri was super helpful during the check in process and very communicative throughout our stay. It was a very comfortable stay and within walking distance to Gion and other shrines. Great stay!
Stayed 5 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

Cassie L.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Great stay in traditional Japanese house
Excellent location. Very nice and responsive host. Would recommend staying here.
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2023

10/10 Excellent

Lisa K.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Charming Japanese Experience
We really enjoyed our stay, great location and such a quaint neighborhood. The hosts are very kind and responsive. The machiya is definitely in the Japanese style and exactly what we were looking to experience.
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2024

10/10 Excellent

Nur Sakinah M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Excellent stay
Though it was a short one, we enjoyed our stay. The ambience, the guide of th house and hospitality by host were really appreciated by us. Looking forward to stay again in future.
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2023

10/10 Excellent

Nancy G.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Lovey small home
It was a beautiful small home. We throughly enjoyed our stay here and wished we could have stayed longer.
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2023

10/10 Excellent

Cheyenne K.

Wonderful stay
The home was warm and the owners welcoming. It's a short walk to a supermarket, breakfast, and transit. 10/10 would stay again!
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2018

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Wonderful stay
The perfect property for our Kyoto trip. I really appreciated the original details of the Machiya property and the thorough tour we had when we arrived. Very clean and quiet neighborhood which was still close to amenities and tourist attractions. Would love to come back again!
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2023

10/10 Excellent

Kari S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Wonderful stay
We loved the historic and well appointed apartment! Everything was beautiful, clean and comfortable. The kitchen was very convenient, the outdoor tub was fun, the upstairs futon beds were comfortable, and the location was perfect for walking and transit to all the wonderful sights in Kyoto. Koji and Eri were great hosts, very kind and helpful. We would stay again.
Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2023

10/10 Excellent

Janet Y., Boston, USA

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Marvelous Stay
It was an honor to be able to stay at Koji and Eri’s place. It had an authentic feel with modern amenities. Eri gave us great recommendations on restaurants and places to visit. We are grateful for the opportunity and we hope to be back someday. Thank you!
Stayed 5 nights in Apr 2023

10/10 Excellent

olatz o.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Kyōto visit
We had a great time in Kyōto. The house is amazing, great experience . Super clean . And has everything you need. Eri was extremely nice and helpful with all the instructions. Location was great, we were able to walk to many of the places we wanted to visit. Great restaurants very close by. We would definetly recommend to stay in Tsubara. Thank you very much
Stayed 4 nights in Feb 2024

10/10 Excellent

Jason S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Amazing Home in an Awesome Location
This home is simply beautiful. The attention to detail throughout is remarkable and makes settling in very easy. Our family of two adults and one child really enjoyed our stay here - we looked forward to coming home from our Kyoto explorations to watch sumo on TV in the traditional style living area! The property itself is easy walking distance to a number of Kyoto sites and neighborhoods, as well as very close to a subway station that can get you pretty much anywhere you want to go. It's also very close to an amazing bakery and some great restaurants. Communication was very good and the host met us at the property to go over the history of the house, which was super interesting, as well as all the features. We all made sure to take advantage of the outdoor tub - what a great way to relax after long days on your feet! I highly recommend this property.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2024

10/10 Excellent

Michelle B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Traditional Japan with all modern conveniences!
Thoroughly enjoyed our stay! Very accommodating hosts who gave a wonderful explanation of the stunning machiya. Would definitely return❣️ Pros:- ambience, decor, ammenities, location and the bath! Cons:- none! - but travel lightly, large suitcases will get in your way.
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2023

10/10 Excellent

Nancy M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
A definite highlight of our Japan trip
This machiya is amazing. I will be recommending it to all of our friends, and I hope we get the chance to stay here again if we ever come back to Kyoto. The owner was extremely nice and communicative. The location is great - on a picturesque historic street and close to several temples and the Gion/Higashiyama shopping streets, and also conveniently less than 10 minutes to the subway station.
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Surabhi S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Memorable stay in the heart of Kyoto!
Eri and Koji are wonderful hosts who ensured that everything went smoothly before we even arrived in Japan. They were happy to answer all of our questions such as visiting specific temples in Kyoto (Kokedera) and even offered many recommendations / resources. They always responded promptly and were quick to help us with everything we needed. Thanks so much Koji and Eri! We would love to visit Kyoto again and stay at your property some day!
Stayed 4 nights in Mar 2023

10/10 Excellent

Rebecca T.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Fantastic stay in an authentic home
We had a wonderful stay at Tsubara. The owners were very helpful communicating with us beforehand and answered all our questions. The location is perfect. It is walking distance to a grocery store, great restaurants, the subway, and the main area of Gion. We enjoyed getting to see what it was like living in an authentic Japanese home with the sliding walls and futons. We slept very comfortably. When we first arrived, Eri met us at the home to show us how everything works. She also gave us a map that showed great local spots to eat. Thanks Eri and Koji!
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2023

10/10 Excellent

Sialia R.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Like living in a museum
This is an elegant and lovingly restored historical house furnished with some family heirlooms. The outdoor tub (basically a freshwater hot tub) is divine. Gaze at the peaceful garden and listen to a “water harp” feature only found in historical gardens! Eri and her husband were so kind and helpful to us. Please note that here are steep stairs, antique sliding doors, and shoe changes between various rooms. If you want to relive a moment of Kyoto history this is the place for you. If that sounds tedious, I suggest the house they have just finished restoring next door. It has a more modern interior and is just as charming.
Stayed 7 nights in Mar 2024

10/10 Excellent

Sabrina W.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Unforgettable Stay in Kyoto
We stayed in this beautiful home for our 25th wedding anniversary and it was an incredibly special experience. Our host met us and showed us everything along with a history of the property. She had helped me arrange an incredible dinner to celebrate, and we couldn’t be more appreciative of the experience. Dinner was phenomenal. The beautiful home gave us a break from hotel life with something authentically Japanese. It was exactly what we were looking for. The beautiful little garden and onsen was by far my favorite feature. My whole family took turns every night taking a peaceful bath. The location can’t be beat. Easy to get everywhere. I very much recommend you book this; I’m so happy we did!
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

Shannon R.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Beautifully restored machiya in excellent location
We really enjoyed our stay in Tsubara. Eri is a wonderful host, and Tsubara, an almost hundred-year-old machiya, is lovingly restored. The machiya is beautiful with many original features, but also all the modern conveniences like a washer/dryer and air conditioning. The outdoor bath and garden are beautiful, as well as all of the furnishings in the home. The host will meet you at the home at check-in, which is a lovely gesture and was also a little difficult to time as we were coming from another city and weren't sure about transportation times. Eri was also gracious enough to make a dinner reservation for us at one of her favorite restaurants. Highly recommended for a more personal stay in Kyoto.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

Pia M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
The most beautiful house!
We stayed in this gorgeous restored Machiya (tea house) and honestly, there were some days I didn't want to go out because I felt I was experiencing old Japan simply by sipping tea on the floor and looking out onto the perfectly manicured garden listening to the water drops. The location in Gion was fantastic and quiet; we could walk everywhere in 20 minutes like Nishiki Market, Hanamikoji Street, Shirakawa Street, and Pontocho Alley. 7-11 and Family Mart were 5 minutes walk away and there was so much to explore in the area. Our host Eri was very welcoming and kind, and couldn't do enough for us. She even left us an assortment of ice creams in the freezer! My husband who is 6'2" had to watch his head a bit due to low door frames and he would have liked to stretch out on a long sofa, but the house was perfect for me and my daughters, who incidentally soaked in the garden hot tub every night! I highly recommend staying here for an amazing experience surrounded by beauty.
Stayed 5 nights in Apr 2024

10/10 Excellent

Nigel T.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
A wonderful Machiya experience!
We had a lovely 3 nights in Tsubara. Eri hosted us very graciously and gave us a concise and informative orientation on Day 1 for our family of 5. The machiya itself is comfortable and very clean, with many features that speak of the 100-year old history (which is wonderful to see), yet with modern fittings like a hot shower, the japanese toilet with electronic controls, heating, microwave, kettle etc. Wifi was fast and easy to access. Although the stairs are somewhat steep, they're not difficult to use, and there's a handrail, plus luminescent flowers on the padding on the stairs to guide you at night should you choose not to turn on the lights (though the lights are perfectly adequate). Beds are comfortable and we slept very well. The Japanese garden at the back was very pretty as well! Overall, we had a wonderful experience, staying comfortably in a part of Gion steeped in history, and Eri was a very considerate host. Two thumbs up!!
Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2023

10/10 Excellent

Lisa S., Potomac

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Authentic experience in Kyoto
We had a great stay recently on our trip to Kyoto. Eri was incredibly helpful and was there to welcome us on arrival and helped with area restaurants including making a reservation for us at one place. The home was well appointed and very authentic. We particularly loved the shower, one of the best we've had in our travels! The outdoor bath is very relaxing but is small if you're on the taller side. It was pretty hot when we were there so I think it would have been amazing if it was cooler out to soak in the warm tub. A word of caution to share is that the bedrooms are rather small and up a very steep flight of stairs with no storage (no dressers or space to open suitcases). The bathroom is outside the kitchen on the main floor so if you're someone who needs to use the toilet in the night you will need to walk down these stairs and will need to exercise caution. This wasn't a deal breaker for us but it was a tight fit and for anyone not comfortable with stairs I would give it thought.
Stayed 5 nights in Jul 2023
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

JoAnna R.

A relaxing oasis
Staying at Tsubara was the highlight of our two-week trip to Japan. We spent five nights at Tsubara and loved every minute. Eri and Koji were incredibly thoughtful hosts and insured we got the most out of our stay. They were kind enough to make a reservation for us to see a Maiko, made recommendations for dining, what to see during the pre-Gion Matsuri festival preparations, and even told us about a short-cut in walking to Gion. They were available to answer any questions we had and really went above and beyond to make sure we were having fun sight-seeing. Their love for Kyoto is evident and they want to make sure visitors experience what makes the city so amazing. Tsubara is nothing short of fantastic. The home is just beautiful and incredibly comfortable. The futons and pillows were quite comfortable (they had every sort of pillow you could imagine so you can find just the right one), the sitting area was ample, the kitchen easy to use and came complete with a coffee machine and electric tea pot, and the garden-side soaking tub a welcome way to relax tired toes after a long day of walking around the city. We were also grateful for the washer/dryer! Staying at such a beautiful restored home allowed us an authentic Kyoto experience. It just wouldn't have been the same to have stayed in a hotel. We would definitely recommend Tsubara to anyone!
Stayed 5 nights in Jul 2016

10/10 Excellent

Emma W.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Kyoto Love
The Machiya is spacious and well located near the Gion area. There are also many restaurants near by and it's close to the train station. After a tour with Eri, the owner, we felt right at home. She left some treats for my teens which was a nice touch. During our stay we had to weather Typhoon #7 and Eri made sure we felt taken care of and safe. The kitchen area could be cleaner with some dust on the cupboards and some splashes on the cabinets. A caution to all, the stone leading out of the shower area to the house is very slippery when wet. My 18 year old slipped on it and fell on his tail bone. Fortunately he was okay, his 18 year old body could handle the impact. One final note is that there isn't anyone who lives at the Machiya which is the way I like it, however it can present a logistical challenge for late check ins or shipping luggage. I was able to work it out but it required some work and well worth it in my opinion. In summary, I would stay there again without a second thought. I traveled all through Japan and stayed a many accommodations of various types. My children and I rank this as one of the top three stays we had in Japan. With much gratitude to Eri.
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2023

About the host

Hosted by Koji

Host profile image
Hi, my name is Koji, I'm Japanese. My family and I were born and grew up here in Kyoto.
I like car, motorbike, eating, drinking, etc.
My wife Eri speaks English. She likes eating Kyoto cuisine, seeing Kabuki, music(singing & listening soul music, Stones, Clapton...), Kimono, seeing Maiko-san&Geiko-San dance....of course we like, no, love Kyoto and traditional culture so much!!!
We’d like to show you Kyoto’s great sights and introduce you delicious Kyoto restaurants!
We're waiting for guests at check-in in the house, and we give them many information as we can.
We hope our guests will have a fantastic days in my house in Kyoto.

Why they chose this property

Although this machiya has gone by such a long time, it was been remained keeping quite original Machiya style.
I thought I'll give it a new life as a guest house.
You might be time travel to old Kyoto days!!!

What makes this property unique

Outdoor bath, beautiful Japanese garden, Suikinkutsu, long Japanese corridor......

Languages:

English, Japanese

Premier Host

They consistently provide great experiences for their guests
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