Kyoto Machiya Fukune — Hotel in Kyoto

After staying at minshukus, ryokans and western-style hotels over the last several days, it was a pleasure to end our Japan stay with 2 nights at Kyoto Machiya Fukune. The 2 of us appreciated the extra space of the Sangen machiya compared to our previous lodgings to just chill out, especially when soaking in your personal outdoor hot water (not onsen) bath or the indoor hinoki bath and looking out onto the compact zen garden. Beds were comfortable and bathrooms modern and clean. The included mini-bar (Asahi beer, sake, soft drinks and water) was an unexpected bonus! The welcome tea ceremony with traditional sweets (much better than that offered with the included entry price at the Okochi Sanso Garden in Arashiyama) was a far superior greeting than fronting a hotel reception desk even if one has to wait (about 10 mins) for Miki to arrive (which was forewarned in the pre-stay info); we were informed of our security code when we rang (using the complimentary phone in the separate arrival area) and could access the machiya while waiting. Miki was very helpful with local restaurant and sightseeing tips. Excellent pre-stay information was provided via email from Kyoto Machiya Fukune. |While we didn’t use the laundry (complimentary) we did make use of the locker, which we found could store 2 large suitcases and 2 carry-on luggage with room leftover for shopping bags.|It cost us ¥1500 for taxi/uber from JR Kyoto stn to the machiya. Once there it is only several minutes’ walk to various train stns or bus stops. Nishiki mkt’s western entrance is about a 10min walk away. This was my 3rd time in Kyoto with the goal to visit sights we hadn’t seen previously like Arashiyama’s bamboo grove and Fushimi Inari shrine. The Randen line’s Shijo-Omiya stn is just over 10mins walk away and the tram takes you into the heart of Arashiyama’s shopping strip, the Kimino forest and near the Tongetsu-kyo bridge. Then take your time to walk to the bamboo grove via Tenryo-ji shrine. They say it best to get to the grove early to beat the tourists, but it rained in the morning, so we took our time and got to the grove about lunch-time. While crowded, it wasn’t as packed as what we thought it would be, given it was a Sunday and also ‘golden week’ (maybe people were eating lunch). We also walked to and visited the Nison-in temple that was recommended by Miki; she highlighted the moss that covered a lot of the grounds; a very worthwhile diversion and IMHO better than the Okochi Sanso Garden we also visited). Had a late lunch in the local area then walked to JR’s Saga-Arashiyama stn; ¥220 to JR’s Inari stn (simple transfer at JR Kyoto stn) with the Fushimi Inari shrine entrance across the road. |The place is pricey, but we’re glad we...

This is our 6th time in Japan and Kyoto is my favorite city. We loved our stay here and would definitely return. | My husband and I stayed in the Kokyu machiya. |Before we even arrived the communication from the property was responsive to questions ||The property itself is an 6-7 minutes walk from exit 6 at Karasuna -Oike subway exit. Note there are lockers right by the exit. We arrived super early and just dropped our in there to save time so we could continue exploring before checking in. |The matcha tea ceremony and little gift upon arrival|and local tips were appreciated. ||While on a residential side street, the property is centrally located and its easy to walk to many tourist areas or catch a subway and transfer. There are so many restaurants nearby (including my favorite place in Kyoto for shirunashi tantanmen - Gouriki w/iwalking distance). Also, Uber works great here and the drivers are just amazing Japanese taxi drivers, not regular gig workers, it seemed. ||We loved the Kokyu unit. bed was super comfortable and then sliding screens open to let tons of fresh air inn if you want. It does have traditional buckwheat pillows. |There is an outdoor bath, cedar bath and shower (do this before getting in either bath to clean yourself first) and two toilets (one up and down). There was a microwave and utensils in the room and a rather big flat screen tv if you are into that. I loved the high ceilings and open feel. |My brother and his wife were in Kinsho next to us, which was equally as lovely and had its own unique advantages such as regular sofas. ||A couple of tips:|if you order breakfast keep in mind it arrives between 8-8:30 in case you have an early train |Also, while there is a washer and dryer on-site, the dryer does not use heat and WILL take over three hours to dry. As an alternative there is a 24 hour coin laundry 7-8 minutes away on foot. ||I can’t wait to go back and stay a bit longer. It felt like we lived here for a minute and I loved it....

It's in a quiet tucked away location but it's convenient - Family Marts and a Lawson are within walking distance, easy walk to the main street to access the bus lines or the subway, and there are a lot of cute little restaurants and shops in the neighborhood.||It was very easy for us to get to the hotel (Shinkansen from Odawara to Kyoto, then subway to the closest station, then walking over) and check-in. Sarah met us in our unit about 10 min after to do the formal check-in and show us the features around the unit (AC system, lights, the two tubs, bathrooms, etc), and then after that, came by with matcha and some local Kyoto sweets. I've had matcha before but I've never whisked my own, so that was fun. My partner really liked the sweets, and Sarah very kindly gave us the names of the supplying - Eirakuya muromachi, Toshoan, and Marukyu koyamaen for the matcha (although she recommended Fukujuen personally). We ended up stopping by all the shops with the exception of Marukyu and picked up gift boxes and tea for ourselves and friends. She also recommended that we check out Adashino nebutsuji temple in the Arashiyama area the next day. A bit of a walk up a hill but it was a real gem - no crowds, there were cool shops on the way up (a whole place with just tanuki statues of all sizes in the front and loads of handmade ceramics). ||They were also really helpful in accepting our luggage from Yamato Transport and sent us an email to confirm the suitcases were ours. We did the breakfast and dinner packages, and it was fun being able to sit in the side room on tatami mats and just enjoy ourselves. There's a Bluetooth speaker, so I personally had fun playing some Utada while eating dinner. Bit chilly in March, but the heaters worked well in keeping the room warm, and we enjoyed sitting in the ceramic and hinoki tubs....