Akane-an is a machiya built about 120 years ago, and it bears all the hallmarks of the Meiji era. The property is nestled within a short walk of Nijo Castle, further attesting to its historical importance.

Design and Architecture

The machiya stays true to its name and charms you from the very front room itself, which is adorned with ‘koshi’ lattice windows. There’s a counter with a sunken floor where you can have some tea while you entertain guests. The ceilings are crafted according to ajiro-tenjo tradition (a wickerwork method using cedar wood strips) and the living room heavily features akane-red accents. The kitchen’s tall ceilings are another typical machiya feature and allow for a well-ventilated space.

While the living room is equipped with two Japanese futons, the bedroom hosts two Western-style beds, however, the room features shoji windows to keep the historic allure intact. The bathroom is fitted with a traditional wooden bathtub, and the home has a tatami room as well.

The tsubo-niwa garden is another exciting spot on the property, fitted with a charming tsukubai (a stone basin) with a kakehi (a bamboo spout). The garden has cedar trees and Japanese plums.

The property is self-catering and has a kitchen with an induction cooktop and oven. You can score great groceries and fresh produce at Nishiki Market, which is a 20-minute walk away. You can try out some local recipes in the kitchen such as Nishin soba. The dish is a combination of sweet herring and hot soba and basic ingredients include dashi stock, soba noodles, boiled herring, and chopped green onions for garnish. You just need to boil the soba and keep it in cold water and boil the stock. After warming the soba back up, add in the herring and pour hot stock over the dish, and you can now enjoy your Nishin soba!

A great bonus about staying in the Nakagyo Ward of Kyoto is that there are plenty of eateries around where you can score a delicious meal. Kiyojirou is a kaiseki restaurant that’s within a 5-minute walk of the property, and besides the great food, the eatery also has a certain historic allure. If you’d like some delicious breakfast, head to the nearby Ogihiroya Sanjo, located within a 5-minute walk of the machiya.

Situated just a 5-minute walk from Nijo Castle, Akane-an puts you straight within a historically rich district in Kyoto. The Kyoto Samurai Ninja Museum is a great spot to check out and has exhibits on Edo-period armor and even child-friendly, instructive classes on the warrior culture. Hanano Yu is a public bath where you can immerse yourself in an essential part of Japanese culture.
Besides, the property is filled with beautiful artifacts, including scrolls, gorgeous china, and more, so that you’ll feel like you’re a part of the living history of the area. You can also find bonsai trees and plants spread across the premises.