We could only infer that the Hinaya Gojo of the past must have been quite the busy machiya. Situated along a major thoroughfare between Central Kyoto and Kiyomizu-dera, the shophouse's wares would have caught the eye of passing pilgrims and patrolling peacekeepers. Today, the storefronts are occupied by a tea shop and a kimono rental store. The actual vacation rentals are past a small walkway leading to a courtyard area. While hidden away from view, these homes are every bit like the many other charming historic machiyas of Machiya Residence Inn made available to discerning travelers.

Design and Architecture

Since Hinaya Gojo consists of two registered properties, both need to be defined separately.

In the case of Hinaya Gojo Ichi, the rental machiya is situated on the second floor of a kimono shop and styled with an open-concept design. While closer in functionality to an apartment, it does retain many machiya aesthetics such as the aged woodwork and ceilings. The bathroom is compact but posh, similar to a hotel suite's bathroom in style. There's also Machiya Residence Inn's signature blending of Western and traditional Japanese rooms to accommodate a variety of guests.

For Hinaya Gojo Ni, the property offers more space and a more historic atmosphere due to its interior design. The home's theme is inspired by the ceramics and lacquerware that this area of Kyoto was known for. Ceramic items made in Kiyomizu style are set about the machiya as part of the decor. The first-floor area features the Japanese room, as well as the dining area and kitchenette. A section of the second floor has been removed, leaving only the timbers and creating a vaulted ceiling-style living area. The Western-style bedroom is on the second floor and equipped with fluffy mattresses. For Gojo Ni's bathroom, the round cauldron-like tub is called a goemonburo, named after the legendary bandit Ishikawa Goemon and how he was executed.

As self-catering rentals, guests will be able to prepare their own meals during their stay at either Hinaya Gojo Ichi or Ni. The stove cooktop as well as microwave and toaster should provide enough variety to prepare your preferred dishes. For getting groceries, there's a Fresco Supermarket about 10 minutes away on foot from the machiya. For a more culturally immersive shopping experience, it's worth visiting Nishiki Market at least once during your trip as it is one of Kyoto's largest and oldest market neighborhoods.

Dining out is also good to do if you have room in your budget, as it will let you discover more local flavors that Kyoto has to offer. Some nearby establishments within walking distance include the kaiseki restaurant Harise , and the udon restaurant Sanshiki.

Cultural Experiences

Hinaya Gojo's location is well-suited for cultural experiences as both museums and religious sites can be easily reached from the Machiya. Kiyomizu-dera and the historic streets of Sannenzaka are to the east, up the slopes of Higashiyama. Yasaka Jinja and the old neighborhoods of Gion are to the north, accessible with a short bus ride. If you head south, you'll instead find the Kyoto National Museum, close to Toyokuni Jinja and Hoko-ji.

Other Celebrations

Even though you'll be renting a home, it's still unlikely that gatherings and celebrations would be allowed, unless it's a really low-key one. That said, it's still worth collaborating with the host to see if they can refer and recommend local establishments in your favor. At the very least, you'll be able to find a place that can provide personalized services for your birthday or anniversary.