Izuki Machiya House was built over 130 years ago. The exact date of establishment is unknown, but the property likely belongs to the late 19th century, which constituted the Meiji Era. Very recently, in October 2024, it was renovated and opened as a holiday home, harmoniously blending heritage and modernity. The machiya is named after the Japanese phrase “出づる” (izuru), which means to set out or emerge. True to its name, the property serves as a great jump-off point for visiting cultural attractions in the area, such as Nishi Honganji Temple.

Design and Architecture

Izuki Machiya House upholds its rich heritage by showcasing traditional Japanese architecture. You can find features that are typically found in machiyas or old Japanese townhouses. These include wooden accents, a 'doma' floor, which is usually made of dirt or mud plaster, and a tatami room with futon bedding and earthen walls. The second floor boasts a typical wooden framing in the roof known as 'koyagumi.' Event the Western-style room has traditional features like shoji screen and original wooden beams.

Izuki Machiya House makes up for the lack of an on-site restaurant with its sleek, modern kitchen. The open-plan kitchen comes equipped with a microwave oven, stovetop, mini fridge, cutlery, and cooking utensils. Join a cooking class in the city to learn Japanese specialties and recreate them in the stylish kitchen. You can share your culinary masterpieces at the seven-seater dining table right next to the kitchen.

Alternatively, you can go out for lunch or dinner to one of the restaurants or cafes near the machiya. Enjoy an elaborate kaiseki meal at Wagokoro Izumi or try some delicious sushi at Yamani Sushi, 8 minutes and 15 minutes away by car, respectively.

Cultural and Outdoor Experiences

Have a quintessential Japanese-style stay at Izuki Machiya House. Not only does it offer the old-world charm of a machiya, but it also features a Japanese tsuboniwa garden. The small but pretty garden changes colors with the changing seasons and boasts lush greenery and an age-old stone lantern. You can admire it from the living room or while immersed in the tub in the bathroom. From the bathroom, the garden looks like a gakubuchi teien or framed garden.

The machiya also provides easy access to nearby cultural attractions like the geisha district of Gion, Nijo Castle, or the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Nishi Honganji Temple. Outdoor enthusiasts can explore the Arashiyama Bamboo Grove, a picture-perfect spot offering walking tours. If you're visiting in July, don't forget to attend the Gion Matsuri festival at Yasaka Shrine!