Meika Machiya has a history spanning over 100 years old, a quirky past which is reflected in its name. ‘Meiken’ is said to have evolved from the term ‘Meigen’, an annual Shinto ceremony that was performed in the Yumiyacho neighborhood (where the machiya is located). During the ceremony, the bowstrings of ‘yumi’ were played to ward off evil spirits and to invite good fortune.

Design and Architecture

The home has evidently seen a round of renovations, and though its exteriors keep true to the traditional machiya charm, the interiors display a combination of chic minimalist stylistic choices and traditional Japanese aesthetics. The living room is perhaps the best example and is fitted with sofas and comfortable Western-style seating options, while fitted with a shoji door and a floor-to-ceiling glass door that opens out into the tsuboniwa, a small Japanese garden filled with tall shrubs. It also has an ishidoro (a stone lantern) and a tsukubai (a stone basin), giving it a more authentic and traditional look.

The property has both Western-style and Japanese-style bedrooms, with the Japanese one provided with tatami mats, shoji windows, washi lanterns (a type of lantern fashioned out of paper), and two futons. On the other hand, the Western-style bedroom is equipped with shoji sliding windows, a large queen-sized bed, and wooden flooring.

Another highlight of the property is the goemon, a porcelain bathtub that is inspired from the cauldron-type baths of the Edo period. The bath has a view of the garden, so you can immerse yourself in an authentic experience and relax at the end of a busy day.

The property is self-catering and has a kitchen equipped with a stovetop, microwave, refrigerator, toaster, utensils, and a kettle. You can easily try out some local Kyoto recipes such as the popular salmon saikyo yaki. This dish includes fried or roasted salmon in a miso base and involves marinating the salmon in saikyo miso paste (mixed with mirin). After it’s been marinated, you can either roast the salmon fillets in an oven, or roast in a fry pan while it rests on parchment paper. The dish is best served with boiled green beans.

Aside from cooking, you can also explore the unique eateries for a taste of authentic Japanese food. Head to Gion Suetomo (within a 2-minute walk) for a full kaiseki meal with Kyoto specialties, and for an afternoon snack, you can head to Tempura Endo Yasaka (West) (within a minute’s walk) for some yummy tempura. At tea time, head to Kimono Tea Ceremony at Kyoto Gion Kiyomizu, within a 2-minute walk from the machiya. And for dessert, Harmonika is the place to be, and it is within a 2-minute walk as well.

Cultural Experiences

The machiya is situated in the historic Gion-Higashiyama district in Kyoto, which is home to kagai and geisha areas, so you can even go for a traditional geisha performance. Visitors should check out the Kiyomizu area where they can get beautiful ceramics, which will make for great souvenirs. Shijo Street is another popular area, and you must try their green tea-flavored sweets! The Kamogawa River is also nearby and is a great spot to check out with your loved one.