Ancient cities such as Kyoto are some of the best places to find historic stays. Sumihotaru Oboro Machiya in Central Kyoto is one such fine example, despite its exterior making travelers think otherwise. Once you easily get past how its facade looks, you can immediately realize and appreciate its exquisite beauty. Its name Sumihotaru Oboro evokes images of fireflies dancing and flickering during a dark, hazy night. Though it might be quite different from the usual design of restored machiya, you're sure to fall in love with its cool and dashing aesthetics.

Design and Architecture

If you compare Sumihotaru Oboro Machiya with the other properties offered by Machiya Residence Inn, this one certainly stands out for being quite different. The dark tones and finish create a sleek and refined aesthetic, evocative of the quality urushi lacquerware high-ranking samurai were fond of collecting. Furnishings and interiors are mainly of Western design, especially in the dining area and second-floor bedroom. The tsuboniwa garden's concept for this property is also a bit different, located at the front of the house instead of the side or at the back. If anything, the overall aesthetics and blending of Western and Eastern styles are reminiscent of Oda Nobunaga, one of Japan's Three Great Unifiers who is depicted wearing black armor and quite fond of foreign ideas and inventions.

With its compact setup, Sumihotaru Oboro's kitchenette provides an efficient and easy way to prepare meals during your stay. It's equipped with the necessary cookware and appliances, so you can create a diverse range of dishes along with saving on your travel budget. For groceries, you can go to Nishiki Market and the Kyoto Seafood Market. Nishiki Market is a bit further, but it's also a historical and cultural hub where you can find Kyoto's local delicacies and specialties. Another advantage of Sumihotaru Oboro's central location is having plentiful restaurants nearby you can try. Several are within walking distance such as Maruyasu which specializes in kaiseki cuisine, and Kisoji which serves various Japanese dishes.

Cultural Experiences

Just exploring the nearby neighborhoods around Sumihotaru Oboro Machiya will reward you with fantastic cultural experiences. Nishi Hongan-ji is one of the larger Buddhist temples in the immediate area and is recognized as part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto. If you're a fan of vehicles, especially trains, head over to the Kyoto Railway Museum where you'll find actual models of Japan's locomotives on display along with explanations of their history. For those who like cute and small things, there's also the Kyoto Seishu Netsuke Art Museum which is dedicated to netsuke, miniature carvings and sculptures that were used for fastening small carry cases called inrou.

Other Celebrations

Machiya stays such as Sumihotaru Oboro usually don't allow parties, but it's still worth asking if the hosts can show some leeway if you promise to keep it peaceful and low-key. Even if they disagree, they may at least be able to recommend some local establishments where you can celebrate.