Machiyas, or traditional townhouses, are deeply rooted in Japan's heritage, dating back to the Heian Period (794 - 1185). They were quite popular among merchants and artisans during the Edo Period (1603 - 1868), who used to conduct business and stay in the houses. In 1950, the Japanese Building Standards Act was passed, restricting the construction of new machiyas as the old methods were not considered safe. While many machiyas fell into disrepair, some were renovated and given a new life.

Machiya Residence Inn is one of the companies that has been meticulously renovating and restoring the heritage properties in Kyoto, Kanazawa, and Takayama City since 2010. The Machiya Villa Sanjo Shirakawa Koji is one such project of the company, where they renovated and transformed four machiyas into guest houses inside the same compound. Their main aim is to preserve the rich heritage of Japan while adapting to modern standards.

Design and Architecture

The four machiyas inside the compound have distinct design and decor, although all of them boast traditional Japanese architecture. All three also come with their own tsuboniwa.

Hana features beautiful Kyo-Karakami (a Japanese art form) depicting hanamaru-mon (circular flower patterns) on the walls, cushions, and other fabrics. It has two Western-style bedrooms and a Japanese-style bedroom with tatami mats and earthen walls.

Tori also features the Kyo-Karakami art form, but the designs depicted are torimarumoyo (circular bird patterns). It has a Western-style bedroom with exposed wooden beams and two Japanese-style rooms with tatami mats and shoji (paper) screens.

Kaze showcases a traditional wind pattern in the Kyo-Karakami art form. There's one Japanese-style and one Western-style bedroom, each offering rich woodwork and exposed beams.

Tsuki boasts bright yellow Kyo-karakami wallpaper and a warm ambiance. It has one Western-style bedroom with exposed wooden beams and one Japanese-style room with tatami mats and shoji screens.

Although there's no on-site restaurant at The Machiya Villa Sanjo Shirakawa Koji, each of its machiyas comes with a well-appointed kitchen. So, no matter which machiya you book for your stay, you'll have your very own kitchen to prepare daily meals in. Start your day with a cup of black or green tea or some aromatic Machiya Coffee from the kitchen. All the kitchens feature contemporary appliances such as an induction stovetop, a rice cooker, a microwave, a refrigerator, and more. You'll also have crockery and cutlery at your disposal. Each machiya offers a dining area as well, so you can feel at home.

Don't forget to try local restaurants too! The staff at Machiya Residence Inn will help you reserve a table. Just get in touch with them between 10 am and 7 pm. Nearby restaurants include the Michelin-Green-Starred Tan, only a minute's walk away, and the Chinese restaurant Marushin Hanten, a five-minute walk away from the property. You can also stop by Cafe Alpen Rose for a scrumptious meal and a cup of coffee, which is only a couple of minutes away.

Cultural and Outdoor Experiences

The Machiya Villa Sanjo Shirakawa Koji is ideally located near several cultural attractions. Only an eight-minute walk away, Yurinkan Museum offers stunning East Asian art, and a 10-minute walk away, you can find the Kyoto City KYOCERA Museum of Art, among the oldest art museums in the country. If you're visiting in July, you must attend the vibrant Gion Matsuri festival hosted by the Yasaka Shrine. Even if you miss it, don't forget to stop by the Kyoto Gion Matsuri Festival Gallery, an 11-minute walk from the property. Beautiful parks such as Maruyama Park and Okazaki Park are also just about 10 minutes away on foot. Nature lovers can visit these parks to breathe in some fresh air and gaze at lovely cherry blossoms.