Machiya Life

Suggestions for what you might do during your stay in Kyoto...

Explore the Neighborhoods

Iori Weekly Machiya are located in the middle of downtown Kyoto. You can still spot many traditional machiya and enjoy the atmosphere of the ancient city. In your neighborhood, you can discover antiques shops and many traditional specialty shops, like bamboo craftsmen or Japanese sweets makers, and Iori staff would be delighted to provide further suggestions.

Nearby Kiyamachi, Pontocho, and Gion are also Kyoto’s traditional entertainment districts. You’ll finda number of machiya remodeled as restaurants and shops. Stroll through Gion and Pontocho’s active geisha districts, where in the evening geisha and maiko (apprentice geisha) hurry from tea house to tea house (ochaya), performing for private customers.

Dinner

There are many restaurants in Shijo, Sanjo, Teramachi, Kiyamachi, Gion, and Pontocho, which are all located within walking distance or a short taxi ride from Iori Weekly Machiya. You will find traditional restaurants serving elegantly presented Japanese dinners and hole-in-the-wall restaurants serving noodles or the ever popular okonomiyaki (Japanese savory cabbage pancakes). Kyoto also offers a good number of fine ethnic Asian restaurants, including Nepalese, Indian, Korean, and Thai food. The Iori staff would be delighted to make recommendations and reservations for you.

Japanese Baths

All the Iori Weekly Machiya have Japanese-style ofuro baths, so guests can relax after a long day of sight-seeing. We will replenish your supply of bath products, fresh towels and linens daily or at your convenience.

Bedding

Guests sleep in our high-quality futon (Japanese-style bedding) in the tatami rooms. Sujiya-cho also has western-style beds.

In the Morning

Take a walk or a jog along the Kamogawa River. From the bridges crossing the Kamogawa, you can enjoy an excellent view of the hills surrounding Kyoto on the east, north, and west. If the weather is nice, you may also see Kyoto residents enjoying the outdoors in the middle of the city.

For Breakfast, wake up with a cup of coffee and a "morning set" at a café, or have a Japanese breakfast of many small dishes in the peaceful atmosphere of a traditional restaurant. Alternatively, you could buy bread and danishes at a nearby bakery and make coffee in the machiya.

Sightseeing

Iori Weekly Machiya are all located in the middle of downtown. You can easily catch a taxi or public transportation to any sightseeing spot. Kyoto is famous not only for its temples and shrines, but also for its traditional handicrafts and arts. Experience some of the arts first hand in a program at ORIGIN, which offers classes in Tea Ceremony, Shimai (Noh Drama dance), Calligraphy, and the Martial Arts. Please refer to this website's ORIGIN page or ask our staff for further information.

Further Information

Members of our staff speak excellent English, and we can provide detailed information about the neighborhood, including restaurants, shops, and cafes. Our staff are always available on their mobile phones to answer questions and to help out in emergencies.