A traditional machiya townhouse over 120 years old is located just north of Nijo Castle, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Here, six renovated townhouses stand side by side in a quiet residential area once known as the residence of the Emperor’s female court during the Heian Period. Higashi-no-Tai is one of these special houses, where guests can feel the depth of history and enjoy a truly unique Kyoto stay.
The owner of these six houses is Yamanaka Abura, a renowned oil shop founded over 200 years ago and well known throughout Kyoto. Their original shop is located nearby, where visitors can purchase their famous high-quality oils, cherished by locals for generations.
At the heart of the house lies a small Japanese garden, planted with maples and other native trees that shift with the seasons. In spring it softens with fresh green, in summer the shade deepens, in autumn the leaves burn red, and in winter the stones and moss rest in quiet stillness.
By day, sunlight drifts across the garden and fills the rooms with a calm brightness. At night, soft lights draw out shadows and textures, giving the same scene a different mood. From the guestroom or even the bath, the garden is always in view—an ever-changing picture that lends the house its sense of peace.
Good for long stay
There is washing machine with dryer.
Also have built-in kitchen so you can cook anytime.
You can feel like living in Kyoto.
Over 120 years old history.
Step into the narrow street and a row of long brown townhouses rises on one side. Though divided into six separate homes, they share a single roof—a rare sight today, but a remnant of how Kyoto once built its neighborhoods.
These guesthouses carry more than 120 years of history. Inside, the past reveals itself in quiet details: the weight of a broad wooden beam running across the ceiling, the patina of wood that has darkened over decades. Both outside and within, the houses hold the texture of time, allowing visitors to sense not only where they are, but when.