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Indigo House Gion Lower Level

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Overview
2 bedrooms
1 bathroom
3 guests
5 nights minimum 
Holiday Rental House
Indigo House Gion is two level “machiya” style traditional townhouse, which was transformed from its abandoned and dilapidated condition into a architectural showplace in mid 2015 by renowned architect Geoffrey Moussas. This “machiya” was built in the early 1900s, and was formerly used as an “ochaya,” a teahouse where geisha entertained elite clientele. It is located just a few steps from The Gion House and Amber House Gion, on a quiet cul-de-sac street in Gion, with no through traffic. The Gion neighborhood is known for its long history as Japan’s most important geisha district, where you can still find streets lined with the historic buildings for which Kyoto is known. And there is so much to see and do within walking distance. The heart of downtown is just a ten minute walk away. In...Indigo House Gion is two level “machiya” style traditional townhouse, which was transformed from its abandoned and dilapidated condition into a architectural showplace in mid 2015 by renowned architect Geoffrey Moussas. This “machiya” was built in the early 1900s, and was formerly used as an “ochaya,” a teahouse where geisha entertained elite clientele. It is located just a few steps from The Gion House and Amber House Gion, on a quiet cul-de-sac street in Gion, with no through traffic. The Gion neighborhood is known for its long history as Japan’s most important geisha district, where you can still find streets lined with the historic buildings for which Kyoto is known. And there is so much to see and do within walking distance. The heart of downtown is just a ten minute walk away. Indigo House Gion Lower Level is the full lower level of the house, with its own entrance. It’s completely independent from the Upper Level. There is enough room to accommodate two to three adults, or a couple with a child. The two bedrooms are both in traditional tatami mat style, and retain some very distinctive original design details such as “tokonoma” alcoves, woven “ajiro” wood detailing on the ceilings, and bamboo molding. The larger master bedroom has a high quality bed with extra-wide double mattress, while the smaller second bedroom has traditional-style sleeping on a soft single futon. Please note that the second bedroom is very compact. When entering the Lower Level, you can’t helped be be overwhelmed by the interior garden, surrounded by huge walls of glass. The feeling is very modern, however, the focal point of the garden is a very old and crumbling Edo-period stone lantern. The bath area has the luxury of space. It features an extra wide shower head, with full-sized bath tub. Of course, the toilet has those high-tech functions. And of course, there is a washer/dryer for guest use. There is radiant floor heating to keep guests warm in the winter, and of course, air conditioning assures that the place stays cool in the warm season. What is distinctive about Indigo House Gion? It’s bright and airy, since there are walls of glass surrounding the interior garden, which extends from the Lower Level to the Upper Level. The master bedroom has an expansive south-facing view of the inner area of Kenninji Temple, where you can see the monk’s cemetery and vegetable gardens, as well as the buildings where the monks live. There’s a lot of blue sky and green trees, and natural light. You can hear the sound of monks chanting their prayers early in the morning. You can also hear the enchanting sounds of crickets, cicadas, and nightingales, depending on the season. Indigo House Gion has already gotten some press. In it's dilapidated pre-renovation state, this house was filmed by CNN for a the program called 'On the Road,' in a segment called 'Saving Kyoto's town houses.' It was also filmed for a program on ANA’s inflight entertainment system. Tourist License / Licencia de turismo N °: FULLYLICENSED
House Rules
Pets not allowedNot suitable for childrenNo smoking
No smoking inside or within 10 meters of the house. Shoes must be removed before entering. Guests are to respect the quiet of the neighborhood. No loud noise, especially after 9 PM. No parties.
Bedrooms
1 Double1 Single
Bathrooms
1 Full bath

Meet the host
Curtis Hawes
Hosting since August 2010
Languages spoken: English, Japanese
Response Rate: 71%
Response Time: Within a few hours
Interaction with guestsOur office is just 50 meters away, and open daily from 10 AM to 6 PM (except Sundays and holidays). Our English-speaking staff is available to offer assistance to guests.

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Reviews (27)
Travel216137
Travel216137
Laguna Niguel, CA2 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Beautiful Machiya
Our family of six adults had a wonderful five night stay at Indigo House in the heart of Gion. We watched the video ‘Saving Kyoto’s Townhouses’ (through oldkyoto.com) prior to our visit and it made us appreciate staying at this Machiya that much more. Its location on a quiet street allowed us to relax and still be easily accessible to many places Kyoto has to offer. We look forward to staying at Indigo House again!
Visited February 2023
Written 27 February 2023. This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.

Nicholas
Nicholas
3 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
The perfect place to stay in Kyoto
We stayed at a number of excellent places in Japan on our honeymoon, but Indigo House Gion Lower Level may have been the best of them all. First of all, the house is in the *perfect* location in Kyoto - right in the heart of classic historic Gion, but on a quiet street not next to all the bars and traffic. Second, the house itself is gorgeous. It looks like a professional, custom interior design of a classic house - which I believe Curtis (the host) did himself! We loved the design so much we didn't want to leave! But third and perhaps most importantly was having Curtis and his team to help guide us in the city. Kyoto can be an infamously hard city to visit for out of towners. They helped not only with restaurant recommendations but also reservations, including some of our favorite meals in all of Japan. We also got great recommendations for local shops and which of the tourist spots to visit (and when to avoid the crowds). I would recommend any of the Old Kyoto properties based on Curtis and his team's incredible hospitality alone, but combined with the gorgeous interior design of the spaces and it really can't be beat. The number of repeat guests staying there while we were there alone - who we also got great recommendations from - speaks to the uniqueness of these properties. Can't recommend highly enough!!!
Visited November 2022
Written 12 November 2022. This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.

Jessie C
Jessie C
14 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Wonderful Machiya Expereince
We stayed there in mid-September 2019. We rent both upper and lower level for our family of 5 (all adult). My wife and I stayed at lower level and kids stays upstairs. I loved what they did to the place . It has all the amenities of modem comfort but made me feel like living in a Machiya. There are neighbors actually live there and go on their daily chores. The location is in the heart Gion district and is very convenient on sight-seeing. I loved to walk around at night in Gion and seeing the traditional Japanese building and street. It is close to downtown so shopping is nearby. It is next to Kenninji and it is a very cool temple. There are many choices food wise (rental office will provide suggestion and help you make reservation as well). Supermarket (Fresco) is a few blocks away if you want to grab something quick and snacks. The rental office is very close. On my last day I walked there to ask them to call a taxi for us (too many luggage). This is such a wonderful experience, one of the highlights of our trip.
Visited September 2019
Written 25 November 2019. This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.

Roam29151116436
Roam29151116436
1 contribution
5.0 of 5 bubbles
A gem of a home that gets aesthetics just right
When arriving at Indigo House we felt a sense gratitude for being able to stay at such a special place. The house is just as beautiful as the pictures show and the personal touches were exquisite. We booked the entire home (Upper and Lower apartments) with friends and we all agreed we couldn’t have chosen better. Throughout our stay we appreciated the elegant touches and overall aesthetic of the place. The home has been refurbished with love, kindness, care and also a deep respect for the dignity and history of the original Gion home. This has resulted in Indigo House maintaining a soft sacred feeling. We felt privileged to stay there. We referred to the visitor’s book often and the guest services offered by Curtis and his team were impeccable. The home is also on a charming quiet street in a terrific location. We can highly recommend this special gem of a home.
Visited August 2019
Written 19 August 2019. This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.

michikami
michikami
4 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Easy choice - stay at Indigo House Gion!
Looking for a place to stay in Kyoto? You found it - Indigo House! Japan can be quite challenging, and these folks made it so much easier for us. First, location! You're right in the middle of Gion, the cultural center. Temples, gardens, and gorgeous, historic side streets are just outside your door - otherwise, and you'll spend half your time in taxi's and buses. There's even a supermarket around the corner. Here are a few highlights: - Beautiful, comfortable rooms - Air conditioning, and great internet service - Washing machine (!), stove, microwave, umbrellas And their special touches to make your trip even better: - Local cell phone, with Google maps (you'll need it!) - Book of recommended restaurants, temples, activities - Help with reservations (you'll need this too) - Friendliest, most responsive service we've ever had - There's even a can of mosquito spray! (these guys are amazing) Anyone interested in the experience of a quiet, neighborhood machiya rather than a big hotel can stop looking now - stay at Indigo House.
Visited August 2019
Written 11 August 2019. This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.

Michael Allen
Michael Allen
Midlothian, VA6 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Machiya Perfection (Indigo House Upper Level)
Indigo House (Upper Level) was the perfect refuge after a long, busy day in Kyoto. Removed from the hustle and bustle of Gion, this elegantly restored machiya leaves no detail unattended to. From the beautiful Japanese bud vases with live flowers in the kitchen area and the main bedroom, to all the amazingly intricate, exquisite wood work, the luxurious shower, the sleek and seamlessly installed kitchen with Scandinavian-style furniture (which matches the machiya perfectly), the open “tsubo-niwa” or open-air courtyard it shares with the first floor (check out the photos to see what I mean), the spare, sublime tatami rooms and extremely comfortable bed and futon. It’s an aesthetic space that is heaven for lovers of Japanese interior design and surely a breath of fresh air to those new to it. You’re able to really just unwind and take in the ambiance of an old machiya that’s updated with modern comforts without at all taking away from its priceless old world charm.To top it off, Curtis and Junko were incredibly warm, friendly, and accommodating, and even helped me make reservations for Saihoji (the “moss temple”) two months in advance. Indigo House was one of the highlights of our trip, something my friend and I both looked forward to greatly, and it did not disappoint. I’d highly recommend Indigo House over a similarly priced hotel for a much more integrated experience in traditional Japanese culture. You won’t regret it!
Visited November 2017
Written 4 July 2019. This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.

Ossitraveller
Ossitraveller
Maroochydore, Australia46 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Just lovely- our home in the heart of Gion! (Indigo House Gion- Upper Level)
After recommendations from family who stayed here and thoroughly enjoyed it, we booked 5 nights for the three of us in June/ July 2018 and it was perfect. The location is second to none in a quiet street with no through traffic. It is an easy stroll into the heart of Gion area and about 10 minutes to downtown Kyoto and the shopping mall/ restaurant precinct. The bus is within walking distance as are two supermarkets. The house is like a home away from home. Our son had a separate bedroom with a large comfortable futon bed at the front of the house and we enjoyed the quiet large master bedroom at the rear which also had a large comfortable futon bed too. For taller people be mindful that the ceilings in these older houses are low and our son hit his head a few times on the wooden beam when entering the room! There were two air-conditioners in the house and the weather in June was hot and humid so these were very welcome! The house has everything you need, kitchen facilities with utensils, a drip filter coffee machine, fridge/ freezer and pottery bowls to eat from. There are also a number of restaurants within walking distance and the house has an information folder which gives excellent inside knowledge about Kyoto, restaurants and suggested sightseeing . We made use of the front loading washing machine/ dryer and we were showed how to use it and there were english instructions too and detergent was supplied. There is one bathroom with shower over bath and a lovely outlook over the internal courtyard (through frosted glass) and a separate japanese style toilet where the washing machine is located. A TV area has a small couch and a dining table with four chairs. The house was beautifully clean and we really enjoyed being able to return to our haven after site-seeing every day. A samsung smart phone is supplied and this has information loaded onto it about Kyoto which you are free to take out with you. One of the best things about staying here was the assistance given by the team. They could not have been more helpful, they organised restaurant bookings, a taxi to the railway station for an early morning departure and they even walked us to the luggage transfer depot and organised the luggage transfer service for us. We highly recommend a stay here if you are coming to Kyoto, it was a highlight of our trip and so much better than being cramped in a hotel room. Thank you to the Team, we will return if we get the chance to travel to Kyoto again.
Visited July 2018
Written 26 October 2018. This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.

noehrenart
noehrenart
San Diego, CA1 contribution
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Don't miss it!
Lovely small house, immaculately clean, great location in a beautiful neighborhood. Close to religious sites, restaurants and shopping. You will love it! Happy traveling.
Visited April 2018
Written 26 May 2018. This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.

Elizabeth N
Elizabeth N
1 contribution
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Perfect Old World Charm with Modern Amenities
Our family of spent five nights at this wonderful Machya in the Gion district of Kyoto. We arrived in time for the cherry blossom season which made Kyoto very lovely AND crowded. We were able to come back to this wonderful apartment and reset (radiant doors, kitchen and laundry really a plus!) We walked the streets of Gion in the earl mornings and felt as if we had the neighborhood to ourselves. Curtiss and Junko were super helpful in recommending restaurants. We loved our stay so much didn't want to leave. We will visit again.
Visited April 2018
Written 16 April 2018. This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.

cecil629
cecil629
Berlin, Germany1 contribution
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Great location
Small, cozy location, perfect for a Kyoto getaway. Located in the traditional Gion district with great food and sightseeing options nearby. Very friendly and helpful staff.
Visited February 2018
Written 15 April 2018. This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.

Showing results 1-10 of 27

What this rental offers
Kitchen and dining
  • Refrigerator
  • Kettle
  • Microwave
Wi-fi and internet
  • Wi-fi
Indoor amenities
  • Air conditioning
  • Internet access
  • Cable television
Bathroom and laundry
  • Dryer
  • Iron
  • Linens provided
  • Towels provided
  • Washer
Entertainment
  • Television

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Map
About the neighbourhood
Indigo House Gion is located just a few steps from The Gion House and Amber House Gion, on a quiet cul-de-sac street in Gion, with no through traffic. The Gion neighborhood is known for its long history as Japan’s most important geisha district, where you can still find streets lined with the historic buildings for which Kyoto is known. And there is so much to see and do within walking distance. The heart of downtown is just a ten minute walk away.
Getting around
There are numerous temples, restaurants, and shops located nearby, with walking access to major tourist sights such as Kiyomizu Temple, Chion-in, and Maruyama Park. The downtown shopping district and Kamo River are also just a ten minute walk away. Nearby is easy access to public transportation and taxis.
Access
Car not needed
How to get there
From Osaka Kansai Airport (KIX), we recommend the door-to-door shuttle van services of Yasaka KIX Shuttle. From Kyoto Station or other points in Kyoto, we recommend arriving by taxi the first time, to avoid the frustration of getting lost. Guests will be provided with maps and necessary instructions before arrival.

Things to know
Check in / out timings
Check in after 4 pm Check out by 11 am
Cancellation policy
  • 100% refund within 24 hours after booking (provided the stay is at least 60 days away).
  • 50% refund* if you cancel at least 8 weeks before check-in
  • 25% refund* if you cancel at least 4 weeks before check-in
  • No refund available once booking is confirmed

About this property

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Frequently Asked Questions about Indigo House Gion Lower Level

Indigo House Gion Lower Level is able to accommodate up to 3 guests. See all property details.

Indigo House Gion Lower Level has one bathroom available. See all property details.

Indigo House Gion Lower Level has 2 bedrooms available. See all property details.

Stays at Indigo House Gion Lower Level must last at least 5 nights. See all property details.

Indigo House Gion Lower Level - Tripadvisor