Former traditional kimono textile atelier in Nishijin area

Description

The house is located in an area called "Nishijin" which is famous as one of traditional products in Kyoto, Nishijin-ori Kimono textile. The house, therefore, was used to be an atelier of Nishijin-ori, which is now the living and dining room on the ground floor. Unlike normal Japanese houses, the house offers you plenty of space. There are three rooms upstairs with a small balcony. Apart from the dining/living room, downstairs provide you with a kitchen, a bathroom, and a washing machine space plus storage. We used as much natural materials as possible to renovate the house. The wall and some parts of ceiling are painted with lime plaster, and insulating material for the wooden floor is recycled natural wool products imported from New Zealand. Those material not only control temperature and humidity inside but are non chemical materials and harmless to your body. The neighbours are all friendly and kind. They live in a very close-knit community, and helping each other that is nowadays disappearing in a centre of any city can still be seen in the neighbourhood. The access to public transport is also good. If you go to the main street (Marutamachi-dori street), buses are going to various places, including many touristic attractions. If you need train connections, you can use JR Emmachi station. Since the house is in the central part of Kyoto, bicycle ride can be probably the best way to explore around Kyoto. Downtown Kyoto (Shijo area), Imperal Park (Kyoto gyoen), Kamo-river, Nijo-jo castle, and many other attractive places are close destinations to bike. You can walk to Kitano Tenmangu shrine and Kamishichiken district where you may come across some beautiful 'geisha' ladies. There are also nice cafes and restaurants around, so when you are off from work, you can enjoy food and drinks in the good surroundings. It is easy to commute to Ritsumeikan University, Doshisha University, Doshisha Women's College of Liberal Arts, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, and Kyoto University. You can enjoy bicycle trip to go to work, otherwise you also benefit from good public transport connections. Guests are kindly asked to respect the neighbours' life, to be quiet at night, and to use the house with care. No pets, no smoking, and no parties, please. Since the house is NOT a guest house but a limited-contract rental property, we do not accept guests who intend to stay only for some weeks/days. For longer period rental (more than 1 year), we may consider different pricing. Please do not hesitate to contact us. The owner is a Japanese-German couple, who also have academic backgrounds (both obtain PhD.). Since we have just got another house renovated in the same neighbourhood and live there, guests are welcomed to drop in when you need advice, help, or just to have someone to talk to! We look forward to welcoming you in Kyoto.