Haru

Overview

Haru is a stunning home with an unmistakable Kyoto style and classic machiya ambiance; it retains all of its old-world charms while providing guests all the amenities they need for a fun and comfortable stay. Big enough to house five and with an interior that feels like a trip back in time, it’s the perfect spot for those who want to fully embrace the Kyoto way of life.

The house features textured, earthy colored walls, shoji sliding paper doors, tatami mat bedrooms, and warm wooden flooring throughout. While the home is overflowing with style and traditional Japanese elegance, it still feels tidy, spacious, and effortlessly livable. 

Each room of the house is flooded with a soft, glowing, diffused light and is the ideal retreat after a long day of sightseeing. Haru boasts 82 square meters of space, spread across two floors, with the first floor designed for living and the second designed for sleeping and relaxing. With all the elements of a modern villa and traditional machiya rolled into one, Haru is the ideal harmonious balance.

Location

Haru is ideally positioned in the heart of Kyoto. It’s located within walking distance of the city’s many attractions but is nestled in a quiet backstreet, ensuring complete peace and tranquility. Less than a 10-minute walk east from Haru sits Kyoto Imperial Palace and the stunning surrounding Kyoto Gyoen National Garden, which season in, season out offers spectacular natural views and is the perfect location for a late-morning stroll. 

Situated in an excellent position for those who want to explore the city by bicycle – which is highly recommended – from Haru, it’s about a 10-minute ride to the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Nijo Castle and a 20-minute ride north to Kinkakuji, Kyoto’s iconic golden temple. Peddle 10 minutes to the east, and you’ll also reach the more northern end of Kyoto’s iconic Kamo River, the main waterway of the city, and an area home to plenty of excellent dining establishments. 

Nishijin, the area in which Haru is located, is a beautiful neighborhood, home to traditional architecture and quaint streets. It’s an area known for its textile production. The Nishijin weaving technique is famous for its highly decorative and finely woven designs and is well-regarded for the quality and craftsmanship of the resulting fabrics, commonly used for high-quality obi and kimono. The home is also surrounded by other similar Shiki-run properties, Aki and Hikari. These homes booked together could also be perfect for larger traveling groups of up to 15, like tours or research groups.

History

Haru, along with two other Shiki Complex houses, Aki and Hikari, are proudly owned by an individual with long-term ties to Kyoto and the Kamigyo-Ku neighborhood in which the homes are situated. The houses are owned by local Raku -san, the current owner and operator of the nearby Raku Museum. The Raku Museum is a fascinating local landmark dedicated to showcasing the Raku family’s famous ceramics. The Raku family was the family that made the bowls for Sen no Rikyu, Japan’s master of the tea ceremony. You can trust when you stay at a Shiki Complex home your money is going to help support local businesses.

Description

With ample sleeping space, generously sized beds, and a living-dining space perfect for gathering a small crowd, Haru can be incredibly versatile and is a great home for a wide range of guests, from small families to a pair of traveling couples, or even a group of close friends. Book Haru with the other neighboring Shiki Complex homes for groups of up to 20 people.

Haru has, without question, a charming interior, from its exposed beams to tatami mat finishing in the bedroom and living room, it exudes classic Kyoto elegance. The home’s entrance leads on to stairs that lead up to the second-floor sleeping quarters. The entrance also opens up onto the spacious living room, which features a large L-shaped couch, perfect for sinking into while enjoying the 55-inch TV. This large sofa can also fold out to become a sofa bed to accommodate additional guests.

Sliding paper doors connect the living room to the engawa (indoor/outdoor space), opening up to a small Japanese-style garden. Open the engawa, set up a mat by the window, and you’ll have a perfect yoga nook for meditating in the Kyoto sun. 

On the opposite side of the house is where you’ll find the spacious dining area, which comes with a completely renovated, fully equipped kitchen and circular dining table, perfect for enjoying a meal or using as an impromptu workspace for those on a workcation.   

On the second floor sit the two bedrooms featuring two western double beds, one on classic floorboards and the other on traditional tatami flooring, giving guests the chance to enjoy the best of both worlds. The two rooms are separated by a fusuma (Japanese sliding door) for ease of access and privacy. It’s a tranquil escape that offers peace and charm in equal balanced measure.