Ikkō 9

Overview

Ideal location, sleek, streamlined interior design that blends contemporary comforts with traditional elements, Ikkō 9 is a beautiful machiya that offers all the creature comforts of a self-contained home and the luxury of a hotel. Spanning 39 square meters, this five-person-capacity, two-bedroom property has two neighboring townhouses, Ikkō 8 and Ikkō 10, which share some similarities but still boast their own unique style. 

The home’s bottom floor is all about enjoying the carefully designed living space that is spacious but cozy and intimate. On the second floor sit the two bedrooms, including the master bedroom, which comes complete with a generous queen-size bed featuring moody, under-bed lighting and stylish grey slate walls.  

If guests prefer, these three complexes can be booked together to make an ideal accommodation option for large traveling groups, like tours, study groups, and work retreats. However, they’re each completely independent and self-contained, offering the ultimate privacy. Flexible, rewarding, modern but with traditional elegance, Ikkō 9 is an unforgettable holiday home.

Location

Ikkō 9 is located practically at the doorstep of the stunning and iconic Kiyomizu-dera. It’s Kyoto’s most famous Buddhist shrine – and an absolutely breathtaking destination in autumn. This UNESCO World Heritage-listed destination was founded in 778 AD, and it contains buildings from the 17th century; the hall is also listed as a national treasure. 

Kamiumacho, the neighborhood in which this Ikkō 9 is located, is conveniently positioned in central Kyoto’s northeastern side, offering easy access to the city’s best attractions and drinking and dining options. A scenic 45-minute walk or casual 20-minute bicycle ride north is Nanzenji-Temple, another historic landmark. Head just a little further north and you’ll find the iconic vermillion Heian Shrine. 

Some of the other landmarks surrounding Ikkō 9 are the Kyoto National Museum, a popular museum dedicated to showcasing the best pre-modern Japanese and Asian art, and the Kamo River, Kyoto’s central artery. If you’re looking to unwind in classic Japanese style, then be sure to pay a visit to Ume-yu. Ume-yu is a perfect piece of retro-Kyoto, a sento (public bath) that’s tattoo friendly, cheap, and open until late, an ideal place to soak your weary legs after a long day of sightseeing.

Description

Ikkō 9 is a wonderfully elegant but understated home. With two bedrooms, this five-person-capacity home is flexible and can adapt to the needs of its guests whether they’re small families on vacation or traveling couples.

On the ground floor of Ikkō 9 is where you’ll find the main living, dining, and entertaining space. With soft beige walls, light wooden flooring, and sliding Japanese-style doors reminiscent of traditional Japanese shoji, it’s a free, open-feeling space that showcases the beauty of tastefully minimalist Japanese design ideologies.

This living-dining area also features a 50-inch TV with a Fire TV Stick so you can sign in to your Netflix account and a comfy sofa that can also fold out to a bed (full set of linens included), transforming this space into a potential bedroom for larger traveling groups. The kitchen is fully equipped with all the necessities you need to create a delicious meal after a fruitful day exploring Kyoto’s Nishiki market.

On the second floor of the house is where the two main bedrooms are located, each decorated in its own unique style. The master bedroom features tatami mat flooring, a stylish slate grey feature wall, and soft moody lighting throughout. The second bedroom feels cozy and intimate and also features a generously sized queen bed and a small desk and chair, making it an ideal remote office setup.

Perfect for those looking for a longer-term destination to set up a home base when exploring Kyoto, Ikkō 9 also has all the additional everyday amenities, including complimentary amenity sets and fluffy towels, to complete laundry facilities, including ironing equipment to make your stay perfectly easy.