Kao

Overview

Kao is a lovely two-story, renovated, traditional house located in a residential neighborhood just northwest of Tofukuji and one stop from Fushimi Inari Taisha via the JR Nara line from Tofukuji Station. Its interior is proudly reminiscent of old-world Kyoto style, while its amenities and creature comforts are stylishly modern. Kao’s interior blends old and new worlds. Designed with tasteful intent, Kao’s elegance is a lesson in understated sophistication.

This cozy home can accommodate up to three guests, with the entirety of the second floor operating as a large bedroom featuring two luxuriously comfortable single beds and a sofa bed with an accompanying TV and coffee table. The two beds can be used separately along with the sofa bed, ideal for a small group of friends or the two single beds can be pushed together, forming the equivalent of a king-size bed making the house the ideal space for a couple to relax in comfort during their time in Kyoto. The kitchen is fully equipped to handle all of your needs during your stay. Whether you just want to make a quick breakfast before spending a day out on the town or you want to hire a professional chef to come prepare a meal, you will have no issues.

Being a newly renovated house, Kao is easy to keep tidy and suits travelers of all styles, allowing anyone to turn this townhouse into their very own townhome for months at a time.

Location

Kao is ideally positioned in the center of Kyoto, making it a great place for exploring both on foot and by bicycle. It’s also just one train stop from both Kyoto station and Fushimi Inari Taisha. If you’re looking to explore all of the city’s most well-known attractions, like Fushimi Inari Taisha, Kinkaku-Ji, and the Kyoto Imperial Palace, then staying at Kao is definitely worth considering. In fact, Fushimi Inari Taisha is just a 20-minute walk away! The house is also located near the Kamo River, Kyoto’s most iconic waterway, and a picturesque destination for a stroll.

The house is also an easy two-minute walk from Tofukuji Station, which services the Keihan Main Line and JR Nara Line, offering easy access to the city and the wider Kyoto area. If you want to explore something a little more local, Manjuji Temple, a relatively unknown but lush and architecturally stunning temple, is situated right by Tofukuji Station, and it’s the perfect place for a casual afternoon stroll.

Kao is also surrounded by excellent dining establishments offering all the culinary experiences there are to have in Kyoto. For western cuisine, be sure to check out Dragon Burger, a very popular, much-loved burger restaurant that offers both classic and Japanese fusion-style dishes. Nearby also sits Ramen Factory Kyoto, an excellent ramen restaurant where guests can also make their own noodles. Being in such a central location, if it’s something else you’re after, just take a stroll down one of the back streets, and you’ll without question find something delicious.

Description

The flow of Kao’s interior is artfully considered and designed to be lived in with a layout flexible enough to suit a cross-section of traveling types. It could be perfect for a family with a child, couples who wish for extra space, or a small group of traveling friends. With complete laundry facilities and ample storage space, those who are planning to stay in Kyoto for a while will also find the home extremely comfortable and easily adaptable to their needs.

The first floor is dedicated to the kitchen and dining space while the living and sleeping space are located on the second floor. The open space on the first floor can also be used to host a small get together, should you find yourself needing to entertain guests.

The entrance of the house opens up to the genkan, which has plenty of open space for shoes. Immediately inside from the genkan is the spacious dining area, large enough to host guests. Branching off from the dining space you will find the full separate bath at the front of the house, the stairs to the second floor, the restroom and the fully equipped kitchen, ready to meet all of your needs. Past the kitchen at the back of the house you will find the washroom, complete with a washing machine. The laundry facilities are free to use for guests, making Kao feel even more like a real home away from home.

Making our way back to the stairs, we climb to the second floor to the spacious combination bedroom and living room. There you will find two single beds that can be moved together to form the equivalent of a king-size bed when desired. You will also find the living area with a convertible sofa bed, coffee table and television complete with local channels. The second floor also has plenty of storage space, making your stay comfortable even for long periods of time.