Uguisuan

Overview

Uguisuan is a lovely two-story, renovated house located in a peaceful neighborhood just north of Umekoji Park and just a short bicycle ride south of the UNESCO World Heritage Listed Nijo Castle and Kyoto Imperial Palace. Its interior is proudly reminiscent of old-world Kyoto style, while its amenities and creature comforts are stylishly modern. Uguisuan’s interior blends old and new worlds. With classic tatami-mat flooring in various locations throughout the house and various Japanese style art pieces, Uguisuan exudes Japanese aesthetic.

The 75-square-meter, five-person-capacity home features two separate bedrooms, both on the second floor, one with two semi-double beds and the other with space for a single futon. Uguisuan also boasts a fully stocked kitchen and a separated shower room and toilet. Designed for livability and to offer guests an authentic Kyoto experience, Uguisuan is a wonderful home that will make any guests’ stay complete.

Location

Uguisuan is conveniently located near Umekoji-Kyotonishi Station, only one stop from Kyoto Station, making it an ideal location for exploring nearby prefectures like Osaka, Nara, and Hyogo or the wider Kyoto prefecture. A short walk south of Uguisuan sits Umekoji park, a popular park with a sprawling garden, a railway museum, and an eco-friendly aquarium.

Just east of Uguisuan, you will find Nishi Hongan-ji Temple, a picturesque traditional temple near the city center, offering a great atmosphere for a morning stroll during your stay. Beyond Nishi Hongan-ji, you will find Higashi Hongan-ji Temple, offering much the same as Nishi Hongan-ji.

For those wanting to explore the real old-world Kyoto, head to Wachigai-ya. A 4-minute walk from Uguisuan, Wachigai-ya is a preserved geisha teahouse or okiya dating back to the 1680s. Along the street on which this historic landmark sits, is an endless selection of traditional Japanese homes and buildings, all retaining that elusive and enthralling classic Kyoto charm.

If you want to explore a little further, you can hop on a rental bicycle and head north to the Unesco World Heritage listed Nijo Castle, or just a bit further and to the east to Kyoto Imperial Palace. Sitting just outside of nearby Nijo Castle is Nijo Park, a laid-back Japanese-style garden complete with cherry blossoms that paint the area pink in spring. For those looking to see Kyoto’s more secretive side, head on over to the lantern-lit Mikane Shrine, a quaint retro-style shrine not well known by tourists but incredibly popular with locals.

Description

Immediately upon entering the house you will find yourself in the genkan with plenty of space for shoes, umbrellas, and anything else you may wish to leave here. Moving further in to the house, the Japanese-style office complete with tatami-mat flooring will be located on the right. This room is perfect for relaxing in the evening with a book or getting some remote work done. The kitchen lies just beyond the office. It is fully equipped, so whether you want to make a quick breakfast before a day out on the town or hire a professional chef to come in and prepare a meal, you are covered. Just past the kitchen is the Japanese-style living room, featuring various traditional Japanese decorations, among which is an artful hanging scroll. The living room is complete with a low table and cushions, two additional futons and a high definition TV so you can hook up your streaming device and spend hours binging your favorite shows in comfort. On the far side of the living room is the small garden with a Japanese Maple Tree or Momiji. The tree has a stunningly beautiful red color during autumn. To the left of the garden you will find the washroom, complete with laundry facilities, and spacious bath. The complete laundry facilities make Uguisuan a great location for people wishing to stay several months at a time. Moving back to the opposite side of the garden is the separate restroom.

Making your way back to the kitchen, you will find the stairs. At the top of the stairs going straight ahead is the western-style room with wood flooring and two comfortable semi-double beds for you to get a great night of sleep after a long day. The room features a traditional Japanese-style byobu and an exposed wooden column in the center of the room, adding a touch of Japanese charm. This room has a 4K TV, so you can continue your favorite shows where you left off downstairs. Back at the top of the stairs on the left side, you will find the Japanese-style room with traditional tatami-mat flooring. This room has one futon and a large closet, with enough space to store anything you may need during a long-term stay.