Although machiya vacation rentals are our main game, Shiki Properties is much more than just an accommodation company. We’re an ever-expanding, international collective of local residents with a passion for showcasing Kansai’s diverse and timeless beauty. Offering some of the best traditional Japanese homes in the region, insider access to experiences not available in the mainstream travel market, and an opportunity to connect both with locals and the broader traveling community, staying with Shiki is the key to unlocking the real Kyoto and Osaka.

Natsu is the epitome of Kyoto style. With sleek wooden finishes, brave color choices that pay off, and a sense of effortless cool, the home’s artful renovation was performed by a celebrated local architectural and design firm, and its design stays true to the classic styles of the city in a way that embraces contemporary culture. This fully renovated Kyo-machiya (traditional Kyoto townhouse) is located in a quiet residential neighborhood just a 15-minute walk north of Kyoto Station, and just 3 minutes east of Gojo Station. The house’s rich dark wooden tones, textured finishes, and bright pops of color blend classic Japanese architecture with modern touches, like tatami mat flooring in the bedrooms, which also boast western style beds. This traditional Japanese home is the perfect retreat with its open kitchen, generous dining space, and spacious lounge. Located in the center of the city, just a stone’s throw from the Kamo River, and with its accessible transport options, this house is the ideal spot for the ambitious traveler looking to pack a lot in during their stay. Style, location, space, and culture, Natsu has it all.

Natsu is situated a few minutes walk from one of Kyoto’s most gourmet dining areas, but is well-hidden off the main streets allowing guests to both enjoy the city but still escape from it. A short, less than 10-minute stroll east will lead you to the Kamo River, this river is a centerpiece of Kyoto life and is lined with excellent dining and drinking establishments; it’s also the perfect spot for a scenic walk through the city. Looking a little broader, Natsu sits within cycling distance of many of the city’s major landmarks. You can reach Kiyomizu-dera in about 15 minutes by rental cycle, while Yasaka Shrine will take about 20 minutes via the Kamo River. Sitting just south of the house is another locally loved landmark, not so well known by tourists – the Shosei-en Garden, situated to the east of Higashi Honganji Temple. Here sits a wonderful strolling garden that’s home to a collection of cherry blossom trees that are spectacular in spring.