GEKKOU-AN HOTEL KYOTO: A STAY IN A MACHIYA INSPIRED BY LOCAL TRADITION

Design hotels

May 9

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Staying in a traditional Machiya in Kyoto and experiencing first-hand the Japanese historical and cultural heritage through architecture and design is what travelers can indulge in at Gekkou-an Suites hotel. It offers a unique Kyoto experience in a peaceful and well-connected residential neighborhood in the city, one of the best central areas to stay.

Experience the city as a local in a recently renovated traditional-style Kyoto townhouse with over a hundred years of history converted into a small hotel that blends tradition and modernity.

Gekkou-an Suites welcomes guests to their traditional Kyoto Machiya housed in two exclusive neighboring properties with distinct personalities, the East Building Garden Suite and the West Building Luxury Suite.

Shin, the property manager, and the whole team will take care of every detail to offer an outstanding experience to conscious travelers who aim to enjoy an authentic travel adventure in Kyoto and its surroundings.

Personalized recommendations, mindful details, traditional Japanese breakfasts, and off-the-beaten-path routes tailored to individual preferences will make for an unforgettable travel experience in Kyoto at Gekkou-an Suites.

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MACHIYA'S HISTORICAL RELEVANCE IN KYOTO CITY

Kyoto is recognized worldwide for its iconic ancient structures called Machiya. Gekkou-an Suites property, with a history spanning over 130 years, is officially categorized by Kyoto City as a Heritage Site and designated as a Kyo-Machiya. This term refers to a traditional Kyoto-style townhouse—a wooden structure with an attached store—constructed using old techniques. Referred to as eels' beds, or unagi no nedoko in Japanese, they feature a narrow frontage and an elongated structure.

Gekkou-an Suites emerged due to an exceptional ordinance enacted by Kyoto City, which allowed the construction to operate as a hotel with a special license. The main disadvantage of traditional Machiyas in Kyoto is that about 2,000 are lost annually because of their high maintenance costs and associated difficulties. Given the situation, alternative regulations had to be approved to secure their preservation. Otherwise, experts predict that Kyo-Machiyas could completely disappear in the next decade. Today, these historic structures must go through a series of specified restorations, followed by strict inspections to ensure compliance with all the standards to become a hotel in Kyoto.

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INTERIOR DESIGN AND COMFORT IN A CENTENARY MACHIYA

Gekkou-an Suites delivers a compelling statement about the distinctive beauty and simplicity of Japanese interior design and architecture. They provide guests with a superior comfort experience in a central district of Kyoto by unveiling a world of traditional and contemporary features, effortless beauty, soothing tones, soft lighting, and unique interior design while remaining simple and functional at its core.

With more than a century of history, the building's interior combines ancient techniques with an emphasis on creating a safe and healthy living environment. The walls, built with Kyoto-sourced Juraku clay, have antibacterial, deodorizing, humidity-regulating, and fire-resistant qualities.

The Machiya constructions at Gekkou-an Suites feature a small tsuboniwa or traditional Japanese courtyard garden. As Tsubo translates to pot, a tsuboniwa is a garden enclosed in a tiny space. The shoji screens are the iconic sliding doors in Japanese architecture, art, and design, also known as Yukimi shoji. They serve as thick translucent paper dividers on a wooden framework that allows visitors to enjoy the garden views from the inside when the temperatures are too cold or warm.

The Suites at Gekkou-an embody a rich Kyoto aesthetic and meticulously designed interiors. Additionally, they showcase one-of-a-kind artworks created by renowned artists like papercraft, potter, and gold leaf artisans. A beautiful painting depicting the Happiness Lotus, created by the prominent artist Hideki Kimura, stands out at the entrance of the East Building Garden Suite. The hanging paper scrolls displayed in the room, painted in the 1800s by the third abbot of Shokokuji Temple, were received by the Gekkou-an Suites owner as a gift from the temple.

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EXPERIENCE KYOTO AS A LOCAL

After a journey exploring the city and its surroundings, nothing compares to unwinding in a unique hotel that captures the serenity and authenticity of Kyoto combined with functionality and convenience.

Waking up in the pleasant sleeping environment that Gekkou-an Suites has designed for its guests is already a remarkable experience in its own right. A traditional Japanese breakfast with seasonal specialties, delivered directly at the entrance of the Machiya every morning by a long-established catering company in Kyoto, is indeed one of the best ways to start the day. Guests will be treated to a special breakfast during the weekends, inspired by the cuisine of the old Samurai. Samurai cuisine reflected their close relationship with nature and commitment to sustainable principles, focusing on seasonality and local produce.

Travelers can make themselves home while enjoying the first meal of the day in the living room, under the warmth of the Japanese heated table called horigotatsu, sitting on handmade silk cushions for extra comfort. They are also welcome to prepare their tea or coffee morning ritual in the in-house kitchen, which offers all the needed appliances.

In the evening, once one has soaked in all that Kyoto has to offer, returning to the hotel couldn't be more delightful. Traditional Japanese pastries and tea will greet travelers daily as if they were an end-of-journey present, along with a detailed weather forecast for the upcoming days and a personalized note from the staff wishing a relaxing evening at Gekkou-an.

Located in one of the best areas for accommodation in Kyoto, Gekkou-an Suites is within a short walking distance from Nijo Station in the central part of the city. Major sightseeing spots such as Nijo Castle, Arashiyama, and the city center are reachable by foot and a short train or subway ride.