Machiya Japan Sumihotaru Honaka
SUMIHOTARU HONAKA
Located in a quiet residential neighbourhood of Kyoto: Shimogyo ward; (~10mins walk from Tambaguchi station, ~26min walk from Kyoto station) one can find this charming duo of Machiya houses beautifully restored and renovated by the Machiya Japan group.
Next door to Honaka is it’s sister property Oboro Machiya, so perfect for groups of families wanting to travel together but still have their own privacy.
MODERN JAPANESE TOUCHES
As prevalent through all of Machiya Japan’s beautiful properties, intimate detail and thought has been given to the design and interiors showcasing Japanese aesthetics and local artisans.
Inspired by the gentle, blinking mysterious lights of Japanese fireflies in summer, the property enjoys evoking their summer life with the light as interesting shadows cast their mystique across little corners of the home ands rays of natural light streaming through.
Shimmering golden metallics in direct contrast to the luxurious black details in the machiya, highlight a feature wall in the tatami room (the 2nd bedroom) where one can relax and read away then when it’s time to sleep, place out the futons for a peaceful night’s rest.
REST WELL UPSTAIRS
Sumihotaru Honaka can sleep ~5 guests across it’s two bedrooms, and for those who wish comfortable Western bedding, the upstairs bedroom with its luxurious space is a perfect respite to enjoy some down time (or do work like I was doing) whether it be relaxing on the lounge watching some TV or just having a good snooze.
SOAK IN THE GOEMON CAULDRON BATH
If you haven’t already figured out from my blog & my instagram, having a lovely ofuro or onsen bath is a major factor in me selecting the accommodation I choose to stay in! lol my priorities.
Honaka has a beautiful deep, traditional GOEMON (shigaraki yaki pottery) cauldron bath to enjoy at the end of the day (or start, or middle really)
This is not an onsen bath, however since I always travel with onsen salts, I used a delightful cloudy one I picked up from one of my many onsen adventures.
KINGYO-JI TEMPLE
What I love about Kyoto, is that no matter where you walk or stay, guaranteed you will probably stumble across a local shrine or temple. It’s my favourite thing to just simply discover.
They may not be grand or massive or famous like the usual sights (which of course one should visit at least once) but there’s something inherently touching and nostalgic to still see that these local shrines/temples still have an important place in the daily life of the locals even as the surroundings around them have changed over the years.
Honestly I have no idea what this temple is about and there’s no website (that I could find), but I stumbled upon it as I walking to Honaka and was utterly delighted by the tiny daruma and jizo they had decorating the premises. So I hope you unexpectedly discover those truly local local charms on any of your travels around Japan, not just Kyoto.
WEB: MACHIYA JAPAN | INSTAGRAM: @MACHIYAJAPAN
