Kyoisuke: Otonari
Another Romantic Machiya Stay in Kyoto
The sister machiya property of Hokomachi, located right next door in my favourite local Kyoto area of Karasuma, Otonari is a smaller machiya (sleeps ~ 5guests) and also decorated so beautifully and intimately with wonderful pieces from the Taisho Roman era. The highlight for me is definitely the two pottery baths one can enjoy soaking away in leisurely. One is indoor looking out towards the outdoor bath.
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Within the Machiya Itself
On the ground floor, one can find a lush velvet plush lounging settee, with beautiful intricate wooden lattices separating it from the genkan and protecting the window. A separate small tatami room with a traditional low chabudai for you to enjoy some green tea is also on the ground floor, opposite the full kitchen decorated with a dark navy backsplash and hidden by a wooden sliding door.
Upstairs are two bedrooms, the modern Japanese -western bedroom and separated by another stunning traditional wooden sliding door is a very spacious tatami room, where one can just read away, drink some tea or if a big group of travellers, this tatami room & the one downstairs is where extra futon can be laid out.
The Outdoor Goemon Bath
Of course what I fell in love with the most, is the two absolutely spectacular pottery goemon cauldron baths (shigaraki pottery)one can enjoy (bathroom goals much!)
I thought it was particularly sweet that the baths are placed next to each other, one indoor (a rich green shade) and the other outdoor (the vibrant traditional blue) but one can slide open the little window separating the two so you and your travel partner can enjoy a bath at the same time whilst having a little chat.
The indoor bath is a reheating bath (love a reheating bath), however the outdoor bath is not.
This is not an onsen! The cloudy water is due to me using my never ending supply of travel onsen bath salts.
OTONARI DETAILS
WEB: KYOISUKE
IG: @KYOISUKE_IN_KYOTO
OTHER PLACES TO STAY & THINGS TO DO
Kyo no Ie: Noboru - prefer a more modern style of Machiya, this one is for you
Nishiyama Ryokan - experience a traditional family run ryokan and enjoy complimentary tea ceremony & other free activities
Shijo Bettei Kyoto - splurge on this modern onsen ryokan hotel in the heart of the city. Every room has its own private open air onsen
Honke Owariya Soba - my favourite traditional soba restaurant in all of Kyoto.
TRAVEL FURTHER
Kinosaki Onsen - download our free ebook guide to this tattoo friendly onsen town
Ishikawa Prefecture - jump on the Thunderbird Express train to Tsuruga Station then Hokuriku Shinkanasen to reach beautiful Kanazawa.
Shizuoka Prefecture - a gem of a prefecture with some of the best seafood and amazing onsen
