We were absolutely delighted with our stay at Koraku-an! This unique place truly lets you feel the spirit of authentic Kyoto. The house, although renovated, has preserved original elements like wooden stairs and traditional sliding doors – all of which create a special atmosphere and give you a chance to experience genuine Japanese culture. A special mention goes to the wonderful owner – incredibly welcoming, kind, and helpful, which made our stay even more enjoyable. Another huge advantage of this place is the peace and quiet – the house is located in a charming, calm alley, allowing you to truly rest away from the hustle and bustle of the city, yet it’s still very close to Nijo Station, shops, and restaurants. It was a unique, authentic, and unforgettable experience. We highly recommend it to anyone who wants to feel the real Kyoto! Rikka, thank you so much for everything!

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Koraku-an is a unique, traditional 'machiya' property in Kyoto, providing a novel experience compared to staying in a western hotel. It is clear the owners have painstakingly kept the traditional elements of the property, but have always ensured the neccessary mod-cons are present - a nice modern shower, air-conditioning units (which for us, doubled up as heaters, as it was cold) and great kitchen amenities. The property was very clean too, impressively so considering how large and old it is! We stayed as a couple, but I imagine it could fit 4/5 people easily. The location is pleasant and quiet, with a metro and JR line station (Nijo) around a 15 minute walk away. Rika, the host, is friendly and will meet you after check in and also contact you to meet when you check out. She also provides a useful map of local restaurants and sights, which was a nice touch.

The WiFi is not very strong - this may not impact most people, but it left me struggling to make a call back to the UK. But it is probably to be expected with a property of this nature. Also, we went in March during a bit of a colder spell of weather. The property does get very cold. They provide an array of blankets, a heater and air-con units which can double up as heaters, so this didn't bother us too much. But just worth flagging to anyone who struggles with the cold, that it may be worth considering this if booking in the winter / shoulder seasons. Lastly, while the location was ok, you aren't close to many of the main attractions in Kyoto (except Nijo Castle). Again, just something to consider for those who are maybe only in Kyoto for a couple of days.

For people who want to feel and get experience in Japanese citizens calm life you are in right place. There are all facilities that you need(even things for onsen), the house was clean and pretty, tatami was really comfortable and I liked it. Thank you for Rika, she provided the guidance of the places(supermarket, restaurant, convenience stores) and interesting sightseeing of Kyoto For the next trip in Kyoto, I will book this house again and show me friends

We really liked the atmosphere there. It is very spacious and has a true authentic feeling to it. The owner provided us several maps with recommendations where to eat/what to visit. The owner was also quick to respond to any of our questions via email. As for the neighborhood, it is calm and safe. There is a lot of other traditional houses nearby and for example the Nijo castle and Shinsen-en garden are in walkable distance.

Walking with our luggage from the Nijo station was a little exhausting during hot weather. We would call it a minor disadvantage though, the accommodation is worth it.

The host was incredibly helpful and friendly. She even gave us a list of recommendations in the area, which we used a lot. The house itself was absolutely gorgeous, and very spacious too. The garden view was so beautiful and relaxing. All in all, a truly great stay that I would definitely recommend!

Such a gorgeous traditional accommodation with all the amenities and facilities you might require. Rikka went the extra mile to prepare a map detailing nearby spots for good food and conbinis/supermarkets — clearly a labour of love.

A little bit of a walk (up to 10mins?) from the nearest train/subway station

Korukuan was a very magical place to stay. Its a traditional japanese house. It was a VERY authentic experience. Rika is a super host, comminication was easy, she came to say goodby. We wish we could have stay longer!

Nothing!

It was such an amazing home to stay in. Very spacious and tranquil. It was comfortable and in a nice neighborhood, with a local onsen and convenience store two minute walk away

It was a little cold but there were heaters placed every where

The traditional townhouse was exceptional. So beautiful, clean, and the garden lit up at night to accentuate the beautiful tree and plants. We were so happy here - the beds were so comfortable and it was a peaceful experience. The host Rika was sooo wonderful and went over and above for us, also helped us to book a couple of restaurants.

Traditional style. We also really enjoyed the local Onsen, my favourite from my Japan trip. Rika the manager was also very helpful

Just a little bit dusty but not that noticeable.