This vacation home places you in Higashiyama Ward, within a leisurely stroll of popular sights such as Kiyomizu Temple and Kawaramachi Street. The vacation home includes a kitchen, a refrigerator, and a microwave.
You'll have the entire home to yourself and will only share it with other guests in your party.
Enso-an - Refined cozy house in heart of Kyoto
Enso-an is a traditional Japanese townhouse (machiya) that was fully renovated in 2017 by a specialized architect and designer.
It harmoniously combines the charm of authentic elements—earthen walls, shoji, fusuma, tatami—with modern comfort. Its name, Enso-an, evokes both musical performance and the Zen circle, symbolizing harmony.
A warm and welcoming living space
Named Enso-an by its owner, a conductor based in Kyoto, the house blends modern convenience with traditional Japanese aesthetics. Upon entering, a window opens onto a Japanese rock garden, adjacent to a chashitsu-style room traditionally used for tea ceremonies. This space can serve as a living room or an extension of the double bedroom.
The name Enso-an refers to the Zen circle—a symbol of harmony—and to musical performance.
Quick overview of the space:
Ground floor:
Spacious kitchen/dining area (includes cutlery, rice cooker, pots and pans)
Chashitsu-style relaxation room with floor cushions and books
Large bathroom with bathtub, separate toilet, and laundry area with washer-dryer
First floor:
Two large bedrooms: one tatami room with four futons, and one Western-style room with twin beds and a tokonoma alcove
Bathroom with shower and separate toilet
All rooms are equipped with heating and air conditioning. Additional space heaters are also available.
An ideal location
Located in the peaceful pottery district of Higashiyama, Enso-an is just steps away from Gion and Ninenzaka. The house faces pedestrian paths leading to Kiyomizu-dera, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Shops and amenities nearby
Supermarket: Fresco Gojo Ohashi – about 10 minutes on foot
Convenience store: LAWSON Higashiyama Sanjo Jingudoten – about 10 minutes on foot
Pharmacy: Daikoku Drug Keihan Gojo Ekimae – about 15 minutes on foot
Nearby cafés:
Gojo Coffee Factory – 10 minutes on foot: cozy café offering pour-over coffee, sandwiches, and homemade desserts
% Arabica Kyoto Higashiyama – 10 minutes on foot: minimalist specialty coffee shop popular among coffee lovers
Recommended restaurant:
Gion Mikaku – 15 minutes on foot: elegant restaurant specializing in premium Kobe beef
The vacation home is air-conditioned and features a kitchen and 3 bathrooms, and there's space to spread out with 3 bedrooms. Guests can expect to find free WiFi. Other standard amenities include a washing machine, a coffee maker, and an ironing board. Limited housekeeping is available.
Similar properties
A relaxing guest house with a scent of learning an / Kyoto Kyōto
A relaxing guest house with a scent of learning an / Kyoto Kyōto
This is a single building rental of a Kyomachiya that has been in existence since the Meiji Era (1868-1912). The window overlooks the Kamo River and the town of Gion, making it a prime location to enjoy the typical Kyoto scenery.
This is a single building rental of a Kyomachiya that has been in existence since the Meiji Era (1868-1912). The window overlooks the Kamo River and the town of Gion, making it a prime location to enjoy the typical Kyoto scenery.
Carbon monoxide detector (host has indicated there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property)
Smoke detector (host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property)
Fire extinguisher
General
Unit size: 1,055 square feet
Policies
Check-in
Check-in time starts at 12:00 AM
Minimum check-in age: 18
Check-out
Check-out before 10:00 AM
Special check-in instructions
You will receive an email from the host with check-in and check-out instructions
Rules
Checkin 15:00-20:00
Pets
This property doesn't allow pets
Children and extra beds
Children allowed: ages 3-17
Events
No events allowed
Smoking
Smoking is not permitted
Important information
You need to know
Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card, or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
Onsite parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has indicated there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher
This property is managed through our partner, Vrbo. You will receive an email from Vrbo with a link to a Vrbo account, where you can change or cancel your reservation
Check-in: 12:00 AM
Check-out: 10:00 AM
Minimum check-in age: 18
We should mention
Details about charges, deposits, or other important information:
This property is managed by a professional host. The provision of housing is linked to their trade, business, or profession.
Charges for extra guests may apply and vary depending on the property's policy.
A cash deposit, credit card, or debit card for incidental charges, as well as a government-issued photo ID, may be required at check-in.
Special requests are subject to availability at the time of check-in and can't be guaranteed. Certain requests may come with additional charges.
Onsite parties or group events are strictly prohibited.
Onsite safety features include a carbon monoxide detector, a fire extinguisher, and a smoke detector.
Additional information about polices, regulations, and more:
As required by the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labour, and Welfare, all international visitors must submit their passport number and nationality when registering at any lodging facility (inns, hotels, motels, etc. ). Also, it's required that lodging proprietors photocopy the passports of all registering guests and keep the photocopy on file.
Property is also known as
318742
Frequently asked questions
What's there to do close to this vacation home?
This vacation home is situated in Higashiyama Ward within a short 15-minute walk of Kawaramachi Street and also 15 minutes on foot from Yasaka Shrine. You'll also find Shijo Street and Pontocho Alley within a short drive.
Will I be able to park at this vacation home?
No, there isn't parking at this vacation home.
Is this vacation home next to a casino?
No, this vacation home is not connected to a casino.
Will I find an indoor pool at this vacation home?
No, there is no indoor pool at this vacation home.
What will couples enjoy most about a stay at Enso-an - Refined cozy house in heart of Kyoto?
Amenities at this vacation home that appeal to couples include a kitchen in each accommodation with kitchens in some.
Are there hot tubs at Enso-an - Refined cozy house in heart of Kyoto?
No, there isn't a spa tub at this vacation home.
Does this vacation home offer breakfast?
No, this vacation home doesn't offer breakfast.
Will this vacation home allow pets to stay free of charge?
No, pets aren't allowed at this vacation home.
Are there connecting rooms at this vacation home?
No, this vacation home doesn't feature connecting guestrooms.
How close is the airport from this vacation home?
The closest major airport to this vacation home is Itami Airport (ITM), which is about 23.6 mi away.
Are there rooms with balconies that I can book at Enso-an - Refined cozy house in heart of Kyoto?
No, you won't find accommodations with balconies at Enso-an - Refined cozy house in heart of Kyoto.
Reviews
Enso-an - Refined cozy house in heart of Kyoto Reviews
10
Exceptional
All reviews shown are from real guest experiences. Only travelers who have booked a stay with us can submit a review. We verify reviews according to our guidelines and publish all reviews, positive or negative.
10/10
Cleanliness
10/10
Property conditions & facilities
Rating 10 - Excellent. 6 out of 6 reviews
10 - Excellent
6
Rating 8 - Good. 0 out of 6 reviews
8 - Good
0
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 6 reviews
6 - Okay
0
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 6 reviews
4 - Poor
0
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 6 reviews
2 - Terrible
0
Reviews
10/10 Excellent
Courtney W.
Jul 6, 2025
Liked: Cleanliness
Great Location!
It was located on a quiet street that was in walking distance to many areas of Kyoto or to close bus stops to get to other places.
Courtney W.
Stayed 5 nights in Jun 2025
10/10 Excellent
Suzette T.
Apr 14, 2025
Liked: Cleanliness
Beautiful Home
The home was spacious, comfortable and nicely decorated.Located in a nice quiet neighborhood.Easy to walk to Gion district and Nishiski marketplace.The host was very responsive and helpful.When checking out we were met by the cleaning ladies who were very sweet and friendly.We enjoyed our stay and would 100% recommend this rental.
Suzette T.
Stayed 4 nights in Mar 2025
10/10 Excellent
Stephanie M., Canada
Mar 28, 2025
Liked: Cleanliness
Dream home!
Enso-an is a beautiful place to stay! The home is lovely, and had more space than we could use. Due to all the wood, it smells like heaven when you walk in! The beds were very comfortable, the washer/ dryer worked perfectly. The water pressure was amazing - seems silly to mention, but we had some chilly weather, so coming home to a great shower or (very deep) bath was a real treat. The whole vibe of this home was wonderful. It was well stocked with all supplies. It has a nearby Lawson, and the bus stop is close by. Easy to get to everywhere, and close to many things that we wanted to see. This was our favourite stay of the Japan trip. We did have a couple days over the weekend with no response from the host, but we were not asking a pressing question. We were allowed to leave our luggage at the home after check out so that we could squeeze in a couple more Kyoto sights before heading back to Tokyo, which was really very helpful. We would %100 stay again at this dream! Highly recommend!
Stephanie M.
Stayed 6 nights in Mar 2025
10/10 Excellent
Joan S.
Nov 19, 2024
Joan S.
Stayed 5 nights in Oct 2024
10/10 Excellent
Russell H.
Jul 19, 2024
Liked: Cleanliness
Convenient Traditional Home
We really enjoyed our stay at Enso-an. It was fun to experience a traditional home with good access to Kyoto sites. Bus access was easy and the house was comfortable for our group of 6.