よくあるご質問 | Kyoto Travel & Design Office

FAQ よくあるご質問

about Access to and Location of the House 宿泊施設の位置について

How far is your house from the train station?

It is about 4 min walk from the train station called Saiin 西院 of Hankyu line 阪急線. The station is just two stations (4 min) from Karasuma 烏丸 station under Shijo-Karasuma 四条烏丸 intersection, the center of Kyoto.

How do I get to your house from Kyoto station, Kansai 関西 airport, or downtown Osaka?

It is recommended to take a taxi from Kyoto station to the house especially if you have heavy luggage. Alternatively, you could take subway Karasuma line 地下鉄烏丸線 to Shijo 四条 station (2nd from Kyoto station) and change to Hankyu line 阪急線 and get off at Saiin 西院 station of Hankyu line 阪急線 (2nd from Karasuma 烏丸 station)
Please take a look at the house access chart

Is your house convenient to visit various tourist spots in Kyoto?

Definitely YES! Although the Saiin 西院 area the house is located at is not in any of major tourist spots, the area works as a perfect transportation hub to many tourist spots - Kinkakuji 金閣寺 is 17 min bus ride from the nearest bus stop (6 min walk from the house), Gion 祇園 is 300 meter from Kawaramachi 河原町 station, which is 6 min train ride from Saiin 西院 station (3 min walk from the house), Nijo-jo castle 二条城 is 20 min walk from the house, and Arashiyama 嵐山 is 19 min by Randen train 嵐電 from Sai 西院 station without no change
In addition, there are many local restaurants and bars around Saiin 西院 station itself - these may not as nice as you may encounter in places like Gion 祇園, it is good enough to enjoy what Japanese people would eat daily at reasonable prices and observe how they enjoy eating and drinking
To learn more about the location relative to major tourist spots, please take a look at the city maps

about Life in the Neighborhood 近隣での生活について

Do you have a supermarket near your house?

There are two supermarkets - one is within 30 second walk (FRESCO) and the other (Hankyu 阪急 OASIS) is 2 min walk from the house. Both opens 7 days from 9:00 to 22:00. Hankyu OASIS is larger in scale and has more variety included imported foods
In addition, there is a 24 hr convenience store (Seven Eleven) next to the North Exit of Saiin 西院 station (4 min walk from the house)

Are there any good Japanese restaurants 日本食 near the house?

There are five casual Japanese restaurants, a ramen 拉麺 shop, an okonomiyaki 大阪焼all within 4 min walk from the house
If you walk 6-7 min, there is a larger restaurant/bar areas where you can find dozens and more variety (including yakitori 焼鳥 and sushi 寿司)
At high end, the famous yakiniku 焼肉 restaurant Hiro 弘 has its Saiin branch 西院店 (8 min walk). There is a kaiseki ryori 懐石料理 washoku 和食 house in a few minute walk
The map of the neighborhood (walking distance 徒歩圏内) shows more in detail

about Check-In through Check-Out チェックインからチェックアウトまでの流れ

How do I check in? Will someone be there? チェックインの方法

As much as possible, the owner will be there and explain how to use the house equipment
基本的にはオーナーがチェックインに立ち会います。不在の場合でもお電話やメールなどで対応致します

Room cleaning happens everyday?

No, the entire house is cleaned up only after the guest check out
ホテル等と異なり、滞在中の毎日の清掃サービスは提供しておりません
Towels can be cleaned by the laundry machine with washing and drying functions
タオル等の洗濯には備え付けの全自動洗濯乾燥機をご利用ください（無料、備え付け洗剤あり）

How do I deal with garbage 垃圾? ごみの取り扱い

It is no problem to keep the garbage in the house until check out, unless the guest feels uncomfortable
However, you can take out the burnable garbage 可燃物 every Monday and Thursday morning before 8 am (and not in the previous night) on the street in front of the house. Same for recyclable garbage but on different day of the week and in a different location.
宿泊施設のほうではゴミ回収サービスをしておりません。1～2泊の場合は問題ないかと思いますが、中長期滞在の場合は地域のゴミ回収サービスをご利用ください（可燃物は月曜日と木曜日の朝8時まで、など）

Q: Is there any other things that the guests need to be aware of during the stay? その他滞在中の注意点

Please carefully read this PDF

How do I check out? チェックアウトの方法

Please let the owner know when you check out either by email or by phone, and leave the key in the designated location. Other than that, please take a look at this PDF
施錠後に鍵を指定場所に返還してください。オーナーにメールあるいは電話でご⼀報ください

about the House 宿泊施設について

Do we live with the owner in the same house?

No, the house is dedicated for the guest group without any other guest or the owner (the owner lives in a different place 30 min away from the house)

How many persons can stay in your house?

Up to six adults. The house has up to five beds - two single beds (that can be combined into a super king size bed) in the twin room, a double size bedding in the center room, another double size bedding in the tatami room, and, if needing more, a single bedding in the tea room downstairs. Please carefully consider what bed arrangement is the best for you and let the owner know well in advance. Please also note that some elderly persons prefer to stay at the tea room as they do not want to go up and down the steep stairs and stay closer to the bathroom at night
A baby cot can be available - please let the owner know well in advance
A group of seven adults is not accepted as the quality of stay is not ensured - sorry about this

Do you have a washing machine?

Yes, there is a full-automatic laundry machine with wash and dry functions. The machine dries at only 10 degree Celsius above the room temperature so is gentle even for cotton cloths
Liquid detergent is equipped for free

Is a baby acceptable?

Yes, the house has a baby cot. However, please be aware that the house has many vertical gaps on the floor. For example, the cooking side of the island kitchen is about 20 cm lower than the other side

Is there a toilet on the second floor (where bed rooms are)?

No, there is only one toilet, which is next to the living room and shares the door with the bathroom. The toilet at the entrance of Hankyu 阪急 Oasis (2 min walk) is available for shoppers - this could be considered as an emergent toilet

The stairs look steep in the photo

Yes, since the house retains the original design of old Japanese house, it is steeper than the normal stairs, for example, in a train station. One step is about 20 cm high and 20 cm in depth (so going up 45 degree) - there WAS negative feedback from a couple of groups (out of 100) in the past with elderly members

Can we cook? Can we use the kitchen?

Yes, the island kitchen, pans and dishes are all for that. Just please make sure you are responsible for taking a good care of three gas stoves (especially if you have a small kid) AND do use the kitchen fan above the stoves
Other kitchen items include a microwave oven, a toaster, a refrigerator, a rice cooker, and a coffee mill

Do you have a heater 暖房器具 in winter? How cold is it in the house?

Yes, each room has at least one heater 暖房器具. I've never had even a single negative feedback on this in winter
It is recommended to keep the air conditioner on in the winter even when you are not home - this will allow the house to be kept constantly above 20 degree C

Do you have an air conditioner 空調 for the summer?

Yes, there is one large one for the living/kitchen area downstairs and two upstairs

Do you have a bicycle?

No but there is a bicycle (regular and battery driven) rental by Hankyu Train company 阪急電車 near the West Exit of Saiin 西院 station. They open 6:30 - 23:30. Passport is required.

Can we smoke?

Not in the house or in the Japanese garden in the back
However, you can smoke on the wood deck outside of the front door - but please make sure you do NOT leave anything on the deck or ground and DO USE the ash tray equipped

Other services related to the house その他のサービス

Can you book a restaurant for us?

Yes, restaurant recommendation/reservation is one of the most frequent things I do before and during the guest stay - but it is always recommended to make reservation well in advance especially for well known restaurants
In addition, I can book any ticket for performances, festivals, etc. or explain how to book by yourself

Can you book a taxi for us?

Although there is an automatic, non-speaking, taxi pager cellphone at the house, I do taxi booking for guests

Can we send our luggage to your house prior to our arrival?

Yes, I can also receive your luggage when sent from an airport or a previous hotel in other cities, if I know what time it will arrive at the house ご自宅から直接宅急便で宿泊施設まで荷物を送ることも可能です（到着時間を事前にお知らせください）

Recommendations お薦めの場所

Where do you recommend for Yakiniku 焼肉, Sukiyaki すき焼き, Shabushabu しゃぶしゃぶ, Yakitori 焼鳥, sushi 寿司, tempura 天麩羅, kaiseki/shojin ryori 懐石・精進料理?

There are several relatively close to the house - Please click here for information
There are some more across the city - Please click here for more information

Are there any places good for my kids?

Kyoto Aquarium 京都水族館, Kyoto Railway Museum 京都鉄道博物館, Kyoto International Manga Museum 京都国際マンガ(漫画)ミュージアム, Kyoto Samurai ＆ Ninja忍者 Museum and Ninja Dojo ＆ Store, and Toei Kyoto Studio Park 東映太秦映画村 could be good for kids (and even for adults)
Places such as Kamogawa river park 鴨川公園 and Kyoto Botanical Garden 京都植物園 are also popular desalination for a group with kids

Can I enjoy Onsen 温泉 somewhere?

Within the city, Kurama onsen 鞍馬温泉 is most recommended. Although it is rather one onsen facility, in Arashiyama 嵐山, there is 嵐山温泉風風の湯 Arashiyama Onsen Fufu-no-yu and Sagano onsen Tenzan-no-yu さがの温泉天山の湯
If you have an extra day or two, I highly recommend Kinosaki onsen 城崎温泉 (2 hour and 20 min by JR express from Kyoto station) for its 1300 year history and authentic atmosphere of ideal Onsen town (not too crowded or too rusty). The peak season of this onsen is in winter for crab 蟹

These days there are too many tourists in Kyoto - are there less crowded places that you recommend?

For example, if you feel Gion 祇園 is too crowded by tourists, I highly recommend to try Miyagawa-cho 宮川町 (just a few blocks south of Gion) or Kamishichiken 上七軒 (near Kitanotenmangu shrine 北野天満宮) - both are one of five Geisha 芸者 districts along with Gion. Not many tourists go here either Japanese or foreign...
Try Kurama-dera temple 鞍馬寺 and Ohara 大原 area. These are in the north and looks far but in fact it is within one hour travel from downtown as Kyoto is not as big as Tokyo
Downtown Fushimi 伏見市街 (not near Fushimi-inari taisha 伏見稲荷大社) is highly recommended as it was once a center of Japan in late 16th century, has a number of sake brewers (hence great food such as yakitori 焼鳥), and old canals for carrying rice, sake, etc. Not many foreign tourists visit yet.

Where do you recommend for a one day excursion outside of the city?

There are places for one or two days as well as recommended places between Tokyo and Kyoto. Please click here for more information

Annual events 行事やイベントについて

What is the best timing to view sakura cherry blossoms 桜花 in Kyoto?

I would say the first week of April, however the peak timing varies depending on years - for example, even the fist week visitor was too early for this in 2017. In the past eight years (2011 - 2018), the peak day varied from March 25 (2018) to April 9 (2017) - you can see how risky it is to book in advance (but it is eauqlly risky not to book at least two months in advance...)
Normally the blooming to the peak is about 1 week so the total of 10 days around the peak is the best timing to view sakura
If you end up missing sakura in Kyoto either due to your wrong forecast about the peak or your schedule conflict with Kyoto sakura season, you could try other parts of Japan. Since Japan is thousands kilometer long from south to the north, the span from the peak in Tokyo (mostly one of the earliest in the country except Okinawa 沖縄) to the peak of Sapporo 札幌 in Hokkaido 北海道 is on average 5 week long (so practically you can enjoy for longer than 6 week in Japan) and 8 week long in 2013! Average peak in Sapporo of the same past 8 years is May 7th (end of Japan's Golden Week holidays). By the way, although a different type of sakura, the peak in Okinawa 沖縄 island starts as early as late January.
Also note that plum flowers 梅花 is also beautiful - the color range is wider than sakura from white to red. It starts blooming late February and can be enjoyed until late March

What is the best timing to view colored leaves 紅葉 in autumn in Kyoto?

The best timing would be late November, however some places starts from early November and some others have their peak at early December - so it varies depending on places and years
Also note that the colored leave starts as early as late September in the north or mountain area of Japan

What are the major events in Kyoto throughout the year?

Three major festivals in Kyoto are Aoi-matsuri Festival in May 15th, parades of Gion-matsuri Festival in July 17th and 24th, and Jidai-maturi Festival on Oct 22nd. In addition, Yabusame 流鏑馬 at Shimogamo-jinja shrine 下鴨神社 on May 3 and Kurama Himatsuri 鞍馬の火祭 on Oct 22nd are also spectacular
There are number of night events including Higashiyama Hanatouro 東山花灯路, Kyo-no-Tanabata 京の七⼣ in August, firework in Biwako lake 琵琶湖 in August, Arashiyama Hanatouro 嵐山花灯路 in December
Please click here to know more about what are going on in the city throughout the year

What should I do if I can visit Kyoto only in winter? Any recommendation?

No worries - it is winter when foods are most delicious! The best sea food is in winter including crab 蟹 from the Sea of Japan 日本海, sake 日本酒 is brewed in winter (so you can actually see it), and various type of hot pots 鍋料理 can be enjoyed from late autumn through early spring.
In "Kyoto Restaurant Winter Special" in February, you can enjoy high end restaurants at lower prices.
Moreover, snow mountain view cruising in lake Biwa and skiing with the the lake are all only in winter from late January through early March.
Red and white colored plum flowers 梅花 start blooming as early as mid February

Others その他

How should I get around the city? Is the subway system convenient?

The fastest public transportation in the city is of course train and subway, however, unlike in other major cities such as Tokyo and Osaka, there are only two subway lines (roughly running north-south and east-west). You can also use JR, Hankyu 阪急, and Keihan 京阪 trains that connects Kyoto with other cities as Osaka. In addition to these, there is a tram to go to Arashiyama 嵐山, a train to Kurama 鞍馬 and a cable car to Hieizan 比叡山 but these are used only when you go to these places
The bus network is most extensive and comprehensive in Kyoto - there are more places than places visited only by the above trains/subways/tram. For example, you cannot visit Kinkakuji 金閣寺, Ginkakuji 銀閣寺, Ryoan-ji 龍安寺, or Kiyomizu-dera temple 清水寺 without using a bus unless you use bicycle or walk relatively long
Bicycle is another major transportation mode in Kyoto which is relatively flat compared with Tokyo so many residents frequently bike. North half of the city can be relatively easily visited by bicycle and the area is good for it due to fewer traffic and more nature

What is the best pass to use in the city? Is JR pass useful?

First of all, unlike in Tokyo or Osaka, there are fewer JR lines within the city of Kyoto so the power of JR pass in the city is very limited - it can be useful when you go to Arashiyama 嵐山, Nijo-castle 二条城, Fushimi-Inari 伏見稲荷, and Nara 奈良 and it is not worthwhile to use JR pass to use to visit these places
One day bus pass (600 yen) is useful if you believe you use bus (230 yen per ride) more than three times a day. One day subway pass (600 yen) is also useful if you use subway (210 yen or more) more than tree times a day. There is a combined pass valid for both subway and bus (900 yen)
If you are not sure everyday but stay in Kyoto for more than several days, Trafica Kyo Card (sold at 3000 yen or 1000 yen but the value is 3300 yen and 1100 yen respectively) which can be used for both subway and bus is useful. There are discounts if you change from a bus to the other or from a subway to a bus. In addition, there is no expiration so you can use the card even for your next visit to the city. I as a Kyoto resident am a heavy user of this.

Is there anything that I need to prepare before coming to Kyoto?

If you have some restaurant you want to try, make sure you make a reservation well in advance. Some popular restaurants especially during peak seasons will have no seat available even months before

Is there anything that I need to think or be careful about before booking this house?

Make sure the house location fits with where you visit, your preference for walk or bicycle, etc. Although I am trying to make a better expectation alignment prior to the booking, only two third of my guests rated five stars for the location score whether they had somewhat known about the location prior to their visit or they felt below expectation
Make sure the house internal physical structure is OK with your group. The stairs to the second floor is a bit steep, there is only one toilet and it is on the first floor (and the bedrooms are on the second floor)