The Old Modern was built in 1928 by a prominent Kyoto architect as a residence for his family. It was meticulously maintained throughout the years, and the building underwent a complete high-end restoration in 2018. It is an architectural treasure, and a rare example of a "machiya" townhouse which is an eclectic blend of traditional Japanese structure with some very early "modern" Western details such as a fireplace, high beamed ceilings, and parquet flooring. The Old Modern consists of two separate two-storey buildings, with two exquisite gardens. There are four luxurious full-floor suites, each with en-suite bath/toilet. The location in the Southern Higashiyama district can't be beat...it's only a few minutes walk to Gion, Kyoto National Museum, Kiyomizu Temple, as well as many other sights. It's just 15 minutes' walk to the bustling downtown commercial district. The Four Seasons and Hyatt Regency are close by. Kyoto Station is a short taxi or bus ride away, and there are numerous public transportation options nearby. There are also plenty of places to eat and shop in the immediate neighborhood. The spacious Deco Suite features two bedrooms of completely different styles, a Western-style room with queen-sized bed, and a cozy Japanese-style room with tatami mats and a double futon. The original tile fireplace remains intact, quite a rarity in a residential structure of the early 1900's. The original light fixtures with shoji paper and other peculiar design details have been restored, and the suite appears much the same as it appeared when it was first built. The Deco Suite occupies the upper level of the front building. Radiant (floor) heating ensures that the suite is kept pleasantly warm in the Winter, and air-conditioning keeps it cool in the warmer months. Maximum capacity is four persons. Minimum age for children is seven. All of our units have these features: mini refrigerator, microwave oven, electric kettle, television, high-speed wifi internet, washer/dryer, iphone, and high-end pillows with goose-down comforters. Also provided in each suite is a Nespresso coffee/espresso maker with a selection of coffee capsules, as well as an assortment of teas. The Library is a common space where all guests are welcome to relax and enjoy our large collection of books on Japan, and Japanese art and design. The Library is bright and airy, and a huge plate-glass window overlooks the "nakaniwa" interior garden. Our office is 10 minutes' walk away, and two full-time English speaking staff are on hand to provide assistance to guests, both before arrival and during their stays with us. We provide a customized map of the area, with dozens of restaurant recommendations. And we are happy to help with reservations.
Amenities
Air Conditioning
Bathtub
Carbon Monoxide Detector
Clothes Dryer
Fire Extinguisher
Fixed Grab Bars for Shower and/or Toilet
Hair Dryer
Hangers
Heating
Historic
Hot Water
Iron & Board
Linens Provided
Massage Therapist
Microwave
Minimum Age Limit For Renters
Shampoo
Smoke Detector
Towels Provided
TV
Rates and Availability
High Season: 04/21/2023 - 05/31/2023
Weeknight: ¥41000 / night
Weekend Night: ¥41000 / night
Min Stay: 3
Mid Season: 06/01/2023 - 09/30/2023
Weeknight: ¥38000 / night
Weekend Night: ¥38000 / night
Min Stay: 3
Peak Season: 10/01/2023 - 11/30/2023
Weeknight: ¥43000 / night
Weekend Night: ¥43000 / night
Min Stay: 3
Mid Season: 12/01/2023 - 12/24/2023
Weeknight: ¥38000 / night
Weekend Night: ¥38000 / night
Min Stay: 3
High Season: 12/25/2023 - 01/05/2024
Weeknight: ¥41000 / night
Weekend Night: ¥41000 / night
Min Stay: 3
Specific Rate Details:
Minimum stay is 3 nights. Maximum capacity is 4 persons. Rates shown are for 2 persons. 3rd/4th persons can stay for additional ¥4,000 per night per person. Minimum age for children is seven years old. One-time cleaning fee is ¥7,000. (No cleaning fee for stays of 7 nts. or more.) Kyoto accommodation tax ¥200 per person per night will be added. Payment by Visa, Mastercard, Amex, Paypal, or international wire transfer.
Wonderful stay in Kyoto
We had a wonderful stay at the Old Modern! The location was great, very convenient, and it was so good to be in a local neighborhood. It gave such a different feel for the city. The property was perfect for our family of 4 - we had the whole top floor to ourselves! The tips they provided were excellent to explore the area. Definitely recommend!
Best place I've ever stayed
Best place I have ever stayed. MUST STAY HERE IF YOU WANT TO VISIT KYOTO!!! Junko is super helpful and the place is just PERFECT!!!
Wonderful Apartment in Kyoto
Our family of four very much enjoyed our stay in the Deco Suite. The apartment was comfortable and had everything we needed. The washer/dryer was an added bonus. We really enjoyed staying in an authentic apartment home versus a hotel. It definitely added to our Japanese experience.
Perfect Home Base
We stayed in the The Old Modern - Deco Suite for a week, and can't imagine a better home base for a trip to Kyoto. The place itself is beautiful, and the location is ideal - an easy walk to anywhere you'd want to be, but quiet and a bit off the tourist track. A quiet oasis in a wonderful, vibrant city. And Junko and the others are helpful and kind. I'm already planning my next visit.
Great place to stay - highly recommended
We had a beautiful stay with my daughter in the Deco Suite at the Old Modern. The suite and the whole house are beautiful restored in a traditional japan way. Very Modern comfortable, even a nespresso machine and a washing machine with a dryer. We found the guest guide (with restaurant and local sites recommendations) very useful, and Curtis and Junko were very helpful and responsive with recommendations and even handled dinner reservations. In short, our stay for 5 nights in Kyōto could not have been better. So glad we opted for this rather than a hotel.
Beautiful and authentic home!
I usually pick to stay at hotels for the convenience and amenities, but I was curious about an authentic experience of staying in a japanese home. The old modern was such a unique stay as you have all the amenities of a luxury hotel (from the sheets to the shampoo), plus the history and feel of a real japanese home built in the 1920’s! Almost like staying in a luxury museum! Enjoyed and highly recommend. Curtis, the owner was very kind and accommodating as well. Thanks again!
Beautiful accommodations
Curtis and the Old Modern team were very quick to respond to our requests, hospitable and accommodating. The fresh flowers and origami were such a special personal touch when we arrived. The Déco Suite is beautifully appointed with lots of room in the heart of Kyoto, it's a nice blend of being in an authentic Japanese space with all of the modern comforts. We will certainly return the next time we are in Kyoto
Unforgettable stay
My wife, son and I had an unforgettable stay in the Deco Suite at the Old Modern. Beautifully restored home with excellent amenities and a fantastic location. Modern comfort in a traditional setting. We found the guest guide (with restaurant and local sites recommendations) very useful, and old modern staff were also very helpful and responsive with recommendations and even handled dinner reservations upon request. In short, our stay could not have been better. So glad we opted for this rather than a hotel.
Esperienza fantastica
Una ristrutturazione di immenso gusto in un magnifico edificio al centro di Kyoto. Si viene proiettati indietro nel tempo....tornerò sicuramente.
Truly authentic
Truly authentic, elegantly and intelligently designed place, a unique combination of traditional Japanese living, complete comfort and excellent service, Being located in the heart of old Kyoto this place itself is a great experience, we highly recommend it to all wishing to get a feel of Japanese living culture
A Fantastic Intro to Japan and Kyoto!
The Deco Suite is the first place we stayed on our 3 week vacation in Japan and all 4 of us, including 2 teenage girls, loved every minute of our stay. The Old Deco Suite was perfect introduction to the elegant sophistication of Kyoto’s design aesthetic, with a beautiful mix of traditional Japanese furniture with modern amenities like the Nespresso machine and an AMAZINGLY useful washer/dryer combo!! Can’t recommend this place enough. Would definitely stay here again
Beautiful apartment
Curtis and Junko are very helpful and the apartment is beautiful. In a great condition, it was the personal apartment of the architect who renovated it. It’s both modern and traditional in the best way. Travelling with teen daughters they have their own room with two futons on tatami mats while the main apartment has a very comfortable queen. Bathroom is a small but very modern space. There’s a combo washer dryer for clothes and a Nespresso. Very convenient location to Gion and public transit.
Lovely restoration
Curtis and his staff have done a wonderful job of restoring this historically significant traditional dwelling. It is warm and welcoming and the perfect place to come back to in the evenings, or to wake up to in the morning. Among the touches we appreciated: being greeted and oriented to the property by Saki, a list of nearby restaurants and their location, easy access to the train station, a washer/dryer combo, great bathroom and shower, and a traditional tatami mat room that was quiet and reflective to have our breakfast in--or journal late at night. Also important--reading lights in bed! We didn't use the provided cell phone having data plans and calling capability on our own cells, but it's a thoughtful gesture. This was my third time in Kyoto in the last 20 years and if/when I return, I will stay here again. If you want to have a taste of traditional Japan outside a skyscraper hotel, but still like the idea of a wonderful bed and some "modern conveniences", look no further.
Beautiful
The Old Modern was a beautiful and comfortable place for our family of 4. A total treat. Beautifully decorated and all the amenities. Great location and a total treat.
Lovely place to stay
The Old Modern was a wonderful place for our family of 4 to stay for 4 nights. The location was fantastic, being very central in the south part of Gion. We walked to many places and sometimes took a quick cab ride, which was always easy to find. The Old Modern itself is elegant, charming and oozes Old Kyoto charm. The rooms were spacious and beautifully restored. The bathroom was also spacious and it was really helpful having a washer-dryer in our bathroom. The information binder is really helpful with restaurant and cafe recommendations, and the Old Kyoto staff were fantastic helping to make restaurant reservations and other general help. I would return in a flash and recommend Old Kyoto to all.
very nice
very nice apartment and well organized.located in a good place near the restaurants and shopping zone that you can reach by feet.
Beautiful property
Many thanks for your part in our amazing trip to Kyoto. Beautiful property in a most convenient location. Couldn't fault cleanliness, comfort, folder of local information, warm welcome. Suite is full of character. It’s been sympathetically renovated. Lovely bathroom, super efficient washer dryer. Can't recommend the property highly enough.
Wonderful
I recently spent several wonderful days in the Old Modern Deco Suite. I'm very glad that I chose this place. It's a superbly renovated Japanese house that apparently belonged to a famous Japanese architect. My suite was a fantastic mix of Japanese design and art deco design. Everything in the suite is top quality. You can see that no expense was spared in renovating and decorating the place. It feels good simply to be in this space. Curtis and his staff went out of their way to make my stay comfortable and to be sure that I would have a great time in Kyoto. I really liked the thoughtful touches like the well-stocked Nespresso machine, the smartphone that came with the unit, the Kyoto Visitors Guide on the table, and the super useful custom guide to Kyoto. It just felt like everything here was a cut above. Although I enjoyed exploring Kyoto, I found myself looking forward to coming home to my suite at the Old Modern. It was a warm and welcoming space. I really look forward to staying here again and I can strongly recommend this place to anyone looking for a great place to stay in Kyoto.
Great stay!
We had such a great stay at Deco Suite. The rooms are spacious and clean, and the beds are very comfortable. The bathroom is also fully-equipped with fluffy towels, shampoo, conditioner and bar soap. Although our suite was private and completely self-contained, we enjoyed spending time in the communal space, which has lots of books and overlooks a lovely garden. Junko and Saki were very responsive and helpful during our stay! We really enjoyed being within walking distance to many tourist sites and restaurants, as well as a short walk to Kiyomizu-Gojo train station (Keihan line). We would happily stay in Curtis’ apartment again when we return to Kyoto!