Description

Indigo House Gion is a two level “machiya” style traditional townhouse, which was transformed from its abandoned and dilapidated condition into a architectural showplace in mid 2015 by renowned architect Geoffrey Moussas. This “machiya” was built in the early 1900s, and was formerly used as an “ochaya,” a teahouse where geisha entertained elite clientele. It is located just a few steps from The Gion House and Amber House Gion, on a quiet cul-de-sac street in Gion, with no through traffic. The Gion neighborhood is known for its long history as Japan’s most important geisha district, where you can still find streets lined with the historic buildings for which Kyoto is known. And there is so much to see and do within walking distance. The heart of downtown is just a ten minute walk away. The entire house is available for families or groups of up to eight persons, depending on the sleeping configuration. There are separate entrances for the Lower Level and the Upper Level. The rate for the entire house includes a 15% discount off the combined rates for the two levels (which can be rented separately.) Each level has two bedrooms, a kitchen, toilet and bathroom, and washer/dryer. The Lower Level is the full lower level of the house, and has enough room to accommodate two to three adults, or a couple with two children. On the Lower Level, the two bedrooms are both in traditional tatami mat style, and retain some very distinctive original design details such as “tokonoma” alcoves, woven “ajiro” wood detailing on the ceilings, and bamboo molding. The larger master bedroom has a high quality bed with extra-wide double mattress, while the smaller second bedroom has traditional-style sleeping on a soft double-sized futon. When entering the Lower Level, you can’t helped be be overwhelmed by the interior garden, surrounded by huge walls of glass. The feeling is very modern, however, the focal point of the garden is a very old and crumbling Edo-period stone lantern. The bath area on the Lower Level has the luxury of space. It features an extra wide shower head, with full-sized bath tub. Of course, the toilet has those high-tech functions. And of course, there is a washer/dryer for guest use. Indigo House Gion Upper Level is particularly airy and it is flooded with natural light. The two bedrooms are both in traditional tatami mat style, and similar to the Lower Level, the bedrooms feature very distinctive original design details. The master bedroom (facing Kenninji Temple) has a high quality extra-wide double bed, while the second bedroom has a multiple layer double futon. The Upper level is suitable for two couples, a couple with one or two children, or one couple and a single. The living area/kitchen has a comfortable sofa, as well as dining table with four chairs. Furniture is stylish, high-end Scandinavian modern. The kitchen is fully outfitted with everything the ambitious cook might need, with antique glassware, Dishware is by Heath Ceramics. On both floors, there is radiant floor heating to keep guests warm in the winter, and of course, air conditioning assures that the place stays cool in the warm season. What is distinctive about Indigo House Gion? It’s bright and airy, since there are walls of glass surrounding the interior garden, which extends from the Lower Level to the Upper Level. The master bedrooms have an expansive south-facing view of the inner area of Kenninji Temple, where you can see the monk’s cemetery and vegetable gardens, as well as the buildings where the monks live. There’s a lot of blue sky and green trees, and natural light. You can hear the sound of monks chanting their prayers early in the morning. You can also hear the enchanting sounds of crickets, cicadas, and nightingales, depending on the season.