Carpenter machiya revival
Exposed timber joinery, mud-plaster walls, and central courtyard gardens shape an intimate machiya retreat facing the temple gates.
What it’s good at
Remarkable
Studio ALUC unites two townhouse wings under one roof, highlighting exposed timber joinery and clay walls.
Notable
A century-old Kyo-machiya townhouse opposite Higashi Honganji Temple, restored from a historic former inn.
Notable
Traditional Kyoto townhouse living facing the temple gate, with tsuboniwa courtyard gardens and daily Japanese breakfast.
What they say
Michelin Selected
Michelin
The seven rooms are all different, and all combine historically minded woodwork and atmosphere with contemporary design interventions; each one features a handsome cedar bath.
Right in the middle
Well-located: walkable to some things, a short ride to more.
The colossal wooden Mikage-do Gate of Higashi Honganji stands directly across the street, a short walk north of Kyoto Station.
The rooms
Named after traditional carpentry joints, each room features tatami flooring and a private hinoki cypress tub opening to interior gardens.
At the table
Traditional Japanese breakfast is served at the timber counter, and dinners bring reserved shabu-shabu hot pot.
How it began
Originally a century-old inn called Onyado Niwa, the property was revived by joining two detached townhouse wings under a single roof.
Good to know
Stay here
Nazuna Higashi Honganji
Choose your dates to see every room and rate, and book in a few steps.
Add dates to see the price for your stay.
Or book with
Booking.com ExpediaWe may earn a commission when you book through Booking.com or Expedia. It never decides which hotels we include or how we rate them.
Kyoto
More like this
Miyamasou
“Foraged mountain sanctum”
Kyo no Ondokoro Goshonishi #6
“Skylit machiya townhouse”
HOSHINOYA Kyoto
“Secluded gorge sanctuary”
Nazuna Kyoto Tsubaki St. Hotel
“Restored machiya bolthole”
Marufukuro
“Nintendo heirloom lodgings”
Kyo No Ondokoro Kamanza Nijo #2
“Restored machiya heirloom”
Maana Kiyomizu
“Artisan machiya hideaway”
Izuyasu
“Generational culinary ryokan”
The app
Like this one? There are so many more.
Swipe any city’s hotels and heart the ones you love. The app gets your taste.
Our shorthand
How we rate hotels.
The medals
Gold
Extremely rare. Sets the global standard.
Silver
Brilliant execution. And we’re picky.
Bronze
They did this well. You’ll notice.
Listed
A defining trait. Makes the hotel what it is.
The eight vibes
Design
Built around a vision. Even the door handles have a designer.
Luxe
Cared for at every turn. The bath is drawn before you ask.
Local
It could only be here. You wake up knowing where you are.
Social
Where the city goes out. The bar is full and the night is young.
Heritage
A building with a story. Once a palace, a monastery, a station.
Wellness
You leave feeling new. Rest, sweat, soak and sleep like a stone.
Classic
The city grew up with it. Same rituals, same regulars, same bar.
Resort
A world of its own. Something to do from breakfast to nightcap.
The scene
Lively
Where things happen: restaurants, shops, people.
Central
Well-located: walkable to some things, a short ride to more.
Quiet
Away from the crowds. Getting around takes intention.
Secluded
A place apart: the property is the destination.