Although machiya vacation rentals are our main game, Shiki Properties is much more than just an accommodation company. We’re an ever-expanding, international collective of local residents with a passion for showcasing Kansai’s diverse and timeless beauty. Offering some of the best traditional Japanese homes in the region, insider access to experiences not available in the mainstream travel market, and an opportunity to connect both with locals and the broader traveling community, staying with Shiki is the key to unlocking the real Kyoto and Osaka.

A home with wonderful old-world ambiance, fused with modern amenities, Aki is a beautiful example of a Kyo-machiya, a traditional Kyoto home. As well as being a beautiful piece of architecture, this budget-friendly house has the flexibility to sleep up to five people. Textured, earthy colored walls, shoji sliding paper doors, tatami mat bedrooms, and warm wooden flooring in the kitchen and living space, Aki is overflowing with style and traditional Japanese elegance. However, it still feels calm, simple, and understated. Throughout the home, the rooms are flooded with a soft, diffused light, emitting an ambiance of tranquility and lightness, the perfect atmosphere in which to immerse yourself after a long day exploring the delights of the city. This two-story, two-bedroom, 79 square meter home is generous in terms of space and even features a quaint Japanese garden. The kitchen is renovated and fully equipped so you can embrace authentic Japanese elegance while still retaining your creature comforts; it’s the perfect balance of all the elements.

Aki is idyllically positioned in the heart of Kyoto. It’s located within walking distance of the city’s many attractions but is also nestled in a quiet backstreet, ensuring complete tranquility. Less than a 10-minute walk east from Aki sits Kyoto Imperial Palace and the stunning surrounding Kyoto Gyoen National Garden, which season in, season out offers spectacular natural views and is the perfect location for a late-morning stroll. Situated in an excellent position for those who want to explore the city by bicycle – which is highly recommended – from Aki, it’s about a 10-minute ride to the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Nijo Castle and a 20-minute ride north to Kinkakuji, Kyoto’s iconic golden temple. Pedal 10 minutes to the east, and you’ll also reach the more northern end of Kyoto’s iconic Kamo River, the main waterway of the city, and an area home to plenty of excellent dining establishments.