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.

Tsuru Kame is an elegant 110 square meter dual machiya complex and a dream destination for those wanting a spacious casual home that embraces its traditional Japanese design roots. With sleek white walls, a free open mezzanine style layout, and plenty of windows to allow natural light to flood in, Tsuru Kame is a spacious home that doesn’t compromise coziness for style. This meticulously renovated machiya has been crafted to allow guests to retain privacy while also feeling a sense of airiness and flow. With three bedrooms, two living spaces, and two kitchen and dining areas, this eight-person-capacity home is the ideal choice for those on the hunt for a communal-style space for larger traveling groups and families. The house is positioned in Kyoto’s center, conveniently located just north of Nijo Castle and west of the iconic Kyoto Gyoen National Garden and the Imperial Palace. With simple but elegantly considered design elements, like the horigotatsu (traditional Japanese table with a recessed floor) and the tranquil Japanese rock garden, combined with modern comforts like western-style bedding, it’s the perfect place to enjoy Kyoto in style.

Situated right in Kyoto’s historic heart, Tsuru Kame has the delights of the city right at its doorstep. Located on a picturesque street lined with classic Kyoto architecture, strolling around the neighborhood to find the city’s secret delights is a must-do. From the house, it’s a five-minute walk to Nijo Castle, while Kyoto Imperial Palace is a 15-minute walk east. Sitting just outside of nearby Nijo Castle is Nijo Park, a laid-back Japanese-style garden complete with cherry blossoms that paint the area pink in spring. For those looking to see Kyoto’s more secretive side, head on over to the lantern-lit Mikane Shrine, a quaint retro-style shrine not well known by tourists but incredibly popular with locals. If you want to explore a little further, you can hop on a rental bicycle and head on over to Nishiki Market and grab some fresh produce to cook up a little feast in one of Tsuru Kame’s two well-equipped kitchens. For Japanese food and drink lovers, the house is perfectly positioned less than a one-minute walk down the road from Sasaki Brewery, one of the best breweries in the city.