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.

Uguisuan is a lovely two-story, renovated house located in a peaceful neighborhood just north of Umekoji Park and just a short bicycle ride south of the UNESCO World Heritage Listed Nijo Castle and Kyoto Imperial Palace. Its interior is proudly reminiscent of old-world Kyoto style, while its amenities and creature comforts are stylishly modern. Uguisuan's interior blends old and new worlds. With classic tatami-mat flooring in various locations throughout the house and various Japanese style art pieces, Uguisuan exudes Japanese aesthetic. The 75-square-meter, five-person-capacity home features two separate bedrooms, both on the second floor, one with two semi-double beds and the other with space for a single futon. Uguisuan also boasts a fully stocked kitchen and a separated shower room and toilet. Designed for livability and to offer guests an authentic Kyoto experience, Uguisuan is a wonderful home that will make any guests’ stay complete.

Uguisuan is conveniently located near Umekoji-Kyotonishi Station, only one stop from Kyoto Station, making it an ideal location for exploring nearby prefectures like Osaka, Nara, and Hyogo or the wider Kyoto prefecture. A short walk south of Uguisuan sits Umekoji park, a popular park with a sprawling garden, a railway museum, and an eco-friendly aquarium. Just east of Uguisuan, you will find Nishi Hongan-ji Temple, a picturesque traditional temple near the city center, offering a great atmosphere for a morning stroll during your stay. Beyond Nishi Hongan-ji, you will find Higashi Hongan-ji Temple, offering much the same as Nishi Hongan-ji. For those wanting to explore the real old-world Kyoto, head to Wachigai-ya. A 4-minute walk from Uguisuan, Wachigai-ya is a preserved geisha teahouse or okiya dating back to the 1680s. Along the street on which this historic landmark sits, is an endless selection of traditional Japanese homes and buildings, all retaining that elusive and enthralling classic Kyoto charm. If you want to explore a little further, you can hop on a rental bicycle and head north to the Unesco World Heritage listed Nijo Castle, or just a bit further and to the east to Kyoto Imperial Palace. 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.