Our Family Story

We are the Tanaka family — grandparents, parents, and two school-age children — living in a restored machiya tucked into a lane just off Gion. Mornings begin with the smell of rice and miso from our small kitchen; evenings often end with my grandmother teaching someone at the low table how to fold origami. Our home is not a hotel. It is where we actually live. When you stay with us, you join our rhythm: a quick bow at the genkan, slippers inside, and conversations that move slowly over green tea. We love showing people the Kyoto we know — the produce vendor who saves the best persimmons for us, the temple path that stays quiet after sunset, the tiny bookstore where the owner remembers every regular. If you are curious, respectful, and happy to try new foods, you will feel at home here.

Why We Host

Our eldest son returned from studying abroad and told us how much it meant when families opened their doors to him. We wanted to offer that same warmth to travelers coming the other direction — a real dinner table, real questions, and a sense that Kyoto is lived in, not just photographed.

Details

Check-in from 3pm. Your room has a futon, linens, and a small desk. We share one bathroom and provide towels, WiFi, and filtered water. Please tell us about dietary needs before you arrive — we cook together most nights. Checkout by 11am. Shoes off indoors; quiet hours after 10pm.

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