I am an Artist / Photographer born in Kyoto
I started hosting because I love meeting people from all over the world and making new friends.
This place used to be one big guesthouse, but during Covid19, I have stopped running the guesthouse and I moved in with my wife and 2 kids.
Still I didn't want to give up so I left the good parts.
Private cypress bath and renovated rooms and made another entrance for the Guests. So now it is 2 separate house
Please check the house rules before you book.
The space
-The Space-
1 tatami room 2 futons
1 bedroom 2 beds (1day 1group or family only)
1 Big Hinoki Bath +Shower
1 Toilet reformed 2025
The space we have is Japanese traditional "washitu" with tatami mats, and futon room that is facing the garden.
The Big Hinoki Bath can hold 4 people at once
suitable for family bath time.
-The Equipment-
Every room has Air Conditioner and Gas Fun heater
There is small Kitchen
There is a bathroom sink
-Electric board
-fridge
-microwave
-toaster
-kettle
Bathroom has heating system
Please read this
There is me and my family living next door.
It used to rent whole house but because of the Covid, my family as in me and my wife and my daughter moved in to the house since there was no guests to the house but we have left the Guest house side as future business. so I made the new entrance to the Guest house so that guests can have private stay . so we share the front area and the yard to look over. other than that Guests have complete privacy. You might hear my daughters laugh or cries foot steps.
Here is some comments of the house from the guests:
"Jinn’s place is incredible. If you’re looking for a peaceful and beautiful experience in Kyoto, look no further, Jinn’s home exceeds all expectations. Jinn was an excellent host, he came to meet us, walk us through his home and made sure we had everything we needed. His communication was super quick and he provided great recommendations to certain things we were looking for. The home itself is spectacular, beautiful garden, amazing tub looking out to the garden, located on a small hill in a quaint neighborhood. We can’t wait to be back, thank you Jinn!"
"Jinn is a wonderful host and his house could not be more beautiful. Staying here is a special experience our group felt lucky to have. We loved: biking around the city, the bath (!!!), relaxing in the garden, and discovering great ramen nearby. The busses are super easy, and if your active, many things are a quick jog or bike ride away. We didn't feel hindered by being less centralized and enjoy the peaceful neighborhood. Jinn was so helpful with recommendations, arranging cabs and welcoming us to his home. Can't recommend enough!"
"Where to begin?? Jinn and his house are awesome!! For anyone fond of Kyoto and Japanese culture, Jinn’s place will only bring you to a next level of superb experience which is rare to find elsewhere. We failed to book last year and this time we made it!! Everything, every moment and every breath we had during our stay at Jinn’s house had surpassed our expectation (which was set quite high at the first place). My husband wanted to join me writing his review too, i.e. -Samuel Jinn has pulled his heart as an artist and host into his house, and amazingly he is young, handsome and considerate. We feel completely home away from home!! Thank you Jinn san!! Love Kyoto more, can’t wait to plan our next trip."
"We couldn't possibly be more pleased with our experience at Jinn's house. Traditional, spacious, well equipped with an amazing garden that is a wonder by it's self. Jinn was an amazing host. Always ready to answer all our messages within minutes. Polite, well organized and punctual. We definitely recommend this house to anyone looking for an authentic Kyoto experience."
"Jinn's house is located in a quite residential area on the hillside. 5-10mins walk down the hill there are some shops and restaurants, including a big 24hr supermarket. The house is a newly renovated Japanese Style house with a really nice private Japanese garden in front of the tatami bedroom on the ground floor. It was so wonderful to see the decent garden when you open your eyes every morning. The hot tub is the highlight of the house, it can keep the water temperature for 8hrs long. And you can open the French window to let the breeze in, it feels like an outdoor Onsen. My wife and daughter loves it very much. Especially my daughter. She didn't even want to leave the house. It is a really good choice if you travel with your family. Best of all, great host. Jinn welcome us with a sparkling wine and helped us to coordinate daily trips plan. He also drive us to the Westin Hotel to pick up my stuff left there. We had a really great time and we will definitely.choose Jinn's next time when we visit Kyoto!"
"I cannot begin to say enough great things about my stay at Jinn's house. It was the perfect place for my family's visit to Kyoto, and I would come back to the city again just to stay there because I loved it so much. You won't find a better host than Jinn anywhere. He is just simply a gracious and lovely person and really has a wonderful energy about him. He made everything so easy and comfortable for me and my family. No matter when I sent a message with questions, whether before our trip or after we arrived, his response was so quick. We always felt so comfortable knowing he was so readily available to answer questions. Where to start with the house? It's so clean, comfortable, and beautiful. You truly feel like you are home when you stay there. There are so many nice little touches such as a pre-heater in the shower, bath scrubbers, etc. We also cooked each night that we stayed, and the kitchen has everything you need. Even though it was January, it was quite easy to keep the house warm and comfortable. Also if you are traveling with small children, the house is well-equipped for their needs. Jinn had a pack n play, bedding, and highchair all available for my 14 month old son to use. Everything was immaculate and clean. It is also such a plus to have a washer/dryer to use if needed. The location was perfect for us, and we quite enjoyed being a bit away from all the super high traffic areas. It is an easy walk to Ginkaku-ji and other areas. Jinn's welcome book is super helpful also with bus/train directions to other locations. He also recommended the restaurant, Omen, which was excellent and a great dining experience. I'm sure it's pretty apparent at this point, but I could just keep going on and on about how amazing Jinn's house is! No matter what your needs or situation, you won't be disappointed if you stay here!"
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5 Reasons you should Book this house
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1: Even better than Machiya
Machiya is traditional in town area but usually the bath is small but
We have Big Hinoki Bath.
2: Super Quiet Neighborhood yet still convenient
You can hear birds singing. hardly no cars passes yet 24H convenient store and super market is 8 mins walk away.
3: There is Bus to everywhere.
Bus to Ginkakuji 5 mins
Bus to Kinkakuji 37mins
Bus to Downtown 20mins
Bus to Kiyomizu Temple
20mins to downtown and walk to GION
Bus to Kyoto Station 50 mins
Bus and train to Arashiyama 1 hour
4: Really nice Cafe is close
Nekomachi grill, Sougen Cafe
I can recommend some restaurants
5: This area of Kyoto is very expensive area to own the house.
it is rare to have airbnb around this area with big Japanese Garden.
The house faces south so the sunshine is just really really nice.
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5 Reasons you might not want to Book Yagi Shirakawa Tei
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1: 20 to 30 minutes to Downtown.
If you want to go everywhere in one day, you should just book convenient hotel in downtown. It is either you want to stay in the house in peace with quiet neighborhood or small house that can be loud with no sunshine in downtown area. 20 mins to downtown is not that bad. The bus comes every 15-20 mins. 230 yen per ride. but still it is hard to go everywhere from the house, since the slope it pretty hard
2: Slope to the house is hard.
walking down to the main street is easy like 3 mins down but walking up to the house is breath taking. I don't recommend to elderly group.
so I recommend to take taxi the first day if you have many luggage or having big backpacks.
But the view from the house is very nice and the air is nice since it is remote from the city, its quiet and peaceful. I am sure the guests who chooses this place is more calm guests not in rush.
3. If you dislike nature in the summer,
The house is surrounded by nature
we live together on earth with animals (dear might show up) and bugs such natural creatures. If you don't like them, I recommend to book a hotel.
4. The House is located in the local residential area. Very local but nice. So There are not many english speaker and there are no english menus in restaurants available accept Tourism area. So Beware for this. If you are not sure, take a picture and send it to me, I will let you know when I can what is written or you can use app to translate ;)
5. There is me and my family living next door.
If you are looking for super super private house , my house might not be good idea.
It used to rent whole house but because of the Covid, my family as in me and my wife and my daughters moved in to the house since there was no one coming to the house but we have left the Guest house side as future business. so I made the new entrance to the Guest house so that guests can have private stay . so we share the front area and the yard to look over. other than that Guest have complete privacy. You might hear my daughter laugh or cries time to time ..
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F A Q
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Q How to get a key?
A I usually will be at the house and explain about the house and give you the key code . I am working as Photographer and CEO of my company so I am working a lot and I often ask you when you are arriving to the house which is because I am making my schedule to welcome you :)
Q Can I leave the luggage?
Yes and No. You can leave your luggage until maybe 2 pm but Usually next guests are coming from 3pm so you have to come back before then. Guests are usually leave their luggage in Kyoto Station because it is a bit far to get your luggages once you left to site seeing into the city.
Q How convenient to Downtown?
A The Bus comes every 10-20 minutes to Downtown and takes about 20
to 30 minutes. Shijo Kawaramachi bus stop.
Q What is closest bus stop?
A Kitashirakawa Bettocho or Kitashirakawa Shibusecho 8mins walk
Q How do we get to your house from Kyoto Station?
A I recommend to take a Taxi from the Kyoto Station for first time. You can check foreigner friendly taxi and make sure you tell them to put in car navigation system, they are too confident sometimes and end up loosing the ways.
Q Is the house yours or your parents?
A Yes it is mine! I bought the house 2015 and I reformed myself.
I would like to live here in future.
Q Is the house safe?
A yes it is. you will realize that when you wake up in the morning. it is quite expensive area to own the house in kyoto. Everyone around is nice.
Q What is the best way to get to your house?
A
1: Take Haruka Train to Kyoto from Kansai airport and then Taxi to my house.
2: Taxi strait to my house about 30000yen
3: KIX to Osaka Osaka to Yodoyabashi Yodoyabashi to Demachiynagi
Demachiyanagi to Taxi to here.
Q is it ok if we arrive late ?
A yes usually its fine ! but please make time for me to explain about the house.
Q Can we check in from 11 am? or early check in?
Usually No. I am sorry
We need to clean the house from 10 am and finish at 3 pm
You can maybe leave stuff and go to site seeing while we clean though but can not stay during cleaning.
Q is the bathtub and beddings are sanitized?
Yes it is Sterilized with cleaner + detergents every time by special cleaning ladies
The bathtub is been waxed so it has water proof too.
Q. is there any super market / grocery store near by?
A/ Yes there is 24h Super market 5mins down the street. there are several local restaurants too. There is also bakery store and sweets cake etc.
however it is not hotel it is guest house. ;)
Guest access
Please don't walk on the white sand area
Other things to note
Smoking is prohibited inside the house and on the premises.
Additionally, the road is private property, so smoking is also not allowed there.
All of Kyoto City is a non-smoking area except for designated smoking spots.
Smoking in restricted areas may result in a fine of 1,000 yen.
Please smoke only in designated areas.
The surrounding area is very quiet, and sound carries easily.
Please refrain from speaking loudly or calling out to others outside or on nearby roads.
Since the house is located on the valley side of a mountain, insects may appear.
Shirakawa Yagi-tei is built on a relatively steep slope.
In the early morning, deer and monkeys may appear.
Registration Details
M260007082
