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The two restored BenTen machiya at dusk, their lattice fronts lit from within, seen from the lane in Higashiyama, Kyoto
Gion–Higashiyama, Kyoto

Machiya living in historic Kyoto, quietly tucked away in Gion–Higashiyama

BenTen Residences comprises two restored machiya in Gion–Higashiyama, Kyoto. Each house is reserved entirely for one group, combining traditional machiya character with modern comforts and personal Japanese hospitality.

Check dates & book East or West
01

Preserved machiya, modern comfort

Retained beams, tatami rooms and garden spaces, thoughtfully restored with modern heating, kitchens, bathrooms and everyday comforts.

Discover the houses
02

Personally looked after

A personal welcome and farewell, bilingual eConcierge and discreet in-stay housekeeping.

Our hospitality
03

Historic Kyoto, on foot

Step outside into Gion–Higashiyama, with temples, historic lanes and some of Kyoto's best-known sights within an easy walk.

Explore the location

Private stay, personal service

Personal Japanese hospitality

At BenTen, the house is entirely yours — but that does not mean being left on your own. From a personal welcome at the machiya to eConcierge support and regular housekeeping during your stay, we look after the details while your time in Kyoto remains private and unhurried.

On-site Personal
Check-in & Check-out

We personally meet you at the property for check-in and check-out — no detour to an off-site reception required.

eConcierge

Before and during your stay, our bilingual team can help with restaurant reservations, transport and ideas for your time in Kyoto.

Regular Housekeeping

One of BenTen's distinctive touches is regular housekeeping every other day. We refresh the house, replace towels and linen, and replenish amenities while respecting your privacy.

Privacy and independence

Between our housekeeping visits, the machiya is entirely yours. Private keypad access lets you come and go as you please.

What is a machiya

A machiya is Kyoto's traditional townhouse — long and narrow, quietly elegant, and shaped by light, flow and craftsmanship.

Cutaway illustration titled Anatomy of a Kyoto Machiya, showing a traditional townhouse in section over two storeys: the koshi lattice front and doma earth-floored entrance at the street, the tooriniwa passage running the depth of the house, the daidokoro kitchen, a zashiki tatami room with a low table, the tsubo-niwa courtyard garden bringing light into the middle of the plan, and two nema sleeping rooms upstairs reached by the kaidan stairs
A tatami sitting room in a Kyoto machiya, paper screens open to the garden
The Two Houses

Life behind the lattice.
Two machiya, side by side

Floor layouts of both BenTen houses. BenTen East, 80 m² (about 860 sqft): ground floor with family and dining room, laundry room and a toilet with powder room; upper floor with a bedroom, a Western-style bedroom, a toilet with shower, a dresser and study, and a reflection space at the stair landing. BenTen West, 70 m² (about 750 sqft): ground floor with entrance hallway, a Japanese-style living room and bedroom, family and dining room, kitchenette and laundry room, a toilet with powder room, a bath and the garden; upper floor with a Japanese-style bedroom, a Western-style bedroom, a toilet with shower, a dresser and study, and an air well overlooking the hallway. Layouts are not to scale and are for approximate reference only.

In both houses, a bedroom, toilet, bath, kitchen and living room are on the lower storey, allowing guests who prefer to avoid the stairs to stay on one level. Let us know when booking and we can prepare the lower-storey bedroom.

Travelling together? Reserve East and West side by side.

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The neighbourhood

Wake up in Gion–Higashiyama

Experience Gion–Higashiyama at your own pace — from quiet early mornings to the energy of the day and the softer evenings beyond.

  • Ishibe-koji · 2 min
  • Kodai-ji · 3 min
  • Yasaka Pagoda · 4 min
  • Yasaka Shrine · 4 min
  • Kiyomizu-dera · 11 min
See the neighbourhood →

Guest reviews

What our guests say

9.7 / 10
Exceptional

Average guest rating on Booking.com · 200+ guest reviews

9.8Location
9.8Facilities
9.9Staff

Ratings from Booking.com · Updated August 2026

01

Quiet, yet central

“great location. It's surprisingly quiet.”
Sara · United States · 10/10
Booking.com guest review
02

Personally looked after

“We were met upon arrival and communication with our host in the period leading up to our arrival and during our stay was excellent”
Euroemmy · Belgium · 10/10
Booking.com guest review
03

Preserved machiya, modern comfort

“Beautiful traditional design with modern comforts.”
Bernard · United States · 10/10
Booking.com guest review
The wooden lattice of the front, backlit from the lane
Heritage

Meticulously restored Meiji-era machiya

The two machiya once belonged to a local owner, who lived in one and ran a café in the other. After his death in 2013, both were at risk of demolition. They were rescued and carefully restored, reopening in 2016. Today, the current owners continue that stewardship, preserving the houses and sharing them with guests.

Read our story →
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Your own machiya in Gion–Higashiyama

Check dates for BenTen East or West, or send us an enquiry to reserve both houses, plan a longer stay or discuss special arrangements.

Check dates & book → Send an enquiry →
View BenTen East View BenTen West
弁天
Address

431-3 & 431-4 Kamibenten-cho, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto 605-0822

〒605-0822 京都府京都市東山区上弁天町431-3・431-4

Contact

+81 75-771-0898
[email protected]

Check-in from 15:00 / Check-out by 11:00

Reserve

Reservations open up to 18 months in advance

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