BenTen Residences
Restored Wooden Houses in Scenic Higashiyama District
BenTen Residences - 100-year-old Kyoto Machiya
BenTen East - 3-Bedroom Restored Kyoto Townhouse
Located in a quiet lane just minutes away from temples, old-world townscapes and Michelin-starred restaurants, BenTen East makes for an ideal Kyoto base whether your stay lasts for a few days or a few months.
This 2-storey machiya has been restored to showcase the beauty of the traditional wooden townhouse. But it also offers convenience and comfort to a modern traveller through such features as heated flooring, wi-fi, a washing machine and dryer, and a fully-equipped kitchenette. (Convenience stores and a supermarket can be found just a short walk from the residence.)
The 3 bedrooms – 1 Japanese and 1 Western on the second floor – give guests a choice between futons and beds. When not in use as a bedroom, the tatami room on the first floor serves as an extra living room.
The main living area opens onto a small garden with a Japanese maple that can also be viewed from the bathroom on the first floor. For the convenience of larger groups, there is a shower and another toilet on the second floor.
Also on the second floor is a bench area for reading or reflection. The atmosphere here changes throughout the day depending on how sunlight filters in from the mushiko-mado, so named because the bars of this traditional window resemble an insect cage.
With a capacity of up to 6 adults, BenTen East is popular with families and travellers interested in design. It has also been chosen as a backdrop for product shoots and photography workshops. To find out about our special rates for photography rentals or longer-term stays, drop us a note via the Contact Us page or at enquiries@shimayastays.com
Photos by Takano Tomomi
BenTen West - 3-Bedroom Restored Kyoto Townhouse
Located in a quiet lane just minutes away from temples, old-world townscapes and Michelin-starred restaurants, BenTen West makes for an ideal Kyoto base whether your stay lasts for a few days or a few months.
This 2-storey machiya has been restored to showcase the beauty of the traditional wooden townhouse. But it also offers convenience and comfort to a modern traveller through such features as heated flooring, wi-fi, a washing machine and dryer, and a fully-equipped kitchenette. (Convenience stores and a supermarket can be found just a short walk from the residence.)
The 3 bedrooms – 1 Japanese and 1 Western on the second floor – give guests a choice between futons and beds. When not in use as a bedroom, the tatami room on the first floor serves as an extra living room.
The main living area has a view of a small garden that can also be enjoyed from the bathroom on the first floor. For the convenience of larger groups, there is a shower and another toilet on the second floor.
BenTen West, which has a capacity of up to 5 adults, is popular with families and travellers interested in design. It has also served as a venue for cultural workshops. To find out about our special rates for venue rentals or longer-term stays, drop us a note via the Contact Us page or at enquiries@shimayastays.com
Photos by Takano Tomomi
BenTen Residences
Slip into the warmth found only in a home of wood, paper and earth when you stay with us. Our Kyo-machiya – Kyoto townhouses – combine the best of traditional Japanese craftsmanship with modern comfort and innovative design.
Offering the amenities and housekeeping services of a boutique hotel, the BenTen Residences are the flagship property of the Shimaya Stays Collection.
Under the direction of Asami Architect and Associates, the pair of townhouses, which date back more than 100 years, was painstakingly restored by the craftsmen of Tsuji Komuten. The company takes on only jobs involving wooden buildings: a testament to its commitment to traditional architecture.
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