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.

Sleek with unmistakable Kyoto style and classic machiya ambiance, Hikari is a cozy, fully renovated traditional Japanese home. The house features plenty of old-world charm, while its modern renovation ensures that guests have all the amenities they need for a comfortable and unforgettable stay. Elegantly simple design and bedrooms that look like something ripped from the pages of a home interior editorial magazine spread, this five-person-capacity home is a wonderful choice when staying in Kyoto. With soft, almost matcha-like greens of the bedroom’s tatami, earthy colored walls, and warm wooden finishes, as well as shoji sliding paper doors, Hikari embodies the tranquility of simple Japanese design. Although it has plenty of traditional elegance, it still feels tidy, spacious, and effortlessly livable. Each room of the house has its own distinct personality, and the entire home feels airy and light while also retaining a sense of coziness and warmth. A little smaller than its sister homes Aki and Haru, Hiraki can accommodate up to five guests. It boasts 75 square meters of space spread across two floors and features a Japanese zen garden out the back.

Hikari is ideally positioned in the heart of Kyoto. It’s located within walking distance of the city’s many attractions but is also nestled in a quiet backstreet, ensuring complete tranquility. Less than a 10-minute walk east from Hikari sits Kyoto Imperial Palace and the stunning surrounding Kyoto Gyoen National Garden, which season in, season out offers spectacular natural views and is the perfect location for a late-morning stroll. Situated in an excellent position for those who want to explore the city by bicycle – which is highly recommended – from Hikari, it’s about a 10-minute ride to the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Nijo Castle and a 20-minute ride north to Kinkakuji, Kyoto’s iconic golden temple. Pedal 10 minutes to the east, and you’ll also reach the more northern end of Kyoto’s iconic Kamo River, the main waterway of the city, and an area home to plenty of excellent dining establishments.