Welcome to Tofukuji Machiya

Presentation – Detailed Description – Location – Guest Reviews

This is Samurai Jim’s place and we’re happy to share it with you. It is our latest and largest project and we hope you’ll like it. Jim’s family crest is the famous “Maru ni Ken Katabami” (an encircled creeping wood-sorrel flower), symbolizing mercy, wisdom and virtue, with added “leaves” (Ken) to the flower indicating swords for a more military flavor. This crest is used by clans including the Nakamura, the Hirano, the Shibuya. (Please note that the decoration of the house may change with the season.)

Here is a more detailed description of the Tofukuji Machiya. (you can click on any photo to see a larger one).

Floor Plan

The floor plan of the house will make it easier for you to understand the position and layout of the various rooms and areas of this house. Simply click on the small graphic to see a larger one.

The Entrance – “Genkan”

The “Genkan” is where you enter the house, hang your coat and leave your shoes. You are welcomed by a Noh Mask (Koomote, which means young girl) placed in a niche. Needless to say, this is not really a traditional feature of a standard Machiya, but we liked the idea and we hope you’ll enjoy it. From here, you can enter the LDK on your left, go into the two Japanese rooms (Jim’s room and the Tiger’s room), walk up the stairs to the second floor, or find the toilet and the bathroom ahead of you.

"Noh Mask" called "Koomote", meaning young girl

The LDK – Living Dining Kitchen

Tofukuji Machiya – View of the LDK , the kitchen at the end on the left, the dining table, the living space and the living room

Tofukuji Machiya – The dining table with seating for up to twelve persons

From the “Genkan’, you reach the LDK through a wooden door on the left. A coach with a coffee table are placed in front of the flat panel HDTV placed on the right side wall. A large wooden table occupies the center part of this large room and will seat up to twelve persons. This is where everybody can get together for a simple breakfast or a complete dinner. The fully equipped kitchen is on the left of the table.

The whole area is centered around a coffee table made from an old Hibachi in front of the coach. As we know how cold Kyoto can be during the Winter, we knew something had to be done about this. So for added comfort, we have installed “Floor Heating” around the ground floor, in the dining room, in the living room, and in front of the kitchen. And for the Summer, when it’s unbearably hot outside, you’ll appreciate the fact that every room has its own air conditioning unit.

From there, you can enjoy the large flat screen HDTV on the right side wall across the room from the coach.You have access to regular Japanese broadcast as well as Netflix and internet channels for unlimited movie and TV series enjoyment.

The Kitchen

The fully equipped kitchen is spacious and functional. You’ll find everything necessary to prepare a coffee or a breakfast, or even cook a sophisticated meal. A sink, induction heating plate, dish washer (with the product), and all the necessary appliances you’d expect to find in a home: fridge with freezer, coffee maker, electric kettle, toaster, rice cooker, oven/wave oven, pressure cooker, blender, and all the pans and cutlery and plates and glasses, etc.
You’ll also find salt, pepper, sugar, cream, soja sauce, oil, etc.

Tofukuji Machiya - The fully equipped modern Kitchen

Everything you'll need to eat at home during your stay is available right here

Every necessary appliances has been prepared and is available!

The Japanese Living Rooms

On the right of the entrance hall, the first room is the “Tiger Room”, called like this because of the large size “Byobu” or folding screen decorating the whole wall. When not used as a bedroom (depending on the number of guests), this room is used as a Japanese tatami mat living room.

Jim's room -- he stays quietly in the Tokonoma (alcove)

The second Japanese tatami mat room is Jim’s room. he stays quietly int he Tokonoma or Alcove, located on the left at the end of the room. Here also, the room is used either as an additional Japanese living space, using the low table placed in the middle, or as a bedroom wshere futons are placed on the tatami mats.

The Bathrooms

Ground Floor

The bathroom is located at the end of the entrance space, behind a wooden door. You first enter the laundry room with a fully automatic All-In-One Washer / Dryer (something travelers will truly appreciate.)

The laundry room and the bathroom are behind a wooden door at the end of the hall

The traditional wooden bathroom is perfect for relaxation

The wooden bathroom is made of Japanese cypress wood. On one side, you have the shower and corner to wash yourself, and on the other, the bathtub. The bathroom is an old style traditional wooden one, but the whole system is controlled by a modern electronic system — you simply press a button and the bathtub will automatically fill up with hot water. The voice of a charming Japanese lady will announce when the bath is ready. After a long day of visiting temples and shrines, there is nothing more relaxing than a good Japanese hot bath. Trust us on this!

Tofukuji Machiya - The modern "washlet" toilet

The toilet is located next to the bathroom. The Japanese “washlet” will probably surprise you at first. And yes, we do provide instructions in English about its usage.

Upper Floor

For the convenience of larger group of guests, we have installed a second toilet and a shower room upstairs.

You’ll find a hair dryer in each bathroom. Also, we provide body soap, shampoo, hair conditionner, but no personal items such as toothbrush or tooth paste.

Upstairs

Access to the upper is through regular stairs that are not as steep and narrow as the ones often found in old traditional machiya. The upper floor features two independent Western bedrooms and a Japanese tatami mat room. There is also a toilet and a shower room — something larger groups of guests will certainly appreciate. From the stairs, you have independent access to all three bedrooms.

Japanese Bedroom

The first bedroom on the right is a Japanese tatami mat room, a Geisha style room with a traditional wedding kimono and an old “Shoindo” or wood cut panel placed on the window. Up to three futons are placed on the tatami mats as required. An old “Tansu” or furniture as well as a large closet are at the guest’s disposal to place clothes and lugagge.

Western Bedrooms

Ahead and on the left of the stairs are the two Western bedrooms.

The first one features a double bed and a little working desk. Of course, there is a closet for the guest’s clothes.

The second one has two single beds and a sofa (which, depending on the number of guests, can also be used as a bed if necessary). And again, there is a large closet for the guest’s luggage and clothes.