Welcome to Kiyomizu Shukuba

Welcome to Kiyomizu Shukuba

Located at the foot of Kiyomizu Temple, Kiyomizu Shukuba is a 90 year-old building. The building follows the original, traditional Kyoto-style residence architecture, with a living area on the second floor, and a small shop area on the first floor.

Shukuba is an Edo-period word the Japanese used to refer to places to spend the night along the Gokaido, which once connected Edo (now called Tokyo) to the outer provinces. It relays our desire to have our guests relax and enjoy the culture, history and craftsmanship of traditional Japan.

Perfect Location for everywhere

Kiyomizu Shukuba is well located on a quiet street in the Higashiyama-ku neighborhood, near some of Kyoto’s most famous temples and other historic landmarks. We are at the foot of the Kiyomizu Temple, a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site.

Detail of Building

Kiyomizu Shukuba’s building was renovated to honor the following two points:

1. Introducing the new while preserving the old
2. Emphasizing craftsmanship

Kiyomizu Shukuba preserves as many old features as possible while carefully introducing new ones.

All of Kiyomizu Shukuba’s walls are covered with Japanese traditional craft wallpaper, “Tosa Washi”.
Tosa Washi has been produced for more than a thousand years using Japanese traditional style.
Tosa Washi is also known as “the breathing paper” due to its moisture regulating qualities, which keeps rooms warm during winter, and cool during summer.

You are welcome to touch and feel the elegance of the traditional Japanese residence and craftsmanship in every details including fixtures and wallpaper.

We try to preserve the original materials, even in places that can’t be seen.
There is an old tradition in Japan, where during the construction of a house, once completed, the lead carpenters would leave his name in the back of the ceiling. In the picture below you can appreciate the name of the carpenter who constructed Kiyomizu Shukuba.

Hospitality

The concept behind the house is to provide you the experience of not just traveling, but “living” in Kyoto.

We runs the casual restaurant “Kiyomizu Tateba” on the first floor, please drop by anytime during opening hours.

“Kiyomizu Tateba” is open until early evening, so you can be guaranteed comfortable, quiet nights.

In case of emergency, the owner lives close by so she will reachable at hours when “Kiyomizu Tateba” is closed.

If you have any questions, need help and want to advice, feel free to ask us.