Kiyomizu
Contemporary minimalist Japanese — slow-living, artisan-obsessed, quietly luxurious. Think design magazine editorial brought to life inside a 100-year-old wooden townhouse.
Suite 1 is only 23m2 and accessible by stairs only — great for a couple traveling light, but tight if you pack heavily
Why It Matters
One of the most design-forward machiya conversions in Kyoto. Opened 2022 as the third property from founders Hana Tsukamoto and Irene Chang. Every single item on display — from the hinoki wood tableware to the woven bamboo screens — is purchasable from the in-house POJ Studio boutique. Recognized by both the Michelin Guide and Tablet Hotels.
Three suites spread across a cluster of century-old machiya townhouses on a quiet lane in Kyoto's Higashiyama district. The architects (Shigenori Uoya and Takeshi Ikei) stripped the interiors back to sandy plaster walls, dark wooden beams, and soft curves — then filled them with handcrafted pieces from POJ Studio, custom Shigaraki ceramic bathtubs, and washi paper by artisan Hatano Wataru. It's a genuinely tiny hotel: three rooms, a café, and a craft shop.
Where You'll Stay
3 room types available
Suite 1
The smallest and most intimate of the three — a minimalist studio on the second floor, accessible only by stairs. Sand-toned walls flow from the bed surround right into a sunken soaking tub. The window frames views of peaceful greenery and the thatched rooftops of Toyokuni Shrine. Good for a couple traveling light; less suited to anyone with a lot of luggage.
1 Queen bed · 23 sqm
Suite 2
The most dramatic space in the property. Enter through a secluded entryway into a contemporary open living room that feels nothing like a machiya. The dining area overlooks a modern tokonoma with time-worn antiques; a moody reading nook is tucked nearby. The tatami guestroom is hand-wrapped floor-to-ceiling in washi by artisan Hatano Wataru. The main bathroom houses a custom ceramic bathtub handcrafted by Shigaraki sculptors. Sleeps up to four.
1 Queen bed + 2 single futons · 63 sqm
Suite 3
Both bedrooms on the second floor are wrapped ceiling-to-floor in washi by Hatano Wataru — they feel like being cocooned in soft light. The ground floor opens to a spacious modern living room and an oversized dining counter island that doubles as a workspace. Private exterior and interior garden. Sleeps up to three.
1 Queen bed + 1 single futon · 60 sqmThe Property
Eat & Drink
1 venue on property
Restaurant
Spa & Wellness
Treatment Menu
On Property
How you'll actually spend your days.
Create your own art panel using Tsuchikabe — the traditional machiya wall material made from clay, rice straw, sand, and seaweed.
Guests can participate in authentic Japanese artisan workshops in the on-site POJ Studio space, including kintsugi (gold repair of ceramics) and traditional incense making.
Hands-on natural dyeing workshop using traditional Japanese tea dyeing techniques.
Make two seasonal pantry staples using traditional fermentation and preservation techniques.
Make a personal tea blend from foraged and farmed ingredients reflecting the current microseason, with additional tea tastings and sweets.
A traditional Japanese tea ceremony led by Tea master Eriko in a private tea house set in nature, followed by a traditional Japanese breakfast. One of the property's signature experiences.
Summer-only evening experience at a private tea house with a traditional tea ceremony followed by a seasonal meal.
The first brick-and-mortar boutique from POJ Studio (Pieces of Japan), located within the Maana Kiyomizu complex. Sells Japanese handicrafts including hinoki wood tableware, indigo tie-dye wall hangings, and most of the artisan pieces displayed throughout the suites.
Amenities & Practical Info
The details that matter for planning.
No room service is offered. Kissa Kishin on-site serves breakfast/brunch only (7:30am–1pm, closed Tue & Wed). Guests dine out for lunch and dinner.
POJ Studio artisanal crafts, organic Senshu towels, seasonal bath salts, artisan tea set, local coffee drip bags, organic Kirokuen tea, bottled water, indoor slippers, hair dryer.
The property has no swimming pool or fitness center. The focus is entirely on in-suite bathing rituals and cultural experiences.
No car parking available at the property.
All three suites feature deep soaking or custom Shigaraki ceramic bathtubs. Suite 1 has a deep tub with shrine views; Suites 2 and 3 have handcrafted Shigaraki ceramic tubs.
BUILD YOUR MAANA KIYOMIZU PLAN
Rooms, dining, spa, and resort experiences — organized into one trip plan.
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