At Kyo-Machiya Rakuyu Horikawa Gojo, unique gardens are featured throughout the property, evoking the charming atmosphere of the Taisho to early Showa eras. From the vibrant green moss and seasonal flowers gracing the lobby to the courtyard gardens (tsuboniwa) and dry landscape gardens (karesansui) that give each guest room its own distinct character, you can feel the nature and ambiance of Kyoto wherever you are. We invite you to explore Rakuyu's prized gardens, each offering a unique mood to enjoy during your stay.
At Kyo-Machiya Rakuyu, unique and distinctive gardens are featured throughout the property. Here, we would like to introduce you to these traditional Kyo-Machiya gardens.

A garden that represents mountains, rivers, and oceans using stones and moss without water is known as "Karesansui" (dry landscape garden). Please enjoy the grand nature housed within this small garden.

Designed with mountain nature in mind, featuring a rich variety of trees such as maples, azaleas, and Japanese andromeda. A garden overflowing with vibrant blossoms and lush greenery.

A garden designed for enjoying the shifting seasons, adorned with colorful flowers and autumn foliage year-round, highlighted by Sentryo plants bearing yellow and red berries.

A charming pocket garden featuring an endearing stone lantern from the Taisho era. Tokusa (rough horsetail) has traditionally been used as a natural abrasive and acts as a fine file when dried.

A garden where lush moss and a variety of trees delight the eyes. Enjoy the seasonal flowers as you stroll along the stepping stones.

A classic townhouse (machiya) garden from the Taisho to early Showa era. The black borders separating the white sand and moss were originally roof tiles from Myoshinji Temple. Please also take note of the Kasuga stone lantern featuring a deer relief.
The Architect
−<Luck You> had our architectural designs done by Uchida Yasuhiro, an architect well-versed in Kyomachiya design.−
The faithful reproduction of the old Kyomachiya townhouse was made possible because of his expertise. Accordingly, we were able to realize our vision of combining an age-old tradition in craftsmanship with modern amenities. We hope you have a memorable experience immersed in the fine-tuned details of Mr. Uchida’s design.
The Design
Kyomachiya Luck You Horikawa Gojo reproduces a Kyomachiya architectural design which was popular from the Taisho Era (1912-1926) into the early part of the Showa Era (1926-1989). An abundance of Kyomachiya furnishings immediately grab at your attention with their anachronistic novelty like the “koshi-mado” (lattice windows), “the inuyarai”, and the “hibukuro” (the hearth of a Japanese lantern). The Japanese garden found next to the bettei (annex) lobby was constructed in the likeness of a typical townhouse garden during the Meiji (1868-1912)/Taisho era.
The Amenities
Once you step past the “noren” and into the lobby and your room, you’ll find an interior design interspersed with traditional “Kyohanga” (Kyoto woodblock prints) and zabuton (sitting cushions) designed by “Rakuchu Takaokaya”, a zabuton manufacturer with a history spanning 90 years. The soft, warm lighting throughout the interior comes from lanterns built by “Miura Shomei”, a manufacturer that has been in the business for a little over 100 years. We put a great deal of care into designing the interior so our guests have an immediate way to interact with Kyoto culture. Air conditioning is also provided in every room to ensure the comfort of your stay. There’s also floor heating in every room and in the lobby on the first floor to keep the place warm even during the winter.