Kyoto Sept 2019 : Nagominowa Inn

We arrived at Kyoto on a Sunday afternoon, and made our way to the small traditional inn that we have booked for our stay here. It was nearby Kyoto main station, along the traditional narrow streets. Our luggage made so much noise when we drag it along those road. And Kyoto is such a quiet place that I feel embarrass for making so much noise as I go. Above is the main entrance of our inn. But the  main reception was actually another inn located nearby, which was where we went to check-in when we arrive.

The main reception building was also a traditional inn, but it was a lot bigger and houses the restaurant and reception here. There were also internal gardens as you made yourself to the dining area, and they were decorated so beautifully that I took a photos while waiting to check in. 

I like the narrow pathways inside the inn, and how the natural lights still shine in from above.

It was also decorated simply, yet tastefully.

After checking in, they gave us a rule book/guide book on the inn, and our keys, and we made our way to the inn just a road away. Above is what it looks like when you enter the main door. This is the common area, where you can sit and chat with your friends, and there is also a fridge here which we uses to store our cold drinks because it was so hot when we visited. We have to take off our shoes once we go up the small steps, so on the left is the shoe cabinet where you can keep your shoes. It was simple but nice. Out room is directly at the end of the pathway you see on top. 

Above is what our room looks like, and basically, that's it. No cabinet, no shelves, nothing. There is a toilet to the left when you enter, and where I took the photo graphs is basically where the door to enter is. We have to make our beds every night before we sleep, and roll it up after we wake up, so that we have enough space to move around. We can hang our clothes and tower at the bare minimum clothes hanger you see at the left side. And most of the time, i eat my snacks or breakfast at the small table you see on the right. But the room has a large window that looks out into a private indoor garden which lets the natural lights in, and it kinda makes everything ok after that. 

The garden is really small, but it's nice in the morning when the sun shines in, and at least there are some green view when you open the window. And since it's private, it was ok to leave the window open. But my husband refuses to keep the window open when we sleep at night, lol. Guess he reads/watched too much Japanese horror stories when he was young.

Since the inn used to be a traditional tea house, everything about it was traditional (except the toilet, thankfully). So the walls are very thin, and you can hear everything around you. So they really stress that you make as little noise as possible when you are staying here. There were also rules if you were even standing outside the building as the roads are narrow and houses are nearby each other. Try not to disturb the neighbours!

I really like the fact that although Japan is a crowded place, it is also a quiet place where people mostly try not to disturb each other. I don't get so stressed out here by people talking loudly on the phone, or watching movies on their phones, and playing loud music for everyone to hear on the bus. It's a nice change from Singapore. 

Lastly, here is the view every morning. I just like the angle of this photo cause it looks like I just woke up. I will write move about the areas around the inn for the next week blog entries before I start on the beautiful city of Kyoto. Stay tune!