A Day in Khaki Muromachi

by Grandy Home Desingn


Annie Le’s Kyoto guest house collection is named A Day in Khaki, inspired, she says, for the beguilingly tranquil colors of the city. Her focus is on giving visitors a chance to immerse in the history of Kyoto by staying in century-plus-old structures. The first “Khaki” location is in a restored machiya, an antique wooden townhouse near Nijo Castle: we recently spotlighted it in our Design Travel Tour of Artful Hotels in Tokyo and Kyoto.

Today, we’re dropping in on Annie’s new location, A Day in Khaki Muromachi,, within walking distance of Kyoto’s Imperial Palace. Set in a storied old silk factory with courtyards and the original owner’s dwelling in front, the compound was given a thoughtful remodel by Takato Yochida and his team at Ikken architecture. His mandate was to celebrate the original setting while making it a wonderful year-round place to hang your hat. Let’s take a look.

Photography by Kevin Ho, courtesy of A Day in Khaki, unless noted.

to find a day in khaki muromachi, look for the pine tree rising from the front 9
Above: To find A Day in Khaki Muromachi, look for the pine tree rising from the front courtyard. The historic compound is sandwiched between modern apartments buildings and its pine is what Annie says first stopped her in her tracks: “the tree stands tall amid its neighbors. In Japan, pine trees symbolize longevity and endurance.”

the front and back buildings are divided by a courtyard brought back to life by 10
Above: The front and back buildings are divided by a courtyard brought back to life by gardener Daisuke Narui of Kyouniwa Narui. It has another pine as its centerpiece and, Annie, says, draws on the Japanese concept of shichūnosankyo, urban mountain living. Guests can rent the whole complex—it sleeps 10—or its two halves.



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