See & Do
Experience Traditional Culture in a Residence that Hosted Various Dignitaries for Over a Century
See & Do
Experience Traditional Culture in a Residence that Hosted Various Dignitaries for Over a Century
Chourakukan
A Retro Western-style Building Designated as a National Important Cultural Property
Designed by James McDonald Gardiner, the building incorporates a broad range of architectural styles from Renaissance, Rococo, Art Nouveau and Chinese to Japanese Shoin-zukuri residential architecture.
Now more than a century later, Chourakukan is a hotel, café and restaurant popular with visitors who come to stay or enjoy afternoon tea or French cuisine in retro Western-style surrounds.
In December 2024, the building and 51 pieces of furniture were designated as National Important Cultural Properties due to the superb condition in which they are preserved and architectural elements that demonstrate Gardiner’s mastery of his craft.

Kyoto Cultural Experiences in the Unique Onari-no-Ma Usually Closed to the Public
The experience began with a talk about the history of the game and tips on how to throw a fan by Rie Ohnishi, the fourth generation of traditional Kyoto fan shop Ohnishi Tsune Shoten. Participants then broke off into groups to play fan-throwing with maiko from Gion Higashi, one of Kyoto’s five traditional entertainment quarters. This was followed by a dance performance by the maiko, and finally tea at the Chourakukan café.
The second installment in the program is “Tea house games experience.” After touring Chourakukan, participants play parlor games and enjoy exclusive use of Library Bar Madeira (usually only open to staying guests) to chat and take photos with maiko and geisha. (Please note that the fan-tossing experience is not currently offered. The tea house games experience is available from Mon, 24 February to Sat, 31 May 2025 with places for one group per day.)

Unique Limited-Time Experiences
Chourakukan
Address:
604 Maruyama-cho, Yasaka Toriimae higashi-iru, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto
Official website:
https://chourakukan.co.jp/en/