Name: Kyoto Nanzenji Ryokan Yachiyo
Address: 34 Nanzenjifukuchi-Cho Sakyo-Ku, Kyoto, JP

8/10

Excellent

12 Jul 2026

gergely

Authentic experience with tatami sleep, baths and traditional breakfast. Beautiful gardens, great service. 20 minute walk to more central areas of Kyoto.
If you’re going for a few nights of authentic Japanese guesthouse experience- this is your spot. If you’re looking for a hotel where you can quietly read a book in your room in good a/c for a bit, you will find this one uncomfortable

Family_with_children

10/10

Exceptional

30 Jun 2026

Ruben

Amazing place service was spectacular.

Friends_and_family Family

10/10

Exceptional

31 May 2026

Alex

Old school appeal. Restaurant was amazing. In room bath was excellent!

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

17 May 2026

Keaton

We were assigned a second floor room. We were taken there via the stairs, but later learned there was an elevator that my bother and I (79 & 81 years-old) would use to avoid the risk of falling, made more likely by slippers that kept falling off.

Sleeping barely an inch or two above the floor made it a real challenge to get out of bed; you have been warned!

Note that there is no small refrigerator or microwave in the room. However, they will bring you ice.

They will walk with you to dinner, but you have to find your own way to the onsen (warm spring).

There are a couple of cafes across the street from the ryokan where you can have an inexpensive breakfast. However, the dinners in the ryokan were worth every penny!

Taxis to and from the ryokan are not expensive.

10/10

Exceptional

16 May 2026

Marco

Great place

10/10

Exceptional

20 Apr 2026

Anton

Yachiyo is a charming place with friendly staff and excellent restaraunt.

It is located in a very picturesque area of Kyoto and within walkable distance from metro.

Highly recommend.

Family_with_children

10/10

Exceptional

18 Apr 2026

Brett

The ryokan is very old, please try to enjoy your stay responsibly. The people running it are lovely, and very hospitable. Be sure to have a meal or two there and enjoy the garden, day and night both have great vibes.

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

05 Apr 2026

Tracy

Lovely room for our family of five. The kids had a fun time sleeping on the futon mats on the first floor. Steps away from the Nanzen-ji temple which we visited early in the morning for some peaceful time. The walk along the canal was also great during cherry blossom season.

Friends_and_family Family

10/10

Exceptional

04 Apr 2026

Christina

Our family loved staying here. It was in a lovely neighborhood, easily accessible by subway. Our own private onsen in the room was really great. The free sake tasting and soft serve ice cream was a nice touch. After a full day of walking, their massage chairs were welcoming.

We also had a chance to enjoy an authentic Japanese dinner in their restaurant that had a peaceful view of their garden. This stay was one of the best things about visiting Kyoto.

Friends_and_family Family

10/10

Exceptional

31 Mar 2026

Thomas

Beautiful seafood kaiseki dinner. Very nice staff. The traditional bedding was perfectly comfortable.

Friends_and_family Family

10/10

Exceptional

24 Mar 2026

Clarissa

We loved this experience. We opted for the dinner and breakfast option - eating overlooking a beautiful zen garden which we explored. Family loved the hospitality of the staff and the unique experience. From checking your shoes at the door to eating and sleeping on the floor - it felt truly authentic and something they had mastered over the years.

The area around it is also very beautiful- doing the philosopher’s walk and seeing the temples and then coming back to this place was magical.

Family_with_children

10/10

Exceptional

02 Mar 2026

Amy

Very friendly man that helped with all of our needs very clean, welcoming and peaceful!

Friends

10/10

Exceptional

22 Feb 2026

Stephen

Staff was great and the food was excellent!

Family_with_children

10/10

Exceptional

13 Feb 2026

Taylor

Room was clean staff was awesome and experience was authentic

Friends_and_family Friends

10/10

Exceptional

07 Feb 2026

Ki Up

Our stay was great. We had 11 family members including 5 kids. Staff member was really kind. Accommodate baggage check in before check in hours. I dropped off bags myself earlier while other members travel. Staff helped to carry and secure. Garden and dining were good a feeling of old Kyoto style. Only down side was the dinner that we reserved ahead as per email instructions (if not in advance, we wouldn’t secure spots. Makes sense that time as we have 11 members. Also location is a bit isolated from town). But Very pricy and realized there was another menu if we wouldn’t order ahead. Other than that, we recommend this place with five star.

10/10

Exceptional

10 Jan 2026

Morgan

Everything was so wonderful. Thos was my first time staying at a ryokan.

Self

10/10

Exceptional

27 Sep 2025

Kaitlin

Unique experience and great room with onsen.

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

15 Sep 2025

Cynthia

I absolutely loved this ryokan--it was the wonderful Japanese experience I hoped for--futons, slippers, kimonos, tatami mats!! The dining was exceptional--many unique, artistically presented small plates; overlooking a lovely garden; tatami mats at low tables (although there were other options). Although the immediate neighborhood was nothing special, it is just down the road from the south end of Philosopher's Walk. If you're looking for an authentic Japanese experience, this is it!! If you're looking for a modern, perfectly maintained and up-to-date hotel with Western beds and large bathrooms (the bathrooms are TINY) and amenities, this is not that. (There is a small couch in the room for those who get tired of sleeping and eating and sitting on the floor.)

Leisure Partner

10/10

Exceptional

14 Sep 2025

Logan

This property was an amazing sight to behold. My wife and I arrived later in the evening and the staff was friendly and accommodating during the entirety of our stay. The surrounding area and property itself is beautiful. My wife and I enjoyed our stay so much that we started discussing returning on a future visit to Japan. I would highly recommend this hotel to anyone staying in the area for a visit to Japan.

Leisure Partner

4/10

Poor

05 Aug 2025

Rustem

The hotel is not worth the money — the price is overrated. You feel more like you’re staying in someone’s private home than in a hotel, with constant oversight from the management. They are not very welcoming to children. The rooms are small, and I was charged three times the usual tax. On the positive side, the breakfasts are good, and the sauna is nice.

Leisure Family

10/10

Exceptional

29 Jul 2025

Karl

This hotel was amazing. It is old, but you feel like you are staying in a part of history. Everyone was very nice and the breakfast was amazing. We loved the true Japanese breakfast. We will stay at this hotel again when we go back to Kyoto. There is a wonderful pizza place around the corner as well.

Leisure Family

10/10

Exceptional

30 Jun 2025

Vannesa

Amazing beautiful accommodating will definitely book again

Leisure

8/10

Excellent

15 Jun 2025

Otto

we recently stayed here for 3 nights. the property is very close to nanzen-ji, in a charming area of kyoto, away from some of the very crowded tourist areas such as gion. the early morning walk to the nanzenji is one of the highlights of our stay in kyoto. it has a beautiful garden and very friendly staff. one thing i did not like is the bathroom in our room is really small and basic, reminds me of a company dormitory i once stayed in japan. overall it has been a very good experience.

10/10

Exceptional

10 Jun 2025

Andrea

Suite was lovely and the staff were so kind and helpful.

Leisure Partner

10/10

Exceptional

28 May 2025

Luis

Great traditional Japanese experience

Friends_and_family Friends

4/10

Poor

13 Apr 2025

Justin

I want to start with the positives, few as they are. The staff is very nice. The location of the hotel is in a very nice neighborhood. The breakfast room is nice and unique. But that's where the positives stop. The room and the hotel is extremely over priced for what they offer. The room is worth maybe $300/night. Not the $1,300/night we paid. You have no garden view as advertised. The room is very basic. No amenities to speak of. Breakfast was not included but they offered it as a compensation for the missing view. It was very simple and not very good. There is an onsen bath, but that's it. It's just an alright, simple hotel with little of the charm. You really do not get the Ryokan experience. There are many many other hotels in the area, that will give you a much better experience for 1/4 the price. Very disappointed.

Leisure Family

10/10

Exceptional

04 Apr 2025

Camilla Matias

Excellent service, location!

Incredible cherry blossom viewing!

Leisure Family_with_children

6/10

Pleasant

01 Apr 2025

Zoe

We paid for the most expensive room (a phrase I heard

10/10

Exceptional

27 Mar 2025

Randy

Property is timeless, next to a timeless temple, slept well, recommend the in-room onsen bath

Leisure Family

8/10

Excellent

20 Mar 2025

gene

We liked our stay but we didn't love it, considering the price we paid for our room. The breakfast was great.

Leisure Partner

10/10

Exceptional

18 Mar 2025

aaron

The property was beautiful and the staff was courteous and very gracious hosts. A gem within kyoto.

Leisure Friends

10/10

Exceptional

25 Feb 2025

Nicholas

Beautiful property with very kind staff!

10/10

Exceptional

23 Jan 2025

Hunter

This is a must if you plan on staying at Kyoto! Super easy to find and it a nice quiet part of Kyoto but not too far from the action. My wife and I got the room with an Onsen. But first I’d like to add that all the staff there are super friendly, attentive and very kind. Little Japanese is needed to stay here as the staff is very versed in English. Our room was so neat and clean and our onsen was amazing, we’ve used it quite often knowing we were only there for 2 days, also the food was amazing you’ll get a choice of either Japanese or western breakfast as well as a bunch of different dinner options but reserve in advance at least 3 days to lock in the type of food and time you wish to eat. Overall the experience was 10 out of 10 we will definitely be back the next time we go to Japan.

Leisure Partner

10/10

Exceptional

07 Jan 2025

Brian

Very tranquil and quiet property. Loved our stay and very friendly and helpful staff. Recommend booking the dinner option early as we did not and there weren’t any reservations left. We did book the breakfast. Would come back and stay for more than 1 night!

Leisure Partner

10/10

Exceptional

30 Dec 2024

Jeremy

Very special place to stay. The Ryokan is beautiful abd the people there are incredible and lovely. The food was delicious and the atmosphere, was stunning.

Friends_and_family Family

10/10

Exceptional

01 Dec 2024

Wang Toon

Spacious rooms and great dinning. Walking distance to Nanzenji temple, which has beautiful garden with amazing autumn colours.

Leisure Partner

10/10

Exceptional

24 Nov 2024

Ayman

Made me feel like a local and place had a stunning view

Leisure Friends

10/10

Exceptional

18 Nov 2024

Hannah

We had a wonderful time! The staff were kind and helpful. Our room was beautiful and the onsen was so relaxing. If you want an authentic and rejuvenating ryokan experience - this is the place!

Leisure Partner

6/10

Pleasant

12 Nov 2024

John

While the staff was very pleasant, this property looked as if it hadn't been improved for many years. The food was good and the location was very convenient for sightseeing.

Leisure Partner

10/10

Exceptional

11 Nov 2024

Brian

My first time at an ryokan. The food was great and filling, kind service, and the place looked lovely. Would recommend.

Friends_and_family Family

8/10

Excellent

06 Oct 2024

Bartholomew James

It's a lovely property. Mixture of traditional gardens and areas, some outdated areas, beautiful room. Dining area is stunning. Good Ryokan experience.

Leisure Partner

8/10

Excellent

20 Sep 2024

Joshua

The Ryokan is in a very beautiful location but it is a 10min walk in summer for public transport or cheaper eating options, so be prepared to budget in some taxi fares if you do indeed come in summer and don't handle the heat well.

Leisure Friends

10/10

Exceptional

03 Aug 2024

Robert

My vacation was almost ruined by me spraining my ankle while hiking to feed the monkeys. But the hotel staff here saved the day! They cleaned up my room even though I was bed ridden, they brought me an ice pack and towel for my foot, and they even did my laundry for me! I will remember this place forever. Besides that, I think staying at a Ryokan for a couple nights while visiting Japan is a cultural must.

Leisure Partner

10/10

Exceptional

02 Aug 2024

Boba

It's very beautiful and traditional. Really fun and the onsen can't be beat

Leisure Partner

10/10

Exceptional

20 Jul 2024

Ngai Yui

This beautiful ryokan came with a strong traditional Japanese vibe from the entrance garden to the room. The staff were very friendly and helpful during my stay.

The room was spacious, tidy and clean. There was a smart tv providing in-room entertainment (YouTube, Netflix, etc.) Also, the view was great and it felt like you were in the middle of a garden.

The price included a dinner and a breakfast - you may need to be aware of the email from the ryokan before your stay coz you needed to inform them which dinner meal you would like to have (around 3 days in advance), otherwise you would miss the dinner like me. However, there were some decent dining places around.

The breakfast was nice in terms of food variety, taste and plating. You could enjoy the garden view too.

It’s located opposite to the Blue Bottle cafe which was another place worth your visit. Other attractions like Nanzhenji, museum, shops were in walking distance.

Overall, it’s a very pleasant experience.

Leisure Self

8/10

Excellent

19 Jun 2024

Hasan

Room was excellent however the overall condition was less than satisfactory.

Leisure Family

10/10

Exceptional

05 May 2024

Ibrahim

This is a traditional ryokan, and my second stay. First time was back in 2016 by myself. This time came here to stay with my wife. Bery friendly staff. I had a much better experience first time around, two ladies came and showed me how to change into a yukata and prepared my bed. Everything was more personal, this time they were a little busy. Too many guests. Still amazing experience. You can reserve the onsen for yourself privately. The dinner experience is a little expensive but worth it.

Leisure Partner

10/10

Exceptional

20 Apr 2024

Jaylee

Super nice staff and their ice cream is super good

Leisure Family

10/10

Exceptional

19 Apr 2024

Verified traveler

Wish We Could Have Stayed Longer

The room was exactly as pictured. The staff was friendly. The shower was fully stocked. It was near a train station. The neighborhood was quiet. The hotel was near many sites.

The only downside was we were kicked from the wifi. That was less of downside and more of a thing that happened.

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

14 Apr 2024

Scott

We (2 adult/2child) stayed here for our couole quick days in Kyoto. Easy access from Keage st and walkable especially to the eastern Kyoto highlights.

Staff was great and gave us good recommendations for food options and was always very helpful. Garden is beautiful.

Highly recommend. We unfortunately didnt use the Onsen or the on site dining just due to us being out in Kyoto in our limited time in the city but it all looked great!

Kids loved the free ice cream and adults appreciated the coffee.

Leisure Family_with_children

10/10

Exceptional

12 Apr 2024

Nancy

This is a real traditional ryokan, with very personal service, delicious Japanese food, a beautiful garden. The location is hard to beat. I definitely plan to return in the future.

Leisure Self

10/10

Exceptional

10 Apr 2024

Christine

.

Leisure Family

10/10

Exceptional

03 Apr 2024

Joseph

Staff is really nice and room is beautiful

Leisure Friends

10/10

Exceptional

18 Mar 2024

Tammy

Our room was absolutely beautiful, very traditional, and the private bathroom was amazing. Would definitely book again if given the opportunity to come back!

Leisure Partner

10/10

Exceptional

16 Mar 2024

Aliyah

My fiancé and I loved our stay at this hotel. When planning this trip, we thought it would be fun to stay at a Ryokan and immerse ourselves in the culture. The hotel was lovely and the staff were very greeting and kind. Sleeping on the mats was a bit of an adjustment, but we were happy to experience it once. The best thing about this hotel is that you can sign up for a private onsen slot and experience bathing in a bathhouse. I highly recommend taking advantage of this offer, especially after a long day of walking and some relaxation is much needed. Overall, would recommend this place and would love to visit again.

Leisure Partner

10/10

Exceptional

13 Mar 2024

Abigail

Comfortable, clean, elegant. Reservation comes with spectacular, delicious Japanese dinner and breakfast, private onsen bath. Adjacent to Nanzenji Temple complex, short walk to Philosophers Path. Blue Bottle cafe across the road. Kind and responsive staff.

Leisure Family

8/10

Excellent

11 Mar 2024

Jessica

Amazing private onsen and japanese styled breakfast - best I had so far! A few hiccups would be the front staff (not as friendly, depending on who you talk to), cleanliness (my futon had a stain on the first night), and the limited entertainment in the area (quite far from the main area in Kyoto). Regardless, it was a pleasurable experience and I would definitely recommend if you are a fan of hot baths!

Leisure Partner

8/10

Excellent

17 Feb 2024

Jayne

Beautiful grounds.

Leisure Family

8/10

Excellent

17 Feb 2024

Jayne

All the staff were very kind and friendly.

Leisure Family

10/10

Exceptional

03 Jan 2024

Dennis

Amazing historic property. As traditional Japanese as you can get. Staff are great. I would caution one thing for US travelers - the traditional cuisine they serve is fish heavy. No US breakfast option. We knew this and had our 2 boys (13,11) with us - so we knew what to expect. Just take that into consideration. The property is beautiful. If you are looking for the authentic Ryokan experience- this is it.

Leisure Family

10/10

Exceptional

01 Dec 2023

Jiksu

It was very nice location and excellent food.

Leisure

10/10

Exceptional

02 Nov 2023

irina

superb!

Business Friends

10/10

Exceptional

25 Oct 2023

Jeffrey

First time experiencing a Ryoken, we got one of the larger rooms and it was very spacious and quiet. Dinner was provided with delicious food and excellent service. This is definitely a very special experience especially when everything in this world is so modernized.

Leisure Partner

10/10

Exceptional

21 Oct 2023

Xu

Historic, Japanese experience

Some of these reviews would have you think that this is the worst ryokan in Kyoto. If you are looking for modern and renovated accommodations, this is not for you. Yes, the property is dated. Yes, the floor and walls have stains. Yes, the bathroom is small like those on a cruise ship or trailer. But the staff are friendly (especially the front desk and restaurant staff), the yudofu/tofu breakfast is delicious, and the baths can be privately reserved which is not common. It is a little pricy given its location away from the center of Kyoto, but my family thoroughly enjoyed our stay. If you’re looking for a traditional, Japanese atmosphere and are not picky about modern furnishings and spotlessness, give this place a try. It may not be exceptional in every way, but the food, baths, and service are pretty great.

Friends_and_family Family

10/10

Exceptional

17 Oct 2023

Jonathan

Very nice accommodations and the staff are incredibly friendly and kind. They were always willing to help out with calling cabs for us and the restaurant inside the ryokan is very good.

10/10

Exceptional

03 Oct 2023

Jack

Great Ryokan with amazing staff and good food.

Leisure Self

10/10

Exceptional

29 Sep 2023

William

You will like this property if you want a very traditional style ryokan. If you like modern amenities then this property is not for you. This is a proper classic ryokan with traditional meals.

4/10

Poor

23 Aug 2023

Noe

Could have been better

The reception was great. However, I was expecting more traditional ambiance. Also, they lost my Disney umbrella on the day of my check out.

Friends_and_family Family

10/10

Exceptional

17 Aug 2023

Sarah

Traditional Ryokan with modern facilities .situated in a Quiet neighborhood , a short taxi or Uber ride away from center of town. (There is a metro 6 mins walk away but which we did not use ). We stayed in a renovated 2 floor Japanese Style Sauna Suite YUGIRI (Maisonette Room) GUEST ROOM IN \"HONKAN\" MAIN BUILDING . There was a Lovely view of the garden from the room . Lower level had bathroom with sauna / shower . Upper level has its own bathroom .
There is also an included well Maintained onsen on site which is let out to guests for 45 mins . Coffee tea and ice cream available 24/7 in common area. Can have breakfast and dinner for additional fee. Staff were very polite , accomodating and welcoming . Highly recommended.

Leisure Family

2/10

Poor

25 Jun 2023

JULIETTE

Beware to those who have health reactions to mold. Dangerous black mold.

Leisure Family

10/10

Exceptional

24 Jun 2023

Christina

We stayed here for one night as a family. Our 3 kids ages 11, 14, and 16 all considered it a highlight of the trip. The staff were so friendly and helpful and the whole experience was very charming.

Leisure Family

10/10

Exceptional

18 Jun 2023

Ching Ching

The room is spacious , sheets were fresh daily. My daughter and I especially loved the garden next to the restaurant. Took many pics.
The kaiseki dinner was not memorable as we could not appreciate the ingredients used. They did not have an English menu. It didn’t feel special like any fine dining experience as the courses came too quickly before we could even complete one course , the next 2 appears.
It would have been better if the waitress are taught the
.

10/10

Exceptional

05 Mar 2023

Verified traveler

One Night Ryokan Stay

My friend and I were visiting Kyoto for the first time, and we really wanted to give the ryokan experience a try! We were blown away by how beautiful the property and room were. We booked a room with a private bath, and we had a beautiful view of the garden while we soaked. The water was continously heated so there was no need to add water mid-soak. The dinner experience was fantastic and full of variety. We loved our stay with Yachiyo very much and would love to visit again!

Friends_and_family Friends

10/10

Exceptional

21 Mar 2020

Gavin

What a bath!

The ground floor garden view room with private bath was a once in a lifetime experience - the rooms were beautiful and the outlook lovely but the massive round wooden bath took first prize!

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

31 Jan 2020

Verified traveler

Kyoto Nanzenji Ryokan Yachiyo was an extraordinary travel experience. The Ryokan's gardens and dining room are exquisite and the rooms are 100% ryokan with futons on a lovely tatami mat room. The staff could not be more welcoming or helpful -- and their English was excellent, unlike my Japanese. Lastly, the location is beautiful -- just down the street from the stunning Nanzen-ji Temple and gardens. Oh, and the restaurant was fabulous, too!

Business_and_leisure Friends

8/10

Excellent

10 Dec 2019

Verified traveler

The service here is very good - everyone spoke English to a comfortable level and hospitality was very traditional. The room was a bit small for the price ($1200 for a studio) and felt that it faced a pretty busy road. Food was very good, but the dining room is big and there were lots of events happening across the property - felt like a large venue, not an intimate inn. Private in-room bath was very nice, though the water was honestly too hot to fully submerge in. If I only had access to the public bath, I would not have been as pleased with the experience. Overall, I would probably stay at a different ryokan next time in Kyoto due to preference for a more serene environment.

Friends_and_family Friends

4/10

Poor

30 Aug 2019

Verified traveler

After staying in various hotels for two weeks, we were so excited to stay at an authentic ryokan to close out our Asia trip. This place was disappointing. Checking in, the staff was really nice- confirmed all of our information and reservations for breakfast the next day and dinner that night. Since there was so much hype around the Yachiyo restaurant attached to the Ryokan- we ordered two Standard meals for 9932 yen (about $100/each) to enhance the experience. However, our room attendant didn’t show us how to wear the provided Yukatas (we googled) or the tea service. The Ryokan is badly out dated and smells of mold with stains on the carpets, rugs and fabric hanging everywhere. The room was clean though and we enjoyed the Onsen- small but relaxing. The Standard dinner was overrated - not worth the $ in my opinion. It was 8 courses with us not knowing what it was most of the time. It was fish-based. The icing on the cake of the horrible dinner was the flying cockroach that flew in at the end of the meal to greet us and two other tables - of which the servers did nothing about. We ordered a western style breakfast the next day which I thought was pretty good. During breakfast, they went into our room and removed our sleeping mats and moved furniture. Overall, this place was so disappointing. I hate leaving a negative review because I am not a picky traveler, but this was not worth the $333+ for the room we paid at all.

Leisure Friends

2/10

Poor

15 Apr 2019

Verified traveler

Old and tired hotel

The hotel is old and very dirty. Our room had view to a wall and the common areas were not inviting. Breakfast was the only positive thing as service was very nice. The rest is not worth it, specially for the price.

Partner

8/10

Excellent

14 Apr 2019

Steve

First ryokan stay..

Everything was good, minimalist as expected and wanted.
Negatives, being phoned twice to make sure we checked out on time. Once at 10-40 and then at 10-55, unnecessary.

10/10

Exceptional

03 Apr 2019

Verified traveler

nice

Amazing . Got the best room maybe. good location . a private big tub . The common bath area is not big . garden beautiful , the dining area also nice looking at the garden

10/10

Exceptional

31 Mar 2019

Verified traveler

Very beautiful; excellent location near temple ; elegant serene gardens

Leisure Family

8/10

Excellent

13 Mar 2019

Verified traveler

Ambience was excellent traditional what I wanted - room was large efficiently cleaned - nice amenities- escorted u to diner
Overall lovely
A bit of a walk to subway futon sleeping is a bit difficult on the body asked for a thicker or padding but it’s just futons

10/10

Exceptional

14 Oct 2018

Verified traveler

The grounds are beautiful and the restaurant is amazing. Make sure to make reservations for breakfast, it is worth it!

Friends

10/10

Exceptional

20 Jun 2018

Eugenio

Lovely traditional japanese ryokan

This hotel is a gem, the personnel is really amazing! And if you are looking for something traditional, you should definitely stay here. Once you arrive you feel like back in time; the personnel receive you with a cup of hot tea, and they explain you everything about the hotel and show you around. The rooms are Japanese traditional with the tatami floor and an amazing view of their gardens, the shower is all woody and cozy. You should defend stay in this ryokan.

Partner

4/10

Poor

09 Apr 2018

Verified traveler

Great location & staff - may not pass inspection!

While the location, staff, and food were terrific, the facility had some obvious flaws and was in desperate need of an upgrade and deep clean. The onsen resembled a cesspool of luke warm grey water versus a steamy natural hot spring. The carpet in the central refreshment area looked as if someone’s water broke in the middle of the floor. The filtered water tasted like earwax and had a surrounding rust patch on the carpet. We found it ironic that we needed to change slippers in every section/room of the hotel yet they couldn’t clean the carpet. In the relaxation area, the massage chairs resembled either medieval torture devices or 70’s sex gadgets that may not make you feel entirely comfortable. We received welcome toiletry kits in our room, which was nice; however, one of the shampoo bottles was empty and the kit was missing other pieces, which led us to believe that the kit had already been used...a bit creepy. That said, the staff was lovely and the food delicious and authentic. The restaurant overlooked a lovely garden and koi pond. While we had a good stay, we were disappointed that the facility was in such a shabby state for the price we paid.

6/10

Pleasant

31 Oct 2017

Richard

Fantastic location and concept. The staff service was flawless and polite. However, you only get the check in at 4 and out by 10 am?! They cannot even wait to kick you out when after breakfast, they are already packed the beds. And to sum it up , the place feels .... yes, two words to describe it. Charmingly Stale. To their credit, the Breakfast is not to be missed.

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

28 Oct 2017

rhoda

Great Stay! Really love that my husband and I could experience the culture of Japan during our stay. The Japanese dinner and breakfast were delicious! I would definitely recommend this hotel. Quite but also not far from Gion by bus.

8/10

Excellent

08 Oct 2017

Ron

\nLarge tatami room with private toilet

Clean, spacious, Japanese style room with private toilet and shower. But the most memorable of this Ryokan is the huge indoor and outdoor soaking tub. Soaking tub is available for morning and night time relaxation. Quiet neighborhood, convenient to subway and to one of Kyoto's major sites Nanzen Ji temple and garden.
Ryokan's traditional Japanese style restaurant is a bit pricey, but very good, pass on the breakfest. It is a bit removed from Kyoto's other major tourist neighborhoods. We needed a double futon for a comfortable sleep. No in room refrigerator
Convenient stores and alternate restaurants are a short/moderate walk away.

8/10

Excellent

06 Oct 2017

Sxiani

- nice traditional family Japanese hotel.
- some really nice tradional Japanese restaurant across the hotel.

8/10

Excellent

29 Aug 2017

Tya

Nice hotel close to a train line.

I was very excited to stay in a tradition Japanese Inn. The service was awesome, the food was great, and the room was gorgeous. We had the garden view room, and particularly at night it was a very nice view. The only concern we had was that the air conditioning wasn't great; the room took a while to cool down after a long day. That being said, definitely a great place if you want to try the traditional Japanese ryokan!

Partner

4/10

Poor

24 Jul 2017

Verified traveler

More of an Inn than a Hotel - Room details unclear on site - Staff a bit grumpy at Breakfast Very expensive for what you get Old fashioned decor

Family

8/10

Excellent

23 Jun 2017

Sik Fung

Will go back

Newly renovated no.19 room is wonderful!! However 1 breakfast staff a bit impatient and without smiling face. But other staff are quite helpful and sweet. The environment and location is good as well so will definitely go back one day.

Family

6/10

Pleasant

21 May 2017

Verified traveler

Poor value

Pro: location in the east side of town, nice traditional feel, nice garden adjacent to the dining room

Con: poor value for the money, facilities are aging, when I asked staff for restaurant recommendations, they just replied \"we have food,\"

6/10

Pleasant

25 Mar 2017

Verified traveler

Pricey

Traditional style Ryokan about 5 mins walk from Kaege Station. For the price (US$750) I expected a lot more in terms of service and food. The room itself was spacious and I would definitely choose the one with a private bath.

Partner

8/10

Excellent

14 Mar 2017

Sue

Great Japanese style inn (ryokan)-kids enjoyed too

This ryokan is a great Japanese-style inn. Rooms and futons were comfortable. Japanese bath (ofuro) was basic, but nice. Although there were many other guests, we never heard any noise and we never saw anyone else in the ofuro bath. My kids loved it so much they went morning and night the 2 nights we were there! Food was OK, but if you need food accommodations, make sure to make it clear. The Japanese-style vegetarian breakfast contained fish broth. Location convenient to Nanzenji temple.

8/10

Excellent

19 Feb 2017

Michael

Authentic Japanese Ryokan experience

Your paying for the experience. My family of four really enjoyed the full Japanese Ryokan experience. The meals were wonderful. The staff was extremely welcoming and attentive. The baths were also much appreciated after long days visiting the local temples. Finally the location was immediately along the main path past many of the most notable local temples.

10/10

Exceptional

03 Jan 2017

Verified traveler

Amazing

Family

10/10

Exceptional

26 Dec 2016

Fui Chong

Good ryokan experience in Kyoto

Ryokan surround by beautiful garden and pond, if you are looking for a place to have ryokan experience this is it! Super comfy futon bed and soft tatami, but one thing that i doesnt like about the ryokan is they don't have toilet seat heater so you have to kind of bare it especially when it comes to the winter weather. The staffs are also very friendly and speak english well. Their keiseki dinner is very delicious and not to be missed! Good location for a short stay in Kyoto!

10/10

Exceptional

17 Dec 2016

calicofey

Amazing traditional ryokan in Kyoto

My husband and I booked one night here and would have stayed longer had they had any more availability. The hotel staff were extremely welcoming, friendly, and accommodating. We purchased the traditional dinner and breakfast and couldn't have been more pleased. It was one of the best meals we had while visiting Japan. Wish we could have stayed longer.

8/10

Excellent

12 Oct 2016

wing kee

Nice simple Ryokan

This ryokan is very close to Nanzenji so it is quite easy to find. It's very close to Keage subway but the bus stop (no.5) is not too close to the ryokan. Overall I had a pleasant stay but I found a few service deficiencies which did not correspond to the price paid for example hotel staff were unaware half board included breakfast, I was told I needed to take dinner at the restaurant despite sending an email to request to dine in the room and receiving confirmation of my request - it was subsequently agreed we could take dinner in the room. However I felt that the staff subsequently made it very obvious they felt it was an inconvenience by repeating asking if I would take dinner at the restaurant and also huffing and puffing when i reiterated my request. I found this service quite unprofessional especially given I had pre- requested and also received confirmation from the ryokan in advance. On the positive the ryokan has a nice hot bath ( note not onsen) to relieve tired legs and the Japanese breakfast was very abundant. The kaiseki dinner was fairly good but nothing spectacular. The ryokan in general looks a bit worn and tired but the amenities in general are fair and we slept comfortably that night. Other than the dinner misunderstanding the staff were generally very polite and nice.

Family