Matsubaya Ryokan

10/10

Exceptional

29 Jan 2026

Anderson

The staff was very friendly and the room was clean!

10/10

Exceptional

28 Jan 2026

Shubham

clean room, very well maintained property, very friendly helpful staff, staff also knew good english so it was very easy to get suggestions for getting recommendations from hotel staff. overall very good experience

Leisure Self

10/10

Exceptional

26 Nov 2025

Claudia C

it was worth it to see. loved that it was different and had the japanese cultural element. building was not traditional but i was won over by the breakfast staff and robes. near to every where

Leisure Family

10/10

Exceptional

12 Nov 2025

john

Clean room, pleasant staff, great breakfast, good location. Everything about our stay was good. You should be proud of your hotel.

Friends_and_family Friends

10/10

Exceptional

24 Jul 2025

Brett

Great.

Leisure

10/10

Exceptional

26 Jun 2025

The

Staff was excellent and very caring. They went the extra mile and helped us a lot. People working at the property were super nice and great. Breakfast was fantastic. Very quiet and easy to find. Very near many places to shop and eat. Easy access to Kyoto station but if you have luggage it's slightly farther than you would think, without luggage very quick access. Beautiful temple across the street.

Leisure Family

6/10

Pleasant

06 May 2025

Xiaohong

It’s Japanese style bed. Shared shower. Staff are friendly.

Leisure

10/10

Exceptional

18 Apr 2025

Kadiza

Loved that we experienced this. Clean small room, provided us with nightwear and mattress and blankets to sleep on the floor. Station is 8 mine away connecting to tourists sites bamboo forest. Hotel is next to a beautiful temple and is 15mins away from Kyoto station.

Leisure Friends

10/10

Exceptional

28 Mar 2025

Gregory

The hosts were friendly and the property was clean.

Leisure Family

10/10

Exceptional

18 Feb 2025

Ethan

Quiet and peaceful

Leisure Partner

10/10

Exceptional

21 Oct 2024

Aprilyn

Especially loved the whole experience of staying in a traditional Japanese inns.

Leisure Self

6/10

Pleasant

04 Sep 2024

Alexandra

Great staff, but ryokan is definitely no frills. Any of the traditional accommodations (onsen, breakfast) are additional fees. Massage was great.

Leisure Friends

8/10

Excellent

19 Aug 2024

Jean

It was a very nice ryokan in a residential area, walkable to the Kyoto Station. The only complaint was the AC in the room was not strong enough and the room was kinda stuffy and warm with the 3 of us.

Leisure Family

10/10

Exceptional

03 Aug 2024

Clifford

As far as price for what you get, this Ryokan offers incredible hospitality and service for a fraction of the price of some the pricier Ryokan around town. You can rent a private onsen for a mere ¥1000 per hour, a nice reprieve after a day out and about on your feet. With breakfast included, this location should be well consideree for your Japanese Ryokan experience. Thank you from my wife and I.

Leisure Partner

10/10

Exceptional

24 Jul 2024

Lineker

Great Ryokan experience. I’ve stayed in my fair share of Ryokans and this offers that experience with a western flair.

Each room has private bathrooms but there is a private onsen bath on location you can reserve.

We stayed in a more traditional room which had a tatami room with futon beds.

It’s a good compromise if you’re not ready to be in a shared onsen!

Leisure Partner

10/10

Exceptional

24 Jul 2024

KATHERINE

Walkable.

Leisure Family

10/10

Exceptional

16 Jun 2024

Catherine

I was really looking forward to staying at an authentic Ryokan and it didn't disappoint. I would definitely recommend this property

Leisure Self

10/10

Exceptional

27 May 2024

Sue

Great experience to stay in a traditional ryokan in Kyoto with tatami mats, yukata (that you can wear) and Japanese traditional breakfast! Also very convenient to Kyoto station and staff were very friendly.

Leisure Self

10/10

Exceptional

05 Dec 2023

James

The staff were very friendly and the room had a nice garden view. The location was nice, about a 10 minute walk from Kyoto station, making it easy to get to all sides of town and see the major sights.

Leisure Partner

8/10

Excellent

06 Nov 2023

Salome

Matsubaya Ryokan is a 15-minute walk from Kyoto Station where many food options are available. There is a convenience store in between. We split our time in Kyoto between this ryokan and a modern hotel near Kyoto Station. The modern hotel was wonderful, however, it will in time be blended in with all the other wonderful hotels we've stayed at, while it's unlikely we'll forget the traditional Japanese experience we got at the ryokan. We had a deluxe room with garden view. It was clean and had everything we needed. The futon beds were very comfortable. The only issue we had was that we couldn't turn off the lights at night while keeping the air-conditioning on at the same time. We opted for a Japanese breakfast - booking ahead of time is a must - and we really enjoyed it (we even learned from our host the correct way to eat the rice, namely, wrapping it in the seaweed wraps provided). In short, we recommend this ryokan if you're looking for a traditional Japanese experience in a reasonably-priced ryokan.

Leisure

10/10

Exceptional

07 Sep 2023

Ali

I really enjoyed the friendliness of the staff. Thank you!

Leisure Self

10/10

Exceptional

25 May 2023

Ming-Hsiang

Very Friendly.

Leisure Family

10/10

Exceptional

10 May 2023

Benjamin

I only stayed a short period of time, but it’s a nice little property that’s a short distance from the station

Leisure Self

10/10

Exceptional

05 Mar 2023

Dianna

Cozy Japanese style rooms with table, futons, water kettle, fridge, Yukata. Excellent host - super warm, welcoming and helpful. Friendly staff. This Ryokan is very convenient to Gion and the Kyoto Station. Bathroom is not large but it's not too small either.

Leisure Partner

10/10

Exceptional

19 Feb 2020

Denise

The property and service was lovely. The private bath was very relaxing.

Friends_and_family Family

10/10

Exceptional

16 Jan 2020

Verified traveler

Location to the train station my second time saying here

Leisure Family

8/10

Excellent

01 Nov 2019

Verified traveler

Excellent and kind staff. Even helped us order food in the rain.

Only complaint is that the bathrooms are a bit cramped.

Leisure Friends

10/10

Exceptional

20 Oct 2019

Jo

Very quaint, old world style. Clean, well located.

Leisure Family

10/10

Exceptional

11 Oct 2019

Verified traveler

We stayed here 15 years ago, although the building has been renovated it still retains the charm of a Ryokan.

Leisure

10/10

Exceptional

22 Jul 2019

Tim

I had the pleasure of staying at Matsubaya with my class a week and a half before my stay with my wife and both times were a true pleasure. The staff there is phenomenal and quite kind. I will definitely return the next time I find myself in the Kansai area.

Leisure Friends

8/10

Excellent

21 May 2019

Carmen

Part Traditional

Great stay but rooms modern and renovated not Ryokan however traditional breakfast was excellent! Staff great, location a little confusing but original old area

8/10

Excellent

22 Apr 2019

Verified traveler

The tatami room had a strong smell bcoz of the bamboo mats... so you might need to keep the window open all day.. not recommended if you stay during winter or summer coz u can't open window all day... the ryokan said to be opened in 2016 but everything inside is old style... the tv is like the size of my android tablet ... and toilet is old style as well..lol... but overall was ok if you want to try out Japanese ryokan.

Leisure Self

10/10

Exceptional

03 Apr 2019

Verified traveler

The Japanese breakfast was great! The staff was welcoming.

Leisure Family

10/10

Exceptional

06 Mar 2019

Chang Xian

Exceptional service

Wonderful showcase of Japanese service. We were given a welcome tour of the hotel and when we came back to check in, they had moved our luggage into the room. Also, guests who do not have their rooms cleaned receive a free gift. One downside is that the room walls are thin.

Partner

8/10

Excellent

18 Jan 2019

Laura

Decent place to stay

Lovely staff, decent English, and helped me when I was sick. Rooms felt like apartments rather than a ryokan.

8/10

Excellent

12 Nov 2018

Susan

Convenient, clean, quiet, efficient. Balcony a nice touch. Easy to find from train station.

10/10

Exceptional

10 Oct 2018

Jade

Great hotel apartment

Amazing rooms all u could ever need! Able to cook noodles and wash and dry our cloths and all.

Friends

8/10

Excellent

05 Jul 2018

Benjamin

Stay in Japanese style room

Stayed in the Japanese style room. The room was large enough for us. It was a 10 minute walk to get to the subway area. Some members of staff were more helpful than others, but good overall.

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

28 Apr 2018

Dawn

A lovely small ryokan

Members of staff are all very friendly and eager to help. The ryokan's location is also very convenient for any activity. The roomis comfy and quiet. Highly recommendable.

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

27 Apr 2018

Verified traveler

Great location and extremely helpful staff

Great location, close to train station and attractions but on a very quiet street. Very friendly and helpful staff going out of their ways to help us. Japanese style room and very comfortable. Great Japanese breakfast

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

10 Apr 2018

Christian

Great hotel with helpful and friendly staff. I stayed in a Japanese style room which was comfortable, compact, and had all that we needed.

Friends

10/10

Exceptional

01 Dec 2017

Michael

Comfortable stay for family

Modern new tatami style room with small kitchen. Suitable size for 2 adult 2 young children. Only 1 washing machine, 1 dryer. Small TV. Wifi unreliable and slow during peak, otherwise good speed. Close to train station

Family

10/10

Exceptional

27 Nov 2017

Michael

Great place, great location!

We love the Japanese room for our stay. Very comfortable and unique experience. Would recommend it.

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

25 Sep 2017

Gerry

Excellent hotel, clean, practical and comfortable.

Can't put it better than the title, super staff and just a ten minute walk from the railway station.. Breakfast extra but good. All round a terrific place to stay.

6/10

Pleasant

17 Aug 2017

oc

Good hotel near Kyoto station

The hotel was clean and the staff were friendly and helpful. We stayed in a western room which was somewhat outdated but spacious.

10/10

Exceptional

02 Aug 2017

Anne

Fabulous tradition ryoken with great staff

Amazing traditional ryoken in great, convenient and interesting neighborhood. Staff give excellent advice for sightseeing and restaurants. Absolutely great experience. Perfect place to stay for experiencing Kyoto.

Family

8/10

Excellent

04 Jun 2017

Verified traveler

cozy and comfortable

friendly staff and clean. Great way top experience a ryokan in japan

8/10

Excellent

18 May 2017

Japan vacation

Good location and very courteous staff

The location is about 10 minutes walk from Kyoto station and 2 minutes from Higashi Honganji temple. The staff is very courteous. Japanese breakfast is the best bargain. There are eggs, salmon, vegetables, soup, and assorted pickle dishes which change daily. The room is relatively small but clean. Hot water kettle, tea pot, and green tea bags are provided. Building insulation is not good.

10/10

Exceptional

06 Apr 2017

Verified traveler

Friendly, almost traditional ryokan. Clean!

Very friendly staff. Clean everywhere you go. Since I got the type E room, it was small, but enough for one person. Only complaint is that the wall was not sound proof and could hear person next door when person was on the phone. Stayed 3 nights, and they cleaned my room every morning after I left for the day. Ryokan was about a kilometer away from Kyoto station. Just walk.

8/10

Excellent

03 Apr 2017

Morgan

Traditional Japanese experience

You won't get luxury but you will be looked after by the friendly, welcoming staff at this small, local ryokan. The rooms are small with traditional futons and yukata provided for sleeping. They are adorned with traditional Japanese artwork to add to the overall experience.

It's close to Kyoto station (~8 minutes walk), Higashi-Honganji (<5 minutes) and many other destinations are within 30 minutes walking distance.

They offer a great looking Japanese breakfast, which you need to order the night before, in a pleasant lounge. Eating in the hotel is advisable as many places don't tend to open early in the local area.

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

02 Apr 2017

Siew Thin

A cosy and convenient place

Owner was super friendly and helpful. It was a very pleasant stay.

Family

10/10

Exceptional

25 Mar 2017

Ashley

Great location, convenient but quiet

This was a great place to stay in Kyoto! The hotel is an easy walk from Kyoto station making it super convenient not only to arriving, but also for getting around and exploring the city while you're there. And it's on a safe and quiet side street, which was really nice.

The staff were all so friendly and helpful, they were great! Their English was some of the best I encountered on the trip so there were no communication errors. We stayed in a Western-style room and the beds were comfortable and the room was very clean. There is a Western-style breakfast too that was cheap (not the best quality, but when all you want is eggs and toast after a week of Japanese breakfasts, it hits the spot).

Highly recommended!

10/10

Exceptional

20 Feb 2017

yuxuan

Best place I've stayed in

The staffs here are so kind. They make me feel at home.When i went back,the gentleman still sees me outside in the cold weather.The room is so comfortable I slept like a baby.Thank you and I will stay here again:)

10/10

Exceptional

15 Dec 2016

Irfan

Simple & Friendly traditional Inn.

It's was nice, located in very quiet neighborhood with food and shops nearby; the room is small but the futon & the shared bathroom is very clean. the optional breakfast is very good.

10/10

Exceptional

05 Dec 2016

Verified traveler

Nice hotel walking distance to Kyoto Station

We loved our stay at Matsubaya Ryokan! Location was key for us since we intended to travel by train quite a bit during our stay in Kyoto. So we picked a hotel that is walking distance to Kyoto Station. Aside from the good location however, we were pleasantly surprised by the size of the western room we booked. It is definitely larger than most typical Japanese hotel rooms. Our family comfortably fit in it. The room and the rest of the hotel was always clean and tidy, our room was comfortable to stay in. Hotel staff were very warm and welcoming and it felt like we were staying over at a family's place. Overall, very well run hotel with clean and roomy amenities in a great location. Would definitely recommend this hotel.

10/10

Exceptional

24 Nov 2016

David

First rate Japanese cultural accommodation

Loved this ryokan (one of our most pleasing finds in Central Honshu for accommodation). And by the way we loved Nagoya - a pleasant surprise. We had the largest room, a traditional tatami room but with modern shower/toilet. Also has dorm style for less money. Hiroshi was very helpful. 20 min. flat walk from main train station. Short walk to castle & other sights. Well priced (for Japan). Outstanding Japanese breakfast. Only thing I'd say that if western hotels and food are what you want, best select a different hotel. But for experiencing Japan, excellent choice.

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

14 Nov 2016

Astrid

A Great Hotel That Is Reasonably Priced!

The Matsubaya Ryokan deserves nothing but praise! The staff was very helpful and kind. I loved the fact that they spoke English and could recommend places to visit and the best way to get to the Kansai Airport. My room was extremely clean and comfortable. The location was very quiet and centrally located. This hotel also has a decent and reasonable western-style breakfast. If given the opportunity to visit Kyoto again, then I would definitely stay at Matsubaya Ryokan.

Family

10/10

Exceptional

07 Nov 2016

Lauren

Great staff, easy location

We had a lovely stay at Matsubaya Ryokan. The staff was very friendly, helpful, and flexible, and our room was clean and comfortable. The location is very convenient to Kyoto Station. I would very much recommend booking a room here!

Family

8/10

Excellent

01 Nov 2016

Siddique

Breakfast is at a communal table and there are only about a dozen seats.

Family

4/10

Poor

28 Oct 2016

javier

it is like a hostel

The hotel for me is like a hostel, the room, with western style was clean but too basic, I would not come back again.

The staff I have to say that was very kind .

too expensive for being like a hostel

10/10

Exceptional

18 Oct 2016

Teneille

Clean and cute Kyoto

Impeccably clean little ryokan in the streets of central Kyoto. 5 minute walk to Kyoto Station and close proximity to various Temples. Staff were super friendly and helpful. Can't recommend enough

Partner

8/10

Excellent

08 Jul 2016

Verified traveler

The people that work there are friendly and very helpful. The Japanese breakfast was excellent. I found the bed to be very comfortable. The only downside was that they were in the middle of construction when we were there.

Family

8/10

Excellent

14 Jun 2016

Mark

Great place to stay, great staff

Nice hotel, close to all you need, great bike hire shop at end of the street which made it easy to get around. Staff were great, good English, always helpful and smiling. Like all big cities in japan you need to travel to get around, this was close to main train station, bus stops and taxi.

10/10

Exceptional

09 Jun 2016

Jennifer

Great Ryokan at a resonable price

The highlight of our Osaka trip was our stay at the Matsubaya Ryokan.
We had a lovely spacious room with a garden view..traditional japanese room so that was a nice experience.
Room and toilet were very clean..spotless.
It would be even better if they served a traditional japanese kaiseiki dinner at the ryokan.
Still they were great and Budi was extremely helpful and reccommended really nice restaurants.

Family

8/10

Excellent

04 Jun 2016

Verified traveler

Good location and friendly staff! They speak very good English and are very hospitable. The location is 10 min walking distance from Kyoto station, very convenient!

8/10

Excellent

30 May 2016

Peter

The Ryokan experience

Ryokans are a love/hate experience.I enjoyed the stay - my wife hated it preferring comfort over tradition.

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

27 May 2016

Verified traveler

Close to JR station

Easy walk from station. Staff very helpful and spoke very good English.

10/10

Exceptional

05 Mar 2016

Colin

Near to kyoto station

We only stayed one night in one of the ground floor rooms which was very traditionally furnished but with a modern en suite.
There were 3 of us and we all slept well on the traditional japanese beds.
The staff were very friendly and helpful.
I would have no problem going back and staying longer.

8/10

Excellent

26 Feb 2016

Matthew

Excellent first Ryokan stay

I must admit it was my first time staying in a Ryokan and was initially shocked at how small and basic the room was. However, after a few adjustments it turned out to be a very cosy, comfortable and relaxing stay. The room is spotlessly clean with good air con. The shared bathroom was fine. The staff are very welcoming. They sell the City Bus 1-day pass and the closest stop is only a 5 min walk. In fact, the location of this Ryokan is good for sightseeing which makes it great value. Not difficult to find.

8/10

Excellent

14 Feb 2016

Yilin

Comfortable ryokan

Though the ryokan is quite a distance from the station especially with some bulky luggages. The moment where I stepped in the ryokan, I'm shocked by the flight of stairs and I thought I need to carry the luggages up the stairs. But the friendly staffs from the ryokan carried them all up the room for me and even when check out. The room space is just enough for me and it's quite comfortable for a night stay! Will definitely be back for a other stay.

10/10

Exceptional

13 Feb 2016

Carla

Nice Ryokan near the Station

We stayed for 2 nights at the Matsubaya Ryokan. Our check in was simple and easy and the traditional room was very clean and nice. The futon beds were very easy to use and very comfortable and the doona was also great! The bathroom was nice and the coffee/tea facilities were simple. I liked this Ryokan and its kind and pleasant staff very much. Close to the Kyoto train station and close to the bike hire shops. The staff kindly let us park our hire bikes over night at the hotel. Short bike ride or walk to shops/restaurants.

Partner

6/10

Pleasant

13 Feb 2016

tokyorose

Get a downstairs room if you need sleep.

The host were good and welcoming. The price was the most expensive I paid in Japan and stayed at two lovely hotels in Tokyo. First night the novelty of a floor bed and kimono was good but bathroom small like a caravan. 2nd night a child made noise until midnight( the walls are paper) No window so relied on daylight from the room next door. A washing machine beneath me made noise til about 1 am and then what sounded like a drier til 4 am. (Sleeping on the floor) no one in the room with a window to close the streetlight out so had light through paper wall all night. I think they could put more effort into guest experience. 1 night is probably enough to experience the Ryokan aspect.

10/10

Exceptional

16 Jan 2016

Verified traveler

The best place we stayed in japan

The staff were fantastic with recommendations of place to eat and could not be nicer.

8/10

Excellent

04 Jan 2016

Angel

excellent service

Family

10/10

Exceptional

03 Jan 2016

Natalie

Would go again!

Staff very ready to help and the room was very nice and relaxing

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

02 Jan 2016

Not Provided

Great Japanese Style experience

The staff were super friendly from the moment I stepped in and their English was very good, easy to communicate. I chose the Japanese style room which was spacious enough and had an en-suite toilet and sink. The shower was shared with one other room but was clean and modern. Overall I had a fantastic stay here, it is within walking distance to Kyoto station and opposite a large temple. Gion district is 20 min walk around, I recommend walking along the river it's just beautiful. Would recommend this accommodation

6/10

Pleasant

02 Jan 2016

Not Provided

Tried it but not our thing.

The ryokan was very close to station and bus station. Easy to get around the area and lots of bike shops nearby to rent for the day. The staff all spoke a little bit of English and were very friendly. I have stayed in ryokans before and this one wasn't as good as others and way more expensive than a western room hotel. Bathroom very small and as tall Aussies was a bit uncomfortable for us. At least we have tried the experience of a ryokan now but would do again, very difficult with creaky knees and backs to sleep on futon on floor to get down and up from them plus we found we could not sit on the floor chairs as would not have been able to get up again. The rooms were very thin walled and could hear every one else in their room, I felt as though we were camping.

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

09 Dec 2015

King

Awesome ryokan

This ryokan is in walking distance from JR station. Awesome traditional decor and feel. Extremely helpful and courteous staff. They even gave me a souvenir on my departure and wished me safe travels. The room is spacious and homey. Facility is very clean and inviting. Will definitely come back. They even do day passes for the bus which is well worth the convenience.

8/10

Excellent

07 Dec 2015

Sc

Great staff and close to Kyoto Station

The staff are so nice. They can speak some English and explain how to use your room. They have traditional japanese style beds and green tea.

8/10

Excellent

04 Dec 2015

Cherry

good location，small but clean room

About 1km away from Kyoto station on a quiet street. Smaller room but clean and equipped with everything needed - electrical kettle, hair dryer, tub and shower and shampoo & body wash, but no microwave

10/10

Exceptional

08 Nov 2015

Ryan

Great place to stay near Kyoto Station

The room was fantastic! We stayed in both the superior and standard Japanese style rooms. The only main difference was the bathroom in the standard didn't have the fancy bidet toilets and the shower wasn't a separate room. The futons were very very comfortable, probably the best sleep we had our entire trip! The staff was also very very friendly and even gave us a parting gift when we went. The walk was about 12-15min would from Kyoto station. If I'm in Kyoto again I would stay here again.

10/10

Exceptional

05 Nov 2015

Verified traveler

Very friendly, helpful, and polite staff. Have the Japanese breakfast at least once.

10/10

Exceptional

02 Nov 2015

vinh

Nice Japanese style hotel

I enjoyed the large bathroom. The people there were extremely kind and polite. 7 mins walking from the station. Convenience store is 3 min walking distance.

10/10

Exceptional

24 Oct 2015

Mary

Very nice East-West experience

I stayed in this ryokan 6 nights. From the very first day it felt like being home away from home. My room was on the top floor (5th floor) and I had a great view of Kyoto rooftops. On the table there was green tea, a tea cup set and a cookie waiting for me. It was a Western-style room but with the Japanese elements in lighting, yukata with a traditional belt and two kinds of slippers.The staff was polite and friendly. I was always greater with with a smile and a bow. When I was leaving, the owners gave me a small present thanking me for the stay with them, walked out with me on the street and bowed.

10/10

Exceptional

28 Sep 2015

John

The perfect place to stay in Kyoto

If you are looking for the authentic Ryokan experience then look no further. The hotel perfect in every way from the rooms to the breakfast. What really stand out more than anything though, is the staff. We were made to feel like their personal guests and the day we departed the manager even waived us off ! Absolutely love our stay here and would recommend it to anyone visiting Kyoto. Our favourite hotel of the holiday !

Family

10/10

Exceptional

09 Sep 2015

Polly

Sayonara -- a Japanese goodbye

The staffers are all very nice and several of them are English fluent.

I've long heard that a Japanese sends their guests goodbye all the way until they can't see the guests anymore from outside the door. It was heart felt to finally experience so. We'd been gone for some 80m and about to turn. 'They couldn't be still...', a thought went thru my mind and guess what?! The staffers were still outside and waving goodbye at us. We happily waved goodbye back.

Family

10/10

Exceptional

07 Sep 2015

Verified traveler

Great location, close to the station.

Lovely Ryokan. Traditional in many ways. Friendly staff (very), and helpful. Loved it.

10/10

Exceptional

17 Aug 2015

Xiaoxing

Not Luxury but enough if your focus is the culture

2.5 bus stops from Kyoto Station. The Kyoto Bus Day Pass costs only 500 JPY. Get it and make sure you know how to use the public transportation. This place would be a very cost friendly place to stay.

10/10

Exceptional

17 Aug 2015

Sergio

+++++

Nice hotel, clean and friendly

10/10

Exceptional

13 Aug 2015

Aaron

Excellent and worry free stay

Excellent service from friendly staff. Japanese breakfast is alright for its price. Room is comfortable and clean.
Ryokan is near Kyoto station but off main street but easily located by Google map.

Partner

8/10

Excellent

13 Aug 2015

Yuri

Really enjoyed our stay! There was plenty of room for my husband, twin 13yo, my mom and myself! It's a little difficult to find. There's not much around the hotel for things to do. But just a few short stops away from Nishiki Market by bus! Ramen shop close by. A bit of a walk to the Kyoto station but we took a bus which was the next stop! People friendly there!

Family

10/10

Exceptional

06 Aug 2015

Pascal

Good hotel - large room and great breakfast

Although this is a Ryokan style hotel, we opted to stay at the american style hotel room. This is perhaps the biggest hotel room you can find in anywhere japan. Strongly recommended if you have kids or a big family. A nice 10 mins walk from the Kyoto station, and you can have traditional japanese cuisine (extra cost) for breakfast! Great stay and may try the ryokan next time.

Family

8/10

Excellent

02 Aug 2015

Duke

Cosy ryokan experience

Nice place to experience a ryokan.
Tha place is a low rise building decorated as a ryokan.
The people running it are sweet and try to help as much as possible.
Near Kyoto station and very quiet at night.
Spent all daytime around Kyoto on bikes from place to place, this was a good place to come back at the end of the night

Partner

8/10

Excellent

31 Jul 2015

Verified traveler

Kind reception.

7 mins walk from central train station.

Environment is nice.

Price not bad for last min booking

Family

8/10

Excellent

30 Jul 2015

rita

Peaceful

This was my first experience in a ryokan. Stayed with my daughter for a few nights and we absolutely loved it. Felt soo relaxed and at peace. The location is perfect.. 10 min walk to Kyoto station. Would loved to have stayed longer but at the time of booking only a few nights were available. Would definitely come back again. The staff are really warm n welcoming.

10/10

Exceptional

13 Jul 2015

Natti and Bree

A Little Apt in Kyoto!

Man I wish I booked this longer! I didn't realize that I was staying in a modern Japanese style apartment! It lived up to the things I read about and watched on TV. You walk into the entrance for shoes, Bathroom on you left then on through the kitchen and next into the living/ sleeping room + Mini balcony. I had a great view of the city and my sister and I had a great sleep. It was a great experience. I have to do this one again.

8/10

Excellent

05 Jul 2015

Fernando

Great to experience traditional Japanese lifestyle

Staying in an authentic Japanese ryokan was one of the best experiences we had in Kyoto.
Sleeping and eating on the floor was super cool and fun. We stayed with one of our sons (23 years old) in a three persons room with kitchen.
We had so much fun wearing the kimonos and sitting down around the low table having dinner.
The location is good (if it were two blocs closer to the station it would have been even better, but we cannot complain).
Being near the station is great because you have all the transportation (bus, subway and train), PLUS a lot of shopping and eating opportunities.
Do not miss buying food in the basement of the Isetan department store at the station (first basement they have sweet delicatessens and second they have a great food market and supermarket, it is an amazing experience to but in those stands with vendors shouting to advertise their products). We bought there and took to the ryokan.
There are also a lot of food options at the 11th floor of the station, you can go up using the longest and most beautiful staircase I have ever saw.
We took the kimonos provided by the hotel on day to take pictures wearing them at the Golden Pavillion Temple, they are super nice.
We did not have breakfast downstairs because we had the kitchen (with electric kettle and fridge), but it looked good.
Staff was super polite
One last piece of advise: do not miss a tea ceremony very near there, at Ju-An tea room. you will experience another Japanese tradition at its best

6/10

Pleasant

05 Jul 2015

gudogn

Small Ryokan...not exactly near Kyoto station

I was looking for a traditional Ryokan with easy access to/ from the Kyoto station, after hours of searching and reading customer reviews, I was convinced Matsubaya would only be 10mins walk from Kyoto station, nice/ clean traditional Ryokan with very reasonable prices. Unfortunately, I was left a little disappointed. Matsubaya required more than 10 minutes walk , under normal circumstances, we wouldn’t mind so much. It was the fact we had to drag our luggage; (the day we arrived was raining cat and dog) , expecting just to walk 10 minus that turned out to be two- fold of the time on a rainy day just a little much.

We booked the room with the garden , located on the ground floor, that turned out to be very small and not worth getting it. While we thought the Ryokan is quite clean, it looked very tired. We really didn't mind to pay more for a better Ryokan but from previous reviews, we were led to believe this Ryokan is the one---a clean established Ryokan and 10 mins walk from Kyoto station but ...we were let down.

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

28 Jun 2015

Merrill

Want the full experience, this is a great option

If you really want the full experience, you need to stay here. Go for the Japanese style rooms only! Honestly, we was a little nervous at first but are very glad we did. We went for a guest room with with the kitchen. It's nothing like American hotels so get ready for much smaller quarters and less amenities. If that's what you're looking for, find an American styled hotel. :) The staff there are superb. Extremely helpful and nice to be around. They spoke enough English to get by.

The hotel is refurbished and has a lot of history (ask them) but it's not run down in anyway. Very, very clean and well maintained.

It's in a great location. The hotel is about half way between the JR Rail Station and the Kyoto shopping district (downtown). Both are about a 1 km walk (1km to the station and about 1.25 km to downtown). We never took a cab and always felt safe walking. There is a real Japanese bathing house close by so check that out as well. There isn't much directly adjacent to the hotel so you'll have to walk a couple of blocks anyway.

We had trouble finding it from the Station when we first got there so if you walk down the main street toward the big temple there. It just as you pass the temple. It's on a side street to the right.

Partner

8/10

Excellent

24 Jun 2015

Tina

Great for a stressfree first time Japan experience

My ONLY drawback for this place is cost. However, this might be mitigated by the ease of finding and getting to this ryokan from the train station and the superb friendliness of the staff. Usually a ryokan's price includes meals, typically a breakfast which is something all visitors should experience. This place offers breakfast, but as an additional cost. Also , I do think that as a hotel room solely, it is overpriced as well. But, one can easily walk to this place from the Kyoto train station ( exit from the Hotel Granvier side which is the main entrance ) Just straight ahead, hang a right and there you are. With luggage, it's an easy, 10 minute walk. Taxi ride should be around 700 yen. The ryokan itself is very authentic , comfortable and clean. My sister, who had never been to Japan before was quite charmed with the accomodations. The owners of this place are FLUENT in English, so no worries there. Also, they are very interested in your comfort. The owner noticed my little nieces and went out of his way to bring them yukata ( japanese comfy wear ) in their sizes. This is only my opinion, but I have noticed that the more traditional ryokans are not as accomodating to nonJapanese speakers. Not that they are not polite, just that they seem really uncomfortable with the language barrier. As a fluent Japanese speaker, I don't think I would have chosen this place. But for the first time guest, it's the easiest way to experience traditional Japanese accomodations.