Kyoto is a unique, historical, and sprawling city for visitors, and while there, it may become challenging to decide where to stay. But as far as accommodation places go, this city’s choices are as authentic as they are versatile.
There are various fantastic accommodation options to choose from, ranging from lodgings to luxury hotels. Nonetheless, ryokan(Japanese-style traditional inns/guesthouses) accommodation has stood the test of time and preserved the Japanese tradition for centuries.
If you are a first-time visitor or would like to enjoy the ryokan experience, you will not go wrong with these options. They excel individually in terms of affordability, luxury, location, or general quality.
Tawaraya
Tawaraya has gained immense popularity and excellent reviews as one of the best ryokans to stay in while in Kyoto. It is a magical sanctuary you might not want to leave once you visit, probably why it is a prevalent choice among worldwide political leaders and celebrities.
Starting with the satisfactory service and moving to the accommodation, the experience is worth every coin. Everything is just right. The rooms feature impeccable décor while maintaining the wabi-sabi aesthetic, which is primarily simple but with carefully crafted and selected touches. Every room overlooks a private garden and invites you into a contemplative gaze.
Tawaraya is close to the Tozai & Karasuma subway lines and the Karasuma Oike Station, so it is an ideal accommodation choice for accessing other places in Kyoto. Even so, this ryokan’s formal entry hall is designed to be away from the street. It transports you out of the chaos into a secret inner sanctuary, setting a calm tone for your stay.
Nanzenji Sando Kikusui
Nanzenji Sando Kikusui is the ryokan to spend time in if you want a romantic escape paired with the finest modern ryokan touches. The place was recently restored and has five suites to choose from.
While here, expect gorgeous views, slate accents, and excellently curated cuisine by a Michelin-starred chef. You can order from the regular menu or ask for a customized order if you are celebrating a special occasion.
The gardens and landscape here are maintained to convey various fragrances, aesthetics, and beauty for all seasons. As everyone here believes, Nanzanji Sando Kikusui beautifully and seamlessly blends food and time while integrating the “Auberge” concept.
This comfortable ryokan is an excellent choice if you want a place to stay while exploring the Northern or Southern areas of Higashiyama.
Hoshinoya
There are many ryokans in Kyoto, but this one steals the show with its dramatic approach and magnificent scenery that has been conserved for centuries. To get here, a private boat ferries you through the Oi River and takes you to the boat landing to meet the Ryokan’s staff and get further directions to your room.
Extensive lush greenery surrounds Hoshinoya. The rooms overlook the river’s waters and seasonal vegetation colors, and you will feel a different vibe about Kyoto while here. The riverside setting is everything and excellently complements this ryokan’s aesthetic for maximum tranquility.
Hoshinoya has a slick, modern Japanese design with historical touches and will be a place for you if you value extreme privacy. Guests will have delicious meals made with the best seasonal ingredients, giving a real taste of Japanese cooking. If you want to engage in other tourist activities, you simply need a quick trip to the Arashiyama tourist district.
Hiiragiya
Hiiragiya is beautifully preserved and polished, boasting a calming atmosphere and well-spaced rooms. This ryokan is situated directly across Tawaraya Street, a very convenient location in downtown Kyoto.
Hiiragiya excellently fuses modernity with conventional Japanese accommodation and is an excellent place to stay if you are exploring Kawaramachi. It has two wings with immaculate rooms.
You can stay in the traditional or the more modern wing, depending on your preference. The former has rooms designed with the wabi-sabi style and takes you back to 200 years ago, so it will highly appeal to you if you are a heritage buff.
Hiiragiya’s new wing will interest you if you fancy more minimalistic hospitality approaches and sleeker rooms.
For meals, this ryokan exquisitely serves the “kaiseki,” which is a Japanese formal and conventional cuisine.
Nazuna Kyoto Gosho
You will find Nazuna Kyoto Gosho in downtown Kyoto, a short distance from the Imperial Palace Park. The theme surrounding this ryokan is the traditional confectionary for the Japanese people, “wagashi.”
All the suites in Nazuna Kyoto Gosho have garden views, tatami, as well as wooden and wicker finishing touches. However, each room has a different wagashi theme. The ryokan’s free-standing wooden tubs are strategically located to allow you to unwind after exploration. The entire place is just serene which is perfect for travelers seeking a peaceful escape with personalized service.
The lobby features an expansive ceiling, which has been preserved since the space functioned as a warehouse for massive lumber pieces.
This ryokan serves traditional cuisine delicacies like Sukiyaki dinner and Irori-style breakfast, but you can also savor other food preferences.
Shimizu
You only need a ten-minute walk from the Kyoto station to experience a cozy retreat at the Shimizu Ryokan in Yufu. The atmosphere here is homey, so this place is excellent if you want to wind down after a long day.
Shimizu is set up in a geothermal area, so you can reserve Shimizu’s private bath or relax in the ryokan’s hot springs. This is where to go if you want to experience an authentic Japanese “onsen.”
This ryokan is close to natural sights like Umekoji Park, Kiriko Lake, Kyoto Aquarium, and Shosei-en Garden, where you can spend time alone or with friends and family.
The scent of the tatami ambiance eases your soul, while the lush gardens are perfect for a relaxing and rejuvenating experience.
Nishikiro
Nishikiro is a ryokan for when you are operating on a relatively low budget but need a nice place to stay or when you need to make out all the fuss about ryokans. It is just about five minutes from the Kyoto station. This location is convenient, and the ryokan is also near transport links and other bars and restaurants.
The rooms here are comfortable and spacious, and the koi pond, graced with a middle waterfall, is a lovely and relaxing site. Some rooms have private baths and toilets, while others have shared facilities. With this provision, the ryokan is ideal for a family.
Its prime location places visitors just a short walk from notable attractions like Higashi Hongan-ji Temple, making it an ideal base for exploring Kyoto. Compared to some of the ryokans in this list, accommodation at Nishikiro is simple. Nonetheless, this ryokan still guarantees hospitality with an authentic Japanese flair.
Arashiyama Benkei
This ryokan is perfect when you are looking for rural bliss with modern comfort. It is strategically located at Mt. Arashiyama’s foot, so it will allow you to experience the changing seasons if you stay for some time.
Previously, this place was a country estate where court nobles vacationed, but today, it is a destination for anyone willing to blend accommodation with bona fide Japanese hospitality.
The main house reads with the classic Shoin flair, elegant details, and a cordial feeling. The rooms have open-air baths for public or private use.
The Arashiyama locality is very scenic, and you will marvel at it while staying here.
Ryokan Mugen
Ryokan Mugen is an adult-only ryokan established over a hundred years ago but has now been renovated with versatility. Even though the ryokan still features traditional Japanese touches and pared-back interiors like low seating and minimal décor, you can choose Western-style beds. There is also a cozy lounge where you can enjoy food and drink with other guests.
Ryokan Mugen is situated in the heart of Kyoto. The ryokan features a limited number of guest rooms which ensures an intimate and personalized experience. While here, you can go sightseeing at the Nijo Castle or the Kyoto Imperial Palace, which are nearby. The serenity is impeccable, the rooms have unique themes, and you will want to check out the cozy Kura Bar.
Yoshida Sanso
Yoshida Sanso is located on Yoshida-yama Hill, so you can be sure you will get a stunning city view from a countryside setting. Formerly, this was an imperial villa, but today, it doubles as an accommodation space with incredible authenticity, detail, fine kaiseki cuisine, and breathtaking views. All rooms offer views of the beautifully tended gardens.
Yoshida Sanso appears illustriously traditional at first sight, but if you are keen enough, you will notice that it features restrained contemporary hints all around it.
This is an ideal place to unwind after a hike on the hill, and it has beautiful rooms and fantastic food. After a few minutes of stepping out of this ryokan, you should find yourself touring some beautiful and rarely visited temples in Kyoto.
Final Words
In the end, Kyoto’s ryokans offer an unparalleled gateway into the heart of Japanese culture, blending traditional hospitality with serene environments. Whether you choose Tawaraya, Yoshida Sanso, or any other, these accommodations promise comfort, authenticity, and cultural immersion. The images you see here are meant for illustration purposes only. Thank you for reading.
