Izuyasu / Best Ryokans in Kyoto

Izuyasu, Kyoto

The origine of IZUYASU dates back to 1839 during Edo period. IZUYASU was originally established aiming to offer accommodation to the Buddhist priests relevant to Higashi Honganji and the people who came to worshiping the temple. Since then, IZUYASU has been loved by many people as a ryokan that offers quality services for over 170 years. And today, the ryokan accepts guests from oversea nations as well as Japanese people with its spirit of warmest hospitality that has been handed down from generation to generation.

IZUYASU renewed its interior and furnishings in 2013 for the purpose of creating futher comfotable and refined living environment by blending its traditional architecture and western elements. As you step into the ryokan, you will be amazed at the outstanding simple and cozy entrance space set with natural wood furniture and this alone enhances expectancy for staying at IZUYASU ryokan.

IZUYASU offers delicate Kyoto style cuisine cooked with abundant fresh ingredients to satisfy gourmands from all over the world. Enjoy the perfect harmony with selected wine or Japanese sake as well.

 Yuzuya Ryokan, Best Ryokans in Kyoto

Yuzuya Ryokan, Kyoto

Priding the five-star grade, Yuzuya ryokan is counted as one of the most recommended ryokans in Kyoto because of its location, tasteful interior design, heart warming hospitality... despite a relatively small size of ryokan of only 9 guest rooms. The name "Yuzu" means citron in Japanese. As the name indicates, a delicate fragrance of citron fills the air of the Ryokan at all time. Besides, guests can relax to the scent of Japanese citron as they soak in the warm public baths.They are also used in a captivating creative cuisines adding rich flavors.

Yuzuya is conveniently located near Yasaka Shrine and Kyoto's representative sightseeng spot, Gion district, where traditional tea and machiya houses are lined. Gion is also known as a Geisha and Maiko district. Chion-in and Kodaiji are also within a walking distance.

 Toshiharu / Best Ryokans in Kyoto

Toshiharu Ryokan, Kyoto

Built in the late Meiji Period, Toshiharu is a Japanese style ryokan that comprises a value as an architectural heritage designated as a tangible cultural property. Among the townscape where Kyo-machiya (Kyoto style of merchant's house) is a mainstream, Toshiharu prides its impressive exterior and interior where elements of Sukiya (a tea-ceremony house) and Machiya architecture are blended each other.

Toshiharu is conveniently located between Gojo Dori and Shijo Dori suitable as a base for Kyoto sightseeing, shopping and even nightlife. Despite the location in the center of Kyoto, guests can enjoy comfortable stay in a quiet environment.

Besides, casual tea ceremony offered as per guest's request is popular as warm-hearted servece regardless of nationality.
The ryokan offers a traditional Kyoto breakfast: rice, miso soup, grilled fish, Japanese-styled rolled omelette, tofu and seasonal Obanzai for JPY2,300 yen (tax included).

 Muromachi Yutone / Best Ryokans in Kyoto

Kyokoyado Muromachi Yutone, Kyoto

Muromachi Yutone is an authentic Japanese style ryokan suitable for Kyoto's hideaway located along Muromachi Dori between Shijo and Gojo. Despite its size with only 7 guest rooms, it prides the sophisticated Kyo-machiya architecture blended with quality western elements to enable ultimate comfortability and relaxation.

Each refined guest room is furnished with Simons beds, Hinoki (Japanese cypress) bath tub and L'Occitane bathing set (shampoo, conditioner, body soap, body lotion) to satisfy guests from all qround the world.

Furthermore, the ryokan is committed to its quality cuisine. Enjoy their authentic Kyo-kaiseki dishes cooked with fresh seasonal ingredients produced in Kyoto.

 Kyoto Nijo-tei / Best Ryokans in Kyoto

Nazuna Kyoto Nijo-tei, Kyoto

NAZUNA is a traditional Kyo-machiya (Kyoto style merchant's house) style ryokan that provides the highest level of hospitality upon concept of delivering a cultural experience of Kyoto and Japan to guests from all over the world.

NAZUNA consists of two accommodation facilities: Cha-no-yado (Tea inn - the main building) and Washi-no-yado (Japanese-paper inn - 2 annex buildings).
Cha-no-yado has 4 different types of guest rooms and an adjoining annex, and Washi-no-yado comprises 2 seperate buildings of Anenokoji-tei and Higashiyama-tei, all equipped with a relaxing open-air bath. Each is playing the superb harmony of sophisticated machiya architecture with a comfort of a western hotel.

As the name Cha-no-yado indicates, NAZUNA's spirit of hospitality is based upon the spirit of tea ceremony "serving a guest wholeheartedly as the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity (Ichigo Ichie)" . Providing the best possible services to guests is their utmost pleasure.

For dining, the local cuisine with fresh seasonal ingredients is served at Irori, the Japanese style hearth. Unlike modern cooking devices, Ingredients grilled over charcoal fire produces unique flavor and textures.

 Genhouin / Best Ryokans in Kyoto

Genhouin, Kyoto

GENHOUIN was originally built as a villa of Earl Yamashina's in Taisho era. Befitting aristocrat's residence, it reproduces atmosphere of Heian period (late 8th to 12th century) everywhere while employing architectural forms of Sukiya which began since Azuchi Momoyama period (1558 ~1600).

Located in Okazaki where Kyoto's prominent residences, temples and shrines are dotted and commands a distant view of the magestic Higashiyama mountain range, GENHOUIN is acknowledged as one of the most prestigeous ryokans in Kyoto. In the site exceeding 1600㎡ in area, there is a stroll-style garden where guests can enjoy seasonal beauty such as cherry blossoms, fresh green, autumn leaves snow scene throughout a year.

In the detached tea house of a Sukiya architectural style, you can feel the atmosphere of an ancient capital Kyoto, the birthplace of "tea ceremony". Why not immence yourself in the aesthetic of Japanese tradition in a quiet space where only the sound of nature resonates.

 Mugen / Best Ryokans in Kyoto

Hatago Mugen, Kyoto

Renovating 160-year-old Machiya (Kyoto style merchant house), MUGEN is a unique inn blended a traditional Kyoto style architecture with sensibility of modernity reminiscent of refined art gallery.

It was 2013 when the Nagamasus (the present owner and his wife) decided to move to Kyoto as a final destination of their journey visiting all over the country over two years. After that, they spent entire two years to renovate an old machiya building under the theme of "travel as if you were to live there", and had finally reached to completion of this MUGEN in 2016.

Guest rooms of total 5 feature each different settings such as a Japanese style room with a Yukimi Shoji (sliding door with a small window to view snow) facing a tsubo-niwa (small garden), a Western style room with a futon bedding on the wood-made flooring, a Japanese style room with a desk-like space on the window side, etc.

In MUGEN, there are neither TVs nor clocks. There is only time that flows calmly beyond the time of eternity. Needless to depend on TV nor clock, this universe itself is filled with information and the approximate time as well can be perceived by the move of the sun and the moon. Time and information which can only be perceived by your five senses. Satisfaction as if you were spending time in the art museum. MUGEN wishes to share such MUGEN experience with as many guests as possible.

One of major attractiveness of journey is to come in touch with local people. In tasteful yet cozy MUGEN bar (renovated an old storage-house featuring white thick wall and black kawara roof), owners' acquaintances, neighbors, travelers, etc. gather around almost every night and enjoy an atmosphere of friendliness to each other. This space has been produced based upon owners' long experience of travel.

*MUGEN (無限、no limits) literaly means "infinity" or "eternity". It can also be written (夢幻, dream and phantom) , meaning "phantasy" or "evanescence"

 Yoshida-Sanso / Best Ryokans in Kyoto

Ryokan Yoshida-Sanso, Kyoto

Experience the true essence of Kyoto, the noble capital of culture.

Located at the foot of peaceful Mount Yoshida, Yoshida-Sanso was originally built as the villa of Prince Higashi-Fushimi, the uncle of the current Japanese emperor, Akihito. An elegant blend of East and West elements, the architecture reflects the sophisticated taste and forward-looking of Imperial Family during the early Showa era.

Yoshida-Sanso is designed to present a magnificent view of Daimonji and the entire range of Kyoto's eastern mountains. From each room on the 2nd floor, guests can overview the mountains, and from rooms on the 1st floor, the close view of its beautiful garden can be enjoyed .

Rooms have a serene interior with sliding shoji paper screens, a tatami (woven-straw) floor and a seating area with a table and chairs. A variety of amenities include Yukata and a skin moisturizer set. Guests sleep in traditional futon bedding, and shared bathroom facilities are able to be reserved for private use.

A Japanese breakfast and fine Kyoto-style cuisine in a multi-course dinner are served in a private dining room, or the guest room’s dining room. At the adjoining Cafe, Shinkokan, Japanese tea and sweets as well as quality coffee and tea can be enjoyed.

Ryokan Inn Yoshida-sanso is a 5-minute walk from Yoshida Jinja Shrine, a 10-minute walk from Kyoto University and a 17-minute walk from Heian Jinja Shrine. Nijo-jo Castle is a 15-minute drive, and Kyoto Train Station is a 19-minute drive. 

`Do not miss a tasteful cafe located on the top of Mount Yoshida.

 Seikoro / Best Ryokans in Kyoto

Seikoro, Higashiyama ward, Kyoto

Located in the east side of Gojo Ohashi, close to the center of Kyoto, SEIKORO is a Japanese style ryokan priding its long history. Its foundation dates back to1831(Edo period), and the present wooden main building has had a history of over 100 years.

Guest rooms have been modernized by renovating interior and adding toilet and bath facilities, however the entire building such as the entrance lobby and reception room still retains the atmosphere of the Meiji-Taisho Romant of the time of construction. 

For your dining pleasure, traditional Kyoto kaiseki cuisin incorporating with rich seasonal ingredients is served at each guest room. 

In the bath rooms (public and guest rooms), bathtubs made of the finest Koyamaki (Japanese umbrella pine) which gives off a fragrant wood scent are placed, and guests can heal their fatigue of travel by soaking in an artificial hot spring. 

As famous Kamogawa is flowing in the vicinity, please do go for a walk both in the morning and evening. Gentle breeze that blows across the surface of Kamo river and its clear flow will reflesh your mind and body.  

 Yachiyo / Best Ryokans in Kyoto

Kyoto Garden Ryokan  Yachiyo

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