Visiting Kyoto and want to experience a fine ryokan in the heart of the city? Here are several to consider.
If you are coming all the way to Kyoto, even if you don’t have a big budget, we recommend that you try to stay one night at a fine ryokan. The atmosphere, experience, service and food are quite unlike anything that you have experienced before. When princes and princesses visit Kyoto, they invariably stay at one of the ryokan listed below.
Tawaraya +++
Said to be Kyoto’s best ryokan – and maybe the best in the whole country. It is said that every architect in Japan will stay at Tawaraya once in their lifetime (architects don’t make a lot of money and Tawaraya is expensive). The reason being that the architecture and gardens are so beautiful and such excellent examples of Kyoto’s architectural heritage. I have eaten at Tawaraya and have had friends and family stay there on several occasions. The staff is extremely polite and helpful. Tawaraya says that about a third of their customers now are from overseas, so foreign guests are very welcome and can be assured excellent service.
location: Fuyacho-Oike
rates: 42,000-84,000 yen (includes dinner and breakfast)
tel 075-211-5566
English website: none
Hiiragiya —
I have been to Hiiragiya several times for dinner and was always underwhelmed. Service was not especially friendly. Friends that have stayed there were somewhat disappointed too. The interior of the building is quite rundown and shabby. As an inn, Hiiragiya is fine, but for this price range you can do better and in the same neighborhood.
Sumiya —
Historically, Sumiya has a very good reputation. However, I have heard from several people that it is kind of run down and shabby. Some friends coming from overseas were interested in staying at Sumiya or Tawaraya. I went to Sumiya and told them the situation and asked to see a room and they refused. Wow! I told them I would send my friends to Tawaraya instead and they gave that cold Kyoto smile and said fine. (I have been to Tawaraya several times and know what it looks like inside. But, just for kicks I went up the street, walked into Tawaraya and asked to see their rooms and the kindly obliged. Maybe Sumiya has something to hide!)
location: Fuyacho-Sanjo
rates: 36,000-72,000 yen (includes dinner and breakfast)
tel: 075-221-2188
English website: none
Yoshikawa ++
Yoshikawa is another excellent ryokan. Our friends that have stayed there have had a positive experience. Yoshikawa is also well known in Kyoto for its fine tempura restaurant attached to the ryokan. It is my favorite for tempura in Kyoto.
location: Tominokoji-Oike
rates: from 25,000 yen (includes dinner and breakfast)
tel 075-221-5544
English website: none
