Ryokan Kyoto: Best 15 Japanese Traditional Inn in Kyoto

If you are wondering where to stay in Kyoto and want to indulge in luxury, traditional Japanese ryokan Kyoto offers are a great way to get yourself a good indulgence of the Japanese way of life. At ryokan’s, you are provided with futons placed on traditional tatami mats for sleeping, making it an exclusive experience all in all.

Ryokan is a type of traditional Japanese inn with tatami bed and sliding doors. A typical ryokan has a relatively large entrance hall, in which there are couches and chairs for guests sitting and chatting. Additionally, all ryokan typically feature communal baths, which means people would wear yukata (Japanese bathrobe) and take bathing in the common bathing areas. Those public areas are usually by gender.

The great thing about staying at Ryokan is that you get accustomed to traditional practices such as feeling comfortable walking around barefoot within the premises. To make you feel at home, ryokans provide a robe known as yukata to change into. Here isa list of the top best ryokan Kyoto this year.

Hiiragiya is a comfortable ryokan Kyoto for foreign guests. A spacious ryokan Kyoto offers, Hiiragiya is composed of an old-wing that has a wabi-sabi patina and a new wing with impeccable rooms.

The décor of the place is also quite impressive, and guests are tended to with utmost care. Established in 1818, Hiiragiya is a 6^th generation family business and is famed for hosting several international celebrities include artists, politicians, royals, and scientists. Hiiragya features 28 rooms, and each one is specially designated with a motif.

Hiiragiya ryokan is a 5-minute walk from Shiyakusho-Mae Station. Nearby attractions include Nishiki Market and Kawaramachi.

[Tel] +81 75-221-1136

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[Address] Nakahakusancho, Fuyacho Anekoji-agaru, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto, Kyoto, 604-8094, Japan

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Well-known for its foreign-friendliness, Gion Hatanaka is one of the pricier ryokans Kyoto as it is placed in the premium entertainment district of the city. An all things luxury venture, the traditional rooms of Gion Hatanaka come with an attached bath. The public bath overlooking the Zen garden. The rooms are extremely spacious and feature large windows designed for ventilation and light optimization.

Gion Hatanaka serves some of the best of Kyoto experience, from multi-course meals to Kyoto games. Gion Hatanaka stands out for its Maiko evenings, where you can indulge in drinking games and chit-chatting while being served tea by Maiko. Also famous for the food, Gion Hatanaka is popular for its multi-course kaiseki meals served in traditional Kyoto style. At Gion Hatanaka, you can also request for traditional massages in your room.

Gion Hatanaka is a few minutes' walk from Gion station. Being so close to the most popular area in Kyoto, Gion Hatanaka allows you to take in Kyoto with a twist of old-world charm. Close by attractions includes Yasaka Shrine and Kiyomizu-Dera temple. If you’re in Kyoto during July, it is recommended that you book this place well in advance as you would be very close to the festivities of Gion Matsuri.

[Tel] +81 75-541-5315

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[Address] 505 Gionmachi Minamigawa, Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto, 605-0074, Japan

Click to book your vacation in Gion Hatanaka Kyoto.

The finest ryokan Kyoto and arguably in all of Japan, Tawaraya’s attention to personal space, is highly commended. The impeccably decorated rooms are known to have hosted several artists and celebrities.

Tawaraya seems to get everything just about right for an impressive and unforgettable stay. The uniquely styled rooms with private gardens are like a home away from home.

As such an exquisite stay, tawaraya can be described as mysterious as it is quite difficult to get a booking here. You must call the ryokan directly to check for availability. Tawaraya is also within walking distance of Gion-shijo station and Kawaramachi Railway station.

[Tel] +81 75-211-5566

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[Address] Kyoto Prefecture, Kyoto City nakagyo-Ku, Cho ricebran aneya-Koji agaru Kyoto Japan

You can see more details for Tawaraya Ryokan Kameoka.

A traditional ryokan Kyoto boasts of Ryokan Izuyasu is highly recommended if you want a stay close to the city center. Izuyasu is very close to Kyoto Station, and you can easily catch a ride to explore the town from here. This ryokan serves traditional kaiseki cuisine and is a great way to experience traditional Japan with modern comforts.

You can choose rooms with private hot springs or shared hot springs for great relaxation. Baths are also available shared, or private. The meals are served in the room, and the hosts speak basic English.

[Tel] +81 75-371-1574

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[Address] Shimogyo-ku Higashinotoin-dori Shimo Juzuyamachi-agaru Sasaya-cho 272 Kyoto Japan

You can see more details for Ryokan Izuyasu.

One of the budget ryokan Kyoto hosts, Matsubaya, is also very close to Kyoto station. If you want to experience Japanese without compromising on the homely comfort of Western-style hotels, Matubaya is recommended. The place is in the middle of a busy zone, and you may have to compromise if you are looking for a quiet getaway.

You will get to experience sleeping in tatami mats and traditional cuisine, as well. The hotel serves western breakfast and Japanese breakfast on request. The ryokan also features a small garden for relaxation. If you want to get the complete traditional experience, you can book the Shimogyo Ward. Matsubaya ryokan is walking distance from Higashihongan-ji Temple.

[Tel] +81 75-351-3727

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[Address] Higashinotoin Nishi-iru Kamijuzuyacho-dori, Shimogyo-ku Kyoto Japan

You can see more details for Matsubaya Ryokan.

A beautiful-villa like a ryokan Kyoto’s heart, Arashiyama is the location of Togetsutei. With 25 Japanese style rooms, each having a private bath and toilet, Tsogutsei also features a shared sauna. The traditional Japanese futon bedding and the sauna are all placed for the upkeep of your body and relaxation. The place also has a coffee shop and restaurants.

You can enjoy your meals in the privacy of your room at Toegtsutei. There are no meal plans available, and both dinner and breakfast are served at the Ryokan.

There are several sightseeing spots in Arashiyama. It is recommended that you rent a bicycle for the ultimate Kyoto experience.

[Tel] +81 75-871-1310

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[Address] 54-4 Arashiyamanakaoshita-cho Kyoto Japan

You can see more details for Togetsutei.

The premises of this beautiful ryokan Kyoto was once a vacation home for nobles during the Heian period. Just that it should get your ears propped for all the traditional goodness that this luxury ryokan Kyoto offers. Located at the foothills of Mt Arashiyama, long-staying visitors can experience the beauty of changing seasons. Well known for hosting royals, the King of Denmark, planted a yellow pine tree in the hotel in 1930. The rooms have a view of the river, and the calm and serenity of the place are unbeatable by far.

A great feature of this ryokan is the natural outdoor and indoor hot spring baths. As you enter the place, you are given a warm welcome complete with yukata robes to make you feel at home. The popular attraction includes the Kinkaku-ji Temple and Nijo-jo castle, both of which are accessible by train. For ultimate comfort, the place offers private fine dining with multi-course dinner. Your dinner will be serviced by a personal attendant (Nakai). Breakfast, however, is served at a large gathering area. You can also avail massage facilities. The Ukyo Ward is the recommended choice for its scenic beauty. Although it may seem pricey, several facilities, including free shuttle buses to nearby stations are offered to guests.

[Tel] +81 75-872-3355

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[Address] 34 Susukinobaba-cho Tenryuji, Saga, Ukyo-ku Kyoto Japan

You can see more details for Arashiyama Benkei.

A perfect retreat for couples, Sumiya Ryokan Kyoto, gives the impeccable views of the mountains while you enjoy a bath in a hot spring. What feeling gets better than that? The hotel also boasts a full-service spa that provides Ayurvedic therapy. The classic Japanese design and the Zen garden make the whole experience complete. You can also indulge in the culture by taking part in the tea ceremony.

[Tel] +81 75-221-2188

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[Address] Yunohana Onsen Kameoka, Kameoka, Kyoto-fu, 621-0036, Japan

You can see more details for Sumiya Ryokan.

Apart from the usual tatami mats and futon bedding, Rangentsu is a great getaway because of its location. Close to the Keifuku Arashiyama Train Station, Rangetsu is close to several spots in scenic Arashiyama, including the Monkey park, Tenryu-ji temple, and Togetsu Bridge. The kaiseki meals here are highly revered for authenticity. That is not to say that the hotel is not loaded with modern amenities in the room.

You can even choose rooms with private open-air bath to truly take in the spirit of Arashiyama in a quaint part of the district. Public indoor/outdoor baths are also available.

[Tel] +81 75-865-2000

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[Address] 616-8385 Kyoto, Kyoto, Sakyo-ku Sagatenryuji Susukinobaba-cho 7, Japan

For more details for Rangetsu Ryokan.

A 7 –minute drive from Kyoto Station, Seikoro Ryokan Kyoto, offers all the modern amenities in a traditional Japenese style setting. The wooden bathtubs add to the aura of the place, and the spa facilities are also remarkable.

This is one of the few Ryokans that provide Western-style breakfast options. The dinner is served in a traditional Japanese style setting. If you want to explore the old town and are an architecture enthusiast, Seikoro is highly recommended due to its vicinity to several famous landmark sites such as Sanjusangen-do Temple, Kiyomizu-Dera Temple, and Kyoto National Museum.

[Tel] +81 75-561-0771

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[Address] 467 Nishitachibanacho,Higashiyama-ku Kyoto Japan

For more details for Seikoro Ryokan.

Also, a former royal residence like Arashiyama Benkei, Yoshida Sanso, is most famed for the unobstructed views of the mountain bonfires during the Daimonji festival. A tea salon and Kyoto cuisine are, of course, part of the package.

Overlooking the eastern mountains, this quaint inn includes the whole package starting from the traditional robe to tatami floors and sliding shoji paper screens. Guests here can relax at the bath or take a nature stroll in the beautiful garden. A multi-course dinner in the private dining area completes the stay, and desserts can be enjoyed at the Tea Salon Shinkokan. The place is away from the main areas of the city, and traveling may be hectic, but it is worth it for the views. Yoshida-Sanso ryokan Kyoto is located very close to the Yoshida Jinja shrine.

[Tel] +81 75-771-6125

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[Address] Sakyo-ku Yoshida Shimooji-cho 59-1 Kyoto Japan

You can see more details for Ryokan Inn Yoshida-Sanso.

Kinsuitei ryokan Kyoto is located in the northwest part of the city and is most revered for the tree-covered rooms that allow you to experience the changing colors of the seasons like no other. Cherry blossom springs, cool breeze and firefly summers, red maple autumns, and snowy winters – this is the best way to describe the tranquility of Kinsuitei. The well-designed rooms are built in traditional Japanese style keeping in mind ventilation and sunlight for the perfect comfy feel. The place must be your choice if you’re there in the summers as the city center is quite a lot hotter than Takao during the season. Made with the freshest seasonal produce, patrons have the choice between two cuisines – shakudo bento and Kyo-kaiseki.

[Address] 40 Umegahatatonohata-cho, Ukyo-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto Kyoto Japan

You can see more details for Takao Kinsuitei.

The hidden gem of ryokan Kyoto offers Kyokoyado Yasaka Yutone is the peak of peace and tranquility. The specialties are tofu, yuba, and Nama-fu. This ryokan is very close to the Yasaka Pagoda. This exclusive place only has seven townhouse-style rooms. Each room has a distinct character and comes with a traditional bathrobe as well. The ryokan also features a library lounge where you can catch up on some light reading and tea.

[Tel] +81 75-533-6226

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[Address] 413 Mimami-Chyo, Higashiyamaku Kyoto Japan

You can see more details for Kyokoyado Yasaka Yutone Kyoko.

If you’re looking for an all-in-all nature experience, there’s no ryokan Kyoto that is as good as Momijiya Annex. The place offers outdoor open-air baths with incredible views of the forest. The rooms have a private outdoor bath with a seating area as well, for the ultimate luxury stay at a ryokan. In typical ryokan style, the place comes with tatari and sliding doors. There is also a cute little café. This place is typically more modern as there is a restaurant in the building, rather than private dining. If you’re in Japan in the summer, a stay at Momijiya also includes riverside dining with Maiko entertainment. The cuisine served makes full use of the seasonal specials. Close by attractions includes the Saimyo-ji Temple and Kozan-ji temple, which are both at a walkable distance.

[Tel] +81 75-871-1005

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[Address] 32 Umegaharamikyosaka-cho, Ukyo-ku Kyoto Japan

You can see more details for Momijiya Annex.

Specially built as a couple’s retreat, Ugenta is a honeymooner’s paradise. You can’t get more exclusive than Ugenta, as it just features two rooms – one traditional Japanese and one modern. The Ugenta ryokan Kyoto has incredible views of the river as well as the lush mountains. Located in Kibune village, Ugenta is highly recommended as a nice getaway from city-dwellings. Facilities in the ryokan include 2 cafes, a restaurant by the river Kawadoko and a Japanese tea ceremony room. The phenomenal food here is a true celebration of the local cuisine. Should you not be comfortable, you can request a special western breakfast.

[Tel] +81 75-741-2146

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[Address] 76, KURAMA KIBUNECHO, SAKYO-KU KYOTO-SHI, KYOTO, 601-1112, JAPAN Kyoto Japan

For more details for Ryori Ryokan Ugenta.

Japan is one of the few places in the world that have perfected modernizing while retaining traditional customs. An experience at some of the best ryokan in Kyoto is such an exclusive experience that you can only describe as the perfect amalgamation of culture and comfort. With top-notch services and modern amenities, you don’t miss out on much while you also take in the real experience of the Japanese way of life. Ryokan is the best way to get yourself comfortable with Japanese culture and traditions and gives you a chance to open up your heart and mind as you relax amidst the beauty of the mountains and forests in Japan.

The charming open-air tearoom and the water garden is popular. There are inns where you can taste the seasonal Kyoto cuisine, inns with onsen hot springs in which you can relax, etc. Here are some ryokans where you can fully experience Kyoto's traditional culture.

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