Staying in a traditional Japanese ryokan should be on every person’s Japan bucket list. Kyoto, Japan, a city known for Japanese culture, history, and tradition, is one of the best places to try this enriching experience. Staying at a Kyoto ryokan is the perfect way to experience Japanese culture, hospitality and tradition. From the moment you step foot into one of these best Kyoto ryokan, you’re sure to feel relaxed and at ease.
What is a ryokan?
Ryokan are traditional Japanese inns which often feature tatami-matted rooms, futon bedding, and communal onsen baths. They come with breakfast and kaiseki or multi-course dinner included in the room price, using seasonal and regional ingredients. Although staying in a ryokan without meals is possible, in order to experience a traditional Kyoto ryokan to the fullest, I urge you to give this a try – it’s worth every penny!
Ryokan guests often year yukata Japanese robes during their stay, including wearing them to the dining area and to the communal onsen baths. Taking a dip in a ryokan’s communal onsen, if one is available, is also a must. This adds to the immersive experience and allows you to fully embrace the traditional Japanese ryokan.
Note, while ryokan in geothermal regions like Hakone almost always come with onsen fed by hot-springs, for Kyoto ryokan it is not a certainty. If you’re after an onsen ryokan, be sure to check out my descriptions below of Kyoto ryokan with onsen.
Best Kyoto Ryokan
My list of Kyoto ryokan are ordered based on price per room for two people, with breakfast and dinner included, at the time of writing.
Be sure to check the booking link for the latest prices of ryokan rooms and options, because this can change depending on the time of year you plan to visit.
Let’s get started with my list of incredible Kyoto ryokan!
1. Ryokan Sanga
Economy Twin Room – $277 USD per night for two people, breakfast and dinner included.
Ryokan Sanga is a budget-friendly Kyoto ryokan creates a blend of traditional Japanese ambiance with comforting modern amenities. The building has plenty of historic charm for guests to enjoy, plus a Japanese garden on-site, to create the perfect escape from the busy city.
The Japanese tatami rooms here come with futon bedding, yukata rentals, en-suite bathrooms, and free toiletries. Amenities available to guests on-site include a communal onsen hot spring bath, massage services, and vending machines.
Ryokan Sanga is a centrally-located Kyoto ryokan. It’s walking distance from Kyoto’s popular Nishiki market, Kawaramachi shopping streets, and Pontocho Alley.
Check the latest availability and rates here.
2. Watazen Ryokan
Japanese Style Room with Private Bath and Toilet – $330 USD per night for two people, breakfast and dinner included.
Watazen Ryokan is a historic Kyoto ryokan which was established in 1830. The Kyoto ryokan retains its historical ambiance through its tatami flooring and spacious community onsen. Upon arrival guests can select their yukata for their stay as well as pick up free toiletries. Welcoming tea ceremonies are also held on-site for guests, a unique Japanese cultural experience.
Watazen Ryokan is conveniently located in the Karasuma part of Kyoto, perfect for traveling around the city and for visiting places like Nishiki Market and Kawaramachi shopping streets on foot.
Check the latest availability and rates here.
3. Hanaikada Ryokan
Japanese Style Standard Room – $335 USD per night for two people, breakfast and dinner included. If you’re interested in an Open-Air private onsen, upgrade to a Suite for four people for $1,202 USD per night.
Hanaikada is located in western Kyoto near the Arashiyama bamboo groves, Togetsukyo Bridge, and the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Tenryu-ji Temple. This Kyoto ryokan claims it is the only ryokan in Kyoto with a gender-segregated onsen with water fed from the Arashiyama natural hot springs. It also has a rooftop ashi-yu, or footbath onsen too.
The rooms here are primarily Japanese style with sleeping on futons, however limited Western room options with a bed are available. Breakfast here is enjoyed in the common dining area, and dinners are brought to guests’ rooms for a private kaiseki (multi-course meal) experience. A public hot spring onsen is available here as well, one for men and one for women, as well as a kashikiri private onsen that can be rented for an additional fee. Yukata rentals are also available for guests at Hanaikada ryokan to top off a perfect Kyoto ryokan experience.
Check the latest availability and rates here.
4. Ryokan Motonago
Premium Quadruple Room – $463 USD per night for two people, breakfast and dinner included. Cheaper room options are also available, down to $257 USD per night for two people, if you opt for a room with a shared bathroom and no meals included.
Ryokan Motonago is one of the best ryokan in Kyoto which was recognized by the 2020 Michelin Guide for its traditional Japanese hospitality and authentic ryokan experience. The ryokan offers onsen facilities that can be reserved for private use, as well as massage treatment services. Rooms are traditional Japanese tatami-style, and include TVs, electric kettles, mini fridges, and free toiletries. Some Western-style bed options are also available.
Ryokan Motonago is located in Kyoto’s Higashiyama district near Yasaka Shrine and Kiyomizudera Temple.
Check the latest availability and rates here.
5. Seikoro Ryokan
Japanese-Style Standard Room – $474 USD per night for two people, breakfast and dinner included.
Seikoro Ryokan was established in 1831, and stands out from the rest due it its well-preserved traditional architecture. It blends historical Japanese charm like wooden bathtubs, yukata robe rentals and tatami floors with modern finishes like in-room TVs, mini fridges, free toiletries, and air conditioning. Some rooms have been updated to include Western-style beds.
Amenities at Seikoro Ryokan include public onsen facilities, a Japanese garden, massage services, and a small gift shop on-site. The ryokan is located near the Kamo River and a quick drive from Kyoto Station. It is also walking distance from the base of Kiyomizudera and its famous historic Kyoto shopping streets.
Check out the latest rates and availability for this amazing ryokan in Kyoto here.
6. Ishibekoji Muan
Twin Room with Bathroom – $480 USD per night for two people, breakfast included.
Ishibekoji Muan is a Kyoto ryokan that spared no expense when furnishing their traditional Japanese rooms with modern amenities like Dyson products and Nespresso coffee machines. These perks also come with amazing hospitality, spacious Japanese-style rooms (some with Western bed options), private bathrooms and bathtubs, and stunning views of the surrounding Japanese garden. An intimate bar is also available on-site for guests.
This amazing Kyoto ryokan is located on a quaint and picturesque street in east Kyoto, which adds to the traditional Japanese atmosphere. It is walking distance from Yasaka Shrine, Gion, and Ninenzaka street which leads to Kiyomizudera.
Check out the latest rates and availability for this amazing ryokan in Kyoto here.
7. Japanese Ryokan Seryo
Twin Room with Private Bathroom – $518 USD per night for two guests, kaiseki breakfast and dinner included. Ingredients used here include home-grown vegetables and seasonal Kyoto ingredients. This Kyoto ryokan was featured in the 2018 Michelin guide for one of the best places to stay in Kyoto.
Japanese Ryokan Seryo is located in the Ohara region north of Kyoto city center. This traditional Kyoto ryokan offers public and private onsen facilities on-site which draws hot spring water from the Ohara hot springs. A Japanese traditional restaurant, Hinasato, is located on-site.
Both Western and Japanese-style bedrooms are available for guests, with a TV, private bathroom, free toiletries, and a mini fridge. There’s even a spacious Japanese garden and koi pond on-site!
Check out the latest rates and availability for this amazing ryokan in Kyoto here.
8. Kyoto Nanzenji Ryokan Yachiyo
Japanese Style Standard Twin Room Annex – $579 per night for two people, breakfast and dinner included.
Kyoto Nanzenji Ryokan Yachiyo is located in a Meiji-era residential villa, walking distance from Nanzenji Temple in Kyoto. This traditional Kyoto ryokan only offers rooms with futon bedding on tatami mats, and has public onsen baths for guests to enjoy. Their on-site Japanese restaurant serves traditional and seasonal dishes, and if requested in advance, can cater to dietary restrictions (check out my list of vegetarian-friendly ryokan in Japan).
The entire ryokan is surrounded by Japanese gardens and nature, making it a great place to stay during cherry blossoms or to see fall foliage. Other amenities available for guests include a lounge area, gift shop, and massage facilities. Some rooms including a larger family suite room, come with private onsen attached.
Check the availability and latest rates here
9. Ohanabo Ryokan
Deluxe Japanese-Style Room – $683 USD per night for two people, breakfast and dinner included. Cheaper room options are available from $219 USD per night for two people, for shared bathroom facilities and no meals.
Ohanabo is a traditional, family-run Kyoto ryokan that is situated in a historic, three-story wooden townhome. With only a handful of rooms, guests will have a personalized ryokan experience and feel like they are at a home-away-from-home. Rooms here have tatami flooring, sliding doors, and minimalist decor for a traditional ryokan feel.
Facilities available to guests here include onsen bathing facilities, a vending machine, and lounge area. Ohanano Ryokan is only a 7-minute walk away from Kyoto Station, your gateway to the rest of Kyoto and day-trips from Kyoto.
Check out the latest rates and availability for this amazing ryokan in Kyoto here.
10. Heihachi Tea House Inn
Twin Room with Shared Bathroom – $755 per night for two people, breakfast and dinner included.
Heihachi Tea House Inn is one of the most unique and historic options on my list of best Kyoto ryokan. The ryokan has a history spanning over 440 years having its beginnings as a tea house in 1567. The entrance to the accommodation and the spacious Japanese garden surrounding it is through a gate, which used to be part of a Zen temple in Yamaguchi prefecture.
Although the rooms here are with a shared bathroom, there are only four rooms available for the whole property, and I think the beauty and charm of this place outweighs any downside.
Facilities available on-site include a beautiful Japanese garden, public onsen, and sauna. Kaiseki meals are served in-room and overlooking the Japanese seasonal foliage. Your chef who prepares the meals is the 21st generation of people working at this tea house and ryokan.
Check the latest room availability and prices for this Kyoto ryokan here.
11. Rangetsu
Deluxe Suite – $839 per night for two people, breakfast and dinner included.
Rangetsu is a top-rated Kyoto ryokan located in the western part of the city, near Arashiyama bamboo grove. This traditional Japanese ryokan has rooms with Japanese futon bedding on tatami mats, as well as traditional Japanese seating areas on zabuton cushions. Some rooms have a private onsen attached on-suite located on an outdoor terrace and fed from hot spring waters from the Arashiyama hot springs. The private onsen overlooks the nearby Katsura River and the bamboo forest, and is surrounded by nature. The ryokan also has public indoor onsen for guests to use and yukata rentals for guests.
This Kyoto ryokan is about as traditional as it gets, and is perfect for visitors seeking an authentic Japanese ryokan experience in Kyoto!
Check the latest rates and availability here.
12. Yuzuya Ryokan
Superior Twin Room – $892 per night for two people, breakfast and dinner included.
Yuzuya is a five-star Kyoto ryokan that is renowned for its traditional Japanese ambiance, impeccable service and attention to detail. They present seasonal flower arrangements in all guest rooms! The ryokan offers a beautiful interior Japanese garden and waterfall as well as onsen facilities on-site, perfect for unwinding after a day of exploring Kyoto.
The rooms available here are traditional Japanese, with tatami mats and futon bedding, and include amenities like yukata rentals, a small TV, a mini fridge, and free toiletries.
Yuzuya is located just steps away from Yasaka Shrine as well as on the fringes of the historic Gion neighborhood, known for being a historic geisha and maiko district.
Check the latest room availability and prices for this Kyoto ryokan here.
13. Ryokan Genhouin
Japanese Style Superior Triple Room with Garden View – $1,027 per night for three people, breakfast included.
Ryokan Genhouin is a picture-perfect ryokan in Kyoto that offers incredible Japanese hospitality in a tranquil, traditional setting. It offers a large Japanese garden on-site, perfect for relaxation, as well as onsen hot spring bathing facilities including a reservable onsen. The tatami rooms here are spacious, with seating areas, TVs, and balconies that open up to the Japanese garden. Unfortunately dinner options are not available here, however fresh and locally sourced ingredients are used to provide guests with an impeccable Japanese breakfast.
Ryokan Genhouin is located in Kyoto’s northwestern temple district, making it the perfect base to explore Japanese history, culture, and tradition. Nearby landmarks include Heian Shrine and Nanzen-ji Temple.
Check the latest room availability and prices for this Kyoto ryokan here.
14. Nazuna Kyoto Nijo-jo
Suite with Open-Air Bath – $1,087 per night for two people, breakfast and dinner included.
Nazuna Kyoto Nijo-jo is a luxury accommodation option, that’s undoubtedly one of the best ryokan in Kyoto. Nazuna Kyoto was even named to the 2020 Michelin guide to Kyoto and Osaka as one of the best places to stay in Kyoto.
All of the suites at this property are stunningly decorated in a traditional but renovated Japanese style. Each suite has a private onsen, some of which are open-air on the patio, some overlooking a Japanese garden, and some indoor in a cypress tub. Although not fed by hot springs, soaking in one of these rotenburo hot-tubs surrounded by the beauty of Kyoto will melt all stresses away. The suites also have a small Japanese garden, tatami seating area, Western-style beds (and futon options), air conditioning, and a TV.
Meals served at this ryokan are irori-style, or cooked over the suite’s open irori fireplace’s hot coals. The property also offers, for additional fees, walking tours through Kyoto with a kimono traditional dress, and massage services.
Check the latest room availability and prices for this Kyoto ryokan here.
15. Sowaka
Superior King Room with City View – $1,160 per night for two people, breakfast and dinner included.
Sowaka is a contemporary ryokan in Kyoto that offers world-class service at its 5-star establishment. Although it doesn’t look like a traditional Japanese ryokan, this modern take on Japanese art and culture still deserves a spot on my list of best ryokan in Kyoto.
The rooms here are spacious and luxurious, with everything you need to have a perfect stay: yukata robes, mini fridge, TV, seating area, and views of the natural scenery outdoors. All rooms come with a standalone tub, which also overlooks the surrounding seasonal foliage.
Although there is no onsen available on site, there is a spacious restaurant, lounge area, bar, and beautiful Japanese garden where guests can spend their time.
Check the latest room availability and prices for this incredible Kyoto ryokan here.
