Ryokan Sawaya Honten

“A True Hidden Gem”

If you want to experience a more traditional style of lodging while in Kyoto, this is a great option. It's a bit further out of popular areas compared to larger hotels, but it's only a modest walk to the subway, and the bus connections with Kyoto train station are convenient. The price is very af… more

If you want to experience a more traditional style of lodging while in Kyoto, this is a great option. It's a bit further out of popular areas compared to larger hotels, but it's only a modest walk to the subway, and the bus connections with Kyoto train station are convenient. The price is very affordable, the service is very polite, and the futons were frankly more comfortable than most of the western-style mattresses I slept on at other hotels. Staying in a place like this give you a real sense of where you are, versus staying in a business hotel or a western-style luxury hotel, and the location gives you a bit of respite from the crowds and the touristy nature of Kyoto itself. A hidden gem, definitely!

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“Welcoming traditional experience in beautiful Kyoto”

Wonderful stay - spacious traditional Japanese Ryokan with very friendly welcoming staff and wonderful hot pools / onsen. Lovely seating areas near all rooms with small gardens and koi pond. I'm told the hot breakfasts are great too - but I was at a conference that had plenty of food so I didn't … more

Wonderful stay - spacious traditional Japanese Ryokan with very friendly welcoming staff and wonderful hot pools / onsen. Lovely seating areas near all rooms with small gardens and koi pond. I'm told the hot breakfasts are great too - but I was at a conference that had plenty of food so I didn't try the Ryokan breakfast. If you're hungry at odd hours there is a Friendly Mart (Lawson? 7/11?) on the corner nearby open till 10 or 11pm - with fruit, candy, hot and cold food etc. Be ready to leave your shoes at the front door on arrival. Fresh towels, tabi (toe socks) and yukata (cotton robes) provided every day and hot water available 24/7. Read the onsen / hot pool rules before hand (in room or look up on phone) for important information like no bathing suits, sit down to shower/rinse, no soap/shampoo in the pool. After making a few mistakes on the first day, getting around by public transport became easy. Sometimes google and bus stops say that a bus has already left but they mean it's supposed to have left. It might just be delayed by a stop or two. Use ICOCA card on everything (train/bus) except for LOOP buses (couldn't work them out). SUICA card probably works anywhere too but if you get a Welcome SUICA at the airport on the way in (as I did) then you'll discover that it's different. Most importantly, the Welcome SUICA doesn't work on public transport outside of Tokyo. It also expires after 28 days losing all the money you loaded it with. However, you can use it as a payment card at most convenience stores. (I ended up using it at the Family Mart in Kyoto to buy snacks). Best app for phones - SUICA balance check - although the balance info is often printed on your receipts/bus tickets. Also, ignore all the websites that say you don't need a reserved seat on Shinkansen but can sit anywhere unless the seat is claimed. That only applies if you have a Japan Rail Pass (not a ticket, or card). Also, you need to use both your local travel pass and your Shinkansen (express) ticket to get through platform gates. That's not exactly clear either. Kyoto is beautiful and I didn't get a chance to do much sightseeing so I'll be back.

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“Phenomenal experience of traditional Japan”

We loved our stay at Ryokan Sawaya. The rooms are very spacious, which is rare in Japan, we had a lot of space! The ryokan amenities are great, especially the public baths, excellent to relax after a day of touring Kyoto. The building is clean and well preserved. The attention to details is fantast… more

We loved our stay at Ryokan Sawaya. The rooms are very spacious, which is rare in Japan, we had a lot of space! The ryokan amenities are great, especially the public baths, excellent to relax after a day of touring Kyoto. The building is clean and well preserved. The attention to details is fantastic, as everyday you get little treats like tea and cookies. The staff also was very friendly and polite. The location is convenient, close to a subway station and bus stops, and there are several restaurants nearby, but still in a quiet neighborhood. Maybe a bit distant from the most important Kyoto's landmarks, but still easy to move in the city using public transportation.

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“Delightful stay”

We had a delightful few days at this lovely ryokan. Service was super friendly and welcoming. The room was cosy and traditional (futons on floor, with thick, warm duvets). The location is great, just a short walk to a quiet station which will take you to Gion and Pontocho in a few stops. The same t… more

We had a delightful few days at this lovely ryokan. Service was super friendly and welcoming. The room was cosy and traditional (futons on floor, with thick, warm duvets). The location is great, just a short walk to a quiet station which will take you to Gion and Pontocho in a few stops. The same train line also links to local routes which will take you to several of the less busy temples. If you are lucky enough to be here for the autumn leaves as we were then you should see Enkoji and Shisen-do (they are next to each other): sublime! Many thanks to Sawaya Honten for a memorable stay in Kyoto.

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