Sowaka

“Convenient, Beautiful Room and Outstanding Hospitality”

This charming, welcoming and well-managed hotel is in the upper section of the Gion district. Its convenient to everything but just enough outside the throngs to be peaceful. We stayed in the new section which was beautifully appointed including a wooden soaking bath and a small private garden area… more

This charming, welcoming and well-managed hotel is in the upper section of the Gion district. Its convenient to everything but just enough outside the throngs to be peaceful. We stayed in the new section which was beautifully appointed including a wooden soaking bath and a small private garden area. The staff at Sowaka is outstanding. The property is owned by an emerging hotel group and they have assembled an amazing team. Everyone speaks excellent English and they anticipate every need. We felt like warmly welcomed guests in a private home. They made our stay effortless. We highly recommend the breakfast and the in-room massage offerings. Also, a special shoutout to the front desk and housekeeping for make sure everything was perfect. If you have time, visit the four seat bar for a whiskey tasting.

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“A gem in the heart of Gion”

This small, boutique luxury hotel sits in the heart of Kyoto’s Gion District, right next to Yasaka-Jinja Shrine and within walking distance of Kiyomizu-dera. We stayed in Unit 111, a two-story suite at the front of the property. Its entrance opens directly onto the street beside the hotel’s main do… more

This small, boutique luxury hotel sits in the heart of Kyoto’s Gion District, right next to Yasaka-Jinja Shrine and within walking distance of Kiyomizu-dera. We stayed in Unit 111, a two-story suite at the front of the property. Its entrance opens directly onto the street beside the hotel’s main door—which made coming and going a bit amusing, as we often caught the curious glances of passersby. The rooms were clean, comfortable, and felt more spacious than the 34 sqm listed on the website. The cypress wood bathtub was a standout feature, with a lovely natural fragrance. Because the suite sits along the street, the first floor can be a bit noisy during the day, but it becomes quiet at night. The bedroom on the second floor is very peaceful. The only inconvenience is that the bathroom is on the first floor, which may not be ideal for those who need to get up frequently at night. Breakfast was included, with a choice of Western or Japanese options. We chose the Japanese breakfast throughout our stay and enjoyed it very much. Service was excellent, friendly, attentive, and genuinely helpful. We loved the hotel’s convenience; exploring the temples and small streets of Gion was easy, and whenever we felt tired, we simply returned to our room for a rest and a cup of tea (the hotel provides a kettle and a generous selection of tea bags). Overall, we truly enjoyed our stay.

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“Luxurious yet Japanese accommodations close to Gion”

I booked room 110 Standard Main as. Diamond member. On check in I was upgraded to room 212 Superior Garden View Annex. A nice upgrade! The annex building was a bit more spacious than the main. The room itself was beautiful and spacious. A really nice combination of traditional Japanese aesthetic … more

I booked room 110 Standard Main as. Diamond member. On check in I was upgraded to room 212 Superior Garden View Annex. A nice upgrade! The annex building was a bit more spacious than the main. The room itself was beautiful and spacious. A really nice combination of traditional Japanese aesthetic and modern convenience. Room 212 is long and I think the description of a “garden view” is a bit of a stretch as you can’t see very much. I liked the wooden tub, comfortable bed, and integration of smart controls for the room. The hotel itself is located south of Yasaka Shrine and is just a short walk away. The local area is right by Gion for those looking to go there. The closest transit is a bus stop and there is a slight incline so if you have luggage you may wish to consider a taxi. I got a bit lost once wandering the hotel myself until I figured out the way between the main and annex buildings. You’ll also need to take off your shoes at the entrance which get stored behind the front desk. Remember your shoes as the staff accidentally placed my shoes under a different room number once. I had breakfast which was served in the restaurant of the annex building. I opted for the Japanese option to match the rest of my experience. There were both some expected offerings such as cod and Japanese omelette as well as more eclectic inclusions such as dried jellyfish. Overall I had a really nice time. I can see the truly boutique hotel experience and I think it’s a really authentic yet luxurious Japanese experience.

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