Reviews of Waka Heian Shirakawa Hotel 4 stars
605-0021 Kyoto, Kyoto, 394-8, Sekisenincho, Japan
#228 of 699 hotels in Kyoto
Guests' ChoiceReview score
Based on 172 hotel reviews
8.9Score breakdown
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Cleanliness
9.3
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Comfort
9.3
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Location
9.0
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Facilities
9.0
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Staff
9.4
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Value for money
8.8
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Free WiFi
9.0
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Reviewed: 24 August 2025
Markéta
Czech Republic24 reviews3 helpful votes9.0Superb- • Family with young children
- • Superior Twin Room
- • Stayed 5 nights
- • Submitted via mobile
We really liked the position of this hotel in Higyashima - probably the most iconic part of Kyoto. Hotel had everything for a confortable stay, including the helpfull staff. Even in the centre,we enjoyed nice view from the room at the water stream. Great value for the price
Stayed in July 2025
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Reviewed: 23 August 2025
田覲嘉
Taiwan35 reviews3 helpful votes9.0Superb- • Leisure trip
- • Solo traveller
- • Standard Double Room
- • Stayed 3 nights
- • Submitted via mobile
Conveniently located near a subway station and various bus stops. Room is quite big and comfortable. Staff is very welcoming.
Stayed in August 2025
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Reviewed: 16 August 2025
Terrence
Netherlands20 reviews9.0“Great place!”- • Leisure trip
- • Family with young children
- • Standard Twin Room
- • Stayed 5 nights
Great hotel at great location. Small hotel with friendly staff. No restaurant so for breakfast you need to go into town. Nearby there is a few places to have breakfast en even closer by is a Lawson convenience store. Metro station is a 2 min walk. Rooms are very nice and comfortable beds. I really enjoyed this gem in Kyoto
Stayed in August 2025
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Reviewed: 14 August 2025
Zenteno
Mexico4 reviews10Exceptional- • Leisure trip
- • Family with young children
- • Standard Double Room
- • Stayed 1 night
- • Submitted via mobile
Clean, close to transport and laundry near lobby
Stayed in July 2025
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Reviewed: 14 August 2025
Zenteno
Mexico4 reviews10Exceptional- • Leisure trip
- • Family with young children
- • Superior Twin Room
- • Stayed 3 nights
- • Submitted via mobile
Clean, friendly and close to public transport
Stayed in August 2025
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Reviewed: 29 July 2025
Amanda
United States18 reviews7 helpful votes10“Perfect quiet street/neighborhood but close to subway and sightseeing or shopping.”- • Leisure trip
- • Family with young children
- • Standard Double Room
- • Stayed 5 nights
Honestly, it was exactly what I hoped for and was such a nice landing spot from our daily outings in Kyoto. Highly recommend.
The location was fantastic. The neighborhood was exactly what I'd hoped for: on a side street, right next to the canal/river, and close to temples, museums, etc. It was a very quiet neighborhood, easy to walk around in. We could have rented bikes if the weather was cooler, but it was in the middle of summer and was really hot. But the subway access is very close (just about a block away). There were plenty of a variety of restaurants that were very walkable. In fact, there were 4 within a block. We didn't get to try those, but if we go back, we definitely would. They were obviously well-liked by locals. The staff was SO helpful and accommodating. They held our luggage after checkout and even called us a cab to Kyoto Station when we picked up our luggage. So very kind and helpful. The rooms were relatively spacious, with a great bathroom/shower/bath. We didn't use the laundry on-site, but it was available. And tea was available near the lobby. Great security.
Stayed in July 2025
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Reviewed: 11 July 2025
Helen
Ireland13 reviews9.0Superb- • Leisure trip
- • Family with young children
- • Standard Double Room
- • Stayed 3 nights
- • Submitted via mobile
Lovely quiet room, excellent location.
Stayed in July 2025
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Reviewed: 14 June 2025
Lauren
Australia5 reviews9.0“Quiet and amazing value for money”- • Leisure trip
- • Solo traveller
- • Superior Twin Room
- • Stayed 3 nights
- • Submitted via mobile
This place is amazing value for money! So quiet - I had the best night sleep here. Easy walking distance to the old town. Would definitely recommend.
Stayed in May 2025
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Reviewed: 10 June 2025
P
Australia4 reviews1 helpful vote10Exceptional- • Leisure trip
- • Couple
- • Standard Twin Room
- • Stayed 2 nights
- • Submitted via mobile
All fine
Right by the river and attractions
Stayed in June 2025
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Reviewed: 6 June 2025
Mandrekar
India1 review10“Excellent stay”- • Business trip
- • People with friends
- • Standard Twin Room
- • Stayed 5 nights
- • Submitted via mobile
Nothing
It was very cozy place with nice water canal to give perfect ambience for the stay.
Stayed in May 2025
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Reviewed: 5 June 2025
Bronte
New Zealand32 reviews3 helpful votes9.0“Great stay walking distance from nice parts of Kyoto”- • Leisure trip
- • People with friends
- • Standard Twin Room
- • Stayed 2 nights
- • Submitted via mobile
Nice clean room, super comfy beds!
Stayed in June 2025
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Reviewed: 1 June 2025
Martin
Australia1 review9.0“Great location”- • Business trip
- • Solo traveller
- • Standard Twin Room
- • Stayed 7 nights
- • Submitted via mobile
Great location, excellent WiFi. Free amenities helpful. Luggage storage invaluable. Also nice to see fireflies on the bridge outside!
Stayed in May 2025
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Reviewed: 27 May 2025
Sílvia
Portugal12 reviews10Exceptional- • Leisure trip
- • Family with young children
- • Standard Double Room
- • Stayed 4 nights
- • Submitted via mobile
Everything, best room and nicest staff. Very closw to everything.
Stayed in May 2025
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Reviewed: 24 May 2025
Arild
Norway3 reviews9.0“A very nice hotel with great location”- • Leisure trip
- • Solo traveller
- • Standard Twin Room
- • Stayed 3 nights
- • Submitted via mobile
The hotel is conveniently located just 1 minute walk from a subway station and walking distance to many attractions. The room is recently refurbished and very comfortable. Staff is very service minded and helpful. Only thing missing is breakfast facilities, but there are many shops nearby that sell food and drinks 24/7.
Stayed in May 2025
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Reviewed: 20 May 2025
Fleur
Australia3 reviews10“Beautiful city, fabulous location, very accessible and perfect hotel next to a small tranquil stream”- • Leisure trip
- • Group
- • Standard Double Room
- • Stayed 5 nights
- • Submitted via mobile
Nothing
Absolutely fantastic, really loved this place
Stayed in April 2025
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Reviewed: 19 May 2025
Danila
United Kingdom12 reviews10“I would 100% stay here again. The location is just perfect.”- • Leisure trip
- • Solo traveller
- • Standard Double Room
- • Stayed 5 nights
- • Submitted via mobile
As many places in Japan there was no iron in the room so had to ask for one.
Location is just perfect. Quiet and well connected next to a river walk that is to dream of.
Stayed in May 2025
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Reviewed: 17 May 2025
Louise
Australia4 reviews10“Thank you for the the kind and helpful staff. We will definitely book the garden room again.”- • Leisure trip
- • Couple
- • Deluxe Twin Room
- • Stayed 1 night
- • Submitted via mobile
X
Beautiful garden and plenty of fresh air.
Stayed in May 2025
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Reviewed: 17 May 2025
Merisha
United Kingdom4 reviews1 helpful vote9.0“Comy and convenient stay! Great staff”- • Leisure trip
- • Family with young children
- • Deluxe Twin Room
- • Stayed 4 nights
- • Submitted via mobile
The garden outside the rooms is lovely but there’s no where to sit and enjoy it.
The room was very spacious, comfy and the staff were a standout very helpful and kind - much appreciated. Very closely located to the metro or a walk to the more central shopping areas, shrines, Saturday market, convenience store, food etc. Eco hotel do they don’t do cleaning everyday and you can collect additional amenities outside the rooms, there’s also laundry facilities.
Stayed in April 2025
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Reviewed: 16 May 2025
Hilary
Canada5 reviews10Exceptional- • Leisure trip
- • Couple
- • Standard Twin Room
- • Stayed 5 nights
- • Submitted via mobile
Excellent location, just a quick taxi (or pleasent walk) to many temples. Close to the subway but not at all crowded. It was a very peaceful area. Staff were helpful and rooms were clean and comfortable. Washing machine was easy to use and not busy. You do need to plan dinner carefully as many of the restaurants nearby close early.
Stayed in May 2025
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Reviewed: 15 May 2025
Philippe
Israel37 reviews3 helpful votes10“Recommended place to stay”- • Leisure trip
- • Group
- • Deluxe Twin Room
- • Stayed 4 nights
Nothing
Spacious room with all facilities and amenities. Very efficient and nice staff. They took care to send our luggage to the next location and discovered that the destination could not receive the luggage. They found an alternative which was great. There is not breakfast but we knew before hand and there are plenty possibilities (great French bakery) very close.
Stayed in May 2025
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Reviewed: 11 May 2025
Amanda
Netherlands10 reviews1 helpful vote8.0“Had a great stay!”- • Leisure trip
- • Couple
- • Standard Double Room
- • Stayed 3 nights
- • Submitted via mobile
The bed was a bit too small for us 2. But that is all
The ambiance and vibe, the bathroom, the friendly staff, the room
Stayed in May 2025
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Reviewed: 8 May 2025
Aleksandra
Poland1 review10“I absolutely recommend it, especially for families!”- • Leisure trip
- • Family with young children
- • Superior Twin Room
- • Stayed 4 nights
- • Submitted via mobile
There wasn’t a single thing that we didn’t like.
I was shocked by how clean and big was the room and bathroom. We also booked a stay just for 4 nights but we still got a cleaning room service in the middle of our stay which was very nice. The beds were exceptionally big and comfortable! Also some recognition for staff because they were really helpful and always greeted us with a smile! The location was also great - a quiet area with a river outside a window, but still very close to stores, restaurants and tourist attractions. We loved everything about our stay here. Highly recommend!
Stayed in April 2025
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Reviewed: 1 May 2025
Lorenzo
Italy1 review1 helpful vote10Exceptional- • Leisure trip
- • Couple
- • Standard Twin Room
- • Stayed 4 nights
- • Submitted via mobile
Breakfast would be a great plus
Everything
Stayed in May 2025
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Reviewed: 28 April 2025
Ian
United Kingdom7 reviews1 helpful vote10“Lovely quiet hotel hidden away in the back streets.”- • Leisure trip
- • Family with young children
- • Standard Double Room
- • Stayed 3 nights
- • Submitted via mobile
The view wasn’t great from the standard room but it didn’t spoil the stay at all.
Lovely quiet hotel hidden away in the back streets. Very clean rooms and facilities with very pleasant staff.
Stayed in April 2025
