Not everyone may like sitting on the floor for meals, but that is very common and traditional in Japan.

This was the most luxurious hotel experience I have ever had. Do it. The service and food is spectacular. The property is beautiful.

Stayed in August 2025

Amazing experience! Thanks for assist with luggage, big thanks!

Stayed in August 2025

Wow! Not just a place to stay but an incredible experience

Stayed in July 2025

Nothing.

Amazing stay and location. Staff and service were very polite and professional and the room with the wooden tub was beautiful. Breakfast and dinner were delicious and definitely worth it. Their chef is amazing! Would surely stay here again.

Stayed in July 2025

No coffee for breakfast. Make sure to stop by the convenience store the night before.

Perfect location in a quiet, historic neighborhood near many sights. Our room was very large. The staff was incredibly attentive and friendly. The Japanese Breakfast is fantastic.

Stayed in July 2025

Staff were friendly and very polite and good grasp of English. Our room was huge and the food was very good.

Stayed in July 2025

The low beams and the window on the roof. My husband’s head still hurts from bumping into the beams. And we always woke up around 4-5AM when the sun rises because of the window on the roof in our room.

Almost everything.

Stayed in July 2025

Excellent location, great services

Amazing services, beautiful garden and room

Stayed in July 2025

It was not a big detractor, but because we had booked late, a room with its own bathroom and also a dinner option were not available. But I understood that in advance and was still very happy with everything

The authentic Japanese tradition The rooms were spacious, clean and welcoming Breakfast was delicious - again a traditional Japanese breakfast which we had not had before Location was nice - not a commercial place but with plenty of local stores available

Stayed in July 2025

Ryokan is primarily made of wood - you will hear some noises during your stay, but it is bearable - especailly if you are staying there for a part of your journey to Japan. Bear in mind that you will sleep on the floor.

When visiting Japan you should definietly stay in a Ryokan at least once to experience Japanese hospitality. This Ryokan offers great service in a traditional Japanese way, while staying in a traditional building located in a historical neighborhood. Great pick

Stayed in July 2025

Nothing. Was perfect.

Truly an amazing property and stay. Everything was wonderful — the location, the space, the public baths, and the food! The food! Both dinner and breakfast were incredible. Can’t recommend more.

Stayed in June 2025

The location, the friendliness of the staff, the hospitality, the room was amazing. Everything really.

Stayed in May 2025

Room was a bit small

Wonderful location

Stayed in May 2025

I have never been to a Ryokan before, but based on pictures I have seen, Motonago was beautiful. We reserved the quadruple ( maybe it fits more than 2?) and it was large, beautiful with a full view of the garden. The staff was lovely, great us with a nice ceremonial tea. We reserved the Ibsen for ourselves for a full hour. The onzen was small but very pretty. Great experienced ( the futon was luxurious and super comfy)

Stayed in May 2025

Nothing

Wonderful facility in perfect Japanese style, the scent of wood accompanies you in every room. Courteous and helpful service, definitely the best experience of our trip to Japan. We recommend booking dinner and breakfast for the full Japanese experience.

Stayed in April 2025

It was my first time staying in a ryokan. We did it for the last night of our trip and I thought it was a great way to experience a traditional one. I don’t know if I would want to stay there a very long time as it is a little strange and hard sleeping on the floor, even with the mattresses. The staff was so lovely and accommodating. The place is super clean! Spotless. And the bath was extremely relaxing. I would definitely recommend it for a couple days in Kyoto.

Stayed in April 2025

Nothing. It was an incredible experience. I may simply opt out of morning meal service next time if I plan to sleep in.

This was a highlight of our first trip to Japan and honestly one of my favorite experiences in any place I have visited (and my husband and I do a lot of international travel). The location was beyond perfect, the staff was warm and welcoming, the inn was incredibly clean and comfortable. I have never felt so cared for in my life. My husband and I kept joking that it was like staying in a house full of sweet and loving nanas and aunties who just want you to be bathed, clothed and well fed. The food was delicious and it was fun to try new things I wouldn't have the confidence to order or eat anywhere else (we ate 99% of everything that was served to us). I loved slipping off my shoes upon entering the inn and then bathing in the beautiful onsen (privately reserved for one hour each night so my husband and I could relax together and my tattoos were not visible to anyone else). After that you get changed into your very own yukata, complete with obe and tabi socks. I thoroughly enjoyed all of the Mikimoto skincare and bath products which were a the luxurious surprise. We had some reservations about sleeping on tatami mats, but to our surprise it was incredibly comfortable!!!! The floor mats are heated and a cozy futon with fitted sheets and comforter are prepared for you on your first night before bed. Because it was just the two of us, we opted to double our futons which was perfect for us. One thing to note is that your evening meals are scheduled so you need to be mindful of the times that you have chosen to have your meals served to you. You must wake up and call when you are ready to eat breakfast within a certain time frame (this was a little funny for us given that we enjoyed late night cocktails around town and like to sleep in a little, but we quickly adapted). The futons are just SO SO cozy which made it even harder to get out of them! Our entire time there felt similar to a relaxing day at the spa.

Stayed in February 2025

The Ryokan was beautiful! Very relaxing and quiet atmosphere. The room had a lot of space, and the breakfast was good and decent. The Ryokan also has a public hot tub (separate rooms for men and women), and it was very nice and clean. The location was right at the center of Gion, close to all the main attractions around that area. And the staff was very nice and welcoming.

Stayed in April 2025

Nothing

It was beautiful, authentic, peaceful, and had a great location. Great sleep on the futons and staff who went out of their way to help us with transportation.

Stayed in April 2025

Nothing :)

The staff are all very sweet and their attention to detail is amazing.

Stayed in April 2025

True ryokan experience. Food was incredible and service was impeccable

Stayed in March 2025

Wish I could have stayed longer!

Stayed in March 2025

It was the atmosphere and the incredibly attentive staff, who saw to the smallest details, that made our visit exquisite. During our two-week, four-city tour of Japan, where all of it was extraordinary, it is Ryokan Motonago that remains most clearly in my mind due to the wonderful people. Additionally, the huge and enchanting Yasaka Shrine is very close, as are beautiful streets worth touring.

Stayed in February 2025

Comfortable stay in 100+ year old but well-maintained ryokan in amazingly beautiful Higashiyama area of Kyoto. Staff is friendly, welcoming, extremely courteous, and helpful. We are vegetarians, and they communicated in advance that we'll get continental breakfast - which was pretty good.

Stayed in March 2025