This wonderful family-run traditional Japanese inn in Kyoto was one of my favorite places that I stayed in while in Japan. The rooms are cozy and traditionally Japanese and the bathrooms, like most ryokan, are shared. It is centrally located yet very peaceful. The doors lock at 11pm for security and I didn’t mind at all. It is run by very kind people and every night that I was there, I felt like I was coming home.

Stayed in July 2025

The host is very kind and helpful person, right after we checked-in she brought us green tea and cookies, was always there to care for her guests. It was a pleasure to experience such hospitality. The rooms are clean, they have all you need. The place is very conveniently located - near the station.

Stayed in June 2025

No food or breakfast on offer, but kombinis are a short stroll away.

I chose to stay a night in a Ryokan just to see what it’s like. It turned out to be our most comfortable stay! - Huge room compared to what you typically get in a hotel, we had our own little garden, futons were surprisingly comfortable for a good night’s sleep. - Cleanliness of bathroom, washroom and toilet impeccable! They had all the amenities, even spare packaged toothbrushes! - The property felt very safe and rather private, I did not come accross another guest during my one night stay. I wish I could speak Japanese to properly thank the adorable lady at the entrance, she asked us many times if it wasn’t a problem that the room is traditional Japanese style, but we loved the experience! We could even leave our bags with her for a day after checking out. We wish we had booked more nights here instead of hotels!

Stayed in May 2025

The location is great, 5 mins away from Nishiki market and lots of shopping and good food around. The Host is a sweet elderly lady who runs the place. If you want a traditional ryokan experience this is the place. I would definitely come back for the next Kyoto visit.

Stayed in June 2025

If you want a traditional Ryokan in a good location with a no frills,but very acceptable amenities, this is your place! Very friendly and helpful owners make you feel at home in the Ryokan. No meals or onsen available. Basic traditional home base to explore Kyoto and feel at home.

Stayed in April 2025

The staff were incredibly nice and it felt like staying at my grandma's house.

Stayed in May 2025

Everything was excellent

The staff was very friendly and kind. We had the chance to practice our basic Japanese with the staff. The facilities were very nice, clean, organized and as we expected, traditional Japanese. Located close to the mini market, temple, restaurants and metro station.

Stayed in April 2025

+great location +great experience as a ryokan, pretty comfortable +kind owners -take in mind if you stay for more than 1/2 nights that it is too silent after 11 pm It’s not appropriate to take a shower cause you can wake up someone -there is an 11pm curfew

Stayed in April 2025

Oh I loved this place and regret that I had only 1 night there. It's run by an elderly woman who is super friendly and laughs a lot. It's lovingly old fashioned, clean and traditional. The owner had the heater on and ready for me to have my shower as it was 4° out. I would definitely stay here again

Stayed in February 2025

I was aware of the curfew and it didn’t really affect me, but I can imagine the hard cutoff at 11pm would’ve been annoying if I had stayed longer.

Very kind service, the room was big and comfy, came with a yukata for the stay, and I was welcomed with matcha and a delicious sweet

Stayed in December 2024

Early curfew of 11pm made it difficult to enjoy nights out without stress of having to make it back in time

The staff were excellent, the authenticity and styling was amazing.

Stayed in December 2024

There is a curfew at 11pm and we had to change our plans during our stay in Kyoto 🙁

The location was perfect, close to the metro and with a really nice neighborhood. Pleasant view from our room that was facing the tiny garden in the ryokan. The owners were very kind 😊

Stayed in October 2024

You need to be at the ryokan before 11pm , can be a problem sometimes if you would like to explore night time

Typical Japanese ryokan. Felt like authentic home. Close to Kyoto center

Stayed in October 2024

The futon was a bit thin, my western back had some trouble with sleeping on the hard surface 😅

Very authentic japanese experience! Hostess(es) were incredibly friendly and helpful.

Stayed in October 2024

Everything was perfect truly, nothing can get better than it already is.

This place is really extraordinary. It is run by a family (that owns this place for more than 70 years!) and you really feel like you are visiting your grandma there. The hospitality at this place was amazing was unmatched and the staff provided us with everything (tea, pajamas, bath supplies, WiFi, small table in our room). The lady was so nice and she greeted us every time we entered and every time we were leaving this Ryokan. Everything was extremely clean and it was a great experience to sleep in this traditional Japanese hotel. Truly it was worth every yen. 11/10, I truly recommend and I will stay there again for sure if I am ever back in Kyoto.

Stayed in September 2024

I loved it!! First time in a Japanese traditional house and I enjoyed so much. I travelled in august so was very hot, but room has AC so temperature was not a problem. (Also, No mosquitos at all). My room was super cozy, they provided towels and a Yukata to wear in the room, and mattress was so comfortable! The owners, two ladies, are the most lovely owners I’ve ever met!! Kind and always willing to help you, they gave me a cup of tea with a small dessert to welcoming me. I definitely recommend this experience! Just a little advice! For some reason the address brought me in front of the temple near the Ryokan not exactly in front of the property, I recommend to write “Ryokan Nakajimaya 旅館 中島家” on Google Maps to find it!

Stayed in August 2024

The place was very traditional and very japanese. The two women are very kind and very nice, and this made this place shine.

Stayed in August 2024

Enjoy everything

Lovely quaint family run Ryokan in a fantastic location, only two stops on the subway from/to Kyoto station. So friendly and welcoming, had a great time. We wished we could have stayed longer! But it was booked up.

Stayed in June 2024

I cannot find a fault, everything was 10/10.

Lovely traditional Ryokan ran by a very sweet lady who was very accommodating. The futon was comfy, the bathroom clean and all amenities were available. The location is fabulous, with walking distance to nishiki market, maruyama park, gion and also great transport links to go further.

Stayed in May 2024

Nothing

I didn't have breakfast but very nicely served green tea and Japanese cake on arrival. The address a bit tricky but location in a sweet narrow little street with a lot of action in all directions; Ryokan itself quiet and peaceful; pretty room, attentive mother/daughter in charge. Easy walking distance to station/bus stops etcetera.

Stayed in April 2024

Going outside of the room to use the toilet was quite cold during the time we were there. Plugs were far away from the bed, not helpful when we needed our phone alarm to wake us up. For the shower rooms, one of them is shower only, so do not use the bathtub in there! We learnt about it a bit late (after one of us took a bath in it) and ended up upsetting the hosts (sorry about that!) Do make sure to clarify with the hosts which shower room is for which purpose so that you don't make the same mistake!

Host was extremely courteous and helpful. Location was quite good, being close to kawaramachi. Room was quite spacious for two people, able to fit our big luggage. There was a small garden outside our room (we were on the first floor), and it was extremely beautiful to be in, a great environment indeed!

Stayed in March 2024

The toilets are not heated and a bit cramped, hence little uncomfortable. You have to access the upper floor through a very narrow staircase, and you will find it extremely difficult (nearly impossible) if you have large suitcase.

The authentic ryokan experience with a warm and courteous host. Location is fantastic with bus/ subway station within 5 minutes walk.. very neat and clean with comfortable and traditional bedding and shower

Stayed in March 2024

Nice authentic Ryokan located in a very central location from which you can easily reach by walking or transportation all the main tourists attractions of Kyoto. The neighbourhood also has many nice restaurants and bars. Last but not least, the owners were very nice and friendly!

Stayed in March 2024

The communication was bad about the baths. We were unsure about when we could take a bath and also if the owner would run one for us. One of us took a bath and unknowingly either upset or offended the owner because she said it was only shower (but there was a bath in the bathroom?) we had also read the owner would prepare a bath, but there was limited information about this. All in all, we had no idea how it worked. The beds were hard to sleep on (part of the experience we’d say though) and the walls are very thin. Another guest unfortunately snores very loud and we could hear it very clearly from the other room.

Traditional Ryokan with a very friendly host. Almost too friendly! We enjoyed the experience but personally was glad it was only 2 nights, as it is an alternative experience. All and all a great time at the Ryokan :) the location is fantastic and close to many great and interesting places in Kyoto.

Stayed in February 2024