Wonderful traditional hotel with excellent service. Rooms are large and comfortable.

This hotel was just amazing. The location, design, uniqueness, rooms and especially the staff were top notch. We couldn’t recommend it enough. They went out of their way to make sure we had an enjoyable stay. We can’t recommend this hotel enough.

My husband and I stayed here on our honeymoon and it was amazing! The hospitality and attention to detail in service will not be beat. And the hotel grounds itself are beautifully traditional. If we return to Kyoto, we will absolutely stay here again

Pros: Beautiful hotel and room in an amazing neighborhood in Kyoto. Close to great restaurants, shopping and activities. Cons: Bed was extremely uncomfortable and hard. Hotel has no food except the michelin star restaurant below, so no other dining options if you want to stay and enjoy your room. Bar and common areas have no ambience. The rooftop that is promoted on their website is not as advertised. Overall, the hotel is not worth the price. Communication is impossible as they do not answer emails- I have been requesting an invoice for weeks now and have had no response from them.

I love everything about this place - I hope to come again with my parents. The amenities were great and the dinning experience was beautiful. I really enjoyed my stay here from the moment we entered the door.

Five Stars

The Sowaka team and their hospitality was the best we experienced in our two week, four city, trip to Japan. Everyone was extremely nice, accommodating and helpful. The hotel was very clean and the rooms were unique and comfortable. The location is perfect and the front desk is very helpful in calling taxis if you need them. Breakfast is served at the restaurant and a great way to start the day. Would absolutely recommend staying here.

Staff was amazing. One of the best places to stay if you want to witness the heart of Gion. Close to everything while being in a quiet and beautiful location.

This was the 3rd time I stayed at Sowaka. Very convenient location and a beautiful old town part of Kyoto. Yet, you can walk to major shopping areas in a few minutes. All the rooms are different and unique.

Excellent location…great service

Very enjoyable stay. The staff were all very welcoming and helpful. Lovely room and great food. Good area to walk around, visit the temples and shrines, and get a real sense of old Japan.

The staff was incredible. The service was amazing, the property was beautiful and serene, and the location was great.

The property itself is no doubt beautiful, but that is all i can say. The check in experience was not pleasant. We were informed during check in that they cannot serve us the Japanese style breakfast because they didnt prepare enough orders, and can only serve us the Western style breakfast without prior notice. After we explained to them that we came all the way here to enjoy Japanese instead of western cuisine, they spoke to the manager and changed their mind and gave us the Japanese breakfast. Its a small detail but it impacts the seemlessness of a hotel the price themselves so high. In the end, the breakfast was not even good, easily the worst meal we had during the entire trip.

The property itself is no doubt beautiful, but that is all i can say. The check in experience was not pleasant. We were informed during check in that they cannot serve us the Japanese style breakfast because they didnt prepare enough orders, and can only serve us the Western style breakfast without prior notice. After we explained to them that we came all the way here to enjoy Japanese instead of western cuisine, they spoke to the manager and changed their mind and gave us the Japanese breakfast. Its a small detail but it impacts the seemlessness of a hotel the price themselves so high. In the end, the breakfast was not even good, easily the worst meal we had during the entire trip.

Stayed here to enhance our cultural experience and it did not disappoint. The property is immaculate and the staff is fantastic. Love the room setup and peaceful stay. Great location within walking distance of many good sites. Thank you!

Honestly staying here has been the highlight of our trip to Japan. This hotel is amazing and the staff are wonderful. The proximity to Gion and temples is amazing. Love love love this hotel.

That was such an enjoyable stay at Sowaka. The only thing needs to be improved is the food. I started my breakfast with a cup of instant coffee. It’s a little below the standard of luxury.

The property is beautiful and well maintained. We felt at peace the moment we arrived. The staff are very helpful and accommodating.

Easily the best hotel we have ever stayed. Authentic Japanese in a great location and amazing food

The whole property is stunning in every detail. Theyve thoight of everything right down to the dyson hairdryer! The location is perfect in a lovely quiet road in Gion, walking distance to the sights and close to the geisha area

We are a couple traveling to Kyoto for a weekend, and we were very much impressed by the hotel. It is like a Ryokan (traditional Japanese inn, with wooden and sliding "paper" walls), but more luxurious. They offer Japanese breakfast, if you are so inclined. The hotel is very ideally located (very close to the Yasaka shrine, in between the east and west parts of Gion), and the staff is very courteous and helpful. Highly recommended.