Amazing staff, perfect location, traditional and comfortable, amazing breakfast, we would come back!

Service was excellent and the staff were very polite; however, overall it’s a little dated and the public bath was on the smaller side. Compared to the other hotels we’ve stayed at while in Japan, it wasn’t overly special, so it didn’t feel worth the $500 we paid for 1 night in a Japanese-style room.

Service was excellent and the staff were very polite; however, overall it’s a little dated and the public bath was on the smaller side. Compared to the other hotels we’ve stayed at while in Japan, it wasn’t overly special, so it didn’t feel worth the $500 we paid for 1 night in a Japanese-style room.

Nice Ryokan in the middle of Kyoto. Short walk to Gion and Pontacho. Staff is very helpful and made the stay enjoyable.

Nice Ryokan in the middle of Kyoto. Short walk to Gion and Pontacho. Staff is very helpful and made the stay enjoyable.

I liked the hospitality of all the staff, they were very warm!!!

I liked the hospitality of all the staff, they were very warm!!!

Staff were friendly and helpful, the property was very quiet and relaxing

Staff were friendly and helpful, the property was very quiet and relaxing

Loved this ryokan. We wanted a traditional experience and were very happy. The futons were very comfortable; the amount of space was generous - four of us stayed in comfort. The "public bath" (separate for men and women) was great (good shower/bathtub in the bathroom as well); the morning tea ceremony and afternoon calligraphy session were enjoyable; the small balcony had a sweet Japanese garden, and a clever combination of screens and curtains made it possible to shut out the "city" view and still see the garden and have good light. Everything was supported - good toiletries, yukata and slippers for the bath, tea, fridge with beverages, a map of the local area and good recommendations. The owners and staff were helpful and wonderful. My daughter's boyfriend proposed at Ginkakuji the second day we were there and they were so delighted - staff took pictures of the two of them in the courtyard garden and created a memory book they gave to my daughter with a special gift.

Loved this ryokan. We wanted a traditional experience and were very happy. The futons were very comfortable; the amount of space was generous - four of us stayed in comfort. The "public bath" (separate for men and women) was great (good shower/bathtub in the bathroom as well); the morning tea ceremony and afternoon calligraphy session were enjoyable; the small balcony had a sweet Japanese garden, and a clever combination of screens and curtains made it possible to shut out the "city" view and still see the garden and have good light. Everything was supported - good toiletries, yukata and slippers for the bath, tea, fridge with beverages, a map of the local area and good recommendations. The owners and staff were helpful and wonderful. My daughter's boyfriend proposed at Ginkakuji the second day we were there and they were so delighted - staff took pictures of the two of them in the courtyard garden and created a memory book they gave to my daughter with a special gift.

Our hosts were very warm and kind. Felt like it was their home (and as a family business, it is!). Welcoming and a superb location in beautiful Kyoto.

Our hosts were very warm and kind. Felt like it was their home (and as a family business, it is!). Welcoming and a superb location in beautiful Kyoto.

Fantastic and genuine service and hospitality. Focus on the small details. Generous stay in all dimensions

Fantastic and genuine service and hospitality. Focus on the small details. Generous stay in all dimensions

Very clean and beautiful. Highly recommend this ryokan!

Very clean and beautiful. Highly recommend this ryokan!

The staff were exceptionally kind and helpful. The breakfast was phenomenal and the room was clean and spacious. The Japanese-style bath was also nice and the location was fantastic. Overall, flawless place and will recommend for others to come.

The staff were exceptionally kind and helpful. The breakfast was phenomenal and the room was clean and spacious. The Japanese-style bath was also nice and the location was fantastic. Overall, flawless place and will recommend for others to come.

Awesome place for great Japanese experience! Thanks

Awesome place for great Japanese experience! Thanks

My family and I had a wonderful stay here. From the moment you enter up until the moment you leave you’ll feel welcome and at ease. The rooms are lovely, the communal bath hot, and the Japanese breakfast is delicious.

My family and I had a wonderful stay here. From the moment you enter up until the moment you leave you’ll feel welcome and at ease. The rooms are lovely, the communal bath hot, and the Japanese breakfast is delicious.

This Ryokan offers a thoughtful and useful introduction to Kyoto and Japanese culture. The Japanese breakfasts every morning were delicious, and no two were the same. The owner and staff recommended two little local restaurants that offered some of the best meals we've enjoyed in Japan. The ryokan also offered a tea ceremony and a koto concert in the lobby. The room was pleasant, clean, and spacious and offered lots of storage space and electrical outlets. You need to be comfortable sleeping on a futon on the floor. I wished there was a lamp as well as overhead lighting. You'll be happy with the service if you understand that it is excellent despite the modest English language skills of the staff. But that is part of what good foreign travel is about! This ryokan is in a wonderful location with small streets and small shops, even though it is easy to walk to many significant sights. That too gave us an experience of Kyoto that a standard guidebook could not.

This Ryokan offers a thoughtful and useful introduction to Kyoto and Japanese culture. The Japanese breakfasts every morning were delicious, and no two were the same. The owner and staff recommended two little local restaurants that offered some of the best meals we've enjoyed in Japan. The ryokan also offered a tea ceremony and a koto concert in the lobby. The room was pleasant, clean, and spacious and offered lots of storage space and electrical outlets. You need to be comfortable sleeping on a futon on the floor. I wished there was a lamp as well as overhead lighting. You'll be happy with the service if you understand that it is excellent despite the modest English language skills of the staff. But that is part of what good foreign travel is about! This ryokan is in a wonderful location with small streets and small shops, even though it is easy to walk to many significant sights. That too gave us an experience of Kyoto that a standard guidebook could not.

Highly recommend for any visitor to Kyoto. Everyone have to experience a ryokan while visiting Japan. Great location walking distance to most attractions. Exceptional service from the staff. There’s complimentary activities everyday like tea ceremony and origami. Felt like staying with a family rather than a hotel stay.

Highly recommend for any visitor to Kyoto. Everyone have to experience a ryokan while visiting Japan. Great location walking distance to most attractions. Exceptional service from the staff. There’s complimentary activities everyday like tea ceremony and origami. Felt like staying with a family rather than a hotel stay.

This is a wonderful family-operated ryokan. The staff of the hotel went out of their way to make us feel welcome and the owner even hosted a tea ceremony for us. The hotel is located in a quiet area but is very accessible for food and shopping. We would highly recommend this hotel. It was an unforgettable experience for us.

The Nishiyama Ryokan exceeded our expectations entirely. It was a peaceful and beautiful space, and quite spacious. The facilities were clean and the staff were incredibly accommodating and kind. The location was fairly central, a short walk to the main tourist areas, restaurants, etc. We participated in the traditional Japanese breakfast and it was incredible - the server and the meal were both fantastic. We did not use the facilities (i.e. the public bath), but it seemed like a relaxing and clean space as well. We only spent one night here as we read to only spend a short time in a ryoken generally and a hotel for the remainder of the trip. However, we wish we stayed here longer as the experience was lovely. Totally recommend!!

nice location, close to shopping street and close to attractions

A nice and comfy hotel. Walking distance to Kyoto shopping and city center.

A nice and comfy hotel. Walking distance to Kyoto shopping and city center.