Higashiyama × Highly rated Hotel·Ryokan

As many guests have said, this is an outstanding Hotel. From the moment you step inside, you immediately understand why it is the Imperial Hotel—thanks to the serene atmosphere and the refined hospitality of the staff. Our Room was a tatami-style Room in the North Wing, at eye level with Gion’s traditional Kyoto townhouses, and enjoying Kawakami’s breakfast there was such an elegant experience that we almost forgot we were in a Hotel. I have never written a Review before, but this Hotel was so wonderful that I simply had to.

Using aromatic vegetables, fish, and meat from the Kyoto area, each ingredient is prepared and served with the utmost care to preserve its natural fragrance, flavor, and texture in the best possible way. The chef’s evolving craft was truly impressive. I was also moved by the sommelier’s sincere dedication to wine. The cuisine feels perfectly suited to this one-of-a-kind Meiji-era mansion dining experience in Japan.

This Accommodation is highly recommended. The Room was clean and comfortable, and with the fresh greenery of the season, the semi-open-air Onsen was absolutely wonderful. The front desk staff were also very helpful, and we had a pleasant stay. The location and surroundings are excellent. It’s an Accommodation I’d love to visit again. Next time, I plan to choose the largest Room with an open-air bath.

I originally made a Reservation at “Nene no Michi Bettei,” but due to a change in Room allocation, I ended up staying at Hotel VMG Kyoto Kamogawa. From check-in to check-out, I was deeply impressed by the staff’s impeccable attention to detail and thoughtful hospitality. Sleeping in the bedroom while gazing up at the coffered ceiling felt like an “exceptional escape from everyday life.” At the paid lounge, alcohol and other drinks are available free-flow, with snacks as well—it truly feels like a private lounge. Because the property preserves the character of a historic building, soundproofing is not perfect; however, it more than makes up for it with an elegant, nostalgic atmosphere. The Japanese-style room next to the bedroom overlooks a small courtyard garden and offers a wonderfully atmospheric view that made time feel as if it passed more slowly. That said, perhaps because the air conditioning does not reach this room easily, I found the heat noticeable. Although it would involve additional cost, lending spot coolers or simple heaters to guests upon request during limited seasons (summer/winter) could help make better use of this room and may also become a new experiential highlight—especially for international travelers. I’m truly grateful to all of the staff for giving me such an extraordinary stay. This is a Hotel I wholeheartedly recommend to anyone seeking an “indescribably exceptional escape from everyday life.”

I stayed here for one night on a trip to Kyoto. I often stay in Kyoto and Nara, and this place has the unique comfort of a compact hotel. It feels very cozy, the Facilities are well equipped, and overall satisfaction is high. Although the hours are limited, it’s wonderful that there are complimentary drinks. Having local Kyoto sake is a service that makes travelers very happy. I was delighted to find the same sake I had at Kyoto Station on my way back. It might be nice if it were available for purchase as well. The front desk staff were kind—I enjoyed talking about sake with them—and they replenished breakfast at just the right times, so I had a very comfortable stay. Kyoto summers are hot, so I’d like to visit again after peak season. Thank you very much.

I’ve stayed in Tsuki 1 and Tsuki 7 from the Tsuki series before, but I visited this time because I really wanted to stay in Tsuki 5, which is highly praised by repeat guests of Kasuien. The team at Kasuien kindly accommodated my request, and I was able to enjoy a wonderful stay. This time the kids were away at summer camp, so it was just the two of us—and we fully enjoyed Kasuien as a couple. In the height of summer, being able to experience the endless Higashiyama forest and the chorus of cicadas—immersed in nature while staying in the comfort of Kasuien—was simply amazing. The staff were the familiar faces we always see, which made us feel very at ease. We debated going to Dominica, but chose in-room dining for dinner with a Kasuien bento—absolutely the right choice. You can enjoy both the meal and Kasuien’s comfort to the fullest. It would be such a waste to go out! The stay-in experience was fantastic. We’d love to come again.

This was my first stay, and I was very satisfied with this friendly Hotel. It is a wonderful Hotel where I would definitely like to stay again next time. I was happy with everything—service, the Room, the view, the atmosphere, and access—but above all, the breakfast was delicious across the board and left me completely full from the morning. They also helped arrange a surprise for my partner’s birthday, which truly moved us. We look forward to staying again next time.

We had a comfortable stay. There were fewer tourists than expected, so it was quiet and relaxing. The parking area was spacious and easy to use. Thank you very much.

I stayed here on my first solo trip after turning fifty. Although I didn’t stay long, everything was thoughtfully taken care of and very comfortable. The breakfast buffet after a walk to Nanzen-ji Temple was especially wonderful. Thank you very much.

I stayed one night in Kyoto, a city I love, to go hydrangea viewing. I arrived before check-in, but I was able to relax in the lounge overlooking the beautiful garden with a cola and cake. Soon after, I was shown to my room, which I truly appreciated. As I don’t have much stamina, I chose this Hotel so I could rest well while still enjoying the feeling of being on a trip in Kyoto. I made a Reservation for a room with views of Kōmyō-ji Temple’s main gate and the Hotel garden from the window. Including the magic hour at dusk and dawn as well as the nighttime illumination, the scenery was even more wonderful than expected, and it was truly relaxing. It was also adorable to see snails and umbrellas drawn in the Hotel’s stone garden outside the window—so perfect for Japan’s rainy season. In my room there were Gion Tsujiri kabusecha green tea, black tea, and coffee; plus complimentary juice and beer in the refrigerator. Enjoying a slow Hotel stay while watching the beautiful view and changing sky was simply amazing. In particular, there was a chocolate-scented coffee capsule called “Chocolatino” for the espresso machine—I woke up before dawn and felt so happy having my morning coffee while watching sunrise magic hour. The beer also had stylish yuzu and fruity aromas, and drinking it in a bathrobe after bathing tasted exceptionally good. From 15:00 to 18:00, welcome drinks were available in the lounge. There were champagne and white wine—both favorites of mine—and I enjoyed them at leisure. As I’m a light eater traveling solo (and had just eaten cake), pairing drinks with some potatoes was more than enough for me; however, it also felt like you could enjoy a proper dinner there as well—meat dishes, desserts, and more—which seemed great because you can adjust freely depending on your mood. I love baths as well, so I was happy that there were stylish, high-quality bath salts and amenities provided in generous amounts. Twice—at night and again the next morning—I soaked properly in a bathtub where I could fully stretch out and relax. Breakfast overlooking the garden was wonderful too; they kindly arranged seating where I could feel comfortable on my own. After breakfast each day, between attending morning services and taking walks around the garden grounds (and more), it felt incredibly fulfilling. The gardens within this Hotel also had seasonal flowers such as hydrangeas and bellflowers (kikyo). Including nighttime illumination visits too—I took three walks total: evening, night, then morning—and being able to enjoy Kyoto’s seasonal atmosphere without even leaving made me extremely satisfied. It was an amazing trip to Kyoto!

It was a quiet, relaxing Hotel—exactly as expected. The Room was also very comfortable. It made me appreciate the space all over again, and the entire Hotel truly feels like ART. Breakfast was delicious, and I was completely satisfied! All the staff were very kind, and it made me want to stay here again whenever I visit Kyoto.

We stayed for two nights in late August on a family trip. On the first night, I became unwell (likely heat exhaustion due to Kyoto’s climate and lack of sleep), and you kindly adjusted how dinner was served. You also prepared an ice pack and cold water, and all the staff offered warm words afterward as well—I truly caused you a lot of trouble. The next day we returned to the Accommodation early after sightseeing, but housekeeping was completed quickly and the Room was restored to a comfortable state. Our child had brought a favorite stuffed toy, and seeing it seated on the sofa warmed our hearts. I was also impressed that all staff had shared information such as my avoiding caffeine and our child’s preferences, and handled everything so naturally with thoughtful care. The timing of your check-ins and sense of distance were just right, and we experienced truly wonderful hospitality. We used the Room as a family of three (our child is in 6th grade), and it felt neither too large nor too small. Having a bath in the Room was especially nice because we could use it whenever we wanted. The water temperature was set to 41°C, which feels hot in summer, but we could adjust it by adding water. The changing area had floor heating, which helped prevent us from getting too chilled after bathing. Towels and water were replenished as well, so even if we sweated after bathing, it was great to be able to use clean towels and clothes. Also, there was a lovely fragrance the moment we entered the Room, with incense throughout the building—these scent touches made everything feel special and out of the ordinary. Every meal was truly delicious. Our child has many dislikes when it comes to seafood, but you accommodated this thoughtfully; plus, both days’ menus were different so we could enjoy variety. In particular, the charcoal-grilled style dishes along with Anto-jiru soup, takikomi gohan (seasoned rice), and Wakan 18 tea were excellent—our child loved them too. Breakfast also came with many rice accompaniments that were all delicious. The soups and dashi-based dishes especially felt very “Kyoto,” which we appreciated. Finally, I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to everyone who took care of us during our stay. We made wonderful memories in Kyoto thanks to you. This is an Accommodation we would love to visit again as a family.

I stayed for an extended period for work, and the sunny, beautiful Room made my stay very comfortable. The breakfast was delicious, and the front desk staff were kind—I was very satisfied. The location also faces the charming Takase River area, and I would love to stay here again when I’m in town for work.

I stayed here for business, but next time I’d love to enjoy it for a private trip. Thank you very much for your hospitality.

This was my second stay when attending a performance at Minamiza. The location is excellent, and it was also convenient for visiting Uzumasa Koryu-ji Temple. As with my previous stay, the attentive service was much appreciated. The complimentary breakfast was delicious, with a different menu each day.

Pros: - It’s a reasonably priced Hotel, but perhaps because it’s part of the Banyan Tree chain, the service felt comparable to a high-end Hotel. Even though I stayed only one night, the front desk staff remembered my name, and every staff member was brisk and professional—very pleasant. When I asked after checkout whether they could keep some food refrigerated while storing my luggage, they kindly agreed. - A shower-only setup may be a matter of preference, but since it was midsummer it was perfectly comfortable. If anything, it made the Room feel more spacious. - The small raised tatami area is also relaxing. I would have preferred floor cushions (zabuton) over regular cushions, but that may be intended for international guests. Cons: (all minor “if I had to say” points—not deal-breakers) - The nearest station is Sanjo Keihan, so I wouldn’t say access to all of Kyoto is ideal. That said, the exit is right nearby, so it’s a good location if you plan to visit the surrounding area. - The in-Room TV remote has buttons for Netflix and similar services, but the TV isn’t connected to the internet so you can’t use them—disappointing. - This is common in Ryokan-style properties, but the ceramic washbasin has a rough texture; when washing your face, if your fingers brush against it, it can sting a little. - I used the spa; since it seems to be regular guest Rooms converted into treatment spaces and you step out into a guest-room corridor from reception first, it may feel slightly less “special.” The treatment itself was very good.

I stayed here alone for the first time during the Gion Festival. The clean, elegant interior was very relaxing. The staff were kind and welcoming, and their friendly service made me feel at ease. The refined amenities were more than sufficient, so you can stay comfortably without bringing much. In particular, having the bath and toilet separate was very convenient and allowed me to unwind. This Hotel is such a great value that I almost felt bad paying the sale price!

I stayed for one night last autumn and it was amazing, so this time I stayed for two nights. For both breakfast and dinner on the first and second days, they prepared different menus each day. Everything was absolutely delicious! The Ai Room was spacious, and the fresh flowers were adorable and beautiful. After dinner, floating yuzu in the cypress bath and soaking slowly was a blissful moment that made me forget everyday life. The yuzu served with the meals and in the bath were large and impressive. It’s in a prime location in Kyoto, right next to Yasaka Shrine, with an excellent atmosphere. Transportation is convenient, making it an easy base for sightseeing. It makes you want to stay again and again! I’ll be back!

A fairly new Hotel with plenty of space. The location is very convenient, and the service is just right—neither lacking nor excessive. I’d like to stay here again if I have the chance.

We had a wonderful, elegant time. The space itself reminded us of Japan all over again.