Around Nijo Castle × Highly rated Hotel·Ryokan

I chose “Garrya Nijo Castle Kyoto by Banyan Tree” as my Accommodation when visiting the Gion Matsuri (Saki Matsuri). I live in Nishinomiya, so it’s close enough for a day trip, but since it was the Gion Festival, I decided to stay overnight. After considering several options, I finally chose Garrya, which I’d been curious about for some time. I checked in in the evening, and as soon as I passed through the entrance and reached the lobby, I was breathless at the beautiful green garden framed by the large windows. I was even more moved by how the trees were reflected on the large stone table—it felt almost like being in an art museum. The calm atmosphere instantly eased my fatigue, and I truly felt glad I had chosen this place. My Room was on the third floor—Room 305 (Nijo Castle View Twin). The reflection of greenery even appeared above the window, creating an unexpectedly spacious feel that really impressed me. The use of stone flooring also gave it a wonderfully solid, luxurious presence. The raised area featured black tatami mats—something we Japanese guests especially appreciate. From the furniture and cushions to the bedding, every detail felt carefully considered, and I was completely satisfied. For breakfast, I chose their “Wellbeing” concept option—it was genuinely delicious and deeply impressive. The staff were flawless as well. Although it may seem like a high-end property at first glance, there were many younger staff members too, and their warm hospitality made me want to chat with them naturally. You’re sure to have a wonderful stay here.

This was our first stay during the Obon holiday season. After sightseeing in the scorching heat, we checked in early, and from the moment we walked in, the interior was stylish. We could enjoy drinks at any time we liked, and above all, we were amazed at how pet-friendly this Hotel is in every way. We were also able to use a pet cart at dinner time, which made it easy to enjoy a comfortable walk and meal. The hot dogs were delicious, and breakfast was stylish with generous portions—we were very satisfied. We would be even happier if dinner service were available as well. All of the staff were kind, and we would love to stay again.

When I visit Kyoto, I often choose this Accommodation for the following reasons: - Close to central Kyoto - Capsule-hotel style, yet with private rooms available - A large public bath with perfectly partitioned washing areas - Clean - Affordable - A relaxing 1st-floor lobby - A great selection of drinks in the 1st-floor lobby This time, I was especially impressed by the new coffee machine and the unique tea flavors. It really feels like a Hotel that is always improving.

The Room is spacious. The bathroom is also large and separate from the toilet. The linens are new and clean. The breakfast buffet offers a wide variety of items and is quite tasty. There is a 7-Eleven nearby, as well as affordable coin-operated parking, which is convenient. For that price, no complaints.

I stayed here twice a few years ago, and I was truly happy to be able to return after a long time. All of the staff were genuinely pleasant, and I had a very relaxing stay. In particular, thank you to Mr./Ms. H (I’m using an initial as I’m not sure if it’s okay to share the name) who assisted with my check-in. One thing only: I used FORNI for both dinner and breakfast. At dinner, my meat was upgraded, but I wasn’t asked about my preferred doneness. At breakfast, we were told it would be a choice of main dish plus a semi-buffet, but later we were informed that choosing the Japanese set would not include the semi-buffet, which was a bit disappointing. Even so, this is truly a wonderful Hotel. I look forward to visiting again.

Although it’s a little away from the main tourist areas, there’s a bus stop nearby with frequent service, and the subway station is also close, so it was convenient for getting anywhere. The complimentary drinks such as coffee were also appreciated. Given the surprisingly reasonable price, I can’t really complain, but if I had to mention one thing: since we stayed two nights, it was a bit disappointing that breakfast was exactly the same boxed meal both days.

I stayed here because I was curious about it as a Hotel under Polaris HD. The Room felt smaller than I expected, but the furnishings and amenities were excellent, and I had a comfortable stay. The view from the Room is of a residential area, so it is not particularly impressive, but the building itself is clean and well maintained. Breakfast featured a wide selection of carefully prepared dishes with good nutritional balance, and everything was very delicious. It is a bit far from the station, so access was the only drawback, but overall I think it offers great value for money.

Even during the Obon season, we were able to stay at an affordable price regardless of booking last-minute, and the Room was spacious and clean. We also enjoyed drinks in the lounge, which was great. It is a very convenient Hotel close to the station, with easy access to both JR and the subway. I would like to stay again next time.

It’s a bit of a walk from Subway Nijo Station to the Hotel. However, compared with staying near Kyoto Station and having to navigate its large platforms, this option may actually be quicker from “getting off the train to reaching the Hotel.” Also, buses to Shijo and Kyoto Station depart from the bus stop right in front of the Hotel, which was surprisingly convenient. The route to the Hotel has wide sidewalks, so even with a suitcase it’s easy and stress-free. And there’s a large supermarket on the way from the station to the Hotel! I think it’s also well suited for longer stays. Depending on your sightseeing plans, I’d choose this Hotel rather than staying around Kyoto Station or Shijo-Karasuma.

My daughter-in-law’s parents live near Nijo Castle, and we stayed here to coincide with her second homecoming childbirth. Parking was free, and although there was a minor issue in the Room, it was handled promptly. The free shuttle bus to Kyoto Station was also very convenient. I’ve stayed overnight in Kyoto many times, and I truly feel we should have used this place much sooner. The area in front of the banquet hall on the second floor was spacious as well, and even though it was scorching hot outside, we were able to relax and play with our two-year-old first grandchild—making this a stay we are deeply grateful for.

I think it offers excellent value for money. I was impressed by the wonderful large public bath. The room was also clean, and I was very satisfied. If I have the chance, I would like to stay here again.

I stayed here again following last year. The property is very clean and well maintained, and the services are excellent, including breakfast, complimentary curry, and the large public bath. There is a bus stop right in front, with a car rental shop and convenience store nearby as well—an ideal location. The staff were also very courteous. I will definitely stay here again. I’ll be recommending it to friends!

I stayed for a Multiple Night Stay. The private, lockable room was great and gave me good privacy. Being mindful of noise is part of staying in a capsule. Earplugs were provided, so I slept soundly until the afternoon. The bed is on the firm side, but I personally preferred that to something too soft. It would be nice to have a power outlet near the bed. There were only outlets at the desk, so I couldn’t charge my devices while falling asleep. Since it’s stairs only, guests staying on upper floors will need to put in some effort.

I stayed on the Plan with a sauna. Check-in was at 3:00 PM, but I arrived around 1:30 PM to leave my luggage, and I really appreciated that you were able to show me to my Room right away. I booked a standard Room, and it was next door to the sauna Room, which made it easy to go back and forth and very comfortable. The sauna was very clean, and I was happy that the amenities were Aesop and the hair dryer was ReFa. It was also nice that we could bring the welcome drink back to the Room, which helped us relax. The sauna itself felt great and was very relaxing. The only disappointment was that we were told we could enjoy the sauna from check-in until check-out, but when I tried to use it in the morning, the power was off and I couldn’t use it. There wasn’t an instruction manual either; since it had been running automatically when we arrived, I didn’t know how to operate it and felt a bit stuck. Other than that, everything was very comfortable, and I think this Accommodation is highly recommended for sauna lovers.

The Room was spacious and provided a relaxing space where I could forget my busy work schedule right up until the day before. Thank you very much.

We stayed with three people. The charm of the traditional townhouse is very nice. Also, the tatami mat and the low table in the living room are great. You can stretch your legs and relax comfortably. My wife said it was the most relaxing property she had stayed at in recent years and the most comfortable. Unfortunately, it started raining in the evening, so we decided to avoid going out for dinner, but we were able to take out from Sanjo Shopping Street and enjoy it leisurely. Sanjo Shopping Street is nearby, and JR Nijo Station and Subway Nijojo-mae Station are not too far, so I think access to Gion and Kyoto Station is not a problem. The bath was also very nice. The bathtub is spacious, which was very good for our tired bodies. My daughter praised it highly, saying, "They have high-quality shampoo and lotion." It seems you can take a bath while looking at the garden, and I think it would have been great if we could have taken a leisurely bath during the day. There was an earthquake while I was bathing, which was a bit of a surprise. The bedroom on the second floor was also very spacious, and we were able to get plenty of sleep. The only disappointment was that I don't think there was a washlet in the toilet, but if there had been, it would have been a perfect score. Anyway, we thoroughly enjoyed our stay in a Kyoto townhouse. I definitely plan to stay again on my next trip to Kyoto. Thank you for your hospitality.

It felt like home in a way, being able to spend time with the whole family, talk, and take care of each other. However, the spacious bath with a jacuzzi experience, the warm floor heating, and the beautiful white wood Japanese-style room were extraordinary happy experiences. There is also a shopping street within walking distance where you can shop for groceries, and the vegetarian breakfast was delicious. The concierge was really kind and helpful; I highly recommend this wonderful Room! Thank you very much for all your help!

The indoor area was very spacious and the facilities were well-equipped, allowing for a comfortable stay. I would like to stay again if I have the opportunity.

Overall, we had a comfortable stay. Our trip was almost entirely centered around staying in this house, and the more we looked at the interior design and furnishings, the more we noticed—so it was really enjoyable. However... The floors and tables were very clean, but we found hair inside the hair dryer storage case in the bathroom, and also hair and dust inside a kitchen utensil drawer. I couldn’t see clearly, but it also seemed like there was something above the toilet ceiling (a bug? a clump of dust?). There was also something like a piece of packing material left in the garden. Since it’s an entire house, I imagine it’s quite difficult to keep everything perfectly clean. Because the building itself is something you want to admire, you end up looking closely everywhere and noticing these things. It didn’t cause major discomfort, but I do think paying closer attention to small details would make the stay feel much more pleasant.

We stayed with our family and a friend's family, a total of 8 people. Upon arriving at the accommodation after walking around and sweating in the summer heat, we were delighted to find that the room was already cooled by air conditioning and there were chilled bottled waters in the refrigerator—a thoughtful gesture for a hot summer day. Despite its age, the accommodation was very clean, including the water facilities. The amenities provided were sufficient, and even the shampoo and conditioner were from a well-known brand sold at pharmacies, so we didn’t experience any hair issues often encountered during trips. There are several restaurants nearby where we had dinner outside. For breakfast, we bought pastries from a local bakery and enjoyed them with coffee provided in the room—simply perfect! The proximity to nearby shops and restaurants was also convenient. The children were highly satisfied as well, making it an overall flawless stay. We made our reservation just five days before our stay but felt like it was an excellent choice. Thank you very much!