Around Kyoto City Zoo × Flower-Viewing AccommodationHighly-rated Hotel·Ryokan

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!

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.

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.

Nanzenji Sando Kikusui is a special place filled with everything we love, and staying here becomes a happy time to share it all with family. A beautiful Kyoto garden in fresh spring green, exquisite cuisine and wine, welcome Champagne, luxurious Rooms, and the staff’s hospitality—plus the one-of-a-kind location on Nanzenji Sando. Few Accommodations offer all of this. This time, we woke up early to join the dawn zazen session at Nanzen-ji Temple, which became an unforgettable experience. It is worth traveling here even if it means taking a flight just to visit.

The budget was slightly over, but I decided based on reviews saying it’s close to Kyoto ROHM Theatre. Chion-in Temple and Yasaka Shrine were also nearby, allowing us to visit before the 11:00 AM checkout. The separate toilet and bathroom were a big plus, providing a relaxing experience that relieved our fatigue. The bed was very comfortable as well. The staff were friendly, and I would love to stay here again next time.

It was very clean and wonderful. The bath was also great.

If you're visiting Kyoto and prefer staying at a Ryokan instead of a Hotel, you might want to consider an even more luxurious experience at this Accommodation. Upon arrival, you'll be awed by the grand gate of Kinkakuji Temple. Walking through the wooden door and along the gravel path in the front garden feels like stepping into another world, far removed from everyday life. In addition to clean, modern Japanese-style rooms with new facilities akin to those of a high-end Ryokan, you can enjoy exclusive access to a beautiful garden surrounded by nature. Although it's called "Shukubo," it is open to everyone and allows for casual participation in comfortable attire. The resident monk and his wife are incredibly friendly as well. This Accommodation offers an affordable yet luxurious experience comparable to that of high-end Ryokans. Memorable activities include making bracelets with natural stones, enjoying Shojin Ryori (traditional Buddhist vegetarian breakfast), and participating in morning prayers—all adding up to an unforgettable stay.

I have stayed at other machiya-style Accommodations in Kyoto before, but this was my first time using this group. First, the space felt larger in person than it looked in the photos I checked when making the Reservation. It almost felt like too much space for one person. The location is also quiet and right by the Shirakawa River—an area I highly recommend. As for amenities, there was a rice cooker among the cooking tools. I didn’t use it this time, but it seems very convenient. The only disappointment was that there wasn’t a full-length mirror. Many long-stay Accommodations also don’t provide one, but being able to check your whole outfit before going out makes a big difference—so having one would be really helpful.

All services were excellent.

First, the male staff member at the front desk felt off from the way he responded. To my questions, he seemed detached, showed no sense of urgency, and didn’t really give me an answer. The Room was smaller than I expected… to the point where I wondered if it was even the same Room as in the photos. The private open-air bath was excellent—very private and relaxing. It was a shame it was limited to one hour. There are many sightseeing spots nearby, and the location is convenient overall. The meals were very delicious and clearly thoughtfully prepared. It’s also enjoyable because they explain everything in detail. Both dinner and breakfast are quite filling, so you may want to skip snacks in between. Overall, it felt a bit underwhelming for the price, but since the food was great, I’ll leave this rating.