긴카쿠지 사원 주변 × 웰컴 라운지에서 쉴 수 있는 숙소만족도 평가가 높은 호텔·료칸

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 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!

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 with my sister at this accommodation. The hotel is a special space where you can feel attention to detail throughout the premises, allowing us to enjoy an extraordinary time away from the noise of the city despite being in the heart of it. My sister and I often travel together, but we felt our time together was especially meaningful here, which we believe is due to the charm of this hotel. After check-in, we spent happy hour at the bar, discussed our plans for the next day on the rooftop after dinner, and used the open-air bath before breakfast. Although there was no TV in our room, it encouraged more conversation and made us cherish our time together even more than usual. Breakfast featured a healthy menu centered around salads. What left a particularly strong impression during our stay was the smiles of all staff members. We also appreciated their friendly conversations when leaving or returning to the accommodation.

This was my first time staying here. A week has passed since my stay, yet I’m still savoring the afterglow and fondly recalling those happy moments. It was a very quiet and relaxing Accommodation. There was a gentleman—probably the manager—who was extremely kind, offering thoughtful explanations and checking in on me in various ways, for which I am truly grateful as it made my stay so fulfilling. I travel to many Hotels and Ryokan across the whole country, including Kyoto, but Akekure Kyoto Shirakawa was exceptional: the Room was lovely, it was peaceful, and everyone was warm and welcoming. While luxury Hotels have their own merits, this is the place I would recommend. To all the staff, thank you very much for your wonderful care. I look forward to visiting again someday.

They kindly stored my luggage before check-in, which was a huge help. The front desk staff were very courteous, and both the Room and the unit bath were clean, so I had a very comfortable stay. When I visit Kyoto again, I’d love to stay here again. Thank you!

The Room is spacious. The twin beds are also roomy. It’s on the Kamogawa River side and close to the station. There’s also a 24-hour supermarket nearby. Recommended.\nHowever, there are both non-smoking and smoking rooms on the same floor, so the cigarette smell is strong when you get off the elevator. It can drift into the Room a bit as well, so it may be tough for guests who dislike smoke.

I stayed to visit ROHM Theatre Kyoto. It is very convenient, being just a short walk from Higashiyama Station and about 10 minutes on foot to the venue. There is no bath, but the shower is comfortable, which was actually preferable. There is also a living space, and the toilet and other facilities are spacious. On the first floor, there is a drink bar available 24 hours, allowing for a pleasant stay.