228 Butsuguyacho Aburanokoji Hanayacho Sagaru, Shimogyo, Japan | (618) 248-8274
Lovely, traditional Japanese-style inn with a charming courtyard
In a historic district next
to Nishihongan-ji temple
Choice of Western-style or traditional Japanese rooms
Some rooms have kitchenettes or small Japanese gardens
Bike rental available
Computer and microwave available for guests' use
Small souvenir shop on-site
Free Wi-Fi throughout
On-site parking for a fee
Small smoking area (a con for some)
Small bathrooms
Some rooms feel cramped
Breakfast not included
No on-site restaurant
No on-site communal bath (typical for ryokan-style inns)
The charming, mid-range Kyomachiya Ryokan Sakura presents itself as a classic Japanese inn. And its 20 rooms are divided: Eight Western-style guest rooms have standard beds, tables, and chairs, while 12 Japanese-style rooms have traditional tatami
straw mat floors and futon-type mattresses. Some rooms have double doors opening to small Japanese rock gardens, and others have kitchenettes. Located in a residential
area between the Higashi Honganji and Nishi Honganshi temple complexes, the hotel is within an 11-minute walk of the subway. Travelers might want to also consider the nearby Karaku, another Japanese-style inn with an “onsen" -- a traditional communal bath -- which has similar rates.
Scene
Classic “ryokan" property giving a Japanese-inn experience
Kyomachiya Ryokan Sakura occupies an attractive three-story traditional Japanese-style house built mainly of wood. The atmosphere is of a classic “ryokan," which typically has rooms lined with woven straw “tatami” mats and an “onsen," a traditional communal bath. While the Kyomachiya Ryokan Sakura does not have the communal bath, its interiors are decorated in the typical Japanese style, using such natural materials as stone, wood, and straw. The spacious lobby has
stone floors, wooden ceilings, sliding paneled doors, and an adjacent sitting
area used as a breakfast room, with beautiful tables made of single blocks of
regional zelkova wood, and a view of a small rock garden in the courtyard. The hotel would likely appeal to travelers eager to experience an authentic Japanese inn -- foreign tourists, including couples, families, groups of friends, and solos, make up most of the clientele.
Location
On a quiet residential street in a historic area of Kyoto
Kyomachiya Ryokan Sakura is
located in a residential area of Kyoto’s Shimogyo-ku district, sandwiched
between the Higashi Honganji and Nishi Honganshi
temple complexes. The neighborhood has good transportation links: It’s an 11-minute walk
to Gojo subway station on the Karasuma line, and there’s a local bus stop within a minute's walk of the property. There are a few small shops, restaurants, and
convenience stores nearby.- Five-minute walk to NishiHonganshi Temple
Rooms
Elegant rooms decorated in traditional Japanese style; some Western-style rooms available
Kyomachiya Ryokan Sakura's rooms come in two styles. For guests seeking the traditional “ryokan” experience, there are
Japanese-style rooms with floors lined with straw tatami mats. At night, guests
roll out the futon-style bedding, which is stored in cupboards. Some guests say they find it a hassle to make their own beds this way each night, while others find
it a challenge to sit on floors and make do with minimal furniture.
There are also Modern Japanese Style Rooms, which
have sofas and small tables and chairs, and sleeping areas with raised platforms with tatami mats, and Western
Rooms, which have double and twin beds, tables, and stools. Some rooms have small
kitchenettes, which include sinks and electric
kettles. Sukiya-Style Rooms have paneled doors that open onto small
Japanese gardens. All guest rooms have the same minimalist aesthetic: Bare beige
walls, dark wooden floorboards, paper lamps, and Japanese prints on the walls.
Bathrooms are small and basic, with shower/tub combos, minimal counter space, and Shiseido toiletries. All rooms have air-conditioning, flat-screen TVs, electric kettles and teapots, mini-fridges, and traditional Japanese
robes and slippers.
Features
Souvenir shop, small library, coffee machine and microwave, and bike rental
Breakfast, which is not included in the room rate, is served each morning in the lobby
area, with a choice of Japanese or American items. The hotel has a souvenir shop, a small library, a microwave, and coffee machine in the lobby area, and a computer is available for guests’ use. Other services include luggage storage,
bicycle rental, a dry cleaning and laundry service, and free Wi-Fi throughout
the property. There’s also a small smoking area.