34 Fukuchi Machi, Nanzenji, Sakyo-Ku, Kyoto, Japan | (618) 248-8274
Rustic
and atmospheric traditional Japanese Inn
Beautiful
Japanese rock garden on the grounds
Traditional restaurant serves Kyoto cuisine
On-site “onsen," a
traditional Japanese public bath
Spacious
rooms with tatami mat floors, some with their
own traditional baths
Subway
station within walking distance
Free Wi-Fi throughout
property
Free bike rental and free on-site parking
Located outside the city
center
Some rooms show signs of wear and tear
Breakfast is not included in room rate
Not all rooms have private bathrooms
Meals at the restaurant are pricey
Kyoto Garden Ryokan Yachiyo is a traditional Japanese-style
inn, or “ryokan," located in a quiet neighborhood outside Kyoto city
center. This three-and-a-half pearl property, with 18 rooms, has a lovely rustic atmosphere,
and the traditional guest rooms, lined with woven straw tatami floor mats,
overlook a beautiful Japanese rock garden. In keeping with the usual ryokan setup,
this property has an on-site restaurant and a traditional public bath (“onsen"). Guest rooms vary in size, and not all rooms have their own private bathrooms, and some rooms are a bit worn and could use an update. Travelers may want to also check out ryokan IZUYASU, another traditional
Japanese-style inn, which was stylishly refurbished in 2013, and is in the city center.
Disclaimer: This content was accurate at the time the hotel was reviewed. Please check our partner sites when booking to verify that details are still correct.
Scene
Traditional Japanese inn with a rustic and romantic ambience
Kyoto Garden Ryokan Yachiyo is housed in a
traditional Japanese building enclosed by a long wooden wall with an atmospheric entrance gate flanked by two large paper lanterns, reached via a small bridge
spanning a little stream. Once through the gates, guests step into a lovely
courtyard with a traditional Japanese rock garden. The entrance to the ryokan
is through sliding wooden screen doors, which reveal the wood-paneled reception
area. The ambience is rustic and romantic. Staying true to the ryokan
tradition and aesthetic, the decor of the public spaces and guest rooms is simple and minimal: Woven straw tatami
mats cover the floors, the walls and ceilings are paneled with wood, paneled
screen doors separate rooms, and paper lanterns
and Japanese scrolls are the main decorative touches. The color scheme is a palette of
neutral, natural tones: beige, brown, black, white. The restaurant and many of
the guest rooms have floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the beautiful gardens
and a large fish pond, with views of the Higashiyama mountains beyond. The
property also has an “onsen," a Japanese public bath, which is a typical feature
of a traditional ryokan. The romantic ambience attracts many tourists traveling as couples, but this ryokan is also popular with families.
Location
Located outside the city center near Nanzen-ji temple
Located outside the city center in the eastern part of Kyoto, this property is close to
the historic Nanzen-ji temple, a six-minute walk away. The hotel is on a quiet
and leafy residential street, next to a large wooded area, which is part of the
temple complex. On the small side street leading to the temple, there are a few
cafes and shops. Though it’s outside the city center, transportation links are
good: The nearest public bus stop is a six-minute walk away, and Keage subway
station is within a five-minute walk.- 14-minute subway ride toKyoto International Manga Museum
Rooms
Rooms decorated in Japanese style, some with traditional baths
The 18 rooms at the Kyoto Garden Ryokan Yachiyo come in a variety of sizes. Some have a traditional
Japanese bath, set in beautiful rustic-style bathrooms, while other rooms lack private bathrooms. Some of the more spacious rooms are made
up of a suite of rooms divided by sliding screens, and have floor-to-ceiling windows with magnificent views of the traditional gardens, and small outdoor
terraces. Tatami mats line the floors, and cupboards built into the walls hide
bedding, so that the space can be used during the day. While guests are at
dinner, staff lay out futons on the floor, which are then removed the next
morning during the breakfast service. Green tea and mineral water are provided,
as well as traditional “yukata” robes and slippers for guests to wear in their rooms.
All guest rooms have flat-screen TVs, air-conditioning, free Wi-Fi, toiletries
in the bathrooms, hairdryers, mini-fridges, and safes. While some of the guest
rooms have been updated, others show signs of wear and tear, including stained
carpets, tattered wallpaper, and peeling silicon and worn wooden floorboards in
the bathrooms.
Features
On-site restaurant serving local cuisine, and a traditional public bath
The Kyoto Garden Ryokan
Yachiyo has a charming on-site restaurant serving regional Kyoto cuisine,
with customary floor seating, overlooking the gardens and the fish pond, as
well as a Western-style dining room. Breakfast is also served here (for a hefty
extra fee) with a Western option. Vegetarian meals can be requested one day in advance.
Another notable feature is the property’s traditional “onsen," or public bath,
which has separate pools for men and women. The roomy lounge adjacent to the
reception area has a computer available for guests’ use, and there’s also a
souvenir shop and vending machine selling drinks. A free luggage storage
service is offered, as well as free bicycle rental and on-site parking, and
massages can be booked for an extra fee. Wi-Fi is available throughout the property.
