The location and style

Stayed in May 2024

We were told there was a private bathroom when there wasn’t. In the end it didn’t matter that much, but it would be good if they didn’t say that. Also the WiFi is very slow and needs upgrading.

The location was great. Very peaceful yet close to the subway. The walks along the Biwa Canal and through the forest to Nanzenji are beautiful. The room was spacious and the futon very comfortable.

Stayed in April 2024

One of our mattresses seemed to be a bit overused. There is a washing machine that works but the dryer doesn't work, we tried for 3 cycles but our clothes were still wet. We slept with our heads by the window and when the AC was turned off, cold air from the direction of the window flowed on us. The wifi was often very weak so I wouldn't recommend this house if you plan to work, for holiday it's fine.

The house is in a quiet location of beautiful family houses, up on a hill. The forest is right behind, a beautiful path starts there. The room was pretty, traditional Japanese, there was a whole shared kitchen and good bathroom with two showers. Toilets are on both floors. It felt quite home-like. We could borrow an umbrella. The owner was very kind and helped us plan our program in Kyoto, and she also let us ship our luggage to the house.

Stayed in April 2024

The accomodation is in a nice neighborhood with plenty local restaurants, beautiful nature and a well connected train/ bus station close by. The bed was comfortable and the room spacious. Tammy was a kind host, who answered quickly and was very helpful. You share the house with other guests so the overall cleanliness always depends a little on those, but the "public" rooms get cleaned quite regularly by the host. We had a great stay!

Stayed in April 2024

Heat in the common areas seemed to be broken, so it was quite cold in the kitchen, etc

Other people staying here were very friendly. Next to lovely river walk.

Stayed in March 2024

Kitchen was freezing cold (mid March).

Nice tatami room.

Stayed in March 2024

It is a bit further from the center city, and its definitely a place you would like to spend more time in rather than just sleep. So if your plans are mostly in center Kyoto its not the best decision, but if you plan a nice nature relax day then its perfect! I just wish I had done that. Also not the property fault but as you share the house with others you might be woken up as you tend to hear every footstep.

I loved the house and the neighborhood. All of it was so beautiful. Right in the "backyard" is a nature walk so perfect if you love that. The futon was super confortable and the bed sheet extremely soft.

Stayed in November 2023

The hotel is up a steep hill and rather far from the station. Not the most convenient location if sightseeing in Kyoto is your priority. Some of the shoji were broken.

Nice kitchen/common space in quiet location. Decent sized Japanese style room with modern bathrooms. The residential neighborhood is quite pleasant and has some, but not many restaurants, supermarkets, etc.

Stayed in July 2023

Stayed here for three weeks, part work part leisure. In those three weeks I didn't see the manager, only the cleaning staff. Communication was via whatsapp but as a result I also had to now and then welcome guests which was a bit awkward (since I worked during the day in the kitchen). The room was sufficient, but note that this is a traditional ryokan and the walls are THIN. The location is conveniently close to a metro station, but if you have heavy luggage, it is a 10 min. walk uphill.

Stayed in May 2023

Staff could have been present to interact with. Wifi did not work. If you’re visiting Kyoto, this is a bit out of the city center. Amenities listed on the booking.com website are not accurate. We did not actually have any sort of view of the mountain.

Was very clean and the owner is very responsive via WhatsApp. In a nice quiet neighborhood.

Stayed in April 2023

there was stuff in the kitchen but lacked basic things like teabags and cutlery

the view from my room was nice and the architecture of the area was interesting

Stayed in April 2023

The walls are litrally made of paper wenn a person in another room talks he could aswell be talking in your room, but thats not much of a problem since everyone was polite exept someone starts snoring witch you kan allso hear like hes next to you

It was a comfy Room with enouth space for everything. The bath was clean 10 min walk to the nearest station.

Stayed in March 2023

Location is a few minutes uphill from the nearest subway, so it would be best to get your luggage shipped if it is heavy or you have difficulties carrying it.

Excellent rooms, owner was very helpful in helping us find our way around Kyoto and attractions. Rooms were large compared to other ryokan we've stayed at. Great for the price!

Stayed in March 2023

We had a hard time figuring out how to operate the stove -- a sign or instructions in English would help.

We liked our tatami rooms with ample closet space, the large kitchen for cooking / eating, the location was very convenient to a major subway line that let us connect to anywhere we wanted to go. The residential neighborhood is lovely, and quiet at night. It was great having use of a washer and dryer. The host does not live on site, but was super responsive and helpful. The cleaning staff was pleasant and friendly.

Stayed in January 2023

The location don't have parking nearby. I ned to resort to park on the curb. Thankfully, it didn't bother the neighbour.

The amenities. The host friendliness.

Stayed in November 2021

The property is a good value for the money and the host was amazing and very helpful, we even got an upgrade at no extra cost. I definitely recommend this property

Stayed in May 2024

Great location

Stayed in May 2024

The place advertised is not the one you end up staying at. AT ALL 5 minutes after we booked here, the lady owner who goes by the name Tammy contacted us saying that the place got overbooked and she will offer us another guesthouse nearby. She stressed that the new place is less traditional (no tatami bed) and different, send us pictures and all and did offer to accept the total refund if we wanted. we didn't pay much attention to it first because we booked it very last minute-ey and we were fine with a regular bed, so we were really fine with whatever. we staeyd there 3 nights no problem the place is not even that bad... The thing gets fishy when the last night there i talk to the other guests and I find out none of them have booked in this guesthouse in particular and ALL had been redirected from the original "Kinkaku" house to this new guesthouse. All of the people had received several calls or messages from Tammy in order to host them in this other place, all of them with different excuses from the owner such as "place is cold" or "is too loud for light sleepers" or "uncomfortable to sleep on the floor" etc etc Since these other guests have booked the place months ago and been redirected there I no longer believe was an occasional "we overbooked" situation and seems to be a well organized scam to make people believe that they are booking that particular traditional house I've reported the situation to Booking.com and im still awaiting for a resolution. I will take down this review if it comes up as a one-time thing but honestly i doubt it was...

Stayed in March 2024

Location is absolutely beautiful and convenient for traveling in Kyoto and nearby areas. The host was very warm and helpful for recommendations.

Stayed in April 2024

Not at the advertised location and the owner will only communicate through voice clips and pictures of maps in Japanese. Seems to be an illegal rental. Foul smell throughout the house. Internet cuts out and owner will randomly threaten to call the police on you. I saw some negative reviews and took the risk. Don't do the same. We've been in Japan three weeks now and this is the only bad stay we've had. You can do much better than this place even at its cheap price point, trust me.

Stayed in April 2024

It was really basic and very dirty. The bed sheets obviously hadn’t been changed in a long time. Everything was shabby and dirty and the owner is extremely rude.

Absolutely nothing. DO NOT STAY HERE. It is the worst accommodation I have ever stayed in in my life. When booking I made the mistake of not reading all of the one star reviews

Stayed in March 2024

There were no staff on-site. I was moved to a different location with no explanation. The house smelled musty and was extremely cold without use of heater. The decor was outdated (see photo of curtains). It looked nothing like what I booked on booking.com. Other guests were noisy and rooms were very close together. I did not get the traditional ryokan experience I was hoping for-zero hospitality. This was the most expensive accommodation I booked in Japan, which just adds salt to the wound.

The bed was comfortable and the property was not far from Yamashina station.

Stayed in March 2024

everything is so perfect

Stayed in February 2024

Very beautiful environment, quiet in the bustle

Stayed in December 2023