Ryokan Sawaya Honten

Ryokan in Kyoto, near Heian Shrine

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Where to?

Dates

November 2025

2

December 2025

In-room safe, individually decorated, desk, iron/ironing board

Ryokan Sawaya Honten offers an authentic Japanese experience near Kyoto University and the Imperial Palace. Guests can relax in the Japanese garden or indoor public bath after exploring the city. The property features free WiFi and a highly praised staff.

Exceptional

Popular amenities

Laundry
Air conditioning
Free WiFi

Room options

Check availability for these dates

Tonight

Nov 2 - Nov 3

Tomorrow

Nov 3 - Nov 4

All rooms

2 beds

3+ beds

Showing 14 of 14 rooms

Superior Triple Room

Highlights

Individually decorated

Air conditioning

Fridge

Flat-screen TV

Bidet

Private bathroom

Hairdryer

Shower/bath combination

237 sq ft
Sleeps 3
3 Twin Futons

Superior Twin Room

Highlights

Individually decorated

Air conditioning

Fridge

Flat-screen TV

Bidet

Private bathroom

Hairdryer

Shower/bath combination

194 sq ft
Sleeps 2
2 Twin Futons

Superior Quadruple Room

Highlights

Individually decorated

Air conditioning

Fridge

Flat-screen TV

Bidet

Private bathroom

Hairdryer

Shower/bath combination

312 sq ft
Sleeps 4
4 Twin Futons

Standard Twin Room

Exceptional

Highlights

Individually decorated

Air conditioning

Fridge

Flat-screen TV

Bidet

Private bathroom

Hairdryer

Shower/bath combination

194 sq ft
Sleeps 2
2 Twin Futons

Economy Twin Room

Exceptional

Highlights

Individually decorated

Air conditioning

Fridge

Flat-screen TV

Bidet

Private bathroom

Hairdryer

Shower/bath combination

194 sq ft
Sleeps 2
2 Twin Futons

Standard Quadruple Room

Exceptional

Highlights

Individually decorated

Air conditioning

Fridge

Flat-screen TV

Bidet

Private bathroom

Hairdryer

Shower/bath combination

258 sq ft
Sleeps 4
4 Twin Futons

Economy Quadruple Room

Exceptional

Highlights

Individually decorated

Air conditioning

Fridge

Flat-screen TV

Bidet

Private bathroom

Hairdryer

Shower/bath combination

269 sq ft
Sleeps 4
4 Twin Futons

Standard Twin Room

Sleeps 2

Standard Quadruple Room

Sleeps 4

Superior Quadruple Room

Sleeps 4

Superior Triple Room

Sleeps 3

Superior Twin Room

Sleeps 2

Economy Twin

Sleeps 2

Economy Quadruple Room

Sleeps 4

About the area

25 Kawahara-cho, Shogoin, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, Kyoto, 606-8397

What's nearby

Heian Shrine - 9 min walk - 0.8 km
Kyoto University - 13 min walk - 1.2 km
Nijō Castle - 4 min drive - 3.2 km
Kiyomizu Temple - 4 min drive - 2.7 km
Kyoto Imperial Palace - 5 min drive - 1.3 km

Getting around

Jingu-marutamachi Station - 7 min walk
Higashiyama Station - 16 min walk
Osaka (KIX-Kansai Intl.) - 98 min drive

Restaurants

‪アラシのキッチン - ‬4 min walk
‪タリーズコーヒー - ‬6 min walk
‪EL LATINO - ‬3 min walk
‪Basement base - ‬2 min walk
‪カレー専門店ビィヤント - ‬3 min walk

About this property

Ryokan Sawaya Honten

Ryokan near Heian Shrine

Located close to Kyoto University and Kyoto Imperial Palace, Ryokan Sawaya Honten provides an indoor public bath (no minerals), a Japanese garden and laundry facilities. Stay connected with free in-room WiFi.

Other perks at this ryokan include:

Breakfast (surcharge), a TV in reception and smoke-free property
Guest reviews say great things about the helpful staff

Room features

All rooms are individually decorated, and include comforts such as laptop-compatible safes and air conditioning, in addition to thoughtful touches such as free WiFi and free bottled water.

Extra conveniences in all rooms include:

Bathrooms with toilets with electronic bidets and shower/bath combinations
Flat-screen TVs with digital channels
Fridges, heating and limited housekeeping

Similar properties

Free WiFi
Restaurant
Air conditioning
Breakfast available

HK$2,139 total

7 Nov - 8 Nov

Property amenities

Internet

Available in all rooms: Free WiFi
Available in some public areas: Free WiFi

Parking and transport

No on-site parking available

Food and drink

Daily breakfast available 7:30 AM to 9:00 AM for a fee

Things to do

TV in common areas

Conveniences

Guidebooks
Laundry facilities
Limited-hour front desk

Guest services

Change of towels on request
Housekeeping (weekly)

Outdoors

Japanese garden

Spa

Public bath open from 5:00 PM - 11:00 PM
Public indoor bath (no minerals)
Separate men/women areas in public bath
Yukata (Japanese robes)

Accessibility

If you have requests for specific accessibility needs, please contact the property using the information on the reservation confirmation received after booking.
Handrails in stairways
No lift
Well-lit path to entrance

More

2 floors
Genkan (entryway)
Smoke-free property

Room amenities

Bedroom

Bedsheets provided

Bathroom

Bidet
Free toiletries
Hair dryer
Private bathroom
Shampoo
Shower/bathtub combination
Slippers
Toilet paper
Toothbrush and toothpaste
Towels provided

Entertainment

Flat-screen TV with digital channels

Food and drink

Free bottled water
Refrigerator
Restaurant dining guides

More

Air conditioning (climate-controlled)
Desk
Electrical adapters
Fusuma (room partition)
Heating (climate-controlled)
Individual decor
Iron/ironing board on request
Laptop-compatible safe
Tatami (woven mat) flooring
Tokonoma (alcove)
Window screens

Policies

Check-in

Check-in start time: 4:00 PM; check-in end time: 9:00 PM

Late check-in subject to availability

Minimum check-in age - 15

Check-out

Check-out before 10 AM

Special check-in instructions

The front desk is open daily from 6:00 AM - 11:00 PM

Front desk staffed during limited hours

If you are planning to arrive after 9:00 PM please contact the property in advance using the information on the booking confirmation

For any questions, please contact the property using the information on the booking confirmation

Breakfast is available to guests booked in breakfast rates only and cannot be requested after check-in.

Luggage storage after check-out is only available until 3 PM.

Access methods

Front desk (limited hours)

Pets

Pets not allowed

Children and extra beds

Children 12 and younger are not allowed at this property; all guests older than 12 are welcome

Rollaway/extra beds are not available.

Cots (infant beds) are not available

Payment types at the property

Important information

Fees

You'll be asked to pay the following charges at the property. Fees may include applicable taxes:

A city tax may be collected at the property. The city tax ranges from JPY 200-10,000 per person, per night based on the nightly room rate. Please note that further exemptions may apply. For more details, please contact the property using the information on the reservation confirmation received after booking.

We have included all charges provided to us by the property.

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy

Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges

Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed

Minimum Spring Break check-in age is 15 years old.

Guests must contact this property in advance to reserve access to the public bath facility

This property accepts credit cards and cash

On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited

Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher and a smoke detector

Please note that cultural norms and guest policies may differ by country and by property; the policies listed are provided by the property

Japanese futons are provided based on the number of adults in the reservation.

We should mention

This property does not have any lifts

Children 12 years old and younger are not permitted at this property

The Japanese Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare requires all international visitors to submit their passport number and nationality when registering at any lodging facility (inns, hotels, motels, etc. ); additionally, lodging proprietors are required to photocopy passports for all registering guests and keep the photocopy on file

A car is not required for transport to and from this property

Guests with tattoos are welcome to use the on-site public bathing facilities

Property is also known as

Ryokan Sawaya Honten Kyoto

Ryokan Sawaya Honten

Sawaya Honten Kyoto

Sawaya Honten

Ryokan Sawaya Honten Kyoto

Ryokan Sawaya Honten Ryokan

Ryokan Sawaya Honten Ryokan Kyoto

Frequently asked questions

Is Ryokan Sawaya Honten pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

How much is parking at Ryokan Sawaya Honten?

Ryokan Sawaya Honten doesn't offer parking.

What time is check-in at Ryokan Sawaya Honten?

Check-in start time: 4:00 PM; check-in end time: 9:00 PM. Late check-in is available during limited hours.

What time is check-out at Ryokan Sawaya Honten?

Checkout is at 10 AM.

Where is Ryokan Sawaya Honten located?

Located in Sakyo Ward, this ryokan is within a 15-minute walk of Heian Shrine, Kawaramachi Street and Kyoto University. Kyoto Imperial Palace and Ginkaku-ji Temple are also within 2 mi (3 km). Higashiyama Station is 16 minutes by foot and Sanjo Keihan Station is 18 minutes.

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Ryokan Sawaya Honten Reviews

9.4

Exceptional

9.8

Cleanliness

8.0

Location

9.4

Staff & service

9.6

Eco-friendliness

9.4

Property conditions & facilities

10/10 Excellent

Phoebe

9 Oct 2025

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities

A wonderful, peaceful place to stay! Even our economy room was large and comfortable, and the public baths were immaculately clean. Even though it is not in the more “popular” areas of Kyoto, we found it very easy to navigate transit and found some great nearby restaurants and temples to visit.

Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2025

10/10 Excellent

Karina

24 Oct 2025

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities

I really enjoyed my stay here at Ryokan Sawaya Honton. For me i wanted an authentic older style accomadation, and this place delivered. They do have washing machines and dryers, so you can do yourself when it suits. Its clean and quiet, and on a relatively quiet street. The best was the public bath at the end of the day it was so lovely to soak in the hot tub. Tattoos ok. I highly recommend this great establishment for long or shorter stays. Thank you Ryokan 🙏😊👌

Stayed 4 nights in Oct 2025

10/10 Excellent

Gabrielle

28 Mar 2025

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities

We loved our stay at ryokan sawaya honten. The traditional Japanese breakfast was very nice and we also enjoyed the peaceful public bath.

Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2025

10/10 Excellent

Peng M

19 Jul 2025

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities

We loved our stay at Ryokan Sawaya Honten with the traditional Japanese style living with clothing and public onsen. Super quiet and clean and we had the best nights of sleep in Japan. Room is doubled sizing vs Osaka and Tokyo rooms. Beat Japan experience for our kids from America

Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Daniela

24 Sept 2024

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities

Traditional Ryokan, easy to get there, friendly staff.

Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2024

10/10 Excellent

Katrine

2 Jun 2025

Liked: Amenities

Beautiful traditional Inn. Easy communication with staff in English. Beautiful running water feature with Koi ourside sliding doors in room. Beautiful and wonderful all around. Would 100% book again!

Stayed 2 nights in May 2025

10/10 Excellent

Mary

22 Jun 2024

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities

Excellent ryokan with all the amenities you need.

Stayed 1 night in Jun 2024

8/10 Good

angelo

13 Oct 2023

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities

Quaint Ryokan in a quiet area but lots to do in a shortish walk.

Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2023

10/10 Excellent

Tuoc

16 Jul 2024

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities

Very nice place to stay. We loved the traditional Japanese beds! What a wonderful experience with excellent service!

Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Alexander

11 Apr 2023

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities

Fantastic staff and room. We had an excellent stay that included the traditional breakfast.

Stayed 1 night in Apr 2023

10/10 Excellent

Sophyia

22 Sept 2024

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities

The staff were the star of this place. They were lovely and accommodating, and especially helpful when doing our luggage transfers. The hotel itself exceeded our expectations and was very beautiful and spacious. We would recommend anyone to stay here.

Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2024

10/10 Excellent

A

28 May 2024

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Lovely place to stay. Japanese style rooms that are very spacious. Hiroshi was the friendliest person we met in Japan and made us feel very welcome every time we came in. Close to everything you need in Kyoto.

Stayed 3 nights in May 2024

10/10 Excellent

Cristian

6 Jul 2024

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities

Stayed for a few days while in Kyoto. The ryokan was beautiful and the staff were very helpful. The rooms were very traditional but still had modern amenities. We paid for a traditional Japanese breakfast everyday which was absolutely delicious and worth it.

10/10 Excellent

Mandy

7 Sept 2024

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities

Great experience at this tattoo friendly ryokan! Rooms are large and smell of fragrant wood. We had the best sleep! Neighborhood is quiet and a nice walk across the canal from the busy downtown.

Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2024

10/10 Excellent

Yoonho

29 Dec 2022

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities

Everything of this ryokan is good. Especially kindful people.

Stayed 1 night in Dec 2022

10/10 Excellent

Mihoko

19 May 2023

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Great staff, rooms, and breakfast

I was leading a tour with my weaving students. I wanted them to experience authentic Japanese ryokan. Sawaya was a perfect place for that.

Stayed 3 nights in May 2023

6/10 Okay

Robert

15 Jul 2024

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities

Set in a quiet area (university). Train station is about a 10 minute walk. Staff was friendly and even spoke English well which was nice. MAMA LOUIS is nearby and we highly suggest you go!

Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2024

8/10 Good

Kristopher

1 Apr 2023

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities

Very nice ryokan with delightful closed off public bath. The most friendly staff throughout my stay in Japan. Only downside is there's not in the immediate area surrounding it.

Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2023

10/10 Excellent

Peri

2 Dec 2024

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities

A very nice place to stay for vacation. The staff are very friendly and helpful. The room is very spacious and clean. Just walk one block to the bus station and two block to the subway station. The buses are reaching to the temples and Kyoto station. No need to transfer. Very convenient.

Stayed 4 nights in Nov 2024

10/10 Excellent

James

26 Aug 2024

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities

This ryokan (Japanese inn) is very traditional. Shoes are left by the entry. There are a men’s and a ladies’ onsen. Each room has a private bath, yukata (traditional bath robe), and a little fridge. There’s a tea set and hot water for tea, and the lay out futons for each guest. The AC worked fantastically (important in summer). It was what one could hope for in Kyoto. The inn is located two blocks from the Heikan line, across from Kyoto hospital, and less than a block from two minimarts and several small family run restaurants.

Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Catherine

8 Jul 2023

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities

The ryokan is clean, quiet, and spacious with great amenities especially the onsen. There is a washer dryer that guests may use. The staff also reserved a taxi for our early ride to the airport. We did not have our breakfast there because I forgot to reserve this but they do offer this option. I would definitely consider staying here again. Many thanks to all the staff who took such good care of us.

Stayed 5 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Steve

14 Mar 2023

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Quiet, Peaceful and Spacious

A traditional Japanese experience with a super friendly staff. The room was large and gave us plenty of space. The entire facility was spotless and very peaceful. In room bathing room and toilet were perfect, but the community bath was even better and a great way to wind down and relax at the end of each day. The location is okay, but close enough to subway station. About a 25 to 30 minute walk to the Gion district, but the entire city is acccessible by walking, subway and bus. Your phone direction app will always recommend bus or car but we made it around entire city using subway, JR line and LOTS of walking.

Stayed 4 nights in Mar 2023

6/10 Okay

Jan

4 Mar 2023

Liked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities

We were looking for a Ryokan off the beaten track and really liked the facilities. The building is a little older, but has a very original vibe and feels especially quiet and calm. Also the rooms are beautiful with exposed wood - although our room faced to the street it was quiet and light (the windows were covered though). The bathrooms could use an upgrade, though, and the spa / onsen is very simple, just one tiny bath. We did enjoy the breakfast and the very lovely breakfast staff, which really cared for us - the best part of the stay. The reception staff however felt very detached and not eager to help us or talk to us, with especially random and strict breakfast, checkout and luggage timing rules ("you can only leave the luggage here until 3"), that did not seem to be justified by business. Other Ryokan's would help suggest or book dinner, but they told us to just walk there. The location is, as expected, a bit off, and despite being close to the train and bus stations, not easy to find things - so a little help would have been nice.

Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2023