Alongside the southern gate of Yasaka Jinja, below Maruyama Park, stone stairs lead to a sukiya-style building with an attached four-story annex overlooking the tall trees that rim the shrine's grounds. The lobby has minimalist geometric lines to complement the sparse courtyard garden. Guest rooms have enclosed balconies where you can sip tea and gaze across the hills. The public baths are made from the pale umbrella pine and give off a woody fragrance. Smaller bathrooms are attached to the rooms. Opened in 2001, this ryokan offers the grace of Kyoto hospitality without the stiff formality. Flexible packages suit a variety of budgets; off-peak season you can stay without meals, and there are a range of meal packages. Some of the cheaper packages include a stay in the hotel combined with dinner in a nearby restaurant, and even the option of a river-platform restaurant in the summer (transport included). The elaborate kaiseki menus (served in the rooms), from the soup course served in a lacquer basket of petals to tart morsels of crab in a hollowed suda chi (a green citrus fruit), showcase the artful attention to detail with a hint of European influence. As the number of people sharing a room increases, the rate per person decreases, with special rates for children. There is wireless Internet access in the lobby.