$$$$, Kyoto
Fodor's Review:
In the central courtyard water spouts out of the mouth of a dragon into a stone pond with colorful carp. This 200-year-old ryokan stands on a side street in the heart of the shopping district, but city sounds barely intrude upon this oasis of wooden passageways with low railings and sliding paper doors. Renowned for delicious seafood kaiseki ryori, the inn serves dinner either in the privacy of your guest room or more cheaply in the quaintly old-fashioned, European-style restaurant. The inn is full of finely crafted woodwork and has a Meiji-era gas lamp and stone lantern near the entrance of the traditional, narrow facade. Booking well in advance is recommended.
Visit the Travel Talk forums for help on planning your trip