The Best Hotel in Kyoto, Japan

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No other Japanese city can compete with Kyoto for style and grace. For the ultimate experience of Kyoto hospitality, stay in a ryokan, a traditional Japanese inn. Though often costly, a night in a ryokan guarantees you beautiful traditional Japanese surroundings, excellent service, and two elegant meals (breakfast and dinner) in most cases. But you don't have to limit yourself to the traditional. Kyoto is a tourist city, so accommodations range from luxurious hotels to small guesthouses. Service in this city is impeccable. The information desks are well stocked, and concierges or guest-relations managers are often available in the lobby to respond to your needs.

Syoenso-Hozugawa-tei

$$$ | 1--4 Hiedanocho, Ashinoyama, Kameoka, 621-0034, Japan

Some rooms at this hillside hot-springs resort outside Kyoto proper have their own rotemburo (outdoor hot tub) overlooking a private garden, but gender-separated communal baths are available to all guests, and meals are included with your room. Though the building's facade is nondescript, the Japanese-style lobby's garden path–like approach and sliding paper door suggest Old Kyoto. Seasonal ingredients form the basis of kaiseki meals that can include crab, sukiyaki, and, in winter, wild boar. The scenic way to get here is aboard the Sagano Torokko train that leaves from Saga Torokko Station in Arashiyama.

Pros

  • Healthful hot springs
  • Some rooms have private baths
  • Mountain views

Cons

  • Far from city center
  • Expensive
  • Little English spoken
1--4 Hiedanocho, Ashinoyama, Kameoka, 621-0034, Japan
0771-22–0903
Hotel Details
56 rooms
All-Inclusive

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