These are the best high-end ryokan in Kyoto. For a true luxury ryokan experience you cannot go wrong with any of these. I’ve personally inspected all the places on this list.
Ryokan Genhouin
For a general introduction to Kyoto ryokan, see our Kyoto Ryokan page. In addition to the luxury ryokan listed here, be sure to check out our Best Mid Price Ryokan In Kyoto and Best Budget Ryokan In Kyoto lists.
Another great way to experience Kyoto-style living is to stay in a machiya (traditional Kyoto townhouse), which combines the best aspects of a ryokan and a vacation rental.
A Note on Booking Luxury Ryokan
By definition, ryokan are traditional accommodations. Unfortunately, that means that some of them are tricky to book online. However, quite a few of Kyoto’s best ryokan can be easily booked online and we list them first on this page. Other luxury ryokan can only be booked by email inquiry or on their own sites which tend to be clunky. Finally, a few places can only be booked by Japanese travel companies or directly by phone (in Japanese).
Luxury Ryokan That Can Easily Be Booked Online
Seikoro
Seikoro entrance
Once you step into the secluded entryway, it’s like you’ve stepped into another world. The Seikoro is a classic ryokan with almost flamboyant decorative touches that recall art nouveau. All rooms look over lovely gardens and have fine wooden bathtubs.
Pros: Attentive service, lovely décor, comfortable with foreign guests.
Cons: Gojo-dori location is somewhat inconvenient (but, it’s close to a subway station and within walking distance of Kiyomizu-dera and Gion).
:: More Info on Seikoro
:: Check Availability, Pricing and Guest Reviews for Seikoro at Booking.com and Agoda.com
Nazuna Kyoto Gosho
Nazuna Kyoto Gosho deluxe king room
This stylish and welcoming ryokan is great both for the beautiful rooms and excellent wagyu cuisine that it serves. The staff is attentive and the entire place feels intimate and tranquil. It’s a short walk from the wonderful Imperial Palace Park and also close to a subway station.
Pros: Wonderful rooms, great meals.
Cons: A bit of a walk to downtown.
:: More Info on Nazuna Kyoto Gosho
:: Check Availability, Pricing and Guest Reviews for Nazuna Kyoto Gosho at Booking.com or Agoda.com
Ryokan Genhouin
Ryokan Genhouin guestroom
Ryokan Genhouin is an exclusive sanctuary in a quiet residential area of northern Higashiyama, a short walk from the superb Yoshida-yama Hill and the Path of Philosophy. The ryokan feels almost like a particularly lovely temple, as it sits among beautiful gardens. Rooms are very large by Japanese standards and all of them offer great garden views.
Pros: Superb architecture and gardens, quiet, close to several great temples
Cons: Some rooms lack private baths
:: More Info on Ryokan Genhouin
:: Check Availability, Pricing and Guest Reviews for Ryokan Genhouin at Booking.com or Agoda.com
Nanzenji Sando Kikusui
Kikusui luxury suite
Nestled down a quiet lane near Nanzen-ji Temple, Kikusui is a fine ryokan that boasts easy access to the sights of both northern and southern Higashiyama, as well as a convenient location near the Tozai subway line. It’s been somewhat modernized, with beds instead of futons. The food here is excellent.
Pros: Very comfortable rooms, great food.
Cons: Less traditional than some places.
:: More Info on Nanzenji Sando Kikusui
:: Check Availability, Pricing and Guest Reviews for Nanzenji Sando Kikusui at Booking.com or Agoda.com
Yuzuya
Yuzuya guest room
Located directly beside Yasaka-jinja and Muruyama-koen, in the heart of Southern Higashiyama and steps from Gion, this magical ryokan offers traditional rooms and some excellent Kyoto kaiseki cuisine. Interestingly, the entire ryokan has a yuzu theme. Yuzu is a Japanese citrus that is somewhere between orange and grapefruit. This place is a great way to sample the ryokan experience and a perfect place to be based for exploring Higashiyama.
Pros: One of the best locations in Kyoto and great food.
Cons: Expensive.
:: More Info about Yuzuya
:: Check Availability, Pricing and Guest Reviews for Yuzuya at Booking.com or Agoda.com
Other Luxury Ryokan
Tawaraya
Tawaraya guest room – image © Chris Rowthorn
Tawaraya isn’t just the best ryokan in Kyoto – it may be the best ryokan in Japan. There are even some who call this the finest accommodation in the world. It’s a magical sanctuary that you’ll never want to leave. The service is supernaturally good here: they know what you want before you do. This is the place to sample the Japanese ryokan experience. See my detailed write-up of A Night At Tawaraya (with lots of photos) to help you get a feel for what to expect from staying at Tawaraya.
Pros: Perfect service, lovely gardens, beautiful rooms, superb food, convenient downtown location.
Cons: Can’t think of any.
:: More Info about Tawaraya
:: Read Guest Reviews of Tawaraya at TripAdvisor
Hiiragiya
Hiiragiya
Located directly across the street from the Tawaraya, the Hiiragiya is a polished ryokan thoroughly at home with foreign guests. There are immaculate rooms in the new wing, but I like the wabi-sabi patina of the rooms in the old wing.
Pros: Great food, excellent service, beautiful gardens, convenient downtown location.
Cons: Less intimate in scale than some other inns.
:: More info about Hiiragiya Ryokan
:: Read Guest Reviews of Hiiragiya at TripAdvisor
Ugenta
Ugenta
All the way up in the tiny hamlet of Kibune (one valley over from Kurama and its famous temple), Ugenta is a rare find. The inn is divided into two exquisite units (and they only accept two groups per evening). One side is Western-style – all smooth wood and modern furnishings – the other is traditional Japanese – with sublime old Japan touches. Both units have indoor baths and private outdoor baths that face the mountainside. This would be a brilliant spot for a romantic getaway (and it’s just 30 minutes by taxi from Kyoto).
Pros: Giant apartment-size private units, all the mod cons, the latest in Japanese design, great food, impossibly quaint village location.
Cons: Nothing to do in the village at night (but, you’d be crazy to want to leave the inn, so this doesn’t really matter).
:: More Info about Ugenta
:: Read Guest Reviews of Ugenta at TripAdvisor
Hoshinoya
Hoshinoya
No ryokan in Kyoto comes close to Hoshinoya for dramatic approach: a private boat will whisk you up the Oigawa River to a boat landing, where the staff will greet you and escort you to your room. Surrounded by greenery, overlooking the rushåing waters of the river, this place feels like a completely different world from Kyoto, but a quick trip back down the river brings you to the bustling Arashiyama tourist district. The design here is modern Japanese and the feeling is of extreme privacy.
Pros: Magical river approach, fantastic riverside setting, slick modern design.
Cons: A bit of a hike to downtown.
:: More Info about Hoshinoya
:: Read Guest Reviews of Hoshinoya at TripAdvisor
Yoshida Sanso
Like the name suggests, this superb ryokan is located up on Yoshida-yama, a beautiful hill in the northeast part of town. The rooms here are beautiful and the food is wonderful, but the location is the real attraction here: walk out the door and in a few minutes, you’ll find yourself in some of Kyoto’s most beautiful (and seldom visited) temples.
Pros: Stunning location, beautiful front garden, warm service.
Cons: A fair distance from downtown.
:: More Info on Yoshida Sanso
:: Read Guest Reviews of Yoshida Sanso at TripAdvisor
More Kyoto Ryokan info:
- Kyoto Ryokan overview
- Best Luxury Ryokan In Kyoto
- Best Mid Range Ryokan In Kyoto
- Best Budget Ryokan In Kyoto
- Best Ryokan Near Kyoto
- Kyoto’s Best Ryokan For Families
- Kyoto’s Best Ryokan For Couples
- Kyoto Machiya
Best High-End Ryokan In Kyoto
- Tawaraya (Read guest reviews of Tawaraya on TripAdvisor.com)
- Hiiragiya Ryokan (Read guest reviews of Hiiragiya on TripAdvisor.com)
- Ugenta (Read guest reviews of Ugenta on TripAdvisor.com)
- Hoshinoya (Read guest reviews of Hoshinoya on TripAdvisor.com)
- Seikoro (check availability on Booking.com and Agoda.com)
- Yoshida Sanso (check availability on Booking.com and Agoda.com)
- Garden Ryokan Yachiyo (check availability on Booking.com and Agoda.com)
Best Mid Price Ryokan In Kyoto
- Hirashin Ryokan (check availability on Booking.com or Agoda.com)
- Nishiyama Ryokan (check availability on Booking.com or Agoda.com)
- Ryokan Izuyasu (check availability on Booking.com or Agoda.com)
Best Budget Ryokan In Kyoto
- Kyoto Yoshimizu (Read guest reviews of Kyoto Yoshimizu on TripAdvisor.com)
- Ryokan Shimizu (check availability on Booking.com or Agoda.com)
- Uemera Ryokan (check availability on Booking.com or Agoda.com)
- Matsubaya Ryokan (check availability on Booking.com or Agoda.com)
- Hanakiya Ryokan (check availability on Booking.com or Agoda.com)
- Tanaka-ya (check availability on Booking.com or Agoda.com)
More Kyoto Hotels info:
- Kyoto Hotels Overview
- Check availability and pricing for Kyoto hotels at Booking.com and Agoda.com
- The Best Places To Stay In Kyoto
- Where To Stay In Kyoto
- Best New Kyoto Hotels
- The Most Romantic Hotels and Ryokan in Kyoto
- Best Value Hotels In Kyoto
- Kyoto Vacation Rentals
- Best Luxury Hotels in Kyoto
- Best Boutique Hotels in Kyoto
- Best Small Hotels in Kyoto
- Best Mid-Range Hotels in Kyoto
- Best Budget Hotels in Kyoto
- Best Kyoto Hostels and Guesthouses
- Best Kyoto Hotels For Families
- Best Japanese Hotel Chains
- Best Ryokan In Kyoto
- Kyoto Machiya
Kyoto Vacation Checklist
- For all the essentials in a brief overview, see my First Time In Kyoto guide
- Check Kyoto accommodation availability on Booking.com and Agoda.com - often you can book with no upfront payment and free cancellation
- You can buy shinkansen (bullet train) tickets online from Klook - popular routes include Tokyo to Kyoto, Kyoto to Osaka and Kyoto to Tokyo
- Need tips on where to stay? See my one page guide Where To Stay In Kyoto
- See my comprehensive Packing List For Japan
- You can buy an eSim to activate in Japan or buy a data-only SIM card online for collection when you arrive at Tokyo's Narita or Haneda Airports or Kansai International Airport. You can also rent an unlimited data pocket wifi router
- Compare Japan flight prices and timings to find the best deals
- If you're making frequent train journeys during your visit, you might save money with Japan Rail Pass – see if it's worth it for you
- A prepaid Welcome Suica card makes travelling around Kyoto easy – here's how
- World Nomads offers simple and flexible travel insurance. Buy at home or while traveling and claim online from anywhere in the world
- Do you want help planning your trip? Chris Rowthorn and his team of Japan experts at Japan Travel Consulting can help
