Even if you’re traveling on a tight budget, you can still have the Kyoto ryokan experience. Here are my favorite Kyoto budget ryokan, all of which I’ve personally inspected.
Hanakiya Ryokan exterior © Jun Kitayama.
What Exactly Is a Ryokan?
A ryokan is a traditional Japanese inn. That means the room and (sometimes) the entire building is Japanese style. It’s an experience unique to Japan. Almost all budget ryokan are actually built inside modern buildings that look much like hotels from the outside: Only the service and the guestrooms are traditionally Japanese. This is still enough to get the feel of what makes a stay at a ryokan special.
For more about what to expect from a Kyoto ryokan stay, see our main Kyoto ryokan page. Below are our recommended budget Kyoto ryokan:
Matsubaya Ryokan
Matsubaya Ryokan © Jun Kitayama.
A newly renovated ryokan within easy walking distance of Kyoto Station, this is a great place to meet other travelers and it’s a solid value.
:: More info about Matsubaya Ryokan.
:: Check Availability, Pricing and Guest Reviews of Matsubaya Inn on Booking.com or Agoda.com.
Ryokan Shimizu
Ryokan Shimizu © Jun Kitayama.
A short walk from Kyoto Station, this foreigner-friendly ryokan is a hit with travelers. It’s another great place to meet other travelers.
:: More info about Ryokan Shimizu.
:: Check Availability, Pricing and Guest Reviews of Ryokan Shimizu on Booking.com or Agoda.com.
Kyomachiya Ryokan Sakura Urushitei
Kyomachiya Ryokan Sakura Urushitei entrance.
Kyomachiya Ryokan Sakura Urushitei is a modern ryokan with some traditional Kyoto features located a very short walk south of downtown.
:: More info about Kyomachiya Ryokan Sakura Urushitei.
:: Check Availability, Pricing and Guest Reviews of Kyomachiya Ryokan Sakura Urushitei on Booking.com or Agoda.com.
Hirashin Ryokan
Hirashin Ryokan © Jun Kitayama.
Hirashin is a modern ryokan in the heart of downtown. It may look a bit like a hotel on the outside, but the rooms are traditional Japanese style. It’s an economical way to stay in the heart of downtown Kyoto.
:: More info about Hirashin Ryokan.
:: Check Availability, Pricing and Guest Reviews of Hirashin Ryokan on Booking.com or Agoda.com.
Hanakiya
Hanakiya Ryokan entrance © Jun Kitayama.
A quaint and friendly Japanese-style guesthouse just down the hill from Kiyomizu-dera, Hanakiya is a great place at a great rate.
:: More info about Hanakiya.
:: Check Availability, Pricing and Guest Reviews of Hanakiya on Booking.com or Agoda.com.
Also see our Best Mid-Price Ryokan in Kyoto list if you want something a little more upmarket than the ryokan on this page.
Where Are These Places Located?
- Open the Kyoto map
- You will see the list of places on the left hand side. (Click the 3-line icon in the top left corner if not). Scroll down or use the map search (the magnifying glass icon) to find the place you want.
- Click the name of the place in the list. Its location pin will be highlighted on the map.
- Map pins are color coded - BLUE: Hotels | VIOLET: Ryokan | PINK: Places to Eat | YELLOW: Things to See and Do
- If you're using the map on your phone, open the map and then search for the name of the place. The map will then zoom in on its location.
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
- Should You Stay In A Ryokan, Hotel, Machiya, Or Airbnb In Kyoto?
Best Luxury 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)
- Yuzuya (check availability on Booking.com and Agoda.com)
- Nazuna Kyoto Gosho (check availability on Booking.com and Agoda.com)
Best Mid-Price Ryokan In Kyoto
- Hirashin Ryokan (check availability on Booking.com and Agoda.com)
- Nishiyama Ryokan (check availability on Booking.com and Agoda.com)
- Ryokan Izuyasu (check availability on Booking.com and Agoda.com)
- Ishibeikoji Muan (check availability on Booking.com and Agoda.com)
- Motonago (check availability on Booking.com and Agoda.com)
- Sakanoue (check availability on Booking.com and Agoda.com)
- Yasaka Yutone Kyoto no Yado (check availability on Booking.com and Agoda.com)
Best Budget Ryokan In Kyoto
- Ryokan Shimizu (check availability on Booking.com and Agoda.com)
- Matsubaya Ryokan (check availability on Booking.com and Agoda.com)
- Hanakiya Ryokan (check availability on Booking.com and Agoda.com)
- Hirashin Ryokan (check availability on Booking.com and Agoda.com)
Other Inside Kyoto Pages of Interest
Kyoto Vacation Checklist
- ESSENTIALS – For all the essentials in a brief overview, see my First Time In Kyoto guide
- HOTELS – Check Kyoto accommodation availability on Booking.com and Agoda.com - often you can book with no upfront payment and free cancellation
- BULLET TRAIN – You can buy shinkansen (bullet train) tickets online from Klook - popular routes include Tokyo to Kyoto, Kyoto to Osaka and Kyoto to Tokyo
- WHERE TO STAY – Need tips on where to stay? See my one page guide Where To Stay In Kyoto
- PACKING LIST – See my comprehensive Packing List For Japan
- SIM CARDS – 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
- FLIGHTS – Compare Japan flight prices and timings to find the best deals
- JAPAN RAIL PASS – 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
- TRAVEL INSURANCE – World Nomads offers simple and flexible travel insurance. Buy at home or while traveling and claim online from anywhere in the world
- WANT HELP? – Do you want help planning your trip? Chris Rowthorn and his team of Japan experts at Japan Travel Consulting can help
Kyoto District Map
Click a Kyoto District for detailed info on attractions, places to eat and accommodation
About InsideKyoto.com and Chris Rowthorn
- Chris Rowthorn is the co-founder of InsideKyoto.com and has an unparalleled travel knowledge of Kyoto spanning three decades. Chris has written or commissioned and edited every page on the Inside Kyoto website.
- A former author of Lonely Planet Kyoto and Lonely Planet Japan guidebooks, Chris is also the director of the Kyoto walking tour company Chris Rowthorn Tours, and Japan Travel Consulting, where you can get bespoke travel advice for your Japan trip.
- InsideKyoto.com has been cited by the New York Times and The Times of London, among many other publications and websites.
