Inside Kyoto

A Kyoto Travel Guide

Best Kyoto Ryokan for Couples 2026

Ryokan are naturally romantic – you relax in a yukata (light robe) and gaze out over a private garden while eating a fine Japanese meal in the privacy of your room. Here are my favorite romantic ryokan in Kyoto, that I’ve either stayed in or personally inspected.

Streetview of the Seikoro Ryokan exterior.
Seikoro Ryokan exterior © Jun Kitayama.

Why Is a Ryokan a Good Choice for Couples Visiting Kyoto?

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 and a great one to share with your partner. Our recommended romantic ryokans run between mid range and luxury for the full atmosphere and service that makes a ryokan stay memorable.

For more about what to expect from a Kyoto ryokan stay, see our main Kyoto ryokan page. Below are our recommended Kyoto ryokan for couples:

Seikoro

Streetview of the Seikoro Ryokan entrance.
Seikoro Ryokan entrance © Jun Kitayama.

This wonderful classic ryokan within walking distance of both downtown and the Southern Higashiyama temple district would make a great place for a romantic night or two in Kyoto. The wooden bathtubs are gorgeous here, as are the gardens, and the food is excellent.
:: More Info on Seikoro.
:: Check Availability, Pricing and Guest Reviews for Seikoro at Booking.com and Agoda.com.

Ishibeikoji Muan

Streetview of the Ishibeikoji Muan exterior.
Ishibeikoji Muan © Chris Rowthorn.

Ishibeikoji Muan is a cozy and quiet romantic hideaway on my favorite lane in all of Kyoto. This place has honeymoon written all over it.
:: More info about Ishibeikoji Muan.
:: Check Availability, Pricing and Guest Reviews for Ishibeikoji Muan at Booking.com and Agoda.com.

Ryokan Izuyasu

Streetview of the Ryokan Izuyasu exterior.
Ryokan Izuyasu © Jun Kitayama.

Less expensive than the other ryokan on this page, Izuyasu is still a wonderful ryokan experience, with beautiful rooms and superb meals served in your room. It’s in the middle of the city, within walking distance of Higashi-Hongan-ji Temple and Kyoto Station.
:: More info about Ryokan Izuyasu.
:: Check Availability, Pricing and Guest Reviews of Ryokan Izuyasu on Booking.com and Agoda.com.

Yoshida Sanso

Streetview of the Yoshida Sanso exterior.
Yoshida Sanso © Chris Rowthorn.

This hideaway ryokan up on the slopes of Yoshida-yama feels like a world away from the bustle of the city, but you can actually walk to such sights as Ginkaku-ji Temple and the Path of Philosophy from here in about 15 minutes, and downtown is a very short taxi ride away. The best part of this superb ryokan is its location: you can stroll out the door and be in two of our favorite temples in a matter of minutes: Shinyo-do Temple and Kurodani Temple. Highly recommended!
:: More Info on Yoshida Sanso.
:: Booking is via the Yoshida Sanso website.

Tawaraya

Inner sanctum at Tawaraya ryokan.
Inner sanctum at Tawaraya © Chris Rowthorn.

Tawaraya is one of the best ryokan in all Japan. It’s a sublime hidden world in the heart of the city. If you can afford a night or two here, it will be the memory of a lifetime. You cannot book Tawaraya through third-party sites; you have to book directly. For more information, see our How to Book Tawaraya Ryokan page.
:: More Info about Tawaraya.
:: Read Guest Reviews of Tawaraya at TripAdvisor.

Another Great Romantic Option in Kyoto: Machiya

Another great option for a romantic getaway in Kyoto is machiya, or traditional Japanese townhouses. These offer the full traditional Japanese experience along with the convenience of your own private vacation rental. For more details, visit our Old Kyoto Machiya page.

Where Are These Places Located?

See these places on our Kyoto Google map:
  • 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

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Kyoto Vacation Checklist


Kyoto District Map

Click a Kyoto District for detailed info on attractions, places to eat and accommodation


Chris Rowthorn

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.


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