Inside Kyoto

A Kyoto Travel Guide

Best Kyoto Ryokan for Families 2026

Ryokan are a great choice for families. You can all sleep in the same room and have a truly authentic Japanese experience. Here are our top choices for family ryokan in Kyoto, divided by budget category.

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

If you’re traveling with a family in Japan, you will soon discover that hotels can be very inflexible. Few hotels have rooms that can hold more than four people. Thus, ryokan are a natural choice for families, because they usually allow two adults and up to three or four children in the same room. Better still, good ryokan will also serve you meals in the room, which means you don’t have to worry about the kids’ behavior in a restaurant.

Here are my picks for the best family-friendly ryokan in Kyoto.

Best Kyoto Luxury Ryokan for Families

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

If you want a truly Japanese experience, it’s worth splashing out for a night or two in a luxury ryokan. These places look like the ryokan of your imagination: traditional wooden buildings, superbly appointed rooms, fine wooden baths, and lovely gardens. And they have the service and food to match.

Seikoro

This ryokan is a classic. The rooms and common areas are superb and the food is delicious. It’s great for a first memorable night in Kyoto.
:: More Info on Seikoro.
:: Check Availability, Pricing and Guest Reviews for Seikoro at Booking.com or Agoda.com.

Best Mid-Range Kyoto Ryokan for Families

Mid-range ryokan are a great choice for families. They’re less fancily decorated, which means you can relax a bit more in the room and the prices are much more reasonable than the luxury places.

Nishiyama Ryokan

Streetview of Nishiyama Ryokan entrance.
Nishiyama Ryokan © Jun Kitayama.

Located a bit north of downtown, this large hotel-style ryokan is a good choice for families. It’s within walking distance of the Kyoto Imperial Palace Park, which is a great place for children to play. There are also plenty of family restaurants nearby.
:: More info about Nishiyama Ryokan.
:: Check Availability, Pricing and Guest Reviews of Nishiyama Ryokan on Booking.com or Agoda.com.

Hirashin Ryokan

Streetview of Hirashin Ryokan.
Hirashin Ryokan © Jun Kitayama.

Right smack in the heart of downtown, and very close to Misayama-koen Park and plenty of family restaurants, this serviceable ryokan has comfortable rooms for families in a hotel-style building.
:: More info about Hirashin Ryokan.
:: Check Availability, Pricing and Guest Reviews of Hirashin Ryokan on Booking.com or Agoda.com.

Higashiyamaso

Streetview of Higashiyamaso ryokan.
Higashiyamaso © Chris Rowthorn.

This spacious and comfortable ryokan is within easy walking distance of the Southern Higashiyama sightseeing district. They’ve got good family rooms and it would be a relaxing place for both adults and kids.
:: More information about Higashiyamaso.
:: Check Availability, Pricing and Guest Reviews of Higashiyamaso on Booking.com or Agoda.com.

Best Budget Kyoto Ryokan for Families

If you’re on a tight budget, you cannot expect to stay in a beautiful traditional ryokan. But, you can certainly enjoy the main benefit offered by ryokan: the ability for everyone to stay in one room. Here are two great choices:

Ryokan Shimizu

Streetview of Ryokan Shimizu entrance.
Ryokan Shimizu entrance © Jun Kitayama.

A short walk north of Kyoto Station, this fine little ryokan is extremely popular with foreign travelers. You’ll have to book far in advance to snag a room here, and that should tell you something about the quality of this place – they get many repeat guests.
:: More info about Ryokan Shimizu.
:: Check availability and pricing for Ryokan Shimizu on Booking.com or Agoda.com.

Matsubaya Ryokan

Streetview of Matsubaya Ryokan entrance.
Matsubaya Ryokan © Jun Kitayama.

Within walking distance of Kyoto Station, this hotel-style ryokan offers simple, serviceable rooms that are fine for families traveling on a budget.
:: More info about Matsubaya Ryokan.
:: Check Availability, Pricing and Guest Reviews of Matsubaya Inn on Booking.com or Agoda.com.

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

Best Luxury Ryokan In Kyoto

Popular Kyoto Ryokan
Yuzuya RyokanRyokan YachiyoClassic RyokanMore Info
Yuzuya RyokanYuzuya RyokanRyokanMore Info
Yuzuya RyokanHirashin RyokanModerate PriceMore Info
Yuzuya RyokanNishiyama RyokanModern and CentralMore Info

Best Mid-Price Ryokan In Kyoto

Best Budget Ryokan In Kyoto

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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