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.
Ryokan Izuyasu
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 our picks for the best family-friendly ryokan in Kyoto.
Ryokan Seikoro
Best Kyoto Luxury Ryokan for Families
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 definitely pricey, but 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 and Agoda.com
Garden Ryokan Yachiyo
Located just down the road from Nanzen-ji Temple, and within easy walking distance of the parks of Okazaki and the Kyoto Zoo, this comfortable ryokan has spacious rooms that are perfect for families. They also serve a wide enough variety of food to please picky young eaters.
:: More Info about Garden Ryokan Yachiyo
:: Check Availability, Pricing and Guest Reviews at Agoda.com
Nishiyama Ryokan
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.
Ryokan Izuyasu
This classic traditional-style wooden ryokan is a beautiful place to stay a bit north of Kyoto Station. They don’t accept children younger than 7, and that’s probably for the best, because people with younger children would be worried about the kids damaging the room. Meals are served in rooms and the experience is totally Japanese. Highly recommended.
:: More info about Ryokan Izuyasu
:: Check Availability, Pricing and Guest Reviews of Ryokan Izuyasu on Booking.com or Agoda.com.
Nishiyama Ryokan
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
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.
Ryokan Shimizu – image © InsideKyoto.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
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
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.
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)
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