The midrange is the sweet spot for Kyoto ryokan: you get all the style and traditional features of luxury ryokan at rates comparable to a good midrange hotel. And the best part is that all of these places are easily booked online.
Ishibeikoji Muan Ryokan © Chris Rowthorn.
Ryokan are traditional Japanese inns with their own distinct atmosphere and service. They are unique to Japan. Some Kyoto ryokan are eye-wateringly expensive, but there are plenty of mid-range ryokan that let you enjoy the full experience without breaking the bank.
My Top Midrange Ryokan Picks
- Best Overall Midrange Ryokan: Ryokan Motonago
- Best Romantic Hideaway: Ishibeikoji Muan
- Best Location: Gion Yoshiima
- Best For First-Time Ryokan Guests: Nishiyama Ryokan
- Best Quiet Traditional Experience: Yasaka Yutone Kyokoyado
- Best Near Kyoto Station: Izuyasu
Ishibeikoji Muan
Ishibeikoji Muan guest room.
Ishibeikoji Muan is a magical little ryokan located on my favorite pedestrian lane in Kyoto. It’s a private sanctuary that you will love coming home to.
:: More info about Ishibeikoji Muan.
:: Check Availability, Pricing and Guest Reviews of Ishibeikoji Muan on Booking.com or Agoda.com.
Motonago
Motonago © Chris Rowthorn.
Located on one of the most atmospheric lanes in all of Kyoto, this wonderful little ryokan has been on my radar since the first days of my tour company. I often met my clients in the lobby here and they all raved about it. It’s one of the best ryokan values in the city.
:: More info about Motonago.
:: Check Availability, Pricing and Guest Reviews of Motonago on Booking.com or Agoda.com.
Nishiyama Ryokan
Nishiyama Ryokan guest room.
Nishiyama Ryokan is modern moderately priced ryokan in Central Kyoto, just north of downtown, good for those who want to try the ryokan experience without breaking the bank.
:: More info about Nishiyama Ryokan.
:: Check Availability, Pricing and Guest Reviews of Nishiyama Ryokan on Booking.com or Agoda.com.
Sakanoue
Sakanoue © Chris Rowthorn.
This fine ryokan is a recent discovery: I saw some travelers emerging from the entrance and I asked them how they liked the place. They raved about it and I decided then and there to check it out. It’s a solid value on a quiet lane in the heart of the Southern Higashiyama sightseeing district.
:: More info about Sakanoue.
:: Check Availability, Pricing and Guest Reviews of Sakanoue on Booking.com or Agoda.com.
Yasaka Yutone Kyokonoyado
Yasaka Yutone Kyokonoyado © Chris Rowthorn.
This beautiful little ryokan feels like a secret and you could easily miss it if you’re not paying attention. It’s a charming place with beautiful Japanese-style rooms and excellent meals.
:: More info about Yasaka Kyokonoyado.
:: Check Availability, Pricing and Guest Reviews of Yasaka Yutone Kyokonoyado on Booking.com or Agoda.com.
Ryokan Izuyasu
Ryokan Izuyasu © Jun Kitayama.
Ryokan Izuyasu is a homey, traditional ryokan a short walk north of Kyoto Station and almost directly across from the awesome Higashi-Hongan-ji Temple complex.
:: More info about Ryokan Izuyasu.
:: Check Availability, Pricing and Guest Reviews of Ryokan Izuyasu on Booking.com or Agoda.com.
Gion Yoshiima
Gion Yoshiima © Jun Kitayama.
Gion Yoshiima is a superb little family-run guesthouse with a great location in the heart of Gion. It would serve as an excellent base for exploring southern Higashiyama.
:: More info about Gion Yoshiima.
:: Check Availability, Pricing and Guest Reviews of Gion Yoshiima on Booking.com or Agoda.com.
If you’re looking for the best ryokan in Kyoto where money is no object, see our Best Ryokan in Kyoto list. Also see our Best Budget Ryokan in Kyoto list if you need to stretch your travel cash further.
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)
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.
