Sora Niwa Terrace Kyoto brings the onsen ryokan (traditional hot spring inn) experience to the urban landscape of Kyoto. With baths on an upper floor overlooking the Kamo-gawa River and a location right downtown, it’s an excellent choice for those who want to combine the pleasures of an onsen with the convenience of a hotel.
Sora Niwa Terrace Kyoto
The rooms are compact but stylish and decorated in beautiful Japanese fashion. The floors are covered with Ryukyu tatami mats and you are provided with authentic Japanese attire: yukata robes, haori jackets, and even “geta” wooden sandals. It’s fun to wear these around the hotel and it really heightens the feeling of staying at an onsen ryokan.
Superior double room
The highlight of Sora Niwa Terrace are its onsen baths. You can choose from Yasaka-no-Yu and Niwa-no-Yu baths. These communal spaces offer dual experiences – a standard shallow bath and a deep soaking tub (reaching an impressive depth of 120 cm) that connect to a circular Silky Bath. Our favorite is the Yasaka-no-Yu bath, in particular the section with the deep soaking tub that has a breathtaking view of the Higashiyama mountains. While the Niwa-no-Yu baths are more enclosed, they still allow you to savor the soothing outdoor breeze.
Yasaka-no-Yu bath
The water for these baths comes from an underground spring with a temperature of 32.1°C, which mean that the baths qualify as an actual onsen (there are strict rules in Japan regarding such things).
Niwa-no-Yu Bath
The men’s and women’s bath switch daily, so if you stay two nights, you can be sure of sampling all the different baths. For those unaccustomed to traditional Japanese bathhouse practices (which involve low bathing stools), you’ll find standard-height chairs in the shower areas a thoughtful touch.
When you ascend to the rooftop, you’ll discover why they named this hotel “Sora Niwa Terrace,” which means “Sky Garden Terrace.” The eponymous terrace is an oasis that offers an uninterrupted 180-degree panoramic view of Higashiyama, Kyoto’s eastern mountains. This breathtaking spectacle is a result of unique urban planning restrictions that forbid taller buildings to the east, creating an unrivaled vista. Enjoy a complimentary drink while soaking your feet in a foot bath during the happy hour period (from 4:00 PM to 6:30 PM) – a great way to relax after a day of sightseeing.
Sora Niwa Terrace
Perhaps the best thing about the Sora Niwa Terrace is its location: It’s right in the middle of downtown, only steps from Kyoto-Kawaramachi Station on the Hankyu Line, and a short walk from Gion-Shijo Station on the Keihan Line and Shijo Station on the Karasuma subway line.
Name in English:
Sora Niwa Terrace Kyoto
Name in Japanese:
空庭テラス京都
English address:
324 Inari-cho, Kawaramachi-dori Shijo-sagaru 2 chome, Shimogyo-ku
Japanese address:
京都市下京区河原町通四条下る2丁目稲荷町324
Price: upper mid-range to luxury
Internet: wifi access
Non-smoking rooms: Yes
Nearest Transport:
1-minute walk south of Hankyu Kawaramachi Station
Telephone: 075-352-4000
Website:
:: Check availability on Booking.com or Agoda.com
Official site: (English)
soraniwa-hotel.jp/en/
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
