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Ryokan Sawaya Honten

Property class: 3

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Photo gallery for Ryokan Sawaya Honten

A traditional Japanese room with tatami flooring, a sliding door to a garden, a low table, and a television. - Ryokan Sawaya Honten (Kyoto)
A traditional Japanese room with tatami flooring, a sliding door leading to a garden, a television, and a cabinet. - Ryokan Sawaya Honten (Kyoto)
A bathroom with a stone floor, wooden stools, a bathtub with a stone wall, and a large mirror. - Ryokan Sawaya Honten (Kyoto)
A traditional Japanese building with a modern entrance, large windows, and potted plants outside. - Ryokan Sawaya Honten (Kyoto)
A koi pond with a stone lantern, surrounded by rocks and foliage. - Ryokan Sawaya Honten (Kyoto)
Located close to Heian Shrine and Kyoto University, Ryokan Sawaya Honten provides an indoor public bath (no minerals), a Japanese garden, and laundry facilities. Guests can connect to free in-room WiFi.

Reviews

9.4 out of 10
Exceptional

Popular amenities

  • Free WiFi
  • Air conditioning
  • Laundry

Off-peak, on budget: 30% or more off select hotels in our fall sale

Skip the crowds, keep the savings. AARP members save more after Labor Day. Book by Oct 7, 2026.

Room options

Available filters for rooms
Showing 10 of 10 rooms

View all photos for Superior Triple Room

A traditional Japanese room with tatami flooring, a low table with chairs, a television, and sliding doors leading to an outdoor area.

Superior Triple Room

10.0 out of 10
Exceptional
(1 review)
  • Garden view
  • 22 sq m
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 3
  • 3 Twin Futons

View all photos for Superior Twin Room

A traditional Japanese room with tatami flooring, a sliding door to a garden, a low table, and a television.

Superior Twin Room

10.0 out of 10
Exceptional
(1 review)
  • Garden view
  • 18 sq m
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 2
  • 2 Twin Futons

View all photos for Superior Quadruple Room

A traditional Japanese room with tatami flooring, a wooden desk, a chair, a television, and a window with shoji screens.

Superior Quadruple Room

10.0 out of 10
Exceptional
(1 review)
  • 29 sq m
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 4
  • 4 Twin Futons

View all photos for Standard Twin Room

A traditional Japanese room with tatami flooring, a desk with a computer, a TV, and a sliding door with a floral pattern.

Standard Twin Room

10.0 out of 10
Exceptional
(8 reviews)
  • 18 sq m
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 2
  • 2 Twin Futons

View all photos for Economy Twin Room

A traditional Japanese room with tatami flooring, a low table, and a TV.

Economy Twin Room

9.4 out of 10
Exceptional
(3 reviews)
  • 18 sq m
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 2
  • 2 Twin Futons

View all photos for Standard Quadruple Room

A traditional Japanese-style room with tatami flooring, a tatami mat table, a television, and a futon bed.

Standard Quadruple Room

9.4 out of 10
Exceptional
(6 reviews)
  • 24 sq m
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 4
  • 4 Twin Futons

View all photos for Economy Quadruple Room

A tatami mat room with a desk, chairs, a television, and a cabinet.

Economy Quadruple Room

10.0 out of 10
Exceptional
(14 reviews)
  • 25 sq m
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 4
  • 4 Twin Futons

View all photos for Standard Twin Room

In-room safe, desk, iron/ironing board (on request), WiFi (free)

Standard Twin Room

  • Sleeps 2
  • 2 Twin Futons

View all photos for Standard Quadruple Room

Bathroom | Combined shower/tub, free toiletries, hair dryer, slippers

Standard Quadruple Room

  • Sleeps 4
  • 4 Twin Futons

View all photos for Superior Quadruple Room

Bathroom | Combined shower/tub, free toiletries, hair dryer, slippers

Superior Quadruple Room

  • Sleeps 4
  • 4 Twin Futons

About the neighborhood

Located in Sakyo Ward, a neighborhood in Kyoto, Ryokan Sawaya Honten is near a train station. Heian Shrine and Kyoto Imperial Palace are notable landmarks, and travelers looking to shop may want to visit Kawaramachi Street. Kyoto University and Ginkaku-ji Temple are two other places to visit that come recommended. Visit our Kyoto travel guide
Map
25 Kawahara-cho, Shogoin, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, Kyoto, 606-8397

What's nearby

  • A canal flanked by lush greenery and a red bridge.
    Lake Biwa Canal
    3 min walk - 0.2 miles
  • A brightly lit urban street at night with illuminated buildings and a tree-lined sidewalk.
    Kawaramachi Street
    10 min walk - 0.6 miles
  • A traditional multi-tiered roof with green and red colors, surrounded by trees.
    Heian Shrine
    10 min walk - 0.6 miles
  • A clock tower with a large clock face and a brick building with arched windows.
    Kyoto University
    15 min walk - 0.8 miles
  • Kyoto International Exhibition Hall
    9 min walk - 0.5 miles

Getting around

  • Jingu-marutamachi Station
    6 min walk
  • Higashiyama Station
    16 min walk
  • Kansai Intl. Airport (KIX)
    111 min drive

Restaurants

  • タリーズコーヒー
    6 min walk
  • からふね屋珈琲店熊野店
    3 min walk
  • EL LATINO
    3 min walk
  • アラシのキッチン
    4 min walk
  • かく谷老舗
    2 min walk

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Property amenities

Internet

  • Available in all rooms: Free WiFi
  • Available in some public areas: Free WiFi

Parking and transportation

  • No onsite parking available

Food and drink

  • Daily breakfast available 7:30 AM to 9:00 AM for a fee

Things to do

  • TV in common areas

Conveniences

  • Guidebooks
  • Laundry facilities
  • Limited-hour front desk

Guest services

  • Change of towels on request
  • Housekeeping (weekly)

Outdoors

  • Japanese garden

Spa

  • Public bath open from 5:00 PM - 11:00 PM
  • Public indoor bath (no minerals)
  • Separate men/women areas in public bath
  • Yukata (Japanese robes)

Accessibility

  • If you have requests for specific accessibility needs, please contact the property using the information on the reservation confirmation received after booking.
  • Handrails in stairways
  • No elevator
  • Well-lit path to entrance

More

  • 2 floors
  • Genkan (entryway)
  • Smoking not allowed

Room amenities

Bedroom

  • Bedsheets provided

Bathroom

  • Bidet
  • Free toiletries
  • Hair dryer
  • Private bathroom
  • Shampoo
  • Shower/bathtub combination
  • Slippers
  • Toilet paper
  • Toothbrush and toothpaste
  • Towels provided

Entertainment

  • Flat-screen TV with digital channels

Food and drink

  • Free bottled water
  • Refrigerator
  • Restaurant dining guides

More

  • Air conditioning (climate-controlled)
  • Desk
  • Electrical adapters
  • Fusuma (room partition)
  • Heating (climate-controlled)
  • Individual decor
  • Iron/ironing board on request
  • Safe
  • Tatami (woven mat) flooring
  • Tokonoma (alcove)
  • Window screens

Policies

Check-in

Check-in start time: 4:00 PM; Check-in end time: 9:00 PM
Minimum check-in age: 15

Check-out

Check-out before 10 AM

Special check-in instructions

The front desk is open daily from 6:00 AM - 11:00 PM
Front desk staffed during limited hours
This property doesn't offer after-hours check-in
For any questions, please contact the property using the information on the booking confirmation
Information provided by the property may be translated using automated translation tools
Breakfast is available to guests booked in breakfast rates only and cannot be requested after check-in.
Luggage storage after check-out is only available until 3 PM.

Access methods

Front desk (limited hours)

Pets

Pets not allowed

Children and extra beds

Children 12 and younger are not allowed at this property; All guests older than 12 are welcome
Rollaway/extra beds are not available
Cribs (infant beds) are not available

Property payment types

MastercardVisa

Important information

Fees

You'll be asked to pay the following charges at the property. Fees may include applicable taxes:

  • A city tax may be collected at the property. The city tax ranges from JPY 100–10,000 per person, per night based on the nightly room rate. Please note that further exemptions may apply. For more details, please contact the property using the information on the reservation confirmation received after booking.

We have included all charges provided to us by the property.

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card, or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
Minimum Spring Break check-in age is 15 years old
Guests must contact this property in advance to reserve access to the public bathing facility
This property accepts credit cards and cash
Onsite parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher and a smoke detector
Please note that cultural norms and guest policies may differ by country and by property; the policies listed are provided by the property
Japanese futons are provided based on the number of adults in the reservation.

We should mention

This property does not have elevators
Children 12 years old and younger are not permitted at this property
The Japanese Ministry of Health, Labour, and Welfare requires all international visitors to submit their passport number and nationality when registering at any lodging facility (inns, hotels, motels, etc. ); additionally, lodging proprietors are required to photocopy passports for all registering guests and keep the photocopy on file
A car is not required for transportation to and from this property
Guests with tattoos are welcome to use the onsite public bathing facilities

Frequently asked questions

Is Ryokan Sawaya Honten pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

How much is parking?

Ryokan Sawaya Honten doesn't offer parking.

What time is check-in at Ryokan Sawaya Honten?

Check-in start time: 4:00 PM; Check-in end time: 9:00 PM. After-hours check-in is not available.

What time is check-out at Ryokan Sawaya Honten?

Check-out is at 10 AM.

Where is Ryokan Sawaya Honten located?

Located in Sakyo Ward, this ryokan is within a 15-minute walk of Heian Shrine and Kawaramachi Street. Kyoto University and Kyoto Imperial Palace are also within 1 mi (2 km). Higashiyama Station is 16 minutes by foot and Sanjo Keihan Station is 17 minutes.

Can I cancel my reservation for free and receive a full refund?

Yes, this property offers free cancellation on select room rates, because flexibility matters! Please refer to the property cancellation policy on our site for more details about any exclusions or requirements.

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Reviews

Ryokan Sawaya Honten Reviews

9.4

Exceptional

9.8

Cleanliness

8.0

Location

9.4

Staff & service

9.6

Property conditions & facilities
Rating 10 - Excellent. 396 out of 543 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 116 out of 543 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 24 out of 543 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 3 out of 543 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 4 out of 543 reviews

Reviews

Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Mekaela

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
We had an amazing stay from start to finish. Beautiful place with incredibly kind staff dedicated to making sure we enjoyed our stay.
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Alex

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Excellent experience - comfortable rooms, quiet and peaceful stay. Even with the heat we were very cozy. Nice location, close to public transit. The staff was very polite and hospitable. Breakfast in the morning was exceptional.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Ericca

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Had such a pleasant stay that I returned for a second time! Very clean, traditional style ryokan, with very helpful staff. I appreciate that they spoke English, provide laundry machines, and helped in calling us a taxi to the station during checkout. If you're interested in breakfast, specify it in your booking. If not, you may be able to schedule in breakfast subject to availability. Be mindful and respectful by keeping voices low; it is a peaceful and quiet space. Great location close to bus stops and convenience stores.
Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Marlar

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Amazing staff that go above and beyond, very clean and well maintained accommodation, great location as well. We thoroughly enjoyed our stay here and would absolutely stay again.
Stayed 6 nights in Mar 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Sharon

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Our family of 4 (including 2 teenage sons) wanted to experience a more traditional Japanese stay. Such a wonderful experience!!! We were blown away from the very beginning with a staff member escorting us to our room to show us the ryokan's facilities and amenities. We found our room to be quite comfortable. We would stay here again!
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Scott

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Dad and son traveling from the US. This hotel is well represented by the online photos. Staff was helpful. Place was very clean. I enjoyed the public baths and hot tub. Very quiet. Traditional breakfast was fun and tasty.
Stayed 2 nights in May 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Gerryl

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
The staff were so kind and traditional Japanese breakfast was amazing. They were also accommodating for my friend who is vegetarian
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Vera

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Everything was just wonderful. The breakfast was homemade and very delicious. Staff excellent and very helpful, room great, AC worked very good. I really enjoyed this place and definitely returned.
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Jyoti

Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
This was the best stay for us in Japan. Very spacious and squeaky clean. There were so many amenities present and location is also supreme. We loved our stay here and will definitely recommend
Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Nola

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
We had a very pleasant stay here. The property was clean and a great experience.
Coin washer/dryer in common area
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Diego

Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Amazing facilities and very friendly staff
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Solimar

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Excelente service. Breakfast was superb. Highly recommend if you want to have the Ryokan experience.
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Julian

Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Really quiet, great location staff are friendly willing to help you
Stayed 3 nights in May 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Frankie

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
The facilities are spotless and comfortable. Really quite a fine. If the there is any negatives, it would be the proximity to a line to get to Kyoto Station. Easy bus line to Gion. I would book again.
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Mary

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Excellent ryokan with all the amenities you need.
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2024
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Nancie

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Nice ryokan with great breakfast. Staff is very welcoming. Enjoyed our stay!
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2024
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Phoebe

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
A wonderful, peaceful place to stay! Even our economy room was large and comfortable, and the public baths were immaculately clean. Even though it is not in the more “popular” areas of Kyoto, we found it very easy to navigate transit and found some great nearby restaurants and temples to visit.
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Gabrielle

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
We loved our stay at ryokan sawaya honten. The traditional Japanese breakfast was very nice and we also enjoyed the peaceful public bath.
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2025
Verified review

8/10 Good

Yutong

Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
The room is very clean and tiny. I love the Japanese style environment. The staff is very friendly and welcoming. Excellent service.
Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Amanda

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Loved this traditional ryokan

Loved everything about this traditional ryokan. Comfortable, clean rooms and relaxing public onsen as well as really nice bathtubs in the rooms. There was the most serene koi poi out my window. Easy location to all the Kyoto sights and close to the train as well.
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

RICARDO

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Amazing experience, the room was pristine and the hospitality incredible.
Stayed 6 nights in Aug 2024
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Adeline

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Beautiful, clean, and unique traditional hotel that smells nice. Wonderful and helpful staff. Breakfast is delicious and nice.
Stayed 4 nights in Mar 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveler

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Great Ryokan. We enjoyed our stay.

Our stay was great. The staff is very friendly and helpful. The hotel is in a good stay and gives a great experience in the traditional hotels by having futons to sleep on and having the communal bath.
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2023
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Tuoc

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Very nice place to stay. We loved the traditional Japanese beds! What a wonderful experience with excellent service!
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2024
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Kyle

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Great authentic Ryokan. Bus stops were close which made it easy to get around, lots of good restaurants close by with an amazing bakery. The hot bath was a great way to relax after a long day of exploring the city. Would highly reccomend staying here if youre travelling to Kyoto!
Stayed 4 nights in Apr 2025