Great ryokan! It's my first time staying at ryokan and my dad was amazed on how clean and well maintained the ryokan is! It's more than 50 years old but everything looks clean and spotless. Tea ceremony is very educative as a matcha lover and the traditional clothes are also a plus. Recommend staying here (pricy though). We got new year japanese special breakfast and the food was a loootttt! We are very full until afternoon... we also got to taste some good traditional Japanese food we never taste before. Location is close to tourist attractions using bus (some temples nearby and lots of restaurants nearby if using bus). Great experience in kyoto!

Pricy/expensive and if you have a lot of luggage, I recommend getting taxi rather than taking a bus. Subway is possible but inconvenient if having a lot of luggage. The hotel receptionist is very helpful in getting the taxi ready for us and very informative!

Since I put a foot inside the hotel, everyone was super nice towards me. The staff is really there for you for anything that you need. I was allowed to use the public bath even when I was tattoed! It amazed me how the managed to make such a traditional hotel in the hearth of the city. The breakfast was sublilme and, to be honest, I'm not a tea guy, but I enjoyed having the tea ceremony and even liked the taste of the tea! At the end, they gave me a little gift that included pictures of me wearing the yukata.

Nothing. To be honest they were amazing since the moment I arrived to the moment I left.

Was planning a family trip and I can confidently say that we're super grateful to have picked this place as it delivered a traditional immersive experience beyond our expectations. Particularly the attention to detail, friendliness, and enthusiasm of the staff. They all were happy to help us during our stay, giving excellent nearby food recommendations based on what we were craving. Overall, the service just felt more genuine, cosy, and attentive relative to western brand hotels. The room was clean traditional ryokan style and definitely the most spacious of any stay in Japan. They offer a free traditional Japanese breakfast in the morning which I would highly recommend (both delicious & novel). They also had various events on the main floor depending on the day of the week (we got to see their tea ceremony which I think happens every day and an evening music performance). They also have a downstairs hot bath which is exceptionally soothing after a long day of walking. Overall, if you're coming to experience traditional Japanese culture in Kyoto then I think staying at a Ryokan is a must-see item - and if that's the case, I would highly recommend this particular Ryokan for a high quality friendly experience.

It's pricey (as are all ryokans in Kyoto relative to western hotels), but I felt the cost was justified if you used the full experience.

Staff was a amazing and attentive. On arrival, they provided us some tea and guided us through the facilities. We asked about shipping our luggage to our next hotel and they reminded us when to bring our bags down and filled out the transport slips for us. It’s about 10 min walking distance to a few shopping areas and arcade. When we weren’t outside, we were able to join for a few of the in-hotel activities when we were around which were a fun bonus to our stay (tea ceremony demonstration and handkerchief painting). All in all, we had a positive experience in Kyoto!

The place is located in a lovely and quiet small street, but at a walking distance from the buzz of Kyoto. The building seems a bit old, but it gives the place a sense of authenticity. The room was big and comfortable. The staff is very helpful and organises all sort of activities for its guests to make the experience as immersive as possible, which we really appreciated. We recommend to do the breakfast at the hotel at least once, and to try the tea ceremony. The public bath is also enjoyable after a long day of walking, but note that it is not an onsen, as it does not contain volcanic water with all the minerals.

I feel as if the check in and all the instructions we received when we arrived could have been shortened. Some people might appreciate receiving so much guidance on what is where and how to do what, but in our case, we were exhausted from our trip and just wanted to lie down as soon as possible.

The Ryokan was a truly inspiring experience. From the moment you enter, the staff are there to greet and comfort weary travelers - we sat down with refreshing barley tea while staring at the gorgeous gardens they had. The rooms were spacious and relaxing as were the public baths that made me feel a bit like a pampered nymph from Greek mythology. Truly magical stay and not too far from transit and other things to do in Kyoto.

I had an absolutely amazing time with nothing bad to say about the Nishiyama Ryokan. The only thing I wish was slightly different was the drink selection outside the public bath - I only wish it had milk. But everything else was terrific!

This place is a perfect example of what a ryokan should be! Our yukata were comfortable, breakfast was wonderful- options for both traditional Japanese as well as Western breakfasts depending on your taste, and the tea ceremony is not to be missed! We not only had tea prepared for us, but we were taught to prepare it for our master of ceremony which was unexpected and a real treat. The public bath was very clean and relaxing, with a lovely water feature/garden outside the window. Would highly recommend.

Everything from the beginning was just perfect. Service is amazing and everyone is just so nice with a very good english level. I used to work at the reception of a 5 star hotel in Switzerland and i can tell you the service is almost the same we provided. I now notice every details in hotels and I can tell you that they are on point on everything. We came during a very calm period and eventho we weren't paying a lot thanks to a Booking offer, they upgraded us into their best room. The traditional style of the room is amazingly beautiful and confortable. They have a free of charg set of tea (hot and cold), cola, water and beer that they refill every day. Bath was a great experience as well as the interior garden which created an even more traditional atmosphere in the lobby. They even have the tea ceremony in the morning where you see how matcha tea is made. To summarise, they really make you experience and understand traditional japanese culture in a more modern way and the best of Japanese hospitality. If everything was not already perfect for you, the location is amazing. 15 min from the train station, small restaurant nearby and you have at a 10min walking distance the « center » with all the restaurants, shops and bars for day and night life. Definitely a 10/10! Thanks again to all the staff members. You were all amazing!

nothing !

Very friendly and helpful staff. They offered additional free events including a short (~5min) example of a tea ceremony and a koto concert. We paid extra for breakfast one day and it was delicious and elaborate. The location is great - you have the ability to walk or take transit to other places in the city or just walk around the neighborhood which has shops, restaurants, and cafes. We also enjoyed the communal baths.

Overall it was a great stay. We weren't super fans of the traditional tatami mat setup with cots on the floor but that is entirely on us - it's the exact experience we wanted and appreciated in staying in a traditional ryokan.

We stayed 1 night at the Ryokan, we arrived early and could leave our luggage. We got some tea and a origami workshop before we went to the city. When we checked in we were guided by a very nice guy who explained everything and showed us around. The room was really clean and big and the drinks were complimentary. They made us feel really welcome. The morning after we got to be at a tea ceremony and I even got to make the matcha tea myself with the lady. We got a present when leaving the Ryokan and we will take it home with us. Would really recommend staying here!