This was a highlight of our first trip to Japan and honestly one of my favorite experiences in any place I have visited (and my husband and I do a lot of international travel). The location was beyond perfect, the staff was warm and welcoming, the inn was incredibly clean and comfortable. I have never felt so cared for in my life. My husband and I kept joking that it was like staying in a house full of sweet and loving nanas and aunties who just want you to be bathed, clothed and well fed. The food was delicious and it was fun to try new things I wouldn't have the confidence to order or eat anywhere else (we ate 99% of everything that was served to us). I loved slipping off my shoes upon entering the inn and then bathing in the beautiful onsen (privately reserved for one hour each night so my husband and I could relax together and my tattoos were not visible to anyone else). After that you get changed into your very own yukata, complete with obe and tabi socks. I thoroughly enjoyed all of the Mikimoto skincare and bath products which were a the luxurious surprise. We had some reservations about sleeping on tatami mats, but to our surprise it was incredibly comfortable!!!! The floor mats are heated and a cozy futon with fitted sheets and comforter are prepared for you on your first night before bed. Because it was just the two of us, we opted to double our futons which was perfect for us. One thing to note is that your evening meals are scheduled so you need to be mindful of the times that you have chosen to have your meals served to you. You must wake up and call when you are ready to eat breakfast within a certain time frame (this was a little funny for us given that we enjoyed late night cocktails around town and like to sleep in a little, but we quickly adapted). The futons are just SO SO cozy which made it even harder to get out of them! Our entire time there felt similar to a relaxing day at the spa.

Nothing. It was an incredible experience. I may simply opt out of morning meal service next time if I plan to sleep in.

The location of Motonago is superb - right in the middle of Gion, close to so many sights and amongst beautiful buildings. It is an experience in itself, from the common bath (that can be booked privately for ca. an hour), to the interior of the ryokan, and the food. Both dinner and breakfast were so interesting and tasted great, I would recommend eating here for sure! The staff is very nice and helpful, and the inn is generally very quiet. It's a good place for a relaxing stay.

The room is not the biggest one, which I can imagine could be a problem for a longer stay - there was a closet space but it was also quite small. However, it worked for us. Also you should ask the staff to be shown around, especially to the inner garden which looks so pretty - it can't be seen from the room and we kind of stumbled upon it by ourselves while roaming around the inn.

impressive & unforgettable experience! Supper central location! right next to 高台寺。 15 minutes beautiful walking distance to 清水寺。many historic building , landmark nearby. Outstanding service. beyond our expectation! Food was delicious and beautiful presentation. we booked breakfast , and one night dinner. all serviced inside our tatami room. private tub is convenient. when we back from our day trip , hotel staff automatically bring us tea & water into our room. all hotel staffs knew who we are. which room we stay. bring our shoes as soon as we walk into lobby. I will say this is the best hotel we ever stay in in term of location & service & room condition & food !

nothing. wish we could stay here few more days.

First time staying in a Ryokan and it was a great experience. The room was spacious enough for two and loved the style/decor. Staff was extremely curteous and pleasant as was the check in process. The private garden area outside our room was a great touch (not sure if all rooms have this or not). You can reserve the onsen in hotel for an hour for just your group which is really nice. The onsen itself was a great experience (even in the summertime). There was complimentary water and small cans of Asahi which was a nice touch. Overall a pleaseant experience especially as a first timer in a Ryokan but given the price per night, one night was enough for me.

Like others have said, walls are thin and noise from outside as well as other rooms can be heard quite easily. Unforunately did not get to try the dinner or breakfast which was a bummer. Rooms are expensive (most Ryokans are). The mattresses they have you sleep on are not as comfortable when compared to hotel beds.

Overall a great Ryokan experience: exceptional meals, cozy rooms with tatami mats, an interesting onsen experience, and gracious hosts. The kaiseki dinner experience and the breakfast were both fabulous. The kaiseki dinner comprised of 14 dishes/courses from the traditional assorted seasonal appetizers, sashimi, the boiled, the hot pot, pickled, fried, brined and more. The breakfast was equally traditional with miso salt salmon, tamago, pickles, soup, rice, and, tofu. The room we had was small - a mini square coffee table with two twin bedmats, side by side. For our bathroom, I was a little nervous beforehand but pleasantly surprised; although we only had the "toilet" (as warned when booked), it was sufficient and the toilet + sink area was separated by a door. The only complaint would be, the beds were not that comfortable and the walls were extremely thin. You could hear people and this type of room would not be comfortable for a longer stay. We only were here for 1 night because we had booked lodging too late. We wanted to experience an onsen - you get to reserve it for yourself (and/or family) for an hour and it is private. You sit on buckets to shower and cleanse, and there's a small hot tub to soak in. There's complimentary small cans of asahi, sake or water which were appreciated. Last but not least, the folks who run this place were very helpful and gracious in our interactions. This place is in the middle of Higashiyama District, smack dab of touristy Kyoto, a short walk to see the amazing Ryôzen Kannon.

As mentioned above, it is a very sound-sensitive place so even with everyone being respectfully quiet, you could still hear shuffling, coughing from the other rooms, and muted voices. If you choose this place, try to pick a larger room too.

Incredible service, fantastic food and such a tranquil place that it felt like the room was in a different dimension! You have to get the dinner and breakfast option when you stay here. The service and quality of the food were outstanding. Our room had its own toilet, but the bath was shared. The whole experience was wonderful and we were able to get a slot for a bath in the evening and in the morning. I also was surprised how well I slept on the futon. Given that it felt hard when I laid down, I was surprised how well rested I woke up.

This place is a 10/10. Classic ryokan vibe and delicious food. We had the traditional dinner and there were a lot of courses. Traditional delicious small dishes (think tapas for those who may not be familiar-but a lot of them). Staff were amazing and accommodating. We even did the private bath, which is reserved just for you and it was quite relaxing, it just elevated more of the ryokan vibes. Our room was spectacular, spacious, quiet and serene. Our room had a view of beautiful bonsai like trees. The location is beyond fantastic 10/10. It’s located in the historic Gion, very close to Kodaiji temple, but still away enough from the busy main foot path of Gion. We chose the Japanese breakfast too, which was just as tasty as the dinner but 1 course (still several dishes).

We loved everything. Nothing negative to say.

We stayed at this hotel in mid-April, and it was a truly memorable experience. As a family of four, including two kids, we found the stay to be incredibly enjoyable and relaxing. First and foremost, the cleanliness of the hotel was impeccable. Although we were initially concerned about the shared toilet and shower facilities, it turned out to be a great decision. Everything was maintained to the highest standard of cleanliness, which put us at ease right away. Our host was exceptionally kind and hospitable, making us feel welcomed from the moment we arrived. We were treated to a small treat upon our return to the hotel each day, which was a lovely touch. The hotel's superior location was a big plus. It was within walking distance to many popular tourist spots, yet remained quiet and peaceful. One of the highlights of our stay was the ability to reserve dinner and breakfast at the hotel for a couple of days. The food was both beautiful and fantastic, enhancing our overall experience. The convenience of being able to return to our room next door immediately after our meals made it a very relaxing and enjoyable experience. Our room is on the second floor and is very spacious. The hotel also featured a charming small Zen-style yard, which added to the peaceful and relaxing ambiance of our stay. In all, our stay was one of the best hotel experiences we've had. It was relaxing, clean, and filled with warm hospitality. We will definitely be coming back and highly recommend this hotel to anyone looking for an authentic Japanese-style lodging experience.

The Ryokan is beautiful, very traditional and well kept. The rooms are spacious, clean and the futon on the tatami mats were surprisingly comfortable. The shared bathroom was always clean. The onsen was great, clean and fun! We only stayed one night and used it quite late before we went to bed which was lovely. Breakfast was traditional Japanese and was lovely. The staff were great, really helpful and friendly.

The rooms get quite light in the morning, so if you're a light sleeper you might need an eye mask, it didn't bother us really though.

It was my first time staying in a ryokan. We did it for the last night of our trip and I thought it was a great way to experience a traditional one. I don’t know if I would want to stay there a very long time as it is a little strange and hard sleeping on the floor, even with the mattresses. The staff was so lovely and accommodating. The place is super clean! Spotless. And the bath was extremely relaxing. I would definitely recommend it for a couple days in Kyoto.