I cannot say enough amazing things about the staff and the property!!! This was our favorite place we stayed and our favorite city! I loved all the personal, cultural, and practical touches of the property. The staff were so nice and communicative! I honestly looked forward to coming back everyday to see what small refreshment, fruit, or dessert was waiting for us! They provided us with recommendations and answered any questions we had. They explained about the property and the local flavors to try. This was truly a highlight of our trip and I would recommend staying here to anyone!!!

nothing- all was amazing

We had the most wonderful stay at this historic ryokan. Shohei devoted so much time to explaining the history of the place and sharing thoughtful recommendations for exploring Kyoto. The ryokan itself was extraordinary—every detail carefully considered, preserving its historical charm while seamlessly integrating modern comforts. The garden was beautiful, and we loved relaxing in the bath each evening after returning from our adventures. On our last night, we enjoyed a kaiseki dinner prepared by a Michelin-starred restaurant—an unforgettable experience we would highly recommend. During the dinner, we were also given a gift of beautifully crafted chopsticks, a gesture we will always treasure. Each day, a special local treat awaited us, adding to the sense of care and attention that made our stay so memorable. Shohei, we cannot thank you enough for your kindness, your patience in answering all of our questions, and the warmth of your hospitality. Through your eyes, we truly fell in love with Kyoto.

Evening was perfect

We truly enjoyed our stay at this hotel. Everything was very clean and well-maintained, from the rooms to the common areas. One of the highlights were the lovely evening surprises – each night, there was something special served with dinner, along with freshly prepared tea. The location was great – quiet yet conveniently situated. The staff were always so friendly, courteous, and incredibly helpful. We especially appreciated the daily weather updates for the coming days, accompanied by a kind greeting – such a thoughtful touch! Whenever we had questions, the team was readily available and provided us with excellent local tips that really enhanced our experience. We would absolutely recommend this hotel and would love to come back!

We had nothing to complain about!!!

Please don’t make the same mistake we did and only stay here for one night. My husband and I are celebrating our honeymoon and really wanted to experience a traditional Japanese inn before leaving. After much research, we found Kyonoyado Gekkoan and booked immediately based on the raving reviews and photos. However, even with that, nothing could’ve prepared us for our experience here. This was the most unforgettable stay. From the communication before our arrival to the thoughtful check-in, where we learned more about the property, Kyoto, and nearby recommendations, Shohei and the team made us feel right at home — they even had a small present for our honeymoon. We had just arrived and were already thinking of when we could come back. What makes this place so special is the attention to detail and the history behind it. The house is over 100 years old, and you can feel that sense of history in every corner. The rooms are beautifully decorated with local artwork that reflects the culture and craftsmanship of Kyoto. There’s a real sense that every piece was chosen with care. Another thing that really sets Kyonoyado Gekkoan apart is that it’s been certified for good sleep — which isn’t an easy certification to get. The beds, the atmosphere, and the quiet surroundings make it one of the most restful nights of sleep we’ve ever had. The garden is absolutely beautiful — peaceful and perfectly maintained. Sitting there in the morning or evening with a cup of tea was one of the most relaxing moments of our trip. And the private onsen? Incredible. Soaking in the warm water after a long day of traveling/exploring Kyoto was pure bliss. I’m writing this on our way out of Kyoto, hoping it reaches others who might be considering a stay here. If you’re thinking of booking just one night — stay longer. They’ve created something truly special here, and the warmth and care from the staff make it even better. We will see each other again! Thank you endlessly.

Nothing at all.

We travelled to Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka and this place was our absolute favourite stay of them all! My sister unfortunately needed medical care on our arrival, and Shin promptly arranged an appointment at a clinic and accompanied us there. He spent hours with us, translated for us and helped us to fill out forms. We were so thankful to have been taken care of by Shin who went above and beyond. We'll always be grateful for the level of empathy, care and attention that Shin and Shohei gave us and words are not enough to describe how thankful we were. Without their help, we would not have been able to continue our Japanese adventures! Despite returning late to the ryokan, we were still given our welcome refreshments and Shin then spent over an hour helping us plan our Kyoto itinerary and showing us his favourite restaurants. We recommend booking the ryokan for the first stint of Kyoto travels before going to a hotel, to make the most of the itinerary that Shin helps you plan! We truly loved our stay at the accommodation which was incredibly clean, and the level of attention to detail was phenomenal. Everything had meaning here. We also had both the breakfast and dinner at the ryokan which was delicious and filling. Shin and Shohei made our stay extremely special and we were so well looked after, we felt like princesses! The beds were super comfortable (had the best night's sleep I've ever had) and all of the amenities were 5 star. We felt super lucky to have stayed here, and now we have left with 2 new friends in Japan. We missed Shin and Shohei after we left - they are the kindest people we met in Japan!

Nothing at all, we only wish we could have stayed longer! Book for 2 nights if you can to really immerse yourself and enjoy it :)

Our stay at this ryokan was absolutely incredible and truly the highlight of our trip. From the moment we arrived, the service was outstanding—Shin, Shohei, and Ryuhei came to meet us as soon as our Uber dropped us off, helped with our bags, and warmly welcomed us into the ryokan. The property itself was spotless, very comfortable, and full of traditional charm. The meals were beautifully prepared and absolutely delicious—each one felt special and memorable. Shin, Shohei, and Ryuhei went above and beyond throughout our stay. They were not only kind and attentive (brought me a cake for my birthday), but also extremely knowledgeable about the area, and history of the ryokan and Kyoto; sharing more recommendations and insights than we ever expected, which made our visit even more enjoyable. We left feeling cared for, relaxed, and truly grateful for the experience. I cannot recommend this ryokan highly enough.

If this place is available you should definitely book it! We stayed at the east garden suite and loved it. First, the hosts were incredibly helpful, going out of their way to call restaurants for us to check availability and make reservations, giving us detailed recommendations for sight seeing and food, and bringing us snacks in the evening. Communication was very easy with them. Second, the space itself was really beautiful; it is an old house that has been tastefully renovated to have modern luxuries (e.g. air conditioning, espresso machine, nice bathroom, western bed) while still maintaining the historic character of a traditional Japanese house from the early 20th century (e.g. tatami mats, sliding paper doors, zen garden, traditional mural). It was extremely comfortable and clean.

Everything was amazing. The facilities were excellent and well maintained. The bath/onsen was awesome. The personal garden was magic. The service was top notch and surprised us every day with how they could go above and beyond. Our hosts were the very best and very passionate about their jobs. The run down of the place and of Kyoto was longer than expected but worth it and the recommendations were spot on, some of the best meals we've ever had. Can't say enough about them. Would rate them an 11/10 if possible.

The sleep function on the upstairs control panel wasnt great and would reset anytime either of us moved, even if it was just settling back in bed after hitting the button. Worked around it just fine!

Our entire experience at Gekkoan was incredible, top notch. From the moment Shin met us to give us the keys and give us an overview of the property, our stay was amazing. Staying in a ryokan was a goal of mine for this trip, and this one was absolutely unbelievable — my sister and I kept saying "pinch me" throughout our stay. The property was absolutely beautiful (the private zen garden, beautiful tile floors, tatami, incredible artwork), the staff were beyond kind and hospitable, and the welcome ceremony, dinner, and Japanese breakfast we booked were all fantastic. The onsen tub was so relaxing, and I loved that I could look out over the private zen garden as I soaked. The bedroom was quiet, dark, and comfortable — a relaxing part of our relaxing stay. The bathroom was stocked with great, Kyoto-made hair and body products. The team gave us recommendations for restaurants and bakeries, shared ideas for the most efficient routes around Kyoto during our short stay, and helped us book a dinner reservation. My only regret is not staying for longer!

I wanted to express my heartfelt thanks for the incredible hospitality we experienced during our stay with you. Every detail, from the warm welcome at check-in to the thoughtful evening teas and delicious sweets, made our time truly memorable. A special thanks to Shohei for going above and beyond with recommendations for exploring Kyoto. Your insights added so much to our trip and led us to discover some amazing places. Our check-in experience was exceptional and unlike any we’ve ever had—it truly set the tone for an unforgettable stay. Please pass along our gratitude to the entire team for their outstanding care and attention to detail. We hope to return in the future and will definitely recommend your hotel to anyone visiting Kyoto.