Ryokan Sawaya Honten
Tatami room with futon bedding, shoji windows, low table and cushions at Ryokan Sawaya Honten, Kyoto
Compact modern bathroom with bathtub, hand shower, wood-tone wall panels and toiletries at Ryokan Sawaya Honten, Kyoto
Spacious tatami room with low table, shoji screens and garden view at Ryokan Sawaya Honten in Kyoto
Tatami room with futon bedding and shoji screens at Ryokan Sawaya Honten, Kyoto
Wooden ryokan entrance with glass doors, potted plants and bamboo blinds at Ryokan Sawaya Honten Kyoto
Traditional tatami room with low table, zaisu chairs and sliding fusuma doors at Ryokan Sawaya Honten in Kyoto
Wooden shelving beside a compact wash basin and doorway leading to a bathroom in Ryokan Sawaya Honten Kyoto

Ryokan Sawaya Honten

9.3
This Ryokan has an overall rating of 9.3/10, based on 1,154 reviews. ? Our score combines two signals: 50% based on traveler sentiment and guest feedback found online, and 50% based on our internal on-site evaluation plus ratings from verified travelers on our platform, who must provide proof of stay.
? This ranking compares properties in the same region. It is based on the overall rating and the number of reviews, using a weighted score so properties with more review data are ranked more fairly.
Check-in from 4:00 PM
City Center Temple District Station Access Public Onsen Indoor Bath
Staff 9,6/10
Facilities 9,0/10
Cleanliness 9,8/10
Comfort 9,1/10
Value for money 8,8/10
Location 9,2/10

Ryokan highlights

Historic Kyoto ryokan in Sakyo-ku with traditional rooms, public baths, and easy sightseeing access.

Historic Kyoto StayLong-running ryokan founded in 1916, preserving a classic Kyoto lodging atmosphere.
Near Jingu-MarutamachiAbout a 5-minute walk from Keihan Jingu-Marutamachi Station for convenient city access.
Walk to Heian ShrineHeian Jingu and nearby cultural sights are reachable on foot from the ryokan.
Traditional Japanese RoomsTatami floors and futon bedding deliver a straightforward, authentic ryokan experience.
Public Bath OptionTwo compact shared baths offer a relaxing soak after a day in Kyoto.
Quiet Sakyo SettingSet in the calmer Shogoin area, away from Kyoto's busiest tourist crowds.

Who is this ryokan best for?

Recommended stay1-2 nightsLocation is the main stay-length driver here: one night works for a tatami-room stay with dinner or breakfast and evening baths, while two nights makes sense if you want a calmer east-Kyoto rhythm with Heian Shrine and nearby museum or temple areas without changing hotels too quickly.
Trip-planning verdict: Best as a 1-2 night traditional Kyoto stay in the Shogoin/Okazaki side of the city, especially for travelers who want atmosphere and walkable cultural sights rather than resort-style ryokan facilities.

Know before booking

Not an onsen ryokanIt has public baths, but verified listings do not show a natural hot spring or open-air bath.
Limited spa facilitiesExpect simple communal baths rather than a wellness-focused property with private baths, sauna, or resort amenities.
Can be overbooked as a long baseGood Kyoto access helps, but the ryokan itself is better for short atmospheric stays than a long in-room resort stay.

Food & drinks

Verified Kyoto ryokan with breakfast in a first-floor dining room and no dinner service; nearby local restaurants are useful for other meals.

Dining Room (on-site)
on-site

First-floor breakfast room; breakfast only with eligible plan.

  • Japanese breakfastfoodMorning set meal for guests.
  • Breakfast servicespecialtyServed in the first-floor dining room.
  • TeadrinkTypical breakfast drink option.
Kyo no Tsukuneya (nearby)
nearbynear the ryokan

Nearby chicken specialist known for easy local meals.

  • OyakodonfoodRecommended chicken and egg rice bowl.
  • Chicken dishesfoodLocal-style chicken-focused plates.
  • Set mealspecialtyGood option for a simple lunch or dinner.
Uosuke (nearby)
nearbynear the ryokan

Useful seafood spot for lunch bowls and sushi at night.

  • KaisendonfoodSeafood rice bowl at lunchtime.
  • Edomae sushifoodSushi served at night.
  • Fresh seafoodspecialtyGood pick for a fish-focused meal.

Access, transport and nearby sights

This ryokan is in Kyoto's Shogoin area, best reached via Jingū-Marutamachi Station or the Kumano Jinja-mae bus stop, with Kyoto Station as the main long-distance gateway.

Distances are approximate and calculated from the ryokan coordinates. Travel times may vary depending on route, traffic and schedules.

Should you choose this ryokan?

A strong pick if you want a traditional Kyoto ryokan stay in a quieter local area rather than in the middle of the busiest tourist districts. It stands out for spacious Japanese-style rooms, a long-established atmosphere, and consistently praised breakfast and bath experience, but it is less ideal if you want nightlife, private parking, or a highly central base.

5 reasons to choose this ryokan best points
  • Authentic ryokan characterThis property has been operating since 1916 and keeps a classic wooden Kyoto feel, so the stay feels more traditional than a standard city hotel. It suits travelers who want tatami, yukata, and a more old-school atmosphere.
  • Spacious rooms by Kyoto standardsWith only 13 guest rooms, the inn feels intimate, and guest feedback repeatedly highlights that the rooms are notably roomy for Kyoto. That extra space matters if you are traveling as a couple, family, or with luggage.
  • Quiet base near eastern sightsIts Sakyo location is calmer than Gion or central Kawaramachi, yet still practical for places like Heian Shrine and the Okazaki museum area. You get a more local neighborhood feel without being isolated.
  • Memorable Japanese breakfastThe traditional breakfast is one of the most consistently praised parts of the stay and can add a real ryokan ritual to your mornings. It is especially appealing if you want a more immersive Kyoto experience rather than a simple hotel breakfast buffet.
  • Relaxing public bath after sightseeingGuests often mention the small public bath as a genuine highlight after long walking days in Kyoto. It adds a classic ryokan rhythm to the stay even though this is not a luxury onsen resort.
5 reasons not to choose this ryokan watch-outs
  • Not in the main tourist coreIf you want to step straight out into Gion, Nishiki, or late-night central Kyoto, this location may feel slightly removed. You will likely use buses, trains, or taxis more often than from a downtown base.
  • Traditional bedding is not for everyoneSleeping on futons over tatami can feel charming for one night but less comfortable for travelers who prefer thick Western mattresses. This is especially worth noting for longer stays or anyone with back sensitivity.
  • Public bath is shared, not privateThe bath experience is a plus for many guests, but it is a communal setup rather than an in-room or reservable private bath. Travelers wanting a more private bathing experience may be disappointed.
  • Limited hotel-style conveniencesThis is a small traditional inn, so it does not deliver the full-service facilities of a large modern hotel. Travelers expecting extensive amenities, parking on site, or a luxury concierge-style setup may find it simple.
  • Breakfast style is distinctly JapaneseThe breakfast is well liked, but it is a traditional Japanese set meal rather than a broad international spread. If you are not comfortable with Japanese breakfast dishes early in the morning, it may not suit you every day.

Ranking around this ryokan in Kyoto

Showing 5 above and 5 below the current ryokan. The full ranking loads only when you click or hover over this block.

Current position: 32nd out of 141 ryokans in Kyoto.

Rank Ryokan Rating Reviews
27th Kyo no Yado Sangen Ninenzaka 9.4/10 685
28th NISHIYAMA RYOKAN Established in 1953 9.4/10 634
29th Kyo Yunohana Resort Suisen 9.4/10 590
30th Monjusou Shourotei 9.5/10 70
31st Japanese Ryokan Seryo 9.4/10 162
32nd Ryokan Sawaya Honten Current ryokan 9.3/10 1,154
33rd Heihachi Tea House Inn 9.4/10 82
34th Gion Yoshiima 9.3/10 517
35th Hotel Honnoji 9.3/10 293
36th Matsui-Bekkan Hanakanzashi 9.3/10 290
37th Ryokan Inakatei 9.3/10 239
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