Ryokan Motonago
Tatami room with futon bedding, shoji screens and low table at Ryokan Motonago in Kyoto, Kansai, Japan
Compact wooden sink area with mirror and modern toilet at Ryokan Motonago in Kyoto, Kansai, Japan
Tatami-floored guest room with low wooden table, floor cushions and shoji screen window at Ryokan Motonago in Kyoto
Tatami room with low table and shoji screens at Ryokan Motonago in Kyoto Kansai
Blue sky over traditional wooden buildings and tiled roofs near Ryokan Motonago in Kyoto, Kansai
Hanging paper lantern and decorative branches with Japanese calligraphy banner inside Ryokan Motonago Kyoto
Tatami room with low wooden table, twin beds, shoji screens and plant-lined window at Ryokan Motonago Kyoto

Ryokan Motonago

9.2
This Ryokan has an overall rating of 9.2/10, based on 657 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 / Check-out until 10:00 AM
Old Town Temple District Food District In-Room Bath Kaiseki Cuisine
Staff 9,6/10
Facilities 8,6/10
Cleanliness 9,2/10
Comfort 9,0/10
Value for money 8,3/10
Location 9,7/10

Ryokan highlights

A small traditional ryokan in Kyoto’s Higashiyama, ideal for classic sightseeing and a refined Kyoto stay.

Higashiyama BaseOn Nene-no-Michi below Kodai-ji, surrounded by Kyoto’s most atmospheric historic lanes.
Walk to LandmarksEasy walks to Kodai-ji, Yasaka Shrine, Maruyama Park, Ninenzaka, and Kiyomizu-dera.
Classic Kyoto FeelTatami-style rooms and seasonal interiors create a distinctly traditional Kyoto ryokan experience.
Small and PeacefulJust eleven guestrooms give the stay a quieter, more personal atmosphere.
Kaiseki MealsGuest feedback repeatedly praises the kaiseki dinner and traditional breakfast.
Warm HospitalityReviews consistently highlight attentive service and welcoming staff for international guests.

Who is this ryokan best for?

Recommended stay1-2 nightsLocation is the main stay-length driver: you can arrive, enjoy dinner and bath time, then walk Kodaiji, Ninenzaka, Sannenzaka, Yasaka Shrine, Gion, and Kiyomizu-dera without needing a long base. Two nights work if you want one slower Higashiyama day plus a second day elsewhere in Kyoto before moving on.
Trip-planning verdict: Best as a 1- to 2-night traditional Kyoto stay in Higashiyama for atmosphere, walkable temple-area sightseeing, and in-room dining rather than for onsen-focused relaxation.

Know before booking

Not an onsen ryokanIt offers private baths, but this is central Kyoto rather than a natural hot-spring town.
Set meal timingDinner and breakfast are served in-room at fixed times, which can limit late sightseeing plans.
Some rooms lack bathRoom examples show variation, so confirm whether your room has a private bath and toilet.
Less convenient than station hotelsGreat for Higashiyama walks, but luggage transfers and repeated station runs are less convenient.

Food & drinks

Ryokan Motonago at 511 Washio-cho in Kyoto is a traditional ryokan focused on in-room Kyoto-style kaiseki dinner and breakfast, with good dining nearby in Higashiyama.

Guestroom Dining (on-site)
on-site

In-room Kyoto meals for breakfast and dinner.

  • Kaiseki dinnerfoodSeasonal multi-course Kyoto meal.
  • SashimifoodRaw fish course in some dinners.
  • Grilled fishfoodClassic cooked fish course.
  • TempurafoodLight fried seasonal items.
  • SakedrinkTypical pairing with ryokan dinner.
Breakfast Service (on-site)
on-site

Japanese or Western breakfast served in-room.

  • Japanese breakfastfoodSet with rice, miso soup, and sides.
  • Grilled fishfoodCommon Japanese breakfast main.
  • Dashimaki omeletfoodRolled Japanese omelet.
  • TofufoodSimple Kyoto-style breakfast side.
  • Western breakfastfoodToast, omelet, and soup option.
Restaurant Hiramatsu Kodaiji (nearby)
nearbyabout 10 min walk

Upscale French dining near Kodaiji and Ninenzaka.

  • French tasting menufoodRefined multi-course meal.
  • Fish coursefoodSeasonal seafood preparation.
  • Meat coursefoodMain dish in set menus.
  • WinedrinkGood match for dinner courses.

Access, transport and nearby sights

Ryokan Motonago is a traditional inn in Kyoto’s Higashiyama sightseeing area, best reached from Kyoto Station by taxi or by bus to Gion/Higashiyama Yasui, with Kansai International Airport as the main international airport option.

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 small traditional ryokan in Kyoto’s Higashiyama/Gion area, Ryokan Motonago is a strong pick if you want classic atmosphere and walkable sightseeing. It is less ideal if you want modern hotel convenience, on-site parking, or a large-property resort feel.

5 reasons to choose this ryokan best points
  • Superb Higashiyama settingIt sits on Nene-no-Michi near Kodai-ji, with Kiyomizu-dera, Ninenzaka, Sannenzaka, Maruyama Park, Chion-in, and Gion all reachable on foot. That makes early-morning and evening strolls especially rewarding.
  • Authentic small-ryokan atmosphereWith only 11 guestrooms, the property feels intimate rather than hotel-like. This size suits travelers who value calm, personal service, and a more traditional Kyoto mood.
  • In-room Kyoto diningDinner and breakfast are served in the guestroom, which adds privacy and a classic ryokan experience. The meals focus on seasonal Kyoto ingredients and a kaiseki-style format rather than a generic buffet.
  • Traditional rooms with seasonal characterThe rooms are Japanese-style, with tatami, wood scents, and garden-facing touches that lean into old Kyoto aesthetics. The interiors also change with the seasons, giving the stay a more curated feel.
  • Great for a car-free Kyoto stayIt is reachable from Kyoto Station by bus or a short taxi ride, and also walkable from Gion-Shijo or Kawaramachi areas. If you plan to explore eastern Kyoto mostly on foot, the location works very well.
5 reasons not to choose this ryokan watch-outs
  • Not ideal if you driveThe ryokan does not have its own parking lot. If you arrive by car, you will need to use paid parking nearby.
  • Traditional style may feel less convenientThis is a classic ryokan experience, so it may not suit travelers who prefer modern layouts, large desks, or a full-service contemporary hotel setup. The appeal is atmosphere over sleek practicality.
  • Dining times are structuredMeals are served at set time slots, which can feel restrictive if you like flexible evenings. That matters in Kyoto, where many travelers prefer spontaneous sightseeing and late dinners out.
  • Smaller property, fewer facilitiesBecause it is a compact 11-room ryokan, you should not expect the broad amenities of a large luxury hotel. Travelers wanting extensive public facilities or many on-site activity options may find it limited.
  • Busy sightseeing area outsideWhile the inn itself aims for serenity, its location is in one of Kyoto’s most visited historic districts. The surrounding streets can be crowded during peak daytime hours, especially in popular seasons.

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: 44th out of 141 ryokans in Kyoto.

Rank Ryokan Rating Reviews
39th Matsui Honkan 9.4/10 50
40th Rakucho Ryokan 9.5/10 30
41st 玄か~sizuka~ 9.6/10 21
42nd Ryokan Nakajimaya 9.3/10 109
43rd Kyoto Ryokan Gion Sano 9.3/10 102
44th Ryokan Motonago Current ryokan 9.2/10 657
45th Kyoto Higashiyamaso 9.2/10 354
46th Hiiragiya 9.4/10 31
47th Yadoya Manjiro 9.5/10 21
48th Nissho Besso 9.2/10 282
49th IZUYASU Traditional Kyoto Inn serving Kyoto cuisine 9.2/10 275
Loading full ranking...
Traveler routes

Popular in traveler itineraries

Not in any shared itinerary yet

Be the first traveler to include this ryokan in a public route.

View all itineraries

Similar ryokans in Kyoto ? Similarity is calculated only among ryokans in the same region. We compare their stored environment and wellness pills, prioritize exact pill matches, then sort by the number of shared pills, rating comparison, rating value, and recency.