Watazen Ryokan - Established in 1830
Traditional tatami room with low table, cushions, shoji screens and alcove at Watazen Ryokan in Kyoto
Toilet, sink and enclosed shower at Watazen Ryokan, Kyoto Kansai
Indoor onsen bath with floating citrus fruits, tiled basin, wooden paneling and shower stations at Watazen Ryokan Kyoto
Table set with tamagoyaki, rice, miso soup and assorted small dishes at Watazen Ryokan, Kyoto
Traditional tatami room with low table, shoji screens and window seating at Watazen Ryokan, Kyoto
Evening exterior of multi-story Watazen Ryokan with warm lit windows and wooden lattice frontage in Kyoto Kansai
Spacious tatami dining room with low tables and shoji screens overlooking a small garden at Watazen Ryokan, Kyoto

Watazen Ryokan – Established in 1830

9.1
This Ryokan has an overall rating of 9.1/10, based on 1,439 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 Shopping Area Food District Public Onsen Indoor Bath Kaiseki Cuisine
Staff 9,5/10
Facilities 8,8/10
Cleanliness 9,2/10
Comfort 9,0/10
Value for money 8,7/10
Location 9,5/10

Ryokan highlights

A long-running central Kyoto ryokan near Nishiki Market that blends traditional lodging with practical city access.

Central Kyoto BaseRight in Nakagyo, with Nishiki Market and downtown shopping streets within easy walking distance.
Historic Since 1830Established in 1830, offering a genuine old-Kyoto ryokan identity rather than a modern imitation.
Quiet Side StreetSet off the busier main roads, giving a calmer stay while staying close to central attractions.
Traditional Kyoto StayKnown for tatami-style ryokan character with a more classic Japanese lodging atmosphere.
Japanese Bath ExperienceOffers an indoor communal bath, adding a useful ryokan-style relaxation element after sightseeing.
Convenient Station AccessReachable from Kyoto Station by subway to Shijo, then about a ten-minute walk.

Who is this ryokan best for?

Recommended stay1-2 nightsCity-center access is the strongest stay-length driver here: arrive, drop luggage, walk Nishiki and downtown arcades, enjoy dinner or an in-house meal, sleep in tatami comfort, then use the next day for central Kyoto sightseeing before moving on.
Trip-planning verdict: Good for travelers who want a traditional ryokan stay in central Kyoto with easy dining and shopping access, but not for an onsen-focused retreat.

Know before booking

No true onsenThe property has gender-separated public baths, but it is not a hot-spring ryokan.
Meal timing needs planningRyokan meals require advance booking, so do not assume dinner or breakfast can be added last minute.
Not a scenic retreatThis is a downtown Kyoto base, so choose elsewhere if you want nature views or secluded relaxation.

Food & drinks

Verified historic central Kyoto ryokan with reservable in-house breakfast and traditional multi-course dinners, plus many dining spots near Nishiki Market.

Dining Room (on-site)
on-site

In-house breakfast in the large banquet hall with garden view.

  • Japanese breakfastfoodTraditional set breakfast.
  • Western breakfastfoodSimple Western-style morning meal.
  • Yudofu setspecialtyKyoto tofu breakfast specialty.
  • TeadrinkSelf-serve hot tea.
  • CoffeedrinkSelf-serve coffee.
Guest Room Dinner (on-site)
on-site

Advance-reservation dinner served to guestrooms.

  • Kaiseki dinnerfoodTraditional multi-course Kyoto meal.
  • Vegetarian kaisekifoodPlant-forward course option.
  • Sukiyaki beeffoodBeef hot pot dinner.
  • Shabu-shabu beeffoodBeef and vegetables in broth.
  • Miyabi nabespecialtyWatazen original white-miso seafood hot pot.
Nishiki Market Eats (nearby)
nearby5 min walk

Kyoto food-market area for casual local bites and drinks.

  • SushifoodQuick seafood bites nearby.
  • TempurafoodClassic fried items.
  • PicklesspecialtyKyoto-style tsukemono snacks.
  • SakedrinkLocal rice wine options in the area.
  • Matcha sweetsfoodTea-based desserts around the market.

Access, transport and nearby sights

A central Kyoto ryokan near Shijo and Karasuma, with walkable subway and Hankyu access plus straightforward arrival via Kyoto Station.

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 long-running Kyoto ryokan in a very practical downtown location, Watazen suits travelers who want traditional tatami lodging without giving up city convenience. It is a stronger fit for exploring central Kyoto than for a secluded luxury or hot-spring-style retreat.

5 reasons to choose this ryokan best points
  • Walkable downtown Kyoto baseThe ryokan sits in central Nakagyo, close to Nishiki Market and shopping arcades, which makes quick food stops, evening strolls, and transit access unusually easy for a traditional inn stay.
  • Historic ryokan characterFounded in 1830, Watazen offers a heritage feel that many standard city hotels cannot match. It is a good pick if you want tatami-room atmosphere in a property with real local history.
  • Traditional rooms with practical comfortRooms keep the Japanese-style setup, and some categories include a private bath and toilet, which is helpful for travelers who want the ryokan experience without fully shared facilities.
  • Useful for families and longer staysThe property offers family-friendly touches like infant supplies, plus coin laundry on site. That makes it more convenient than many classic ryokans for parents or travelers doing multi-stop Japan trips.
  • In-house meals are availableYou can arrange Japanese breakfast and dinners such as kaiseki, sukiyaki, and shabu-shabu, including vegetarian or vegan options. This is useful if you want a traditional meal experience without searching elsewhere.
5 reasons not to choose this ryokan watch-outs
  • Not a quiet retreat settingBecause it is in the middle of central Kyoto rather than in a scenic or secluded district, the atmosphere is more urban and practical than romantic or immersive in nature.
  • Meals require advance planningDinner and breakfast need to be reserved several days ahead, so it is less flexible for spontaneous travelers. If your schedule changes often, this can feel restrictive.
  • Public bath is basic, not a true onsen drawThere is a shared bath for relaxing, but this is not the kind of destination ryokan chosen for elaborate hot-spring facilities. Travelers prioritizing a premium bath experience may find it modest.
  • Parking is inconvenientThe ryokan does not have its own parking, and guests are directed to nearby paid coin parking. That is a drawback if you are touring Kansai by car.
  • Check-in starts relatively lateCheck-in begins at 4:00 PM and check-out is 10:00 AM, giving you a shorter room window than some hotels. This can matter if you want a slower stay or midday rest.

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: 58th out of 141 ryokans in Kyoto.

Rank Ryokan Rating Reviews
53rd Monjusou 9.2/10 124
54th Kyoto Takasegawa Bettei 9.2/10 119
55th Nazuna Kyoto Gosho 9.2/10 78
56th Kyomachiya Bettei Hanatei 9.2/10 61
57th Kyomachiya Ryokan Sakura Urushitei 9.1/10 2,924
58th Watazen Ryokan – Established in 1830 Current ryokan 9.1/10 1,439
59th Nazuna Kyoto Tsubaki St. 9.1/10 657
60th Sumihei, Taiza Onsen 9.2/10 47
61st Nihonkan 9.1/10 630
62nd Towa Ryokan 9.1/10 574
63rd Yumoto Onsen OharaSansou 9.1/10 416
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