My fiancee and I stayed at the Kinmata Inn in Kyoto for two nights in June 2006.

This place, an old fashioned Riyokan style Japanese hotel, is amazing. It is old school Japan, down to the wood paneling and sliding doors, and the beautiful Japanese garden courtyard. The only modern touch was our bathroom and the western style toilet, which we were very greatful for. The property also has a traditional Japanese cedar hot tub/bath, which we were welcome to use in the evenings.

But the best part of staying here is the incredible food. Breakfasts and dinners were included in the price (good thing, because staying here is expensive). They were served to us in the rooms, and were truly a gourmet experience, one of the highlights of our entire trip to Japan. We were so blown away by the food that we took pictures of each dish before we ate it! Its traditional Japanese Kyoto style fare, which means lots of little dishes served one after the other, so you end up having 7 or 8 courses. Mostly seafood, but prepared in so many ways it makes your head spin. Dinner took 1 1/2 hours, and the place provides you with kimonos that you wear while you eat. Pretty awesome.

The only bummer about Kinmata Inn was the price- it was about $400/night for lodging (with breakfast and dinner included), PER PERSON, which meant for two of us it was around $800/night. Very expensive, but we thought afterwards that it was worth it for a truly authentic Japanese experience- and two of the best meals we've ever had.

This is not something I normally do, but we had such a wonderful stay here that I felt I had to write. The welcome was very genuine and it truly did feel like stepping into an older world. But they also went out of their way to accommodate our 4-year old son, and would-be ninja, Charlie! The food was the best we had in our whole stay in Japan from dinner right through to the exquisite breakfast. And whilst we had the finest Kyoto haute cuisine, Charlie's simpler tastes were catered for by a delicious chicken, rice and broccoli dinner, which was officially "yum, yum". We then finished off with a wonderful, relaxing cedar wood bath followed by the best night's sleep all holiday.
The location is good too so it's a pretty good base for exploring on foot.

I was a woman alone in Kyoto, with no command of the japanese language and an immense desire to see the gardens and shrines. After a long, dusty day wandering the gorgeous sites, I hopped a taxi to Kinmata Inn. I have never had an experience quite like it. I was greeted by a beautiful woman in kimono, and brought into the most gorgeous, homiest little inn ever. As a first time visitor to Japan, I was unaccustomed to the many rituals and peculiarities of a stay in such an establishment, but I was made to feel at home. A feeling of utter peace prevailed. I LOVED my tatamied-room, quiet and pristine, with an elegant garden view. The cedar bath was just what my weary body required after a day of sightseeing. Slipping into my yukata at the end of the day only signaled the beginning of an amazing night. The owner, Mr. Ukai, is an amazing chef and an excellent host. I have eaten at the best japanese restaurants in NY and Philadelphia (Nobu, Morimoto), but nothing could prepare me for his excellent dinner. While there where some things I didnt recognize, all was amazingly tasty. Being the month May, the food was prepared in honor of "Boy's Day", a celebration day in Japan. The artistry of the presentation (complete with antique plates) and the delicious flavorings of the meal were the highlights of my stay in Japan. If I were ever asked for a "last meal". this would be it! I slept like a baby in my futon, and awoke to the most delicious breakfast imaginable, in full japanese custom. Mr. Ukai even made sure I had new batteries for my camera, and an umbrella to wander through another day of Kyoto gardens! I have never felt so pampered and rejuvenated. I almost hate telling anyone about this place, in case I cant get a reservation next time I am in town. After my stay, I can only dream of coming back. Thank you, Mr Ukai and staff, for your hospitality, amazing food, and attention to detail. You ARE what Japan is about.