We thought about not writing this one as it was always going to need to be a dreadful review to be accurate, but that fact that we spent so much money on this place and that it was so very very short of the mark we felt we owed it to others to warn them... We stayed a few nights in this ryokan and we were really looking forward to it. We spent much of the time however trying to escape the room and anxious about how and when we were going to be able to bath next (or shower!) So. It is a ryokan so we had done our research and were very interested in eager to stay. This ryokan however caters for no one. It is primarily the washing bathing matter that needs urgent address, by that I mean there are 2shared bathrooms ( both with Japanese bath and shower inside) for the guests. Whereas this would be fine if it was true Japanese style and meant that you had access to these facilities whenever you liked but accepted that there may be others in the shared bath as that is the traditional way, Here though you do not, you need to book a bath or shower in advance. The occasion that really sealed this doomed place for us is that it took us 3 hours to organise a bath (one room of which is lovely the other fairly ordinary) to be then told we had to shower ( for no apparent reason!,,). So sorry but for eastern or westerners alike ie for adult human beings, this is wholly and totally repugnant offensive and a model that makes one feel like one is on school camp. If you had you own bath here then that would significantly alter this review I think. However I must also say that our room whilst quite charming inside was right next to reception with Japanese style walls ie paper so ALL light and noise came streaming though without cease! I am not sure what can really be done about this appart from having many more separate showers.... We felt quite sad at the end as it tainted this part of our trip and we felt the owner really didn’t understand so little point in trying to engage in any meaningful feedback. All this would be fine (back to back packer days!) except that we paid something horrendous like 500$ Australian per day! Well you live you learn... Other ryokans we stayed in were far far far superior ( and cheaper!!)…
Context / Background: - Booked 4-day visit during the Gion Matsuri festival; lots of local Japanese tourist also booked their stay here - Run by nice and accommodating elderly couple that speak English; akin to a Japanese Bed and Breakfast (note that I believe most Ryokans are run in a similar fashion as oppose to the large luxury hotel chains such as Shangri La and Four Seasons) - 10 minutes by cab from downtown (US$12.00 taxi ride) - Great access to buses (30 second walk) and subway (5 min walk) to anywhere in Kyoto; buses/bikes/taxis are the optimal transportation method to any site worth visiting in Kyoto - A Ryokan with A/C; A/C is a godsend during the summer months in Kyoto - Bath house/showers close at 11 PM Must do: - Get the breakfast - Elderly couple have great insight toward the events and festivities happening inside Kyoto - Elderly couple are able to assist you in booking high-end restaurants - Experience the beautiful gardens around the hotel - Experience the traditional Japanese experience of sleeping on tatami mats - Experience traditional Japanese bath house (not hot spring onsen) experience; note that showers are available and you get an entire bath house as a couple as oppose to sharing with other hotel guests - Experience traditional Japanese bath robes…
Location was great, right near Nijo castle and a very quiet, suburb-y neighborhood. About 20-30 minute walk from Pontocho Alley and the other great restaurants. Also can get there by bus. Host spoke decent English and the place was very zen. Aside from that though, there wasn't really any other amenities. We didn't get to shower there since we stayed only one night but you have to contact host every time you need to shower. Not sure how their water system works but that's a bit strange to me.
As we walked through the tranquil front garden and into the doors of Yayoda Nishijinso we were immediately greeted with one of the ubiquitous smiles from our gracious hosts, this set the tone for our stay. Combine a beautifully ambient location with the down-to-earth charm of our friendly hosts and you have a ryokan that simply cannot be missed. The traditional home stay experience began with our gracious host explaining the 'need to knows' of Kyoto, bus routes to major shrines, popular places to eat, and provided us with annotated maps. Before we had checked in we felt we had already grasped a good understanding of the ins and outs of this stunning ancient locale. Our room did not disappoint, tatami mat floors, complimentary kimonos, a splendid view of the garden from our small terrace, even some complimentary Japanese green tea. A highlight was definitely the private onsen, couples can bathe together. Our host explained to us how to have a traditional Japanese bath and the onsen did not disappoint, large warm bath with a small window looked out onto a quaint little garden. The location is convenient, nestled in a picturesque quiet suburb of Kyoto away from the tourist throngs of gion and potoncho. What made this a truly special experience was the courteous and ever helpful couple that own it. A must stay in Kyoto. …
Mr. Kazumi and Mrs. Chie were exemplary hosts for our 3 night stay. They provided us with an Izakaya recommendation and reservation, and Mr. Kazumi drove us there! They gave us easy and correct instructions for nearby public transit. I left my purse in a taxi. Mr. Kazumi phoned all the major taxi companies to get it returned. Our room was spacious and comfortable. Not "Western feather top mattress comfortable." You need to understand that you will sleep on a futon if you choose a ryokan experience. Mr. Kazumi drove us to the train station for our departure to Tokyo. It was so wonderful to spend time in such a ryokan, where the hosts really want to please their guests. I could not recommend Nishijinso more highly if you want a Ryokan experience. BTW, Mr. Kazumi learned his English by watching American movies.…
I cannot speak more highly of the ryokan. My mom and I stayed 2 nights. The ryokan is made in Japanese style, and the rooms were really comfortable. You can choose to have your meals at the ryokan, or to explore the suburb (hosts have a list of good addresses, do not hesitate to ask them). Our hosts were the enlightenment of our experience. Both are warm and enthusiastic persons. They taught us about Japanese lifestyle, telling about their culture and habits. My mom cannot walk much, and they offered to drive us to different spots (restaurants, city, and temple), which was very much appreciated. On the overall, we had an amazing time at NISHIJINSO. I would definitely recommend this place to my friends, any couples looking for a romantic stay, or anyone after excellent quality services. If you are on a lower budget and/or after a easy-situated ryokan, this may not be the place you are after.…
NOTE TO TRIPADVISOR: This ryokan has a website in Japanese only at [--] & an English-language booking page at [--]. ---------- After looking high and low for a ryokan that wasn't too touristy and wouldn't break the bank (but wasn't aimed at backpackers), I stumbled upon Nishijinso. Though their website is only in Japanese, the owner speaks excellent English and was happy to practice it with us during our stay. The location, while not "downtown," it is an easy metro ride away from the action and is quite conveniently located to several important temples. The room we stayed in was beautiful (Japanese-style, though they do have a Western-style room available too, I believe) and the sliding screen doors opened onto a lovely garden. We didn't opt to have dinner at the ryokan, but we did have their breakfast and it was excellent. All in all, this place is a gem and still rather undiscovered by foreign tourists, it seems. Highly recommended. …
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