Affordable Luxury: 10 Best Value-For-Money Ryokans in Kyoto

The Best Value for Money Ryokans in Kyoto

Gion Yoshiima

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Gion Yoshiima is a family-run ryokan located in Gion, Kyoto’s historic geisha district. In keeping with the area’s history, Gion Yoshiima has many beautiful features, including a Buddhist altar room and a Japanese garden with a tea house. From March to the end of December, Gion Yoshiima hosts tea ceremonies for guests in their tea house.

A choice of either a Japanese kaiseki or Western-style breakfast is included with the room booking, and the hotel also provides laundry and dry cleaning services. The kaiseki breakfast is made using the finest quality and locally sourced seasonal fish and vegetables. Some rooms come with a view of the garden, while all rooms have a private bathroom.

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As well as being close to Kyoto’s famous geisha district, Gion Yoshiima is also only a three minute walk from Sanjo Station and a five minute walk from Gion-Shijo Station. Previous guests have commented how Gion Yoshiima’s excellent location and traditional decor, along with the delicious and filling breakfast, all give great value for money.

Mitsuki Kyoto

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Within walking distance of both Nijo Castle and Kyoto’s Imperial Palace, Mitsuki Kyoto is another ryokan that promises an unforgettable stay. A more modestly sized ryokan, Mitsuki Kyoto features a beautifully designed and decorated interior, as well as a pretty internal garden. There are only two guest rooms, both of which are bright and elegantly styled and come with a private bathroom.

Featuring a warm and cozy atmosphere, guests at Mitsuki Kyoto are treated to an incredibly high level of customer service and care by the ryokan’s dedicated and attentive host. A traditional Japanese breakfast is included in the price of the room, consisting of a variety of expertly prepared dishes made of fresh, local ingredients.

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Mitsuki Kyoto is also a great place to stay for seeing more of Kyoto. The property is only a two-minute walk from Marutamachi Station, which is less than ten minutes to Kyoto Station on the Karasuma Line. Meanwhile, the golden temple at Kinkaku-ji is an easy 20-minute bus ride away.

Kyoto Higashiyamaso

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If you’re looking for a ryokan close to some of Kyoto’s most famous sights then look no further than Kyoto Higashiyamaso. Kyoto Higashiyamaso is just moments away from the shops, cafes, and restaurants on Sannenzaka, while the entrance to Kiyomizu Temple is just five minutes away on foot.

The Kyoto Higashiyamaso has a range of good-sized tatami rooms that can accommodate between three to four guests. Each room has a refrigerator, a kettle, air conditioning and a flatscreen TV. Some rooms even have views of Hokan-ji Temple’s iconic Yasaka Pagoda. Room reservations also include a complimentary multi-course breakfast.

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To complete the ryokan experience there are two public onsen baths that guests can reserve for private use. The Kyoto Higashiyamaso is perfect if you’re looking for a traditional ryokan with many of Kyoto’s most famous landmarks right on the doorstep.

Ryokan Sanga

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Ryokan Sanga is another great choice if you’re looking for a traditional stay in the heart of the city. Just a five-minute walk from the wealth of specialist food stalls and restaurants of Nishiki Market, Ryokan Sanga is located within walking distance of many of Kyoto’s best shopping streets. There are also three different train stations nearby that are only a few minutes’ walk away.

Run by friendly and efficient staff, Ryokan Sanga has a warm and welcoming atmosphere and is a real home-from-home in Kyoto. A delicious kaiseki breakfast is included with the room, plus there’s the option to add an evening meal at an additional cost.

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Many rooms at Ryokan Sanga come with garden views while the family rooms can sleep up to six guests. There is a shared public bath for when you need to recover after a long day exploring Kyoto. If you’re looking for the perfect example of typical Kyoto hospitality, you will find it at Ryokan Sanga.

Yadoya Kikokuso

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Yadoya Kikokuso is located opposite the beautiful Shosei-en Garden just a ten minute walk north of Kyoto Station. Well positioned for exploring the rest of the city, Yadoya Kikokuso is also just a five-minute walk from Shichijo Station on the Keihan Line.

There’s a choice of Japanese-style tatami rooms at Yadoya Kikokuso which all come with a range of modern necessities, including free WiFi, a flatscreen TV, and air conditioning. Traditional yukata and a range of toiletries are also provided for guests to use free of charge.

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Run by incredibly friendly and welcoming staff, Yadoya Kikokuso features a number of gorgeous features, including a traditional Japanese garden and even a corridor with a vermillion bridge. The property also has a rock bath that can be booked free of charge by guests.

For an additional charge, you can also add the option of a traditional Japanese breakfast. The breakfasts consist of several dishes all made from a range of seasonal ingredients that are local to the region. Previous guests have commented that Yadoya Kikokuso offers a wonderful ryokan experience at a very reasonable price.

Ryokan Tori

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The 3-star Ryokan Tori is located near Kamishichiken, one of Kyoto’s historic and lesser visited geisha districts. Ryokan Tori boasts an elegant and beautifully decorated interior full of traditional Japanese touches, including a heavenly private bath that is perfect after a day pounding the streets of Kyoto.

The staff at Ryokan Tori are known for the dedicated levels of customer service they provide for their guests. A delicious Japanese kaiseki breakfast is included with the price of the room and will set you up for the day ahead. A stay at Ryokan Tori also offers the opportunity to experience other forms of authentic Japanese hospitality, including a traditional tea ceremony that staff perform for guests.

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The comfortable guest rooms at Ryokan Tori sleep two or three guests, with the larger room also featuring a balcony and a view of the Japanese inner garden. Ryokan Tori is a great option if you’re looking for a place to stay that will provide a memorable experience rather than just a regular night’s sleep.

Ryokan Sawaya Honten

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Ryokan Sawaya Honten is another historic inn that offers excellent accommodation and service at a very reasonable price. Previous guests have commented on the Ryokan Sawaya Honten’s competitive room rates compared with competitors as well as how the quality of the facilities and customer service offer excellent value for money.

Dating from 1920, this two-storey ryokan has a total of 13 guest rooms, most of which have their own private bathroom. There are also two public baths that can be used by guests to soak weary bones. While meals aren’t included, there is the option to add a kaiseki breakfast, which is served in a dining hall decorated with beautiful artworks that depict ancient Kyoto.

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As well as a cost-effective place to stay, the Ryokan Sawaya Honten is ideally located for seeing the city. Ryokan Sawaya Honten is a 10-minute walk from Heian Jingu Shrine and a 15-minute walk from the Kyoto Imperial Palace. The nearest train station, Jingu-Marutamachi Station, is only a five-minute walk away.

Kyoto Takasegawa Bettei

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Kyoto Takasegawa Bettei is a modern take on the traditional ryokan, featuring a host of thoughtful features alongside stylish interiors inspired by traditional Japanese craft and design. Many previous guests have commented on getting great value for money on their stay at the Kyoto Takasegawa Bettei.

All of the rooms at Kyoto Takasegawa Bettei are a good size, with the standard double rooms being a generous 27 m² while superior double and twin rooms are larger again at 33 m². Guest rooms are spotlessly clean and also well stocked with extras, including a coffee machine, a microwave and a fridge.

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The room’s private bathrooms also include a bathtub made of Cypress wood for you to enjoy a luxurious soak. The bathrooms are also stocked with POLA and L’Occitane cosmetics and toiletries. There’s also the option of adding a Japanese or Western-style breakfast to your booking. Close to the Kamo River north of Kyoto Station, the Kyoto Takasegawa Bettei is just a five-minute walk from Shichijō Station.

Luck You Kyoto

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Luck You Kyoto is a smart, stylish and affordable ryokan located in Kyoto’s Shimogyo Ward north of the Kyoto Station. This ryokan offers a good selection of modestly sized yet bright and cozy rooms. The building is inspired by the Japanese architecture of the early 20th century, and features many traditional details that were common in houses of that era.

Amongst the ryokan’s features is a communal lounge where you can sit and relax and chat with fellow travelers. The super friendly staff also provide a simple but nourishing breakfast that is included in the price of the booking, with a choice of either a Japanese or Western breakfast. A range of soft drinks, including tea and coffee, are also available free of charge throughout the day.

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Luck You Kyoto is also conveniently located for venturing across the city. The nearest train station, JR Tanbaguchi Station, is a 15-minute walk away, while Nijo Castle is only 20 minutes away by bus. A special extra perk is that Luck You Kyoto includes unlimited free entry to the public bath house that’s located directly opposite the ryokan.

Yuno Yado Shoei

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Yuno Yado Shoei is a ryokan much loved for its onsen baths that is an 8-minute walk from JR Tambaguchi Station. If you’re looking for a place to rejuvenate whilst visiting Kyoto, then Yuno Yado Shoei might be the perfect place for you.

There are two open-air onsen at Yuno Yado Shoei as well as two indoor baths which are open from 6:45 AM to 11 PM every day. Before taking a soak in an onsen, you can feel even more revived by also steaming off in the sauna. Yukata and toiletries such as shampoo and body wash are provided free of charge.

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While there are no meals included in the booking, room rates are very reasonably priced. Also, there is a Japanese restaurant on site where you can eat breakfast or an evening meal, if you choose. Yuno Yado Shoei also has laundry machines available to use, plus there is free on site parking available to guests. Many former guests have said that Yuno Yado Shoei offers excellent value for money as a place to stay in Kyoto.

How we selected our most value-for-money-ryokans in Kyoto

We chose these ryokans based on customer reviews and comments on Booking.com that specifically mention getting a good deal on their stay. All of the ryokans listed above have a rating of over 8 out of 10 for customer satisfaction and value for money. As well as choosing ryokans that are likely to offer a truly unforgettable experience, we also selected those that offer a little extra, such as free breakfasts, excellent customer service, as well as a great location for visiting Kyoto.