Kyomachiya Ryokan Sakura Honganji

Kyomachiya Ryokan Sakura occupies an attractive three-story traditional Japanese-style house built mainly of wood. The atmosphere is of a classic “ryokan," which typically has rooms lined with woven straw “tatami” mats and an “onsen," a traditional communal bath. While the Kyomachiya Ryokan Sakura does not have the communal bath, its interiors are decorated in the typical Japanese style, using such natural materials as stone, wood, and straw. The spacious lobby has stone floors, wooden ceilings, sliding paneled doors, and an adjacent sitting area used as a breakfast room, with beautiful tables made of single blocks of regional zelkova wood, and a view of a small rock garden in the courtyard. The hotel would likely appeal to travelers eager to experience an authentic Japanese inn -- foreign tourists, including couples, families, groups of friends, and solos, make up most of the clientele. 

Kyomachiya Ryokan Sakura is located in a residential area of Kyoto’s Shimogyo-ku district, sandwiched between the Higashi Honganji and Nishi Honganshi temple complexes. The neighborhood has good transportation links: It’s an 11-minute walk to Gojo subway station on the Karasuma line, and there’s a local bus stop within a minute's walk of the property. There are a few small shops, restaurants, and convenience stores nearby.

• Five-minute walk to Nishi Honganshi Temple
• 14-minute walk to Higashi Honganji Temple
• 14-minute walk to Kyoto station
• 19-minute subway ride to Kyoto International Manga Museum
• 28-minute subway ride to Kyoto Imperial Palace
• 17-minute bus ride to Kawaramachi shopping district
• 18-minute bus ride to Nijo Castle
• 19-minute bus ride to the historic Gion area
• 21-minute bus ride to Nishiki Market
• 34-minute bus ride to Ryoan-ji Temple
• 46-minute bus ride to Kinkaku-ji (the Golden Pavilion)
• 56-minute bus ride to Ginkaku-ji (the Silver Pavilion)
• 90-minute drive to Kansai International Airport

Kyomachiya Ryokan Sakura's rooms come in two styles. For guests seeking the traditional “ryokan” experience, there are Japanese-style rooms with floors lined with straw tatami mats. At night, guests roll out the futon-style bedding, which is stored in cupboards. Some guests say they find it a hassle to make their own beds this way each night, while others find it a challenge to sit on floors and make do with minimal furniture. There are also Modern Japanese Style Rooms, which have sofas and small tables and chairs, and sleeping areas with raised platforms with tatami mats, and Western Rooms, which have double and twin beds, tables, and stools. Some rooms have small kitchenettes, which include sinks and electric kettles. Sukiya-Style Rooms have paneled doors that open onto small Japanese gardens. 

All guest rooms have the same minimalist aesthetic: Bare beige walls, dark wooden floorboards, paper lamps, and Japanese prints on the walls. Bathrooms are small and basic, with shower/tub combos, minimal counter space, and Shiseido toiletries. All rooms have air-conditioning, flat-screen TVs, electric kettles and teapots, mini-fridges, and traditional Japanese robes and slippers.

Breakfast, which is not included in the room rate, is served each morning in the lobby area, with a choice of Japanese or American items. The hotel has a souvenir shop, a small library, a microwave, and coffee machine in the lobby area, and a computer is available for guests’ use. Other services include luggage storage, bicycle rental, a dry cleaning and laundry service, and free Wi-Fi throughout the property. There’s also a small smoking area.