Bed & Breakfast Tsukiya

With just a few rooms, this cute little Kyoto place feels peaceful. It was spotless, the staff were friendly, and Kyoto Station was only a 15-minute walk away. Guests can't use the kitchen, but there's a fridge and microwave for them, plus a kettle in the room. Breakfast was amazing and delivered to our room, so I'd definitely recommend it. Just remember to sign up a few days ahead.

We really got a feel for traditional Japan here. The bamboo floor bed was surprisingly comfortable, and I loved it. Everything was very clean, we had our own yukatas, and the staff were friendly and explained how things worked. The traditional breakfast they bring to your room was delicious, and they followed up to make sure our allergies were taken care of.

This was our favorite place on the trip. The staff were kind, and I really enjoyed the fresh breakfasts, with lots of vegetables and less meat. The room was spacious and had good air-conditioning, and the wifi was great. The ryokan's architecture and design feel traditional, though if you book upstairs, it's best to tread lightly. You give up a little privacy, but I loved the experience. It's away from Kyoto's busy areas, which suited us because we got to see more local sights. Light sleepers should bring earplugs.

We had delicious breakfasts and friendly staff in this lovely 100-year-old machiya. It sits centrally in the city but in a quiet neighborhood. I stayed in both room styles, a traditional tatami room and a classic European one, and found them beautiful.