Gion Shinmonso

The room was very spacious, and the onsen was relaxing. Everyone on staff was so welcoming and friendly, and they took great care of us throughout our stay. 10/10, I recommend it for a unique experience.

The staff made us feel welcome from the moment we arrived. They were warm, attentive, and genuinely lovely. The rooms were much more spacious than anywhere else we’d stayed, with shoji screens, tatami, traditional closets, and restful colors. There’s a password lock on the door, so no key card needed. The lobby is beautiful, and after a day of walking, the thoughtfully designed public bath was a treat for tired muscles. They even had little extras like shaving items, ear picks, and makeup remover pads. The place mixes Japanese tradition, comfort, and style so well. Honestly, it may be the best hotel I’ve stayed in across my last several trips abroad, including Japan. A wonderful experience.

We had a lovely few nights while exploring Kyoto. After a day of walking, it was so nice to put on the yukata provided by the hotel and head downstairs for a soak in the warm baths. Our room had tatamis and futons, plus a small sink and mirror, even though we’d booked without a shower since the baths were the main draw. The front desk ladies were kind and helpful, doing their best to communicate with a translation device. Everyone was cheerful and welcoming. I’d definitely recommend giving it a try.

We were grateful for how warm and welcoming the gion Shinmonso staff were, and would love to return. The clean room had its own simple beauty, with comfortable tatami and futon beds that made me wish I had them at home. The sink and toilet in the room were enough for us, and there’s a vending machine in the building plus another washroom on the floor outside the bedroom. The onsen arrangements are explained in the booking details and earlier reviews. It was vacant most of the time, and going downstairs for the bath didn’t bother me. The Japanese-style breakfast we ordered was delicious and authentic. Staff were attentive and went out of their way to help me find the best route to Osaka USJ at 6am.