Gion Shirakawa no Yado

It’s on the pricey side for hotels and ryokans, but such a lovely place to relax and enjoy Kyoto. There’s a lot of space and a good number of amenities, plus a really nice shower and bath area. We especially liked the upstairs living and lounging space. The Shirakawa river is right there, peaceful and quiet, and the nearest station is an eight-minute walk away.

Nice area and a nice place. The owner has a few strict rules, but they’re easy enough to follow.

The location was absolutely perfect, near what might have been a lake or a waterfall, I honestly can’t remember which, and surrounded by restaurants. We had a lovely balcony looking out over the street. There was one downside: voices carry between rooms, so if someone was up talking beside a room where another person was sleeping, they’d be disturbed. We stayed three nights and didn’t need a cleaning, since there were enough towels and tissues to last. This was the best accommodation of my trip, tidy, beautiful, easy to get to, and clean.

I chose the guesthouse because it was by the Shirakawa River, and it lived up to what I’d hoped for. The river view from the second-floor window was so soothing, and I felt completely relaxed. The kitchen had everything, including a Nespresso machine, a Balmuda toaster oven, a Twinbird microwave, and an induction cooktop. There’s even a mobile sushi service for dinner. I picked up Danish bread from Bologna nearby and salad from a 24-hour supermarket for a leisurely breakfast. Just bring your own pajamas, as none are provided.