Guesthouse Hana Nishijin

Sleeping on a Futon over Tatami, with a garden framed by Shoji doors, felt poetic. Hana Nishijin was a wonderful base in Kyoto, too: a bus from the end of the street reaches Kinkakuji, Ginkakuji, and To-ji. Uhoin Shinto Shrine is only about 100 meters away and worth a look. The owner was attentive and patient with my basic Japanese. They also offer Kimono and Hakama rentals for anyone wanting a fuller cultural experience.

The hosts were so friendly and generous with their advice. When we left with heavy bags, they even drove us to the centre and the train station. It's a lovely traditional Japanese guest house, and I'd happily stay again.

Our room looked out onto the garden, and sleeping there felt like being on a cloud 🤗. It was a really comfortable, authentic place to stay. The hosts were kind and shared great suggestions for nearby places that are definitely worth seeing.

For a night or two, this is a charming way to experience traditional Kyoto hospitality. The garden is peaceful, the historic touches are lovely, and the tatami and bedding were much more comfortable than we expected. It was quiet and relaxing despite being close to major Kyoto attractions, which made our day trip convenient. I stayed just one night at the over 100 year old Guesthouse Hana Nishijin and came away impressed. I wouldn't choose it for a full-length stay, though, as the setup may not suit everyone's needs for longer visits.