Hanazono Kaikan

The bathhouse was a real highlight for me, especially the lovely view over the Zen garden. Hanazono Kaikan is also easier on the budget than most Kyoto hotels, and the bath stayed calm and clean. It was a relief to see guests following the bathing rules: washing before getting in, rinsing the stool and pail afterward, and tying back long hair. My tatami room had a toilet but no shower or bath, which suited me since I enjoy the bathhouse. It was roomy, clean, looked out toward the temple, and I slept comfortably. I liked laying out my own futon each night, then finding it put away with fresh sheets the next day. The food was delicious throughout my four-night stay. I ate nearly every meal there and never got tired of the choices, from udon and donburi to set meals and breakfast with shojin ryori. I left no leftovers. Being right beside Myōshin-Ji made the stay special. The temple grounds are huge and peaceful, and I got to try a little Zazen meditation at Tōzai-in and copy sutras in the main hall. The hotel itself kept that quiet feeling even when busy. Monks and senior monks were often in the restaurant and lobby, and some worked at reception, so it really felt like a working temple hotel. Getting there from Kyoto Station was easy. I took the train to Hanazono Station and walked about seven minutes on flat ground. The bus ride into central Kyoto takes around 20-30 minutes, and the stop was an easy four-minute walk when I met friends for lunch. The staff made things easy from the start. Nakahama-San handled my email booking in fluent English. Reception, restaurant, and shop staff were welcoming and helpful, even though I don't speak Japanese fluently, and we used Google translate most of the time. They answered my questions about temple activities and shop items, helped with media and room options, and arranged luggage transfer to my next hotel. Thank you, Toyokazu Shinohara, Kota Sumigama, Ayane Shibayama, and Nakahama-San. I had a wonderful stay and recommend Hanazono Kaikan for a quieter temple side of Kyoto, its gardens, and a chance to learn about Zen.