Heihachi Tea House Inn

The river view from our room and the sound of the water were so calming. We had a private dining room for a lovely traditional ten-course dinner, followed by a Japanese breakfast, and there was a good choice of drinks. Service was superb, everyone was friendly and ready to help. The owner’s wife even stopped by during dinner, and we heard some interesting history about the inn. Our room used a shared onsen, but nobody else was there, so we had it to ourselves. The men’s and women’s areas are separate. It was a really relaxing one-night stay, easy to find right by the bus stop and about 15-20 minutes from Kyoto. A highlight of the trip.

Dinner and breakfast were a real highlight. We could choose a time from the window they gave us, then a staff member came to our room and escorted us to a private dining room just below it. Each of the ten courses was brought out by the staff. The food was interesting, delicious, and filling, among the best meals we had in Japan. The people there made us feel welcome from the moment we got off the bus, which stops right in front. The owner’s wife greeted us with a big smile, and even though we arrived a little before check-in, they got the room ready quickly. Someone took time to explain how everything worked. Their English was limited, but Google Translate and a lot of patience got us through it. When it rained while we were at the bath house, they left umbrellas outside for the short walk back. The grounds are beautiful, with a central garden, ponds, and trees. Walking in through the tree arch felt like stepping into another time. Our traditional room had tatami floors, floor cushions, and a low table, with lovely river views through the full-height windows. While we were at dinner, they set out futon mattresses for us, and they were cozy and comfortable. There’s air conditioning, plus a private toilet and sink. The shower is in the shared bath house a few steps away, which has a sauna and hot tub. The men’s and women’s sections are separate. We hardly saw any other guests. If you want to be right among Kyoto’s tourist spots, this may not be the best fit. For some quiet and relaxation, it was incredible. Thank you, Heihachi Tea House!

We planned this stay for the middle of our two-week Japan trip so we could take a breather, and it worked out beautifully. The property is lovely, and the staff are wonderfully accommodating. They speak enough English to get by, though Google Translate helped when we needed to confirm details. The owner’s wife welcomed us, along with his daughter-in-law, and you can tell how much pride they take in the place. Dinner didn’t have a single bad dish, and breakfast was delicious too.

We had a private bath outside the main room, with a hot bath and dry sauna. The room itself had a lovely river view, and traditional clothes were available if we wanted to wear them. We also enjoyed a private ten-course dinner, with the host kindly explaining each dish.