Kuraya Kiyomizu-Gojo

The nearest convenience store is just a short walk away, and having the entire building privately to ourselves made for a really comfortable stay. Dinner was a Japanese meal served cold, which caught me off guard. With the weather so cold, I had been hoping for something hot, so it wasn't really what I wanted. The property is right by the main street, and traffic and motorcycle noise carries through.

You rent the whole building when you book. Check-in happens at the Kyoto Station office, and they can pick up your luggage, which was handy. Breakfast and dinner aren't included, but the kitchen and tableware are well equipped. The official website photos matched the place closely. The ryokan has an elegant, old-world feel, while still being clean and convenient, with air conditioning in every room. The lobby, kitchen, and bathroom are downstairs. Upstairs are the bedrooms, with twin beds and three futons. I'd love to visit again.

We found this a satisfying place to stay, and it seems well suited to a larger group. It's a private rental in a renovated old house. As you'd expect with an older home, there were some drafts and outside noise, but it was cleaned thoroughly.

The staff were friendly and handled my requests well, even though I know I was asking a lot. The location was great, and staying in a renovated home more than 100 years old made for a wonderful experience. Still, with such a large room, it was disappointing to find dust on the rafters, shelves, and in all the little corners.