Kyomachiya Bettei Hanatei

I left today and already want to come back. I love this place...

The living area was roomy, with the futons upstairs, and there’s luggage delivery service too. The guest room we had came with its own bath filled from the hot spring. Since I have a few large tattoos and many onsen don’t allow tattoos, being able to soak after a day of stairs and walking many kilometers was incredible. The staff communicate with a translation device, though they know a decent amount of English. The walls are thin, but it didn’t cause much trouble for us. We only heard someone checking in one day. They also gave us candy and a nice thank-you card. I’d definitely come back. For location, I’d give it a 4 out of 5: it’s a little far from the major bus stops, but a 500-1000 meter walk should be fine if you don’t mind walking. We wanted a traditional Japanese home in Kyoto, and this place delivered.

After two nights here, I was especially struck by how thoughtful the head chef was. The service was fantastic, and I learned a lot about the spirit of hospitality. This is the best inn. I’d definitely recommend staying here again.

On this second visit, we got to enjoy evening meals that weren’t available before, along with the same thoughtful hospitality. During the COVID-19 pandemic, being away from the bustle and relaxing over kaiseki in our room was wonderful. The owner chose just the right sake and explained the town clearly, which helped us sightsee without getting lost. We’ll definitely return to Bettei Hanatei next time.