Kyomachiya Ryokan Sakura Hongan-G

The staff were especially good with English, welcoming guests, and offering recommendations, and the front desk stays open from early morning until late at night. They also sell drinks at low prices. Breakfast had plenty of tasty choices, and the traditionally sized rooms were comfortable. Getting around is easy, with buses nearby and Kyoto Station about a 15 minute walk away. One thing to watch for if you're over 6' tall, some of the support beams are low.

The staff were very accommodating, and I liked the balance of modern and traditional in the room we chose. It was about twice the size of our Tokyo hotel room. The Japanese breakfast was quite good, and there's a Western option as well.

The hosts were warm and flexible, and we had a really enjoyable stay in the heart of Kyoto. There isn't an onsen on site, and the public baths are a long walk away. Room service meals and prepared beds aren't included either. That's understandable at these reasonable rates, though it does fall short of the full-service Ryokan experience, which can be really special. Still, the price is great, and we'd gladly come back.

Of the places we stayed on our trip, this is the one I miss most. It was a beautiful traditional ryokan, with kind, helpful staff and a delicious breakfast. The local buses are easy to reach, and they offer day passes. During our stay, guided tours of the nearby temple were available too. After a day exploring Kyoto's temples and shrines, a soak in the bathroom's deep tub felt wonderful.