Ishicho

We all enjoyed breakfast, except my picky nine-year-old, who preferred getting a pastry from the bakery up the road. The rest of us liked the hearty spread, with cold items such as sushi, pickles, and smoked fish, plus hot rice, soup, and a warm main dish each day. The women serving breakfast were lovely. Front desk staff were kind and helpful, too. We had a great stay with our kids, who are 13 and 9. The futons were comfortable and I slept really well. I liked that we could adjust the room temperature. There was an electric kettle, and staff left a large family-size bottle of spring water and green tea bags every day. The location made it easy to walk everywhere. The only small drawback was the dated look of the in-room bath, though it was clean, hot, and had strong water pressure. We’d happily stay again.

We fit four people in one spacious room for a single night, and it was my first time in a traditional-style room and my first onsen experience. The Japanese-style teishoku breakfast was delicious. There’s a konbini nearby, so the location was convenient, though the building looks quite old.

A Japanese bathhouse in the basement and traditional Japanese food are part of the experience here. The Japanese-style rooms are thoughtfully designed and give international visitors a taste of traditional aesthetics. A good fit for travelers looking for an authentic cultural stay.

We came to visit our son’s family, and the service was tremendous. We also had two sumptuous meals in a private dining area, and felt they were well worth the cost. The stay gave us a real taste of Japanese culture. If I return to Kyoto, I’d definitely stay here again.