Takigawa Ryokan Honkan

We stayed four nights, and it felt like a real ryokan experience, not just somewhere to sleep. The staff were warm and accommodating, and they did our laundry twice for free. The toilet and shower are shared, as you’d expect in a traditional ryokan, and there are two separate onsens, one for men and one for women. We slept on traditional futons and had traditional breakfast. The place was AMAZING, with excellent service and a really welcoming atmosphere. Many thanks to all the staff, we had a great time and absolutely recommend it. Arigató kosaimasu 🙏

The staff were thoughtful and attentive, even turning on the AC while we were out so we’d be comfortable when we got back. Their kindness made us feel well looked after. The onsen-style public bath was spotless and soothing, almost like having a private retreat. The rooms were spacious by Japanese standards, well maintained, and the futons were comfortable enough for restful sleep. The whole ryokan has a lovely retro feel, like visiting your grandparents’ home, along with traditional Japanese charm.

For my first-ever ryokan stay, it was a great experience. The rooms were cute and the beds very comfortable, and everyone was super nice. The shared bathroom was the only issue, though it honestly wasn’t far from the rooms. Their onsen was clean and lovely. They came into the room every day to make the bed and leave fresh towels, and laundry service and water were free.

It’s about 1 km, or a 15-minute walk, from Kyoto station, and close to Nishi Honganji Temple. The atmosphere is traditionally Japanese, bathrooms included. Staff were helpful and hospitable. Most are senior citizens, though there are younger staff too. They speak basic English and make an effort. We arrived too early, left our luggage at the front desk, and a staff member said he’d bring it to our room at check-in. One thing that needs improvement is the men's toilet. It was clean but smelled bad. Also, Kyoto Tourism Tax wasn’t included in the room price, so bring cash. It’s ¥200 per person, paid at check-in, though we were notified two days beforehand. We paid more for a room during golden week. Kyoto itself felt very overrated then, with tourists and crowds everywhere from April 29 to May 05 every year.