Ryokan Yoshida-sanso

The owners' personal care and love for what they do came through in every interaction. The staff were attentive and courteous, helping arrange laundry, suggest restaurants, and book a massage. Yoshida Sanso felt like a real retreat, with traditional furnishings, thoughtful details, and remarkable cleanliness throughout. The garden was a peaceful place to rest after sightseeing, with a small pond and carefully arranged plants. The nearby Philosopher's Walk was another lovely reason to go for a stroll. Breakfast was a highlight, with a wide choice of high-quality food, coffee or matcha on request, and homemade cookies. It felt welcoming from the start, and gave us a chance to experience Japanese culture while feeling at home. Yoshida Sanso brings together a harmonious traditional atmosphere, warm hospitality, and excellent service. I'd highly recommend it as a quiet base for discovering Kyoto.

For a lunch stop on our Japan bus tour, we visited Yoshida Sansa for a traditional ryokan 'be my guest experience.' The dining room had been prepared for our group in the beautiful hundred-year-old building, with a view of the Japanese garden. We took off our shoes at the entrance, as is customary, and attendants were there to help. Slippers were provided for the bathroom. Lunch was delicious and beautifully presented, with tempura, teriyaki chicken, sashimi, miso soup, Tamago, shrimp, and more. The service made it a lovely experience. I hadn't realized Yoshida Sansa was also a hotel, but now that I know, it seems like it would be a great place to stay in Kyoto.

The hosts were attentive, quick to respond, polite, and went out of their way to help us. Our rooms were exceptionally clean and comfortable, and the food was far better than we expected, including locally grown produce known in the Kyoto region. The peaceful gardens and mountain backdrop made it one of the most blissful places we've stayed, even though Kyoto is convenient to reach. This Ryokan feels like its own little world. We can't recommend it enough, and the stay is one to treasure.

It was quiet and tucked away, yet still convenient for reaching Kyoto's key sights. The accommodations were comfortable and spacious, and we enjoyed delicious traditional Japanese meals. The helpful staff are part of the family that has owned and run this beautiful, historically significant Ryokan for many decades. A member of the imperial family once lived here.