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Kyoto Sawai

2.5 star property
VIP Access

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Photo gallery for Kyoto Sawai

Shizu no Ma (Up to 4 Guests) | 2 bedrooms, premium bedding, down duvets, individually decorated
Exterior
Lobby
Shizu no Ma (Up to 4 Guests) | 2 bedrooms, premium bedding, down duvets, individually decorated
Staircase

Popular amenities

  • Breakfast available
  • Free WiFi
  • Air conditioning

Explore the area

Map
4-320 Miyagawasuji, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto, Kyoto, 605-0801
  • Nishiki Market
    ‪9 min walk‬
  • Yasaka Shrine
    ‪10 min walk‬
  • Kiyomizu Temple
    ‪16 min walk‬
  • Osaka (ITM-Itami)
    ‪44 min drive‬
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  • Expect exceptional service
  • Extra savings and perks for BONUS+ members
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Room options

View all photos for Classic Room, Non Smoking, Private Bathroom

Classic Room, Non Smoking, Private Bathroom | 2 bedrooms, premium bedding, down duvets, individually decorated

Classic Room, Non Smoking, Private Bathroom

10.0 out of 10
Exceptional
(4 reviews)
  • 47 sq m
  • Sleeps 5
  • 2 Single Beds and 3 Single Futons

View all photos for Shizu no Ma (Up to 4 Guests)

2 bedrooms, premium bedding, down duvets, individually decorated

Shizu no Ma (Up to 4 Guests)

10.0 out of 10
Exceptional
(1 review)
  • 17 sq m
  • Sleeps 4
  • 4 Single Futons

View all photos for Miya no Ma - Middle (Up to 2 Guests)

2 bedrooms, premium bedding, down duvets, individually decorated

Miya no Ma - Middle (Up to 2 Guests)

10.0 out of 10
Exceptional
(2 reviews)
  • 11 sq m
  • City view
  • Sleeps 4
  • 4 Single Futons

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Lobby

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The price is CHF 154
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About this property

Kyoto Sawai

Guesthouse in Kyoto, a quick walk to Kenninji Temple
This smoke-free guest house features a front desk available during limited hours and toys. Housekeeping is available on request.
Kyoto Sawai offers 6 air-conditioned accommodations with complimentary bottles of water and a hairdryer. This individually decorated and furnished accommodation has separate dining areas. Beds feature down duvets and premium bedding. 18-inch flat-screen televisions come with digital channels.

Bathrooms include a shower, toilets with an electronic bidet, complimentary toiletries and toothbrushes and toothpaste. This Kyoto guest house provides complimentary wireless Internet access, with a speed of 500+ Mbps (good for 6+ people or 10+ devices). An iron/ironing board, change of towels and change of bedsheets can be requested. Housekeeping is provided on request.

Public bath/onsen services include a yukata (Japanese robe).
Our customers tell us that they can't get enough of the helpful staff at Kyoto Sawai. During your stay, you're just a quick walk from Kawaramachi Street. You'll find features such as breakfast (surcharge).
  • Free Wi-Fi (speed: 500+ Mbps (good for 6+ people or 10+ devices))
  • Continental breakfast served daily for a fee
  • Just a 3-minute walk from Kenninji Temple and 10 minutes on foot from Yasui Konpiragu
For a fee, guests can enjoy a continental breakfast daily from 7:30 AM to 9:00 AM.

Languages

English, Japanese

Property amenities

Internet

  • Available in all rooms: Free WiFi
  • In-room WiFi speed: 500+ Mbps (good for 6+ people or 10+ devices)

Parking and transport

  • No on-site parking available

Food and drink

  • Daily continental breakfast available 7:30 AM to 9:00 AM for a fee: JPY 2,000 for adults and JPY 2,000 for children

Things to do

  • Art gallery
  • Shopping centre

Family friendly

  • Baby toys
  • Children's books
  • Children's toys
  • In-room microwave
  • Mini-fridge
  • Separate in-room dining area

Conveniences

  • Limited-hour front desk

Guest services

  • Change of bedsheets (on request)
  • Change of towels on request
  • Housekeeping (on request)

Spa

  • Yukata (Japanese robes)

Accessibility

  • If you have requests for specific accessibility needs, please contact the property using the information on the reservation confirmation received after booking.
  • No lift
  • Well-lit path to entrance

More

  • Genkan (entryway)
  • Smoke-free property
  • Traditional architecture

Room amenities

Bedroom

  • Down comforter
  • Premium bedding

Bathroom

  • Free toiletries
  • Hair dryer
  • Shower
  • Toilet with electronic bidet
  • Toothbrush and toothpaste
  • Towels provided

Entertainment

  • 18-inch flat-screen TV with digital channels

Food and drink

  • Free bottled water
  • Freezer
  • Microwave
  • Mini-fridge
  • Separate dining area

More

  • Air conditioning
  • Heating
  • Individual decor
  • Individual furnishings
  • Iron/ironing board on request
  • Laptop workspace
  • Separate sitting area

Policies

Check-in

Check-in start time: 4:00 PM; check-in end time: midnight
Contactless check-in and check-out are available
Minimum check-in age - 19

Check-out

Check-out before 10:00 AM
Contactless check-out
Late check-out subject to availability
A late check-out fee will be charged

Special check-in instructions

The front desk is open daily from 7:00 AM - midnight
Guests must contact the property in advance for check-in instructions; front desk staffed during limited hours
To make arrangements for check-in please contact the property at least 48 hours before arrival using the information on the booking confirmation

Access methods

Front desk (limited hours)

Pets

  • No pets allowed

Children and extra beds

  • Children are welcome.
  • Kids stay free! Children 3 years old and younger stay free when using existing bedding.

Important information

Fees

Guests will be asked to pay the following charges at the property:

  • A city tax may be collected at the property. The city tax ranges from JPY 200–1,000 per person, per night based on the nightly room rate. Please note that further exemptions may apply. For more details, please contact the property using the information on the reservation confirmation received after booking.

We've listed all charges provided to us by the property.

Optional extras

The fees and deposits listed below will be charged at the time of service, check-in, or check-out.

  • Fee for continental breakfast: from approximately JPY 2000 for adults and from JPY 2000 for children
  • Late check-out is available for a fee (subject to availability)

This may not be a comprehensive list. Fees and deposits are subject to change and might not include tax.

You need to know

This property is managed by a professional host. The provision of housing is linked to their trade, business or profession.
Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
Minimum Spring Break check-in age is 19 years old.
This property accepts cash
Cashless transactions are available
Safety features at this property include a carbon monoxide detector, a fire extinguisher, a smoke detector, a first aid kit and window guards
The front desk at this property is open daily from 7:00 AM - midnight.
To arrange for check-in, guests must contact the property at least 48 hours prior to arrival using the information on the booking confirmation. Guests must contact the property in advance for check-in information. Front desk staff will greet guests on arrival at the property.

We should mention

  • Children aged 3 years old and younger stay free in the same room as the parent or guardian when using existing bedding.
  • As required by the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, all international visitors must submit their passport number and nationality when registering at any lodging facility (inns, hotels, motels etc). Also, it's required that lodging proprietors photocopy the passports of all registering guests and keep the photocopy on file.

Property is also known as

Kyoto Sawai Guesthouse
Guesthouse Kyoto Sawai Kyoto
Kyoto Kyoto Sawai Guesthouse
Guesthouse Kyoto Sawai
Kyoto Sawai Kyoto
Sawai Guesthouse
Sawai
Kyoto Sawai Kyoto
Kyoto Sawai Guesthouse
Kyoto Sawai Guesthouse Kyoto

Kyoto Sawai Reviews

Reviews

9.0

Wonderful

Rating 10 - Excellent. 66 out of 94 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 12 out of 94 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 8 out of 94 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 4 out of 94 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 4 out of 94 reviews

9.2/10

Cleanliness

9.4/10

Staff & service

8.4/10

Amenities

9.0/10

Property conditions & facilities

9.4/10

Eco-friendliness

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Nicky

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Beautiful location in an old tea house. A twin room and 3 beds on the floor - the mats on the floor were not as comfortable as others in Japan. Duvets were lovely. The owner was very nice. Bathroom is outstanding and shower pressure was great. Overall a very quaint place to stay in a lovely area.
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2025

10/10 Excellent

John

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2025

10/10 Excellent

Jean-Luc

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Nice ryokan in good location

Stayed 1 night in Apr 2025

10/10 Excellent

John

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

True Edo period style hotel experience

Sawai is an authentic if no frills experience. However, you can’t beat the location, the look and feel of the place, and the wonderful staff. I will stay here again.
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2025

10/10 Excellent

David

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
This is a very picturesque traditional family run hotel in a 160 year old Kyoto house. It’s quite an experience to enjoy Gion area - close to all shopping and the famous Geisha area of old Kyoto. Highly recommended.
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2025

10/10 Excellent

Mildred

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2025

10/10 Excellent

Shaz, Solana Beach

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Fantastic ryokan. Very affordable all things considered and the owners are incredibly friendly and helpful. The lodgings are wonderful, as they are both beautiful and comfortable. Couldn’t recommend more
Stayed 4 nights in Nov 2024

10/10 Excellent

John

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Lovely place, lovely staff!

Wonderful experience! The staff was super friendly and kind, we had a wonderful stay.
Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2024

6/10 Okay

Jasmin

Travelled with family, Travelled with partner
Liked: Property conditions & facilities
The owner of the property was kind and seemed like a lovely woman but the other staff didn't really seem to know what was going on. The check in, while early which we absolutely appreciated, was basically us getting the keys and giving our passports. No explanation of amenities or the room itself. I noticed they offered tours of the building with sweets and tea but we didn't get any tour. The room itself was spacious and very comfortable. The self filling tub and shower room was the highlight and we made sure to maximize our use! We were supposed to get a VIP 4500 yen drink credit but we were told it just consisted of coffee or matcha tea at night and I'm unsure if we received that full value over two nights. I understand that Kyoto is pricey, especially in the area of this guesthouse, but I feel like we overpayed for what we got. Overall, it was an average stay.
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2024

6/10 Okay

Mary

Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Lisa

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
It was what I was looking for . A old time feel that made me love Kyoto
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2024

10/10 Excellent

Karen

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

michel

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Traditional Ryokan ownex by a brsutiful helping and rrspd tful family represrnting the outmost Japanese trait of hospitality
Stayed 3 nights in May 2024

10/10 Excellent

Jihad

Travelled with group
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Experience the past with the comfort of the future

We were looking for a slice of old Japan after a week in Tokyo. I can say that that desire was thoroughly fulfilled. Our room was like one straight out of the pass, but their were enough modern renovations to make it feel comfortable. We didn't explore the immediate area to much but with just a short train ride to access Fushimi inari I think it's a great place to stay. The staff are also very friendly and helpful. My friends bag was broken in transit by a delivery company and they handled all the talks themselves on our behalf and we ended up getting a 3000 yen compensation. It's a great hub to explore a lot of kansai and a great way to experience old Japan.
Stayed 3 nights in May 2024

10/10 Excellent

Kathleen

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Great experience in Kyoto

This was an excellent Ryokan - down a quiet street across the river from a busy area in Kyoto. The hostess and her family made us feel welcome and provided the type of experience we were looking for in Kyoto. The bathrooms were up to date and well stocked, the tatami and beds comfortable for all of us to sleep in. Would highly recommend this as a traditional stay while in Kyoto!
Stayed 2 nights in May 2024

10/10 Excellent

vince

Travelled with group
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
The property and the owner Keiko was great,Keiko could not have been more helpful,if you want to experience old Japan you could not start at a better place
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2023

10/10 Excellent

Matthew

Travelled with group
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
We loved staying at Sawai. It was a great experience staying at a traditional style inn. The bathroom is very nice, if you don't try the public bathroom you have a wonderful option back at your room. They speak fairly good English so if you are having a hard time the staff are always able to help. You must try the traditional Japanese breakfast, just ask the day before so they can prepare. I would totally book again when I head back to Kyoto in the future. Things to note traditional Japanese style rooms tend to have smaller frames on the doors, so you will need to lower your head.

10/10 Excellent

Aiko

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Excellent service. Charming authentic room. Comfortable bed and pillow. Great location.
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2023

10/10 Excellent

Amanda

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
It was lovely, would stay again
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2023

10/10 Excellent

Zach

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 5 nights in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

Raul

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Belinda, Scarborough

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Kyoto Sawai is a 150 year old converted teahouse close to the river Sawai and easy walking distance from the rail line, central Kyoto shopping precinct and Kiyomizu Temple (albeit up a rather steep hill). The Inn was very comfortable despite sleeping on futons on tatami matting. The rooms were air conditioned and had western toilets and electricity, but other than that the inn had been left unchanged so a steep climb up a ships ladder style staircase, and narrow 70cm wide passageways to our room meant the property would be unsuitable for mobility impaired, prams or large guests. We LOVED it though - their manager was very helpful and exceedingly polite and we will definitely stay here if we get back to Kyoto.
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Ruth

Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

John, Del Mar

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Very historic area with easy access to dinning shopping and traditional japanese cultural places and events
Stayed 3 nights in May 2023

10/10 Excellent

Christopher

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
The staff was amazing and so sweet in welcoming us to their Okiya. I’ll definitely be back in the future!
Stayed 1 night in May 2023