Ryokan Sawaya Honten offers an authentic Japanese experience near Kyoto University and the Imperial Palace. Guests can relax in the Japanese garden or indoor public bath after exploring the city. The property features free WiFi and a highly praised staff.
Located in Sakyo Ward, a neighbourhood in Kyoto, Ryokan Sawaya Honten is near a train station. Heian Shrine and Kyoto Imperial Palace are notable landmarks, and travellers looking to shop may want to visit Kawaramachi Street. Kyoto University and Ginkaku-ji Temple are two other places to visit that come recommended. Visit our Kyoto travel guide
Located close to Kyoto University and Kyoto Imperial Palace, Ryokan Sawaya Honten provides an indoor public bath (no minerals), a Japanese garden and laundry facilities. Stay connected with free in-room WiFi.
Other perks at this ryokan include:
Breakfast (surcharge), smoke-free property and a TV in reception
Guest reviews say great things about the helpful staff
Room features
All rooms are individually decorated, and include comforts such as air conditioning, in addition to thoughtful touches such as free WiFi and safes.
Extra conveniences in all rooms include:
Bathrooms with toilets with electronic bidets and shower/bath combinations
Daily breakfast available 7:30 AM to 9:00 AM for a fee
Things to do
TV in common areas
Conveniences
Guidebooks
Laundry facilities
Limited-hour front desk
Guest services
Change of towels on request
Housekeeping (weekly)
Outdoors
Japanese garden
Spa
Public bath open from 5:00 PM - 11:00 PM
Public indoor bath (no minerals)
Separate men/women areas in public bath
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.
Handrails in stairways
No lift
Well-lit path to entrance
More
2 floors
Genkan (entryway)
Smoke-free property
Room amenities
Bedroom
Bedsheets provided
Bathroom
Bidet
Free toiletries
Hair dryer
Private bathroom
Shampoo
Shower/bathtub combination
Slippers
Toilet paper
Toothbrush and toothpaste
Towels provided
Entertainment
Flat-screen TV with digital channels
Food and drink
Free bottled water
Refrigerator
Restaurant dining guides
More
Air conditioning (climate-controlled)
Desk
Electrical adapters
Fusuma (room partition)
Heating (climate-controlled)
Individual decor
Iron/ironing board on request
Safe
Tatami (woven mat) flooring
Tokonoma (alcove)
Window screens
Policies
Check-in
Check-in start time: 4:00 PM; check-in end time: 9:00 PM
Minimum check-in age - 15
Check-out
Check-out before 10 AM
Special check-in instructions
The front desk is open daily from 6:00 AM - 11:00 PM
Front desk staffed during limited hours
This property doesn't offer after-hours check-in
For any questions, please contact the property using the information on the booking confirmation
Information provided by the property may be translated using automated translation tools
Breakfast is available to guests booked in breakfast rates only and cannot be requested after check-in.
Luggage storage after check-out is only available until 3 PM.
Access methods
Front desk (limited hours)
Pets
Pets not allowed
Children and extra beds
Children 12 and younger are not allowed at this property; all guests older than 12 are welcome
Rollaway/extra beds are not available.
Cots (infant beds) are not available
Payment types at the property
Important information
Fees
You'll be asked to pay the following charges at the property. Fees may include applicable taxes:
A city tax may be collected at the property. The city tax ranges from JPY 100-10,000 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 have included all charges provided to us by the property.
You need to know
Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or 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 15 years old.
Guests must contact this property in advance to reserve access to the public bath facility
This property accepts credit cards and cash
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher and a smoke detector
Please note that cultural norms and guest policies may differ by country and by property; the policies listed are provided by the property
Japanese futons are provided based on the number of adults in the reservation.
We should mention
This property does not have any lifts
Children 12 years old and younger are not permitted at this property
The Japanese Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare requires all international visitors to submit their passport number and nationality when registering at any lodging facility (inns, hotels, motels, etc. ); additionally, lodging proprietors are required to photocopy passports for all registering guests and keep the photocopy on file
A car is not required for transport to and from this property
Guests with tattoos are welcome to use the on-site public bathing facilities
Property is also known as
Ryokan Sawaya
Ryokan Sawaya Honten
Ryokan Sawaya Honten Kyoto
Sawaya Honten
Sawaya Honten Kyoto
Sawaya Honten Ryokan
Sawaya Ryokan
Sawaya Honten Hotel Kyoto
Ryokan Sawaya Honten Kyoto
Ryokan Sawaya Honten Ryokan
Ryokan Sawaya Honten Ryokan Kyoto
Frequently asked questions
Is Ryokan Sawaya Honten pet-friendly?
No, pets are not allowed at this property.
How much does it cost to stay at Ryokan Sawaya Honten?
As of 1 Apr 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at Ryokan Sawaya Honten on 19 Apr 2026 start from ฿4,375, excluding taxes and fees. This price is based on the lowest nightly price found in the last 24 hours for stays in the next 30 days. Prices are subject to change. Choose your dates for more accurate prices.
How much is parking at Ryokan Sawaya Honten?
Ryokan Sawaya Honten doesn't offer parking.
What time is check-in at Ryokan Sawaya Honten?
Check-in start time: 4:00 PM; check-in end time: 9:00 PM. After-hours check-in is not available.
What time is check-out at Ryokan Sawaya Honten?
Checkout is at 10 AM.
Where is Ryokan Sawaya Honten located?
Located in Sakyo Ward, this ryokan is within a 15-minute walk of Heian Shrine and Kawaramachi Street. Kyoto University and Kyoto Imperial Palace are also within 1 mi (2 km). Higashiyama Station is 16 minutes by foot and Sanjo Keihan Station is 17 minutes.
Can I cancel my reservation for free and receive a full refund?
Yes, this property offers free cancellation on selected room rates because flexibility matters! Please refer to the property cancellation policy on our site for more details about any exclusions or requirements.
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Reviews
Ryokan Sawaya Honten Reviews
9.4
Exceptional
All reviews shown are from real guest experiences. Only travellers who have booked a stay with us can submit a review. We verify reviews according to our guidelines and publish all reviews, positive or negative.More informationOpens in a new window
The facilities are spotless and comfortable. Really quite a fine. If the there is any negatives, it would be the proximity to a line to get to Kyoto Station. Easy bus line to Gion. I would book again.
This was the best stay for us in Japan. Very spacious and squeaky clean. There were so many amenities present and location is also supreme.
We loved our stay here and will definitely recommend
A wonderful, peaceful place to stay! Even our economy room was large and comfortable, and the public baths were immaculately clean. Even though it is not in the more “popular” areas of Kyoto, we found it very easy to navigate transit and found some great nearby restaurants and temples to visit.
Loved everything about this traditional ryokan. Comfortable, clean rooms and relaxing public onsen as well as really nice bathtubs in the rooms. There was the most serene koi poi out my window. Easy location to all the Kyoto sights and close to the train as well.
It's a small little place that is unique and features little things that make it special - a koi fish feature, spacious rooms in traditional Japanese style. Comfortable and most of all the service was great.
Great authentic Ryokan. Bus stops were close which made it easy to get around, lots of good restaurants close by with an amazing bakery.
The hot bath was a great way to relax after a long day of exploring the city.
Would highly reccomend staying here if youre travelling to Kyoto!
I really enjoyed my stay here at Ryokan Sawaya Honton. For me i wanted an authentic older style accomadation, and this place delivered. They do have washing machines and dryers, so you can do yourself when it suits. Its clean and quiet, and on a relatively quiet street. The best was the public bath at the end of the day it was so lovely to soak in the hot tub. Tattoos ok. I highly recommend this great establishment for long or shorter stays. Thank you Ryokan 🙏😊👌
Very nice place to stay. We loved the traditional Japanese beds! What a wonderful experience with excellent service!
Tuoc
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2024
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Katrine
2 Jun 2025
Liked: Amenities
Beautiful traditional Inn. Easy communication with staff in English. Beautiful running water feature with Koi ourside sliding doors in room. Beautiful and wonderful all around. Would 100% book again!
Our stay was great. The staff is very friendly and helpful. The hotel is in a good stay and gives a great experience in the traditional hotels by having futons to sleep on and having the communal bath.
My wife and I wanted the experience of staying in a traditional Japanese ryokan, so we decided on staying here for the Kyoto leg of our trip, and it did not disappoint. The room was charming and wonderfully decorated and accessorized, the bedding comfortable, and the staff were so kind and patient with us. From the koi pond visible from our room to the fantastic traditional breakfast, everything about the Ryokan Sawaya Honten made our trip to Japan that much more memorable.
I stayed here 2 nights and my stay was incredible! Since the moment I arrived the staff was very friendly explaining me the rules while staying, and the room was everything I expected.
The public baths were also an amazing experience, so I highly recommend to take a bath there at least once!
The location was well connected with the bus and metro system, and the surroundings were perfectly quiet, with some nice places to eat close by.
Definitely recommended, and hope I can come back!
The decorstions, ambiance and service sre top notch. Very clean, very nice. Highly recommended..
If I can add something is they should seriously think about selling the yucatas (new onws, of course) to hosts. Make them available for purchase.