田なかや 京都烏丸 Hotel Tanakaya Kyoto Karasuma — Hotel in Kyoto

Hotel Tanakaya Kyoto Karasuma is a small, family run, exquisitely designed hotel that started in 2019 and offers 7 rooms. We got to interact with the owners: Tanaka-san and his wife: Yukiko-san regularly. We enjoyed the hospitality offered by them both so much that I look forward to walk pass the lobby area each day hoping to see either of them, and we will exchange a pleasant greeting like おはよう.

Our room - Superior double room, is decked out in a traditional/modern Japanese style with a tatami area and beds. There is a kitchenette area which is spacious for a hotel room. As a coffee lover, I appreciate that they thoughtfully provided us with %Arabica coffee beans, and all the equipment needed to make drip coffee. My first time trying %Arabica! I also noticed the few subtle elegant touches, like the ‘Red Maple Trees at the Tsuten Bridge ((通天橋の紅葉)’ painting outside our room next to the lift, the beautiful painting by a renown artist above the bed, the handcrafted burgundy ceramic cups and saucers in the room.

The information book in the hotel room is very informative and there are some highly important things to know, e.g. don't open up the bath salt packet as it will clog up the sink or what time the hotel entrance will be locked and the pin code required. It is written in English and I highly recommend for all guests to take the time to read it.

The hotel is located near bus stops (Karasuma Matsubara & Karasuma Gojo), train stations (Shijo, Gojo, Karasuma), which made it easy for us to explore Arashiyama, Philosophers Path area, Fushimi Inari, Uji, Gion seamlessly. It is only 15 mins walk to Nishiki Market shopping district. The walk from Gion can be a bit far (approx. 30min on flat ground) but we do enjoy walking along the Kamo river at night, feeling the autumn breeze as we navigated the crowds of Gion into the peaceful tranquility of Matsubara Dori. And ending the day with soak in the Shigaraki yaki (tub) in our room was such a nice reward to look forward to.

We appreciate that Yukiko-san took the time to explain the surrounding area map and showed us to our room during check in. She also kindly offered us cold green tea after we returned from an enjoyable hot and humid day of travelling. And Tanaka-san helped us with delivering our luggage to our next hotel. The hotel also offers many extra services which we have not seen before such as mobile wifi rental, a free pudding from a nearby pudding store, kaiseki meals in your room at extra costs. We opted for the free sake tasting session with Tanaka-san and enjoyed it very much. He holds these sake sessions solely for spreading awareness on sake and we learned a lot, e.g. on how rice grain shaving % affects the taste and alcohol levels of sake and the different types of sake. I couldn’t leave Kyoto Station without a bottle of Saito Shuzo, the same brewery Tanaka-san has recommended.

At the break of dawn, I also enjoy admiring how the warm light shines through the '障子' Shoji Japanese window as I lay on the tatami area looking at Matsubara dori’s early risers going about their day. Living in a city this beautiful does help with waking up at 6.30am to greet it effervescently like a good cup of coffee.

Overall, it has been an excellent stay here and visit at Kyoto, I will think about our experience at Hotel Tanakaya Kyoto Karasuma with great fondness whenever recalling our time...

I recently had the pleasure of staying at the Tanakaya Hotel in Kyoto for a two-night getaway, and I must say, it exceeded all my expectations. Tucked away not far from Gojo Station, this exclusive boutique hotel offers an unparalleled experience in hospitality and luxury.

From the moment I stepped into the lobby, I was greeted with warmth and genuine hospitality. The staff at Tanakaya Hotel Kyoto are truly exceptional, going above and beyond to ensure that every guest feels welcomed and attended to throughout their stay.

Upon entering my room, I was immediately struck by the seamless blend of modern amenities and traditional Kyoto-Japanese artistry. The decor was elegant yet understated, creating a serene and inviting atmosphere that instantly put me at ease. The attention to detail was evident in every aspect of the room, from the meticulously crafted furnishings to the exquisite artwork adorning the walls.

One of the highlights of my stay was the bathroom - a true oasis of relaxation and indulgence. The bathtub was a masterpiece in itself, inviting me to unwind and soak away the stresses of the day. The bathroom, like the rest of the room, was impeccably designed and maintained, further enhancing the overall sense of luxury and comfort.

Throughout my stay, I found myself continually impressed by the level of care and thoughtfulness that went into every aspect of the hotel. Whether it was the impeccable cleanliness, the attentive service, or the thoughtful amenities provided, Tanakaya Hotel Kyoto truly sets the standard for excellence in hospitality.

In conclusion, my experience at Tanakaya Hotel Kyoto was nothing short of exceptional. From the top-notch hospitality to the beautiful room and amenities, every aspect of my stay exceeded my expectations. I cannot recommend this hotel highly enough to anyone looking for a luxurious and unforgettable...

This was our first visit to Japan, and like many other tourists we came for Kyoto to see "old Japan", and staying in Tanakaya Kyoto Karasuma hotel unexpectedly for us became a part of this experience. We booked the hotel blind just for its location and price, but it turned out to be the experience of traditional Japanese culture of its own. This small hotel is family owned and operated, and the owners are really taking pride in their business and treating their guests with respect and personal attention. Our room and the whole hotel were exceptionally clean and well maintained. The room is split in two parts, the first one is in usual western style, with 2 beds, a table and a kitchenette, and the second part is styled as a traditional Japanese room, with a beautiful wooden carving over the entrance (I regret I didn't think of taking pictures of it), a small low table and the floor bed mattresses rolled and stored in the wall closet.||The location of the hotel is very convenient - on an old narrow quiet street, but one of the major city arteries is literally around the corner. The place is a halfway between Kyoto Station and central Kyoto area with many tourist attractions, about 20 min walk. The subway station is even closer, about 10 min walk. There are several restaurants and take out places close by for every taste and budget, from holes-in-the-wall to westernized upscale ones, and there is a convenience store on the corner (and Japanese convenience stores are nothing like ones in the US, the Japanese ones are selling actual food).||The only word of caution: just like most hotels rooms in Japan, the rooms here might be smaller than your expect. The room we had is perfectly fine for let say two couples who travel light. But if you are a family of four, with 2 kids and a tendency to over-pack - you may...