Hanakiya Inn — Hotel in Kyoto

We stayed at Hanakiya Inn recently at the end of November for a friend's wedding in Kyoto. We were so lucky to find this place at peak season for Fall Colours! We enjoyed our stay at Hanakiya Inn immensely. We ended up at the Annex rather than the main house, which was actually even more convenient to get in and out of the Inn. We were there during peak Fall Color season and the road to Kiyomizu-dera is often very crowded - day and night! However, it was easy to get in and out of the annex with several buses nearby on the main road. It was also convenient to get to the temple EARLY before the crowds for the day visit, and easy to head back after a night time visit! Loved that!! I simply love Kiyomizu-dera, as it is one of the most beautiful places!||||The hotel was clean and our host was awesome! So friendly and helpful with lots of local information. It was a rather cold several nights but the heater in the room worked well. On our final night there, our host left us extra blankets to make sure we were warm! And some muffins for breakfast - what a lovely surprise!||||We were a little worried about the shared bathrooms but this was not an issue as there are not many rooms, so not many people to share with and there was never any wait for the facilities. Everything was always kept extremely clean! ||||The microwave was very convenient to have as well, as we were able to buy coffee at the local convenience store and heat it up in the morning, so we didn't have to brave the world without our morning cuppa joe!||||Overall, it was a great experience and I would highly...

We stayed at Hanakiya Inn recently at the end of November for a friend's wedding in Kyoto. We were so lucky to find this place at peak season for Fall Colours! We enjoyed our stay at Hanakiya Inn immensely. We ended up at the Annex rather than the main house, which was actually even more convenient to get in and out of the Inn. We were there during peak Fall Color season and the road to Kiyomizu-dera is often very crowded - day and night! However, it was easy to get in and out of the annex with several buses nearby on the main road. It was also convenient to get to the temple EARLY before the crowds for the day visit, and easy to head back after a night time visit! Loved that!! I simply love Kiyomizu-dera, as it is one of the most beautiful places!||||The hotel was clean and our host was awesome! So friendly and helpful with lots of local information. It was a rather cold several nights but the heater in the room worked well. On our final night there, our host left us extra blankets to make sure we were warm! And some muffins for breakfast - what a lovely surprise!||||We were a little worried about the shared bathrooms but this was not an issue as there are not many rooms, so not many people to share with and there was never any wait for the facilities. Everything was always kept extremely clean! ||||The microwave was very convenient to have as well, as we were able to buy coffee at the local convenience store and heat it up in the morning, so we didn't have to brave the world without our morning cuppa joe!||||Overall, it was a great experience and I would highly...

Although Kyoto received us with a thick rain and we were kind of dissapointed and tired after the Shinkansen journey from Tokyo, Eimi (the ryokan's owner) received us with huge energy and good humour (even though it was 7 pm).||And the best part is that her great spirit didn't stop there! She has a contagious energy and good will to make you feel confortable and "at home". She made us took our shoes off -which is pretty funny for someone from the West and gave us a show around the ryokan. There is a small and confortable "shared room" where you can have some tea and have your breakfast (the inn does not include breakfast), a toilet (which is kind of odd but clean), a big shower and a common kitchen with a laundry.||||The rooms are just amazing. The foutons are so confortable (even though your are sleeping in the tatami), you have a small clothing tender -which is great in a rainy season- and a small to-the-floor table with cushions to be seaed.||||One great aspect of the ryokan (besides the ones mentioned) is that it is 4 blocks away from Kyomizu-dera. Considering that many people arrive early (at 8.30 am) being that close allows you to get up early and go walking. I woke up at 6 am and was able to enjoy the sunrise from the temple. Great view, great experience.||||Oh, at the ryokan, only cash is accepted!||One more thing: you are supplied with japanese robs to walk around the...