Nissho Besso — Hotel in Kyoto

This was our first ryokan experience and we loved Nisho Besso. The location was close to the markets and very quiet. We brook a taxi from the train station to the ryokan. Although it was just me, my husband and 11 year old son, we booked one of the largest nonsmoking tatami rooms. It was on the 5th floor with a nice view and our own Japanese garden outside the sitting area. The room was very traditional with a western bathroom and a sitting area with a small table and 2 chairs. This was great because we not have been comfortable sitting on the floor at the Low Japanese style table in the main room. The Kanseki style dinner was beautiful, seasonal and delicious. The staff were so gracious and elegant as they served course after course. I reserved the private family bath every night we were there. I would highly recommend this. The extra cost was well worth it!!! It was the most fabulous experience to have access to the Japanese style bath just for our family!!|I called the ryokan months in advance to make sure it was reserved at 8 pm every night. The staff on the phone spoke English so it wasn’t a problem. The kanseki breakfast was amazing!!! You do need to be prompt and make sure you come down to the breakfast room at the time you have them for your breakfast!!||We loved the staff!!! They were so prompt in getting our shoes and so sweet in answering all our questions. They even found a boy sized yukata for his Japanese bath experience.||When people ask us what was our favorite experience during our 3 weeks in Japan, hands down it was our stay at Nisho Besso . My son and I had tears in our eyes when we left... we definitely loved the experience.||Kyoto is amazing. We went on a 4 hour cultural tour. A small group of just 8 people. After seeing the beautiful zen gardens , we bought 2 beautiful block prints ( depicting 2 different zen gardens)at the art gallery that is on the same street as Nisho besso. We bought them framed and had them delay the shipment until the week we were back in CA.||Nishiki market is a MUST. We started our experience with some delicious fresh soy donuts at the opening of the market. Follow your nose and look for all the teenage boys eating the hot donuts as fast as they can. We thought it was funny that they pooled their money to buy more hot donuts. My husband tried the squid on a stick (for the more adventurous) and my son and I ate the mochi and pickles. I do wish I bought the beautiful ceramic plate I saw. I always forget that it is hard to backtrack to purchase things.||We loved Kyoto!...and...

This was our first ryokan experience and we loved Nisho Besso. The location was close to the markets and very quiet. We brook a taxi from the train station to the ryokan. Although it was just me, my husband and 11 year old son, we booked one of the largest nonsmoking tatami rooms. It was on the 5th floor with a nice view and our own Japanese garden outside the sitting area. The room was very traditional with a western bathroom and a sitting area with a small table and 2 chairs. This was great because we not have been comfortable sitting on the floor at the Low Japanese style table in the main room. The Kanseki style dinner was beautiful, seasonal and delicious. The staff were so gracious and elegant as they served course after course. I reserved the private family bath every night we were there. I would highly recommend this. The extra cost was well worth it!!! It was the most fabulous experience to have access to the Japanese style bath just for our family!!|I called the ryokan months in advance to make sure it was reserved at 8 pm every night. The staff on the phone spoke English so it wasn’t a problem. The kanseki breakfast was amazing!!! You do need to be prompt and make sure you come down to the breakfast room at the time you have them for your breakfast!!||We loved the staff!!! They were so prompt in getting our shoes and so sweet in answering all our questions. They even found a boy sized yukata for his Japanese bath experience.||When people ask us what was our favorite experience during our 3 weeks in Japan, hands down it was our stay at Nisho Besso . My son and I had tears in our eyes when we left... we definitely loved the experience.||Kyoto is amazing. We went on a 4 hour cultural tour. A small group of just 8 people. After seeing the beautiful zen gardens , we bought 2 beautiful block prints ( depicting 2 different zen gardens)at the art gallery that is on the same street as Nisho besso. We bought them framed and had them delay the shipment until the week we were back in CA.||Nishiki market is a MUST. We started our experience with some delicious fresh soy donuts at the opening of the market. Follow your nose and look for all the teenage boys eating the hot donuts as fast as they can. We thought it was funny that they pooled their money to buy more hot donuts. My husband tried the squid on a stick (for the more adventurous) and my son and I ate the mochi and pickles. I do wish I bought the beautiful ceramic plate I saw. I always forget that it is hard to backtrack to purchase things.||We loved Kyoto!...and...

I stayed here for 5 nights as a solo traveller whilst visiting Kyoto and surrounding area. The place is very conveniently located - a short walk from the subway/metro station, and is within walking distance to many sites (shopping areas,temples and famous Gion district). |I walked almost everywhere and used the subway to get to ‘Kyoto station’ where I caught the Shinkansen bullet trains to go on various day trips to surrounding areas.|The accommodation itself was very comfortable and the staff very attentive. |The surrounding area felt safe and being a solo traveller I felt very comfortable walking back after dark.|I had dinner at the ryokan on one night and the food as well as the whole experience of having a traditional Japanese dinner was great. All the staff were very attentive and helpful and on check out I could leave my bags at the reception until later on in the day when I needed to go to Osaka to catch a flight back. |I cannot comment on the public baths as I have not used them, but the rest of the ryokan was clean and although located quite centrally, was very quiet at night which allowed for a very good night’s sleep. |I think the ryokan was reasonably priced (although a bit expensive considering I was travelling alone and the room I stayed in could accommodate 1-3 people). But compared to other ryokans in the area I believe this one was more reasonably priced, and would be a bargain if travelling in a party of 2-3. Also considering this is Japan, I think the price was reasonable.|Every night a different origami animal will be folded and left on my futon with a note hoping that I had a good day sightseeing and wishing me a good nights sleep - made me smile every time particularly as I fold origami myself :-) |I would recommend staying here for anyone who wishes to stay in a traditional Japanese tatami room without having to spend an extortionate...