Traditional Japanese Ryokan Hirashin Kyoto — Hotel in Kyoto

This was far from what we expected which was a more relaxing experience. The check in staff was unfriendly, the reception was run down and smoke filled. The whole hotel is run down, looks more like a camp site, very tacky and feels unclean. The corridors dingy and dark. The rooms themselves were huge by Japanese standards but again, even though I know it was clean, it all felt very dirty and unhygenic. The bathroom and toilet linoleum flooring again felt very sticky and dirty. I liked the low table and chairs in the room, nice tea service. The bedding that was put out at night was fine, very warm doonas.||The breakfast at this place is abhorrent. Very happy to try local cuisine, but needs to be adjusted to western palette somewhat. We sat through the first breakfast, but the next morning was just deplorable and had to leave. Again the room, down a dingy dark corridor where breakfast was served with an elderly lady standing on top of you left a lot to be desired.||We opted for the dinner service which although overpriced, was the only saving grace of this place. The lady serving was delightful, there was plentiful food.||Dingy, dark, unmoving staff, smoke filled, felt dirty.||Location is good to access the main shopping and...

This was far from what we expected which was a more relaxing experience. The check in staff was unfriendly, the reception was run down and smoke filled. The whole hotel is run down, looks more like a camp site, very tacky and feels unclean. The corridors dingy and dark. The rooms themselves were huge by Japanese standards but again, even though I know it was clean, it all felt very dirty and unhygenic. The bathroom and toilet linoleum flooring again felt very sticky and dirty. I liked the low table and chairs in the room, nice tea service. The bedding that was put out at night was fine, very warm doonas.||The breakfast at this place is abhorrent. Very happy to try local cuisine, but needs to be adjusted to western palette somewhat. We sat through the first breakfast, but the next morning was just deplorable and had to leave. Again the room, down a dingy dark corridor where breakfast was served with an elderly lady standing on top of you left a lot to be desired.||We opted for the dinner service which although overpriced, was the only saving grace of this place. The lady serving was delightful, there was plentiful food.||Dingy, dark, unmoving staff, smoke filled, felt dirty.||Location is good to access the main shopping and...

It's a great ryokan to stay in, with a mid range price, for two people with breakfast, kaiseki dinner and the room I paid 29,000 yens. The building is centric, you do have to walk to near bus stations and metro stations. Cleaness is good, but since is and old building it feel worn out, so the halls to the room, the outside restrooms are a bit shabby. But the true experience is in the room, all tatami floor. You have a traditional table in the middle and at night staff are sent up to do the beds, which are two futons piled with a duvet as cover. The staff is great, wish more staff had good English, but like most of Japan, japanese English speakers are rare. The breakfast and the kaiseki dinner was very good, you get to try traditional dishes, true delight. I tried the hot bath, is ok and a bit small, needs better maintenance, it had mold in the roof. Just remember they follow the Osen rules, just check them. You don't go with a swim suit, it might be a big no for some. Good experience I definitely recommend it, at...