宿きらまち — Local services in Kyoto

What a find. Being overwhelmed by options and pricing - our friend recommended we stay here. So glad we did! Tucked away in an alley off the main street, the property captures all the authenticity and relaxation in a traditional ryokan.||Upon arrival, we were greeted with a warm welcome and luggage storage. We didn’t make it back until 9pm - which the owner was still waiting to check us in (I think front desk hours are actually until 9pm so make sure to make it back in time if you are storing luggage).||We stayed in a two story room for three people and it was amazing! Two bed + 2 baths with a sitting area upstairs - yes please! ||Pros:|- VERY clean with a great mix of traditional and modern (controlled AC, water temp)|- bathroom is AMAZING (traditional wooden panels + bathing area) |- comfortable sleeping arrangements |- plenty of space and amenities (shower items, hairbrush, blow dryer etc)|- excellent service (written instructions + an iPhone to FaceTime the owner for anything) |- peaceful stay in the middle of a busy city (we heard no noise) |- decor/property is traditional and well maintained ||Only cons were we didn’t have a bath in our room because those were fully booked (so bummed) but it didn’t ruin our stay at all. Also the breakfast is maybe less than the traditional style offered (smaller bento box with soup) but they still bring it to you and for ~$20 it wasn’t bad (they actually gave it to us free of charge!).||If you’re looking for a pleasant stay with key elements of a ryokan but don’t have the time to make it out to more remote locations - this is a...

Village Kiramachi was an amazing experience. My wife and I stayed there for 6 nights during our honeymoon. The staff were incredibly nice and accommodating, the hotel (ryokan) itself is a work of art, the neighborhood is a gem, the one complimentary Japanese breakfast was excellent, and the price is very reasonable compared to other ryokans in Kyoto. We stayed during a great time -- Gion Festival in July, which had a number of parade events just around the corner. Our stay took place in both a standard room, and then an upgraded suite with outdoor garden/soaking tub. Both were impeccably designed, with incredible attention to detail. Everything from the recessed lighting, to the soft wood floors, garden scenery, even the scent stick diffusers, were all top notch. I also had the fortunate pleasure of meeting the architect / construction expert who built the facility, who happened to be on site working on expansions. This allowed me to learn more about the process, history, and design behind the traditional elements of the hotel facility. To top it all off, one of the hotel staff, who happened to have a car, was kind enough to drop us off at the train station when we left. We truly could not have...

If you're seeking a truly once-in-a-lifetime experience, look no further than Yado Kiramachi. This is more than just a place to stay—it is an experience in itself.

During our visit, the staff went above and beyond to accommodate us after an issue with booking.com. Despite our reservation being unexpectedly canceled, the team at Yado Kiramachi graciously held our room until we arrived. While the booking platform attributed the issue to our bank, we confirmed with our financial institution that there were no problems with our card—something further validated when we successfully paid for our stay upon arrival.

Finding ourselves in a foreign country without accommodations could have been overwhelming, but thanks to the kindness and professionalism of the staff, we felt secure and welcomed. Their exceptional service, combined with the beauty of the village, made our stay truly unforgettable. The well-maintained grounds, peaceful atmosphere, and central location made it easy to explore everything the area had to offer.

I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to stay at Yado Kiramachi. If you are considering a visit, I wholeheartedly recommend choosing them—you...