Gallery Nozawa — Local services in Kyoto

Coming back to Japan after 10 years, I felt a little sad that the Japanese old school perfectionist hospitality was no longer found. Everyone seems jaded, tired and agitated with the constant stream of foreign tourists, and ranges from barely tolerating us to downright turning us down. That was until my stay at Gallery Nozawa. Morio and Yoshiko were the epitome of that Japanese infallible hospitality. They cleaned the room in the morning, but came back up to refill the tea in the afternoon to make sure it was piping hot when we got back from excursions. My 2 year old daughter loved the matcha wafer biscuits so she finished both of them right away. They noticed, and the next day put in 5 and a robot face biscuit just for her. My daughter stayed for free and yet Yoshiko prepared a special breakfast for her everyday (both of them doted on my daughter to the point she called her grandpa and grandma). And Yoshiko's breakfast is also perfectionist just like everything else: everything was timed so that they reached you at the temperature they should be eaten at. The delicate and subtle balance of flavours and nuances in her breakfast is reflective of their service and Japanese sensibility. It goes beyond the clean and folded laundry or the pick up and drop off that Morio graciously offered us everyday. It is looking into what their guests need and feel, and constantly strive for beyond, yet remaining as quiet and invisible as possible. If you appreciate that kind of subtle sensibility that I haven't seen in anywhere else but Japan, I highly recommend Gallery Nozawa for the experience. If you just want a quick stay at a good location with new facilities, I think this is not the...

Gallery Nozawa Inn in Kioto was definitely one of the most interesting hotels I ever stayed worldwide. We were feeling like staying at our home !!!! It is located in the family house of the owners – Morio i Yoshiko and it is a ryokan type accommodation. Both rooms are located on the 2nd floor. It is important to note that EVERY room has its own washing basin and separate private toilet. Only the bathroom is for shared use. It was amazing to stay in accommodation and feel like at Japanese house. Food served for breakfast was delicious, every day different, coffee was superb. Sleeping on futons was very comfortable. We stayed on both rooms and sharing the spaces of both rooms was very convenient. The rooms were perfectly clean. We were provided also with pijamas and slippers, however on tatamis it is necessary to walk without any shoes or even slippers. The owners were extremely friendly. Morio has transported us in his own car early in the morning to start visiting famous Fushimi Inari shrine at 6:00 and it was the best decision, because when we finished our almost 3 hours visit there the crowds of tourists were just arriving. When we returned home Yoshiko served delicious breakfast. It is easy to get to the Nozawa Inn by public transport, the area around consist mainly of small houses many of which are typical wooden structures giving additional splendour to this area. We stayed there 4 nights and when we were shaking hands with Morio and Yoshiko for good bye we had a feeling that we are leaving our best friends. We definitely suggest to stay there and rank this accommodation higher...

Our family of 5 has visited japan more than a dozen times. Our stay with Morio and Yoshiko is the bestest ever. Their quaint and historic ryokan is ancient with just enough modern comforts to create a perfect balance of old and new. Our room and shared toilet are clean and comfortable. We rested like babies at night. The gregarious couple took such great care of us; they were like the elders in the family who fussed over our well-being, they were the first to greet us in the morning and stayed up every night to receive us home without fail, enquired about our day, cooked us a variety of delectable food for breakfast in the morning, even took care of our laundry and daily housekeeping. There were different pastries and warm tea waiting for us every night. Love everything about them - ever so very friendly and helpful without being intrusive. They really are the best hosts and we are so privileged to have met and stayed with them. Gonna miss them and while we hope they will retire soon and enjoy their golden years, the energy and life which they bring / breathe into their cosy, immaculate and warm abode sustain and rejuvenate both hosts and guests alike; anyone would be so very lucky to stay with them in the days to come. Thank you, Morio and Yoshiko, from the bottom...