Ryokan Ginkaku — Local services in Kyoto

Last year on last minute notice i booked this with a friend. We came expecting to have to book the private onsen since I have tattoos however to our great suprise they told us they were actually tattoo friendly even though the website said they “may not” allow tattoos. This year on another trip I decided to book here specifically because of how accommodating they were for us the year prior. We could have booked at several other tattoo friendly hotels however I wanted to return because of how lovely our stay was. Well this year (2025) we show up and they tell us no tattoos even ones that are covered. Then they tell us the private bath is completely full and since we have tattoos we should have booked far in advance for the private onsen. Why would I expect the experience to change in only a year? I feel as though I let my group down as I recommended this ryouken over other places, and we paid substantially more for this hotel. The front desk workers were lovely and the rooms clean (but are on the smaller size), and we overlooked there only being a shower because the onsen. We were also not given the tea service, hopefully that and the barred entry to the onsen was not due to our unconventional appearances. If it was not for the onsen I would have chosen a different place. Last year we had a...

The ryokan experience that my missus wanted. We stayed 6 nights on our recent trip to Kyoto at Ryokan Ginkaku and it was a fantastic stay.||The rooms were huge (compared to Tokyo) and could easily fit in another 2 mattresses. The washroom is separated, with a toilet (with a small washbasin) and then the bathroom in another location. As a traditional ryokan, there were no chairs in the room, just sitting on the tatami laid floor. So for those who have difficulty sitting on the floor and getting up.. beware.||The service was impeccable. We got the full breakfast option, and every morning, there was a full traditional Japanese breakfast which helped when we are outside for most of the day (we could eat and go during the day).||There was also a public bath, open to both the public and guests. I took advantage of it once, and it was just me in the entire bath. Males and Female are separated (just to be clear).||Location was also very central, about a 10 minute walk (with luggage) from Kyoto Station. And plenty of eateries close by, including those frequented by visitors mainly. Some on social media suggested staying close to the attractions like at Gion, but I am happy with my choice to stay close to Kyoto Station so I don't have to lug my luggage...

We stayed four nights in Ginkaku and it was amazing! We got welcomed with warm Green tea and cookies. Staff is absolutely friendly and service is simply perfection. For example we used the local Yamato service to send our luggage’s from Tokyo directly to Kyoto, and the hotel just brought them straight to the room (those little things make a big difference!)

Room is spotlessly clean and new. We booked the Japanese styled room which has Tatami floor and Japanese paper window as decoration. Great for those who would like to experience a bit of Ryokan style but still want a modern room.

The Japanese breakfast is great but probably you won’t need it everyday as it is quite a lot.

Location perfect, just 5 min walk from Kyoto station and there are enough restaurants and matcha shop nearby. To get to the main tourist spots like Gion, Nishiki market or Ponto, just take the bus number 5 which is 2 minutes walk away.

Highly recommended for those who...