Takigawa Ryokan — Local services in Kyoto

Booking on short notice during cherry blossom season, we came across this property in search for a budget ryokan and lived up to expectations. It provided a glimpse into traditional Japanese lodging, from the Japanese-style toilets to the public baths used for showering. ||||The staff were extremely friendly and helpful, even offering us the option of using their laundry. Curfew for the property is midnight, but there was someone available all night if needed.||||The location is also conveniently located a brisk 10 minute walk from the north side of Kyoto Station, and just around the corner from the Gojo subway stop and major bus routes, making it easy to get around both Kyoto and elsewhere in the region.||||GIven the price, we were realistic in our expectations. While the bedding and common areas were clean, the property itself is somewhat worn and dated. The rooms themselves aren't particularly well-appointed, with only one power outlet, a small TV, and no phone. The ryokan does not offer Wi-Fi, and the only publicly signal available in our room didn't have an option available for purchase.||||Where the hotel loses a star was in a few small things that added up. The shower and public bath closes at 9PM, but the hot water to the showers had either run out or been turned off a half hour before then. The pillows were small and hard, and the tatami were on the thinner side.||||The room we were given was right above the kitchen, so there was noise late into the night and beginning early in the morning. We were exhausted from the jet lag and the sightseeing, so it didn't keep us from sleeping, but rooms toward the front of the hotel or on the other side of the ryokan from the kitchen are recommended.||||In all, we were glad to have stayed and experienced a modest ryokan experience, and recommend Takigawa for others looking to...

A room that dirty and old, without toilet should never cost 10,000 JPY, especially without breakfast.||||My room was not very clean, very run-down, which I did not expect. It did not have the toilet, which I knew and expected, but it is did not have even wash basin. Bedding and towels were crisp, but old tatami was not. Airconditioner was too old and too noisy, and ipdid not warm the room much. I did not get a good sleep despite ear plugs, and felt tired next morning.||||I could not enjoy the bath at all, not only because the floor in shower are is too cold, but because the entrance cannot be locked, it is just a curtain, the walls and pipes look so run-down....||||Never again. Only in dire situations.||||The reason I chose Takigawa ryokan was the absence of single rooms anywhere else on Sunday night, and the proximity to kimono and dance school place and my party with friends and geisha ryokan owner knows. So I trusted a recommendation of local friend, which I regret. Avoid this ryokan if you can afford it. Even business hotel with zero Japanese atmosphere is more preferable. I stayed in Nara in much smaller place for half price, but it was immaculate in terms of cleanliness and breakfast...

Location about 1 km from Kyoto station. It's around 15 minutes walking. It's close to Nishi Honganji Temple as well. The staffs were very helpful and very hospitable. Most of the staffs are senior citizens but they're younger staffs also. They can speak basic English and trying to do so. When we've arrived at the property it was to early, so we dropped our luggages at the front desk and the staff tells us that he'll put our luggages in our room when it comes to check-in time. The property vibes are in traditional Japanese, including the bathroom. But one thing that must be notice and must have an improvement is its men's toilet, it's smelly though it's clean. Another thing you should prepare before check in is Kyoto Tourism Tax that was excluded from the room price and should be paid in cash. It's ¥200 each person and charged when we're checking in. But they're already notified us 2 days prior for this Kyoto Tourism Tax. We got higher price room due to golden week. Kyoto itself was very overated, too many tourist and crowds were everywhere in the city along the golden week from April 29 to May...