BEST location in Kyoto! Away from the crowd but 5mins walk from everything! Kiyomizu Dera is less than 10mins walk away! Restaurants and shops are just stone throw distance away. Facilities wise, as good as they can get. We got the suite hence, shower is in our room. Nice and quiet surrounding. WIFI works perfectly! Comes with house keeping and water replenishment on a daily basis. Love the breakfast! Simple yet fulfilling. My family had it for 3 days in a row. Kyoto station is less than 10mins taxi ride away and hotel will even help you with the transport reservation with no additional cost!

NONE!! Nothing is wrong with this place!

Wonderful ryokan just off the busy main tourist street in an area that is nice and quiet. Everything was nice and clean and comfortable. The staff kindly gave us an upgrade to the quadruple room, which was amazing and spacious and had its own private shower. The toilets and sinks were shared between two rooms on the same floor. There was a lovely 360-degree view of Kyoto from the rooftop.

The hotel is located on a hill (the nearest bus stop is about a 10-minute walk away, at the foot of the hill). We tried to get a taxi to take us to the train station when we left, but we couldn't get one, so we had to walk downhill with our rolling suitcases and they made so much noise on the traditional stone paths, we felt terrible about disturbing the residents.

It's a beautiful property in a wonderful area of Kyoto. The rooms are spacious and the beds are surprisingly comfortable. One of the best nights sleep we have had in Japan. The absolute highlight however was the staff. We were helped greatly by Kazuki who was incredibly friendly and sincere. He had so many fantastic recommendations for places to eat and activities to do. He absolutely made our time in Kyoto and we are incredibly grateful. We are already planning our next trip back! Thank you Kazuki!

This ryokan is an excellent value. The staff were extremely welcoming and helpful both before and during our stay. Communication prior to our arrival was wonderful. They assisted us with restaurant reservations - both of our choosing and upon their recommendations and everything went perfectly! During our stay they had laundry done for us (no cost!!!!), had free umbrellas to borrow and held our luggage as we had a train later in the day. The room was very cozy and comfortable and they also have nice common areas - the highlight of which is the rooftop patio. It offers beautiful views of the city and was the perfect place to relax at the end of the long day of walking. It's very conveniently located near many important sites in Kyoto. Although it's very near some major pedestrian streets, ryokan is in a quiet and peaceful location. Wouldn't hesitate to stay again!

The staff were the highlight here. There were different people working the desk every day we were there, which was only a shame because we didn't get to know anyone or thank them properly for how nice everyone was. It felt like we had a 5 star service from a 3 star hotel. They helped us with laundry and booking massages, offered advice for things to do in the city, even ran us a bath! The location is perfect, in a hotspot of a historic district, within walking distance of important cultural quarters and sites, but still just off the main track enough to be quiet and peaceful at night. The views from the rooftop terrace are amazing.

The location was unbeatable! Right next to the incredibly busy old streets (with a ton to see) but once you turn the corner to walk up a small slope to the ryokan - it’s a whole new world of quiet. It was great to walk around the streets at night when the mess of tourists had left. The view from the roof terrace was amazing and it was such a nice area to hang out. The futons were so comfortable to sleep on, and the toilet and showers were in great condition. Each room has its own designated toilet/shower, it is just that one needs to step out of their room and take a few steps to the designated toilet/shower but it is all within the ryokan so no inconvenience at all. All the hosts were incredibly hospitable, but a big shout out goes to Himari and Ayana who were an absolute pleasure to chat with and made us feel right at home. The optional breakfast is also a must have!

Nothing at all.

It’s a great place to stay for Japanese charm and atmosphere. The futons were surprisingly comfortable and the two boys running the hotel are super sweet and friendly. We didn’t use the rooftop bath but the views from the terrace are fabulous, it’s a lovely spot to relax with a beer. The place is also surprisingly quiet for how close it is the the tourist highway a street away. The location is in the heart of the old district and close to a lot of temples so would be a great place if that’s where you want to explore.

Leaving the bedroom to go to the toilet and basin dedicated to each room in a shared area was a little awkward but the shower is in the room. For us the area was a bit too tourist overload although it does have a lot of old world atmosphere morning and evening when the crowds are smaller.

We loved this place and we were sad we could only stay one night. This is an amazing guesthouse with four differently-sized rooms. The big room on the top floor has a beautiful view over the city and of Kyoto's famous pagoda. Each room has its own bathroom (accessed through the hallway). On the top floor there is a roof-deck with an outdoor tub and an incredible view over the city (perfect for soaking in hot water in the winter). There is also an indoor bathroom on the top floor with a bathtub. The house is charming and warm, the location is amazing, and the service is outstanding. The guesthouse is always staffed. We stayed here on a cold January night and we felt incredibly welcomed. When we arrived, the person working at the house immediately gave us slippers and a cup of tea and took our bags up to our room. Everything was warm and inviting. The following morning, the staff member made us breakfast (rice, fish, and miso soup). Because the guesthouse is so small, the common areas on the ground floor feel very private. We sat and had a leisurely breakfast at a table by the window. The location of the property is incredible. It is in a beautiful historic part of Kyoto (where residents are legally required to maintain their houses in the traditional style), near the top of a hill (meaning it has amazing views of the city) and it is on a quiet residential street just 1 minute away from a major tourist area with lots of shops and restaurants. If we come back to Kyoto I would absolutely stay here again!

Everything was perfect!

[Review for Westerners] SANGEN felt more like a well-loved home and calling it a hotel feels wrong. BUILDING MAINTENANCE exceeded my expectations. I wanted the historic experience but was hesitant how I’d feel about older buildings: eg smells, climate control, and “energy”. For anyone else looking for the charm, yes, this home feels like it has a history of warm, loving, good vibes. Beyond minor cosmetic scuffs the establishment the rooms were immaculate. Zero to low odor (except the slight fresh cut wheat smell of the tatami and breakfast that perfumed the hallway each morning - which I found pleasant). Lots of storage for luggage to completely tuck away so you don’t feel like you are sleeping in your suitcase. Let’s talk about the SHARED BATHROOMS! Not what you think! The bathroom area is outside your room and really the only lack of privacy is walking to/from the bathroom and anything you’d do at the sink. You have your own designated toilet and shower/(if you chose the suite your bath is in your room). Designated as in, your room number is also over the door to enter the toilet and shower. The bathroom area is incredibly clean! No odors. Well venerated. It felt like it was build within the last two years. Very modern with expensive looking ceramic touches and hardware. STAFF are wonderful! Most understand very little English, but do try your best with Japanese! They’ll appreciate the gesture! As mentioned earlier cleanliness is next level. It’s a lot of effort to maintain the home and guest also share in the responsibility in keeping it tidy. Very much rooted in Japanese etiquettes that will feel strange at first but don’t worry! They’ll gently guide you!

GETTING THERE - difficult explaining to taxi driver. The hotel provides a little note to share with your taxi. SAVE IT and USE IT. * Something different to note is that you leave the keys with them when you leave the hotel each day to explore. We always got home at decent hours (latest at 9 PM) and they greet you, so unsure what would happen if you came back late.

This place was amazing. This is my third trip to Japan, and this place falls squarely in my cream of the crop of Kyoto lodging. Do take a taxi to the lodging for ease with luggage as it is upward on slopes of cobblestone (about 20 USD) . Rooftop view is even better than at temples, less tourists and quite private with four rooms only here. If you value goods made in Japan by hand, and appreciate history, this place is for you. Or if you simply love the look of traditional housing because you love wood, paper & fabric, this place is for you to spend all day in this area. So convenient to stop by our room multiple times especially with a child to use the facilities! I was surprised to see staff cleaning our bathroom even though we stayed for just two nights. Genuine service, kind and accommodating. Not at all overbearing. The shampoo smells great. Breakfast was delicious and different each morning. Luggage can be stored after checkout. Shared bathroom (for non-suites/non-family rooms) were way better than expected; each floor has two rooms so each room's assigned/private sink, shower and bathroom was just outside the rooms. Windows can be opened and if closed, there was no draft. Onsen on top/rooftop floor, one inside and one outside (for use in warmer weather).

Nothing. I guess for those with bad backs, if there could be one more mattress pad (they already provide two layers), it would be lovely but I am used to American beds so it is nothing bad. Perfect place.