We stayed in the annex which is one block down from the main building. The main building is gorgeous and so is the annex. The annex itself is, I believe, a regular house that was purchased and converted to be this annex and it really makes you feel totally immersed in the city. We arrived way way way too early because I didn’t read my email right— but even so, the man at the front desk brought us tea and a cookie while we waited for the woman of the house to perform a tea ceremony. This is the first tea ceremony I’ve seen and it was incredible. She gave us the full history of tea ceremonies and how the tea school and tradition continue into modern day, it was very interesting. This place isn’t super close to Gion but she gave us a route for how to get to the big temples/famous streets while still seeing things along the way. She walked us to the annex as well, and gave us fun facts about the history of the city. The annex itself, as I said, felt like a house. We had four girls , two bedrooms upstairs, and a kitchen / living dining / bath / shower downstairs , as well as a toilet and vanity upstairs. The rooms are traditional tatami and screen doors, the bath is a deep soaker hinoki, and the back garden is open just to you. We received breakfast each morning and it was all so good. We didn’t need it but I got the impression that they would be accommodating to dietary restrictions. Also towels and yukata are refreshed daily !! That was such a nice perk! Small detail but there was a sitting area by the back sliding door which lets you view the pretty garden , but also has a Go board. My sisters and I played Go every night it was just so fun. The staff felt like a married couple running the place together and , whether or not that is the case, it showed in the care and thought put into the place. I had some trouble starting the autorun bath (my own stupidity) and after messaging them the woman who checked us in ran over to fix it for us!

The ryokan was lovely, loved the tea ceremony and breakfast and hot bath. We felt very cared about!

Experience the culture

The hosts were excellent, they gave great recommendations for restaurants and places to visit. During the tea ceremonies we were able to learn a lot about this Japanese tradition.

Extremely kind family run ryokan. It was a truly fantastic and authentic experience that we are lucky to have experienced.

The staff were so welcoming and made us feel at home. You can tell that they care so much about hospitality. We loved the tea ceremony, the Japanese breakfast, and the aroma of incense that filled the halls in the morning. We learned so much about the neighborhood from the staff. They also gave us great recommendations for dinner. We really enjoyed staying in an area that felt less touristy but was still very close to everything by bus.

The perfect Ryokan experience. Lovely tea service, clean, very comfortable and excellent service from the hosts. Highly recommend.

My third time staying here! The hostess is so kind and helpful, the ambience is wonderful, and the breakfast is delicious. I wish I could have stayed here for my entire trip to Japan!

Well designed. Warm. Nice bath. Good tea ceremony. Helpful and friendly staff.

The hosts are absolutely fantastic. The husband/wife take such care to honor Japanese traditions. The photos don’t do this beautiful ryokan justice, and one couldn’t capture the warmth of these proprietors in words if they tried. Couldn’t recommend more highly.

Our stay here was phenomenal! The attention to detail from the staff was very apparent in the services they provided, from the tea ceremony to the public bath to the breakfast spread. We were also given great recommendations for restaurants and nearby attractions. The staff also were very accommodating with me being vegetarian. Thank you so much, I will be back hopefully soon!

We loved the owners’ hospitality the most, along with the services they offer, such as the private bath, tea ceremony, and Japanese breakfast.

The staff was exceptional. They went above and beyond to make this a unique and very special experience. They went above room was spotless and the tea ceremony was such a gift. Highly recommend.

The stay was exceptional from beginning to end. The tea ceremony was unforgettable, the hot bath was one of the most relaxing experiences of my entire trip, and every detail of the ryokan felt thoughtful and genuine. The host went above and beyond in every way. This stay is one that my family will remember for many years.

The room was beautifully designed and comfortable. The exquisite tea ceremony helped us learn about Japanese culture and history, and the private onsen session was so soothing and relaxing. When we checked in we had some tea as welcome drinks served in a beautiful space next to a courtyard garden, and a wholesome breakfast the next day. We spent the afternoon exploring the neighborhood, amongst temples in serene natural settings nearby recommended by the host. My husband and I had a fantastic experience and would like to thank the hosts for their kind and thoughtful service during our stay.

Ryokan Tori is a small, family owned ryokan in a quiet area of Kyoto. Every detail of the property has been thoughtfully selectee to create a peaceful and welcoming space.

The stay was magical from start to finish. Bath time was relaxing, tea time was special, and breakfast was delicious. We absolutely loved our stay.

The best Kyoto experience

Fantastic place to stay. The staff was so friendly and accommodating, making us feel right at home and providing great recommendations of things to do in the area. The atmosphere of the place is a great mix of modern convenience with old time charm. Would absolutely stay here again.