Kyoto Ryokan Gion Sano

The hotel was in the middle of a beautiful street in Gion district. Coming out and walking around was so tranquil and peaceful with old style Kyoto homes. The property itself was super cute and clean. The best part was the on-site doggies that greeted you with lots of kisses. They had a maiko performance on Saturday for the guests of the hotel. We were able to interact with the performer, played games, danced and there was even karaoke! The staff would provide amazing fruits and snacks everyday. They have a massage chair if you are tired of all the walking and the best perk is that they did our laundry while we were out exploring. The staff were super sweet and though communication was a little challenge we always managed to get everything answered using apps on our phone. We usually stay in 4-5 star hotels but the dogs on site convinced me to stay here and I have to say this hotel was a better experience than any 5 star hotel we have stayed in. I would 100% recommend this place for couples, singles and friends traveling to Kyoto. We were so sad to leave this place but hope we can come back and stay here again.

If I could give this place 11 I would! We were made to feel so welcome as soon as we arrived, shown around our room and delivered fresh melon. The room was lovely - traditionally Japanese - with lots of nice little touches. Every day they left us a little surprise snack in our room. Although they say they don't provide meals they left us pastries and bananas every day which was plenty for breakfast for us. Our first evening there was a free geisha performance and karaoke which we really enjoyed. The ryokan is located in beautiful historic Gion close to lots of the main sites.

My stay at this charming traditional inn (ryokan) in Gion was absolutely unforgettable. From the moment I arrived, I was welcomed with genuine warmth and kindness by the incredible staff. Everyone went above and beyond to make me feel at home, and their hospitality was one of the highlights of my visit. The inn itself is a beautiful example of classic Japanese accommodation — quaint, peaceful, and full of character. Sleeping on tatami mats and futons added an authentic touch that made the experience feel uniquely special. Everything was impeccably clean, well-maintained, and thoughtfully arranged. The location couldn’t be better — just a short walk from some of Kyoto’s most iconic temples and historic streets. It’s the perfect base for exploring the cultural heart of the city. And to top it all off, there are adorable dogs on the property that made my stay even more heartwarming! If you’re looking for a peaceful, authentic, and welcoming place to stay in Kyoto, I can’t recommend this spot highly enough. I’m already looking forward to my next visit.

Everything about this ryokan was amazing! The hosts were very friendly and welcoming-- as were their dogs! They greeted us with tea and treats! The snacks/breakfasts were perfect and much appreciated. The beds were comfortable. The evening with the Meiko was wonderful surprise!! We brought home many happy memories from that night-- and a game which we have taught our family-- and will continue to play! The location was perfect-- walking distance to sites, shopping, restaurants, etc. The massage chair was wonderful to sit in at the end of a long day. We will recommend this stay to any family and friends who visit Kyoto-- and hopefully we will be back someday!

We absolutely loved our five-day stay here! The location couldn't be better, each night. We walked back to our hotel through the Yasaka Shrine. The shrine and the district at night was magical and quiet. The staff were so friendly and helpful. The amenities couldn't have been better. Our son loved the dogs and played with them each morning before we left and when we got home from the day. The staff were so accommodating and would go seek out the dogs to bring them to him each night. One night, they brought in a Maiko to do a performance. She danced and taught us traditional Japanese games, we had such a great time! It was an unexpected surprise but ended up being the highlight of our trip. Thank you to everyone at Ryokan Gion Sion, we had a lovely stay.