Tawaraya Ryokan Downtown Kyoto

Tawaraya is the finest ryokan in Kyoto and, arguably, the finest in all Japan. Private gardens and incredible attention to detail make it a very special Kyoto experience.

[Tawaraya exterior — image © Chris Rowthorn]

Tawaraya is the finest ryokan in Kyoto and, arguably, the finest in all Japan. But this isn’t why celebrities and political leaders from all over the world have stayed there. Rather, it’s because Tawaraya is one of the few accommodations anywhere that manages to get everything right. The rooms are impeccably decorated, in keeping with the wabi-sabi aesthetic of spare simplicity, with each item carefully chosen. All guest rooms look out over their own private gardens and invite hours of contemplative gazing. And the staff possess the uncanny ability to know what you want before you do. All in all, it’s a magical little world that you won’t want to leave. Only that would be a shame in a city with as many wonders as Kyoto.

For a detailed account of a stay at Tawaraya — with lots of photos — see A Night At Tawaraya, which will help you decide if it’s for you.

[Shorai room at Tawaraya ryokan — image © Chris Rowthorn]

English address:
Fuyacho Oike sagaru, Nakagyo-ku

Japanese address:
中京区麸屋町通御池下ル

Price: Expensive

Internet: wifi and LAN cable access

Non-smoking rooms: Yes

Nearest Transport:
3min walk from Karasuma Oike Station, Tozai & Karasuma subway lines

Telephone: 211-5566

Website:
Read Guest Reviews of Tawaraya at TripAdvisor

Booking:
Unfortunately Tawaraya cannot be booked immediately online. You can make an availability inquiry through TripAdvisor. You can also try to book direct following my guide on how to book at Tawaraya.

You can also book any of the following high end ryokan immediately online with Agoda — each of these ryokan are of a similar class and experience to Tawaraya.Seikoro | Yoshida Sanso | Yuzuya Ryokan

Near To Here:
Tawaraya Ryokan is located in Kyoto’s Downtown district. See our complete list of things to do in Downtown Kyoto, including places to eat, nightlife and places to stay.

More Kyoto Ryokan Suggestions: see all Kyoto Ryokan we recommend.

Where Is This Place Located?

• Open the Kyoto map
• You will see the list of places on the left hand side. (Click the 3-line icon in the top left corner if not). Scroll down or use the map search (the magnifying glass icon) to find the place you want.
• Click the name of the place in the list. Its location pin will be highlighted on the map.
• Map pins are color coded - BLUE: Hotels | VIOLET: Ryokan | PINK: Places to Eat | YELLOW: Things to See and Do
• If you’re using the map on your phone, open the map and then search for the name of the place. The map will then zoom in on its location.

More Kyoto Ryokan info:

• Kyoto Ryokan overview
• Best Luxury Ryokan In Kyoto
• Best Mid Range Ryokan In Kyoto
• Best Budget Ryokan In Kyoto
• Best Ryokan Near Kyoto
• Kyoto’s Best Ryokan For Families
• Kyoto’s Best Ryokan For Couples
• Kyoto Machiya

Best High-End Ryokan In Kyoto

• Tawaraya (Read guest reviews of Tawaraya on TripAdvisor.com)
• Hiiragiya Ryokan (Read guest reviews of Hiiragiya on TripAdvisor.com)
• Ugenta (Read guest reviews of Ugenta on TripAdvisor.com)
• Hoshinoya (Read guest reviews of Hoshinoya on TripAdvisor.com)
• Seikoro (check availability on Agoda.com)
• Yoshida Sanso (check availability on Agoda.com)
• Garden Ryokan Yachiyo (check availability on Agoda.com)

Best Mid Price Ryokan In Kyoto

• Hirashin Ryokan (check availability on Agoda.com)
• Nishiyama Ryokan (check availability on Agoda.com)
• Ryokan Izuyasu (check availability on Agoda.com)

Best Budget Ryokan In Kyoto

• Kyoto Yoshimizu (Read guest reviews of Kyoto Yoshimizu on TripAdvisor.com)
• Ryokan Shimizu (check availability on Agoda.com)
• Uemera Ryokan (check availability on Agoda.com)
• Matsubaya Ryokan (check availability on Agoda.com)
• Hanakiya Ryokan (check availability on Agoda.com)
• Tanaka-ya (check availability on Agoda.com)

More Kyoto Hotels info:

• Kyoto Hotels Overview
• Check availability and pricing for Kyoto hotels at Agoda.com
• The Best Places To Stay In Kyoto
• Where To Stay In Kyoto
• Best New Kyoto Hotels
• The Most Romantic Hotels and Ryokan in Kyoto
• Best Value Hotels In Kyoto
• Kyoto Vacation Rentals
• Best Luxury Hotels in Kyoto
• Best Boutique Hotels in Kyoto
• Best Small Hotels in Kyoto
• Best Mid-Range Hotels in Kyoto
• Best Budget Hotels in Kyoto
• Best Kyoto Hostels and Guesthouses
• Best Kyoto Hotels For Families
• Best Japanese Hotel Chains
• Best Ryokan In Kyoto
• Kyoto Machiya

---

- For a quick overview, see my [First Time In Kyoto](/blog/kyoto/first-time-in-kyoto) guide. - [Check if a visa is required for Japan](/blog/japan/need-visa-japan) - Check Kyoto accommodation availability on Booking.com and Agoda.com. - [Buy Japan Rail Tickets and Shinkansen Tickets Online](/blog/train/how-to-buy-japan-rail-tickets-and-shinkansen-tickets-online). - For tips on where to stay, see [Where To Stay In Kyoto](/blog/kyoto/hotels/where-to-stay-in-kyoto). - See my [Packing List For Japan](/blog/japan/packing-list-for-japan). - Purchase an [eSim or SIM card for Japan](/blog/japan/internet-access-in-japan-for-tourists-wifi-pocket-wifi-sim-cards-rental-phones-etc). - Compare flight prices on Skyscanner. - Consider a Japan Rail Pass - see [if it's worth](/blog/train/japan-rail-pass-is-it-worth-it) for you. - Consider a travel insurance.