This place was excellent. 11 out of 10 stars.

There's aren't enough good things to say about this place. I felt like family. Wide open rooms, comfortable and comforting bedding, traditional styled Ryokan rooms. Lovely hosts, Meiko shows, all wrapped up in the perfectly quiet street in historic Kyoto. Just perfect.

Stayed in July 2023

Very welcoming, they personally showed me around, and explained everything. The room is lovely, comfortable and quiet. I was lucky to see a maiko visit during the single night I had there, which was amazing! The owners and people helping them are great, very friendly, and I loved the dogs (especially Moko). Would definitely visit again if I am in Kyoto

Stayed in June 2023

It was perfect.

The location cannot be beat with major shrines directly outside you door in the Gion district. The staff was incredible! They were welcoming and so very helpful in recommendations and even getting us a taxi. During our stay they actually hosted an Maiko for the Ryokan guests. We ended up dancing and karoking with the Maiko and other guests. I cannot recall laughing so hard. I will forever be returning to this establishment and recommending to others.

Stayed in June 2023

Absolutely perfect location in Gion. These small streets are a different world from the rest of Kyoto. The 4 hosts here are both sweet and very, very funny. The rooms are spacious and comfortable. While breakfast and omakase are not served here, fresh fruit, snacks, and treats are delivered to your room daily. The hosts kindly do your laundry for you while you are exploring. If you are there while they host a Maiko show YOU MUST GO! A private event with a geisha normally starts at 80,000 yen and this is free for guests! Tea, sake, dancing, games, and karaoke. I've never laughed so hard in my life.

Stayed in June 2023

If you are allergic to mats, be prepared

Great location, very comfortable stay and superb care

Stayed in June 2023

Everything was just perfect! Nothing negative...

Lovely Hosts! Lovely rooms ! Hospitality was top notch! Our hosts ensured a comfortable and an indulgent stay including organising an evening where we got to meet and interact with a Geisha. Property was extremely comfortable for our children...it was a fantastic experience.

Stayed in June 2023

No complaints.

Kyoto is an incredibly busy city. In spite of this, the location was wonderfully quiet and close enough to see the sights, without being crammed into the center of the tourist areas. The staff was unbelievably friendly and helpful, going so far as to even do our laundry for us while we were out exploring the city. Also, they had two of the most friendly dogs in the lobby who were more than happy to spend some time with you if you needed a moment of respite from the day's activities. Wonderful location, excellent experience overall. It is a must stay if you visit Kyoto.

Stayed in May 2023

Nothing

Such a beautiful stay. I was VERY well taken care of.

Stayed in June 2023

They made a wonderful soup for us when we arrived. Unfortunately there is no breakfast. I would have loved to pay a little more for breakfast since they are really good in cooking.

I loved the hospitality of the owners and the room is cute. The owners with their dogs were the highlight. Such generous people

Stayed in May 2023

it was small. not the ryokan. typical for japanese house but i would prefer more space

The staff, and location is the best. room was very clean and nice

Stayed in April 2023

Due to its location in historic Gion there weren't a lot of affordable restaurants close by but I think that's a price we were happy to pay for staying somewhere so special

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.

Stayed in June 2023

such friendly host in a very comfortable hotel. I honestly didn’t expect to be treated so nicely and for the guest to be provided an opportunity to meet and talk with a geisha - once in a life time.

Stayed in June 2023

The staff was incredibly friendly! They provided breakfast and snacks daily, as well as a free geisha show one night.

Stayed in May 2023

I can’t say enough good things about this Ryokan! The rooms were very clean, the staff were very helpful and accommodating. I really feel that everyone working there went out of their way to ensure our stay in Kyoto was comfortable and enjoyable. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend this establishment, its staff, and location to anyone!

Stayed in June 2023

Everything was great.

This was a great experience! The owners were super friendly and treated us to great traditional Japanese hospitality. They brought us welcome tea and melon then brought us fruit and parties. It was everything I wanted! I wish we could have stayed longer.

Stayed in May 2023

nothing in particular!

just perfect! the location was amazing, very central and close to all historical places. the staff was really kind and helpful! the ryokan was very well maintained and clean! on top, the night we stayed there was a maiko san that came for a show where she danced and briefly explained the maiko/geiko life. Really recommend experience for anybody!

Stayed in May 2023

I loved everything about this place, no complaints here!

Absolutely gorgeous property and a location that can’t be beat! it’s so close to so many of the major tourist attractions, as well as shrines and temples. Plus the traditional Japanese layout with tatami and a futon were so chic and comfortable. The hotel even brought in a maiko for all of the guests one night!! Plus, they offered a welcome cup of tea, and kept leaving surprise snacks in my room. I went out for a day trip and out water in the rooms fridge, only to come back and find they had also added some kiwi and a crepe pastry. the service is impeccable and top notch.

Stayed in May 2023

Everything was fine.

This was such a wonderful place to stay. Very clean, an excellent location. The highlight was the staff, so friendly and warm. They took care of everything, and stocked our room with fruits and food. They took care of all our needs. And there were two very friendly dogs.

Stayed in May 2023

All the rave reviews are true: It felt like home away from home. We felt truly taken care of. The owners were so so so kind. The dogs were adorable. The futons were incredibly comfy. The room was clean and spacious and smelled like Tatami. We had the twin deluxe room which had a nice little view of the streets outside. Location was just close enough to Gion center to be convinient but quiet. The owners don't speak much English, but that's completely fair since I don't speak much Japanese. 😁 They were very patient with translation apps and went above and beyond to help us with whatever we needed. They helped us so kindly with our food needs. We rented bikes for two days and were able to park them overnight at the ryokan after calling ahead. What else... The yukata provided were crisp and clean. We wish we could have stayed for longer. I cannot say enough nice things about this ryokan.

Stayed in May 2023

The actual accommodations were unremarkable. Simple and good location. The experience however, was exceptional. Service was amazing, and we were treated to a Maiko show in the building. It was a truly phenomenal experience as there were only 8 or so guests present at the show, making it very intimate. The owner and staff brought out food and drinks and entertained us into the night. Could not recommend this place enough.

Stayed in May 2023

From our experience, nothing we didn't like.

We chose the area looking for a traditional experience. We hired kimonos and walked around the old town. The place just complemented that whole experience. The room has that traditional feel and it is nice and comfortable and clean. Even have traditional robes to use. Facilities are good. The hosts are fantastic and very accommodating and helpful. Provided us with some dessert/snacks for the days we stayed. The Maiko show during our stay was a bonus and a great experience. plus a light meal to go with it.

Stayed in April 2023

This ryokan is located in the perfect spot in Gion. The facility is clean and well kept. The staff is the best thing about this ryokan, they are incredibly friendly and nice. They go out or their way to make sure you have everything you need and also they appreciate any conversations you have. The boss of the ryokan is a fun and kind man. We became good friends during my stay.

Stayed in May 2023

We have nothing negative to say about this place and would highly recommend it.

The staff were incredibly welcoming. They brought us treats. We needed an early morning departure transit to the Osaka (ITM) airport, and they helped us find a taxi at a very difficult time (4:30am).

Stayed in May 2023

Ideally situated ryokan in Gion, with the friendliest staff and their lovely dogs. I had a great stay !

Stayed in May 2023

The internet connection was a bit slow.

I really loved my stay at the Gion Sano Ryokan. The staff was kind and helpful. The room is great with a great attention to detail and all of this within a great localisation. If you also love animals, you can play with Mocco and Leo, the 2 adorable dogs from the family. Thank you Mari-san, Naomi-san and Sano-san for your kind welcome.

Stayed in May 2023