Matsubaya Ryokan
600-8150 Kyoto, Kyoto, Shimogyo-ku Kamijuzuyamachidori Higashinotoinnishiiru Kamijuzuyamachi 329 , Japan – Great location - show map
Really lovely hotel. The staff were very friendly and helpful. The Japanese breakfast was good, quite different from a British / European breakfast. The room was comfortable; a little cold but heated up quickly with the heater.
United Kingdomso beautiful - a lovely “traditional” ryokan - staff were exceptional, and honestly the best sleep I’ve had in 3 weeks in Japan! would recommend 1000%
AustraliaVery polite staff, convenient location, nice breakfast and cosy atmosphere.
AustraliaOur room was nice and cozy, and had a nice view of a small garden. The staff was great. Breakfast was included. It was possible to book for a private bath, which was great. Location is walking distance from Kyoto Station.
South KoreaConvenient stay close to the railway station. Overall it was a nice ryokan experience, and the room was very cute, breakfast was ok. The staff was amazing!
Japan- the staff was so friendly and helpful! - breakfast was very filling - facilities like private Onsen was really nice - so close to everything!
Australiathe staff were exceptional! so welcoming and polite.
AustraliaThe staff is very welcoming and friendly. The rooms are traditional japanese, simple but beautiful. The breakfast they prepare for you in the morning is great. And the location is perfect. Great value for the price.
United KingdomThe area was nice, the staff was very pleasant to interact with, the breakfast was awesome, both as I have orderd both the japanese classic and western classic was pleased with both. The room was very cosy!
CanadaThe staff were accommodating and friendly, the room was large and clean, and the bath in particular was excellent after a long day exploring. Location was also perfect for newcomers to Kyoto.
Australia
- What guests loved the most:
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Rajan
United Kingdom
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Kelsey
Australia
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Jianhui
Australia
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Vicki
South Korea
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Henriika
Japan
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Patricia
Australia
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Giorgia
Australia
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Nancy
United Kingdom
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Patrick
Canada
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Jessba
Australia
Categories:
Stay in the heart of Kyoto – Great location - show map
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Just a 5-minute walk to Higashihongan-ji Temple and Gojo Subway Station, Matsubaya Ryokan has provided comfortable rooms to tired travellers since 1884. A cosy Japanese garden is located on site.
JR Kyoto Train Station and Nishihongan-ji Temple are about 0.6 miles from the hotel. Shosei-en Garden is only 350 yards away. Kiyomizu Temple is about a 10-minute taxi ride.
The recently renovated rooms at Ryokan Matsubaya include a refrigerator, hairdryer and electric kettle. Most rooms are Japanese-style, featuring traditional futon bedding, tatami (woven straw) floors and yukata (Japanese-style robes). All rooms are non-smoking.
Computers with free internet access are provided in the lobby. Baggage storage and a safe are available at the front desk.
Western breakfast can be ordered in the morning. Alternatively, Japanese breakfast is available upon an advance request made by 20:00 the night before (subject to availability). All breakfast meals are available at an additional charge.
This property is a ryokan, which is a type of traditional Japanese Inn. Learn more
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- What is a ryokan?
- A ryokan is a traditional Japanese inn. They usually feature public baths, multi-course dinners, communal spaces where guests can relax, and rooms with woven-straw flooring and futon mats. Like hotels, a range of ryokans (from budget to luxury) is available. What originated centuries ago as a free rest house for long-distance travellers has evolved into a popular destination for relaxation in therapeutic mineral springs.
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- What are the major differences between a ryokan and a hotel?
- Unlike a hotel, where the guest room is simply a place to turn in for the night, a ryokan is more than just an accommodation place to sleep. In Japan, many travellers journey long distances solely for the purpose of relaxing in a hot spring bath and feasting on a traditional multi-course dinner – thus making staying at a ryokan an experience in and of itself. These ryokans typically have Japanese-style rooms with woven-straw flooring and futon beds, instead of Western beds and carpeting. In addition, you remove your shoes at the entrance of the accommodation, or before you enter the room. Modern ryokan may serve buffet-style meals in a dining area, while a more traditional ryokan serves in-room dinners. Some ryokan rooms may come with a private bathroom, while others will only have a shared public bathroom.
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- What is a kaiseki meal?
- Kaiseki is the culinary highlight at a ryokan, embodied in beautifully presented dishes that delight both the palate and the eyes. Each of the 10 to 15 dishes that make up the multi-course Japanese dinner is prepared in such a way that highlights the unique textures, colours, and flavours of the featured seasonal ingredients and local specialties. Served most commonly at special restaurants and ryokan, a traditional kaiseki dinner usually consists of bite-sized appetizers, fresh sashimi (raw fish), soup, grilled fish or meat, a hot pot dish, rice with miso soup, and a small dessert.
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- What is a yukata?
- Yukata is a casual summer kimono typically made of light cotton. Many ryokans offer guests yukata robes during their stay. In some areas, it is common to see guests strolling through the neighbourhood in their yukata. The loose-fitting garment is perfect for relaxing and sleeping in.
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- How to wear a yukata
- First, put your arms through the sleeves like you would with a shirt. Take the right side of the yukata and wrap it across your body. Then take the left side and wrap it over the right, making sure that the robe is levelled at your ankle. Pinning the yukata closed on the right side, wrap the sash around your waist a couple of times and then tie a bow. Generally, the bow is tied around the waist for women, and the hips for men.
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- What is a Japanese hot spring (onsen)?
- Onsen (literally ‘hot spring’) is a term often used to refer to both the mineral-rich hot springs and the bathing facilities that house them. Whether the bath is public or private, gender-segregated or mixed, indoor or outdoor, soaking and unwinding in the soothing geothermal waters at an onsen is a millennia-old custom deeply embedded in Japanese culture.
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- Bathing procedures and etiquette
- At a public bath – onsen or not – guests are expected to shed all their clothes in their respective changing rooms before entering the bathing area. As a common courtesy, once inside the bathing area, guests should wash and rinse their bodies thoroughly before quietly stepping into the hot water. Whether you relax in solitude or converse softly with others is up to you, but guests should always be mindful of others. Wash towels are often used to cover one’s private areas while walking around. However, note that you must not put towels in the water.
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- Why are tattoos not allowed?
- While tattoos have become more popular among the youth of Japan, many Japanese people still associate them with outlaws and organized crime. Nowadays, not all businesses ban customers with tattoos, but you may still be refused admission to public baths and swimming pools. Small tattoos may be covered up using waterproof plasters, but keep in mind that each property has the final say on what’s acceptable.
This is our guests' favourite part of Kyoto, according to independent reviews.
Couples particularly like the location — they rated it 8.8 for a two-person trip.
Select topics to read reviews:
See what guests loved the most:
Rajan
United Kingdom“Really lovely hotel. The staff were very friendly and helpful. The Japanese breakfast was good, quite different from a British / European breakfast. The room was comfortable; a little cold but heated up quickly with the heater.”
Kelsey
Australia“so beautiful - a lovely “traditional” ryokan - staff were exceptional, and honestly the best sleep I’ve had in 3 weeks in Japan! would recommend 1000%”- JianhuiAustralia“Very polite staff, convenient location, nice breakfast and cosy atmosphere.”
Vicki
South Korea“Our room was nice and cozy, and had a nice view of a small garden. The staff was great. Breakfast was included. It was possible to book for a private bath, which was great. Location is walking distance from Kyoto Station.”
Henriika
Japan“Convenient stay close to the railway station. Overall it was a nice ryokan experience, and the room was very cute, breakfast was ok. The staff was amazing!”
PatriciaAustralia“- the staff was so friendly and helpful! - breakfast was very filling - facilities like private Onsen was really nice - so close to everything!”- GiorgiaAustralia“the staff were exceptional! so welcoming and polite.”
- NancyUnited Kingdom“The staff is very welcoming and friendly. The rooms are traditional japanese, simple but beautiful. The breakfast they prepare for you in the morning is great. And the location is perfect. Great value for the price.”
- Patrick
Canada“The area was nice, the staff was very pleasant to interact with, the breakfast was awesome, both as I have orderd both the japanese classic and western classic was pleased with both. The room was very cosy!” 
JessbaAustralia“The staff were accommodating and friendly, the room was large and clean, and the bath in particular was excellent after a long day exploring. Location was also perfect for newcomers to Kyoto.”
- For the single rooms, is the common shower on the same floor? How many people & rooms share that shower? Pls provide a photo of the single room w bedThank you very much for the inquiry. Shawer room is in front of the room and for just 2 Single rooms.Answered on 6 August 2022
- Hello, Hope you are well. My partner and myself would love to book at your property but wanted to check with you if you have any room with private ons..Thank you for your message. We don't have a room with private onsen, but we have private bathroom which is 880 yen/hour and need to make a reservati..Answered on 3 December 2022
- Do the standard western twin rooms all have a balcony? Is there a washing machine for guests use?Thank you for your question. The room has a small balcony. We have a coin laundry. Sincerely, Matsubaya ryokanAnswered on 4 January 2020
- At what time is breakfast served?Thank you for your inquiry. It is 7;30 am to 9:30 am.Answered on 21 November 2022
- Hi how are you? Do you Have private bathroom. We are family Of 5. We need rooms c lose to each other. Thank youThank you for your inquiry. Yes i do. We have private bathroom for 1~2 peaple. If you have reservation pleases let us know.Answered on 13 November 2022
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Cancellation/
prepayment
Cancellation and prepayment policies vary according to accommodation type. Please enter the dates of your stay and check the conditions of your required room.
Children and beds
Child policies
Children of any age are welcome.
Children aged 4 years and above are considered adults at this property.
To see correct prices and occupancy information, please add the number of children in your group and their ages to your search.
Cot and extra bed policies
Prices for cots are not included in the total price, and will have to be paid for separately during your stay.
The number of cots allowed is dependent on the option you choose. Please check your selected option for more information.
There are no extra beds available at this property.
All cots are subject to availability.
No age restriction
There is no age requirement for check-in
Matsubaya Ryokan accepts these cards and reserves the right to temporarily hold an amount prior to arrival.
Pets
Pets are not allowed.
The fine print
Please contact the property in advance to enquire about child rates for children over 4 years old.
In response to Coronavirus (COVID-19), additional safety and sanitation measures are in effect at this property.
Due to Coronavirus (COVID-19), this property is taking steps to help protect the safety of guests and staff. Certain services and amenities may be reduced or unavailable as a result.
An accommodation tax per person per night is not included in the price and needs to be paid at the property.
FAQs about Matsubaya Ryokan
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Matsubaya Ryokan offers the following activities / services (charges may apply):
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Room options at Matsubaya Ryokan include:
- Twin
- Single
- Triple
- Family
- Suite
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Check-in at Matsubaya Ryokan is from 15:00, and check-out is until 10:00.
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The prices at Matsubaya Ryokan may vary depending on your stay (e.g. dates you select, hotel's policy etc.). See the prices by entering your dates.
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Guests staying at Matsubaya Ryokan can enjoy a highly-rated breakfast during their stay (guest review score: 8.7).
Breakfast option(s) include:
- Continental
- Asian
- American
- À la carte
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Matsubaya Ryokan is 0.8 miles from the centre of Kyoto.
