Ryokan Shimizu
600-8317 Kyoto, Kyoto, Shimogyo-ku Shichijo dori Wakamiya agaru Kagiyacho 644, Japan – Excellent location – show map
Excellent location – rated 9.1/10! (score from 287 reviews)
Real guests • Real stays • Real opinions
The hosts were very welcoming, friendly, and helpful. The rooms were clean, tidy and big. The breakfast is very lovely and comes with plenty of rice, different kinds of side dishes, soup, tea or coffee. It gets you really energized for the day. The hosts also respond to your dietary needs. Overall I really like the very cozy and welcoming feeling you get from staying here.
GermanyLocation, 8 minutes leisure walk from the Kyoto station; cleanliness; attentive and accommodating owner who knows the place and the different areas of interests and already mapped the place and all I have to do is follow the procedures. The breakfast is superb.
United States of AmericaThe room, facilities, and breakfast were perfect. But what set this place apart from all of the other places I've stayed were the hosts. I can honestly say they are the most genuinely nice people I have ever met in the industry, and that says a lot!
United States of AmericaThe staff was very helpful and friendly. The place is super clean and well organized. Highly recommended if you want to experience a traditional Japanese house
United States of AmericaThe staff were super friendly and spoke English. The hotel felt very cozy, and the breakfast exceeded my expectations.
JapanThe staff was more than friendly and helpful when we had a few issues with checking in. All in all a great place to stay
United States of AmericaThe place was really great. Loved the traditional style but still super comfy futons, loved the private use of the onsen and the bikes were super handy. I really appreciated that they opened early for us to drop off bags and hire bikes. Would definitely stay there again.
JapanStaff is very courteous. The little surprise we got at check out was a very nice gesture on their part. I’ll keep it a secret at this stage 😊. It was value for money.
AustraliaKind and attentive staff. Very clean, spacious, and comfortable rooms. Will be back again!
United States of AmericaVery Clean and awesome hosts! They were very accommodating. Loved the classic vibe of the Ryokan.
United States of America
- What guests loved the most:
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Kang
Germany
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Ellis
United States of America
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Masato
United States of America
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Ahmed
United States of America
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Ethan
Japan
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Noah
United States of America
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Kirstin
Japan
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Manoj
Australia
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Lilah
United States of America
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United States of America
Categories:
Stay in the heart of Kyoto – Excellent location – show map
About a 7-minute walk from JR Kyoto Train Station and a 3-minute walk to Nishi-Hongan-ji Temple, Ryokan Shimizu is a nonsmoking property that provides air-conditioned Japanese rooms with free Wi-Fi and a private bathroom. Rental bicycles are available at an additional charge.
Guests at Shimizu Ryokan can experience traditional Japanese-style sleeping arrangements, with futon bedding on a tatami (woven-straw) floor. Rooms include a TV, a fridge and a tea maker. The en suite bath has toiletries.
Higashi-Hongan-ji Temple is a 5-minute walk away, while Gojo Subway Station is a 10-minute walk. Sanjusangen-do Temple is 1.2 mi away. On-site parking is possible, for a fee.
Housed in a traditional “machiya-zukuri” building, the hotel includes a small garden and a hot bath that can be reserved for private use.
This property is a ryokan, which is a type of traditional Japanese Inn. Learn more
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- What's a ryokan?
- A ryokan is a traditional Japanese inn. They usually feature bathhouses, multicourse 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 travelers has evolved into a popular destination for relaxation surrounded by therapeutic mineral springs.
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- What are the big differences between a ryokan and a hotel?
- Unlike a hotel, where the guest room is just a place to turn in for the night, a ryokan is more than just a place to sleep. In Japan, many travelers journey long distances to relax in a hot spring bath and feast on a traditional multicourse dinner – staying in a ryokan is an experience in and of itself. These ryokans typically have Japanese-style rooms with woven-straw floors and futon beds (no Western beds and carpeting). You should also remove your shoes at the entrance of the room, or before you enter it. Modern ryokans might serve buffet-style meals in a dining area, while more traditional ryokans tend to serve in-room dinners. Some ryokan rooms have a private bathroom, and others might just have a shared bathroom.
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- What's a kaiseki meal?
- Kaiseki is the culinary highlight at a ryokan, embodying beautifully presented dishes that delight both the palate and the eyes. Every one of the 10 to 15 dishes that make up the multicourse Japanese dinner is prepared in a way that highlights the unique textures, colors, and flavors of featured seasonal ingredients and local specialties. Most commonly served at special restaurants and ryokans, a traditional kaiseki dinner usually consists of bite-size appetizers, fresh sashimi (raw fish, like sushi), soup, grilled fish or meat, a hot-pot dish, rice with miso soup, and a small dessert.
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- What's a yukata?
- A yukata is a casual summer kimono or robe, typically made of light cotton. Many ryokans provide guests with yukata robes during their stay. In some areas, it's common to see guests strolling through the neighborhood in their yukatas. The loose-fitting garment is perfect for sleeping and relaxing in.
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- How should I wear a yukata?
- First, put your arms through the sleeves like you would with a robe. 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 level at your ankles. 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's 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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- What's standard bathing etiquette?
- At a bathhouse—onsen or not—guests are expected to remove all clothing 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 should not put towels in the water.
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- Why are tattoos not allowed?
- While tattoos have become more popular among Japan's youth, many Japanese people still associate them with outlaws and organized crime. Nowadays, not all businesses ban customers with tattoos, but you might still be refused admission to bathhouses and swimming pools. Small tattoos can be covered up using waterproof bandaids, but keep in mind that each property has the final say on what’s acceptable.
This is our guests' favorite part of Kyoto, according to independent reviews.
Couples in particular like the location – they rated it 9.2 for a two-person trip.
Most popular amenities
Select topics to read reviews:
See what guests loved the most:
- KKang
Germany“The hosts were very welcoming, friendly, and helpful. The rooms were clean, tidy and big. The breakfast is very lovely and comes with plenty of rice, different kinds of side dishes, soup, tea or coffee. It gets you really energized for the day....” 
Ellis
United States of America“Location, 8 minutes leisure walk from the Kyoto station; cleanliness; attentive and accommodating owner who knows the place and the different areas of interests and already mapped the place and all I have to do is follow the procedures. The...”
MasatoUnited States of America“The room, facilities, and breakfast were perfect. But what set this place apart from all of the other places I've stayed were the hosts. I can honestly say they are the most genuinely nice people I have ever met in the industry, and that says a lot!”
AhmedUnited States of America“The staff was very helpful and friendly. The place is super clean and well organized. Highly recommended if you want to experience a traditional Japanese house”- EEthan
Japan“The staff were super friendly and spoke English. The hotel felt very cozy, and the breakfast exceeded my expectations.” 
NoahUnited States of America“The staff was more than friendly and helpful when we had a few issues with checking in. All in all a great place to stay”
KirstinJapan“The place was really great. Loved the traditional style but still super comfy futons, loved the private use of the onsen and the bikes were super handy. I really appreciated that they opened early for us to drop off bags and hire bikes. Would...”- Manoj
Australia“Staff is very courteous. The little surprise we got at check out was a very nice gesture on their part. I’ll keep it a secret at this stage 😊. It was value for money.” - LilahUnited States of America“Kind and attentive staff. Very clean, spacious, and comfortable rooms. Will be back again!”
- AAnonymousUnited States of America“Very Clean and awesome hosts! They were very accommodating. Loved the classic vibe of the Ryokan.”
- Hi, how much is the parking fee?1日1000円＋TAXです。Answered on February 16, 2021
- What time are the communal baths available?16時から23時まで利用できます。Answered on February 16, 2021
- I wish to book a twin room for the 22nd April and then 3,4,5,6 th of May. Can I leave 2x cycle bag 118 x 90 x 30 cmsWe have some rooms available 3,4and5th . If you 'd like to booking ,please check it again.Answered on April 28, 2021
- Hi, will we be able to store our luggage before check in time and after checkout? Thanks!Check-in you can use your room after 16:00 . Luggage storage is offered free of charge from 08:00 on the check-in date. Luggage storage service is not available after check-out for security .Answered on October 30, 2022
Cancellation/
prepayment
Cancellation and prepayment policies vary according to accommodations type. Please enter the dates of your stay and check what conditions apply to your preferred room.
Curfew
The entrance to the property is closed between 12:00 AM and 6:00 AM
Children & Beds
Child policies
Children not allowed.
Crib and extra bed policies
Cribs and extra beds aren't available at this property.
Age restriction
The minimum age for check-in is 18
Cash only
This property only accepts cash payments.
Credit cards are only needed to guarantee your booking .
Smoking
Smoking is not allowed.
Parties
Parties/events are not allowed
Quiet hours
Guests need be quiet between 9:00 PM and 6:00 AM.
Pets
Pets are not allowed.
The fine print
In addition, 1-person rooms can only accommodate 1 people, 2-person rooms can only accommodate 2 people, and 3-person rooms must be booked by a group of 3 guests.
Children including infants cannot be accommodated at this property. Guests with children will not be permitted to check-in, and will be charged cancelation fees.
The property will not be able to provide a room for guests checking in with children on the arrival day.
The hotel has a curfew at 00:00. Guests cannot enter or leave the hotel after this time.
When settling the bill, the hotel will accept cash only (in Japanese yen). The full amount of the reservation must be paid when checking in.
All rates are fixed and cannot be discounted.
For security reasons, only guests staying at this hotel are allowed in the guest rooms. Please note friends and family members visiting the guests are not permitted in the guest rooms.
Check-in before 16:00 is not possible. Luggage storage is offered free of charge from 08:00 on the check-in date.
To cancel or modify your booking, you must do so through your account on booking.com or via booking.com customer service.
An accommodation tax per person, per night is not included in the price and must be paid at the property.
This property does not accommodate bachelor(ette) or similar parties.
Please inform Ryokan Shimizu of your expected arrival time in advance. You can use the Special Requests box when booking, or contact the property directly using the contact details in your confirmation.
Legal info
FAQs about Ryokan Shimizu
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Room options at Ryokan Shimizu include:
- Twin
- Triple
- Single
- Double
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The prices at Ryokan Shimizu may vary depending on your stay (e.g. dates, hotel's policy etc.). To see prices, enter your dates.
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Ryokan Shimizu is 0.7 miles from the center of Kyoto.
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Ryokan Shimizu offers the following activities/services (charges may apply):
- Bicycle rental
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Guests staying at Ryokan Shimizu can enjoy a highly-rated breakfast during their stay (guest review score: 9.8).
Breakfast option(s) include:
- Asian
- À la carte
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From the nearest airport, you can get to Ryokan Shimizu by:
- Train 1h 40min
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Check-in at Ryokan Shimizu is from 4:00 PM, and check-out is until 10:00 AM.
